I’d like to thank everyone who attended the Friends of Secrest Arboretum (FSA) Annual Meeting on October 3rd. Highlights of the meeting follow:
Bylaw Changes
Changes to our bylaws were approved (summary follows) and can be found on our website:
- Create staggered two-year terms for Board Members starting in 2026 to help ensure Board continuity.
- Create a Past President position to create a one-year transition period when a new President is elected.
- Enumerate Board position responsibilities in more detail to clarify roles and responsibilities along with two minor title changes.
- Reword the purpose of FSA.
- Clarify wording regarding membership levels and annual meeting timing.
Board Elections
The following slate of candidates was approved unanimously:
- Robert Everett – President
- Karen Lesiecki – Vice President
- Anne Wilson – Treasurer
- Andrew Cerniglia – Membership Director
- Linda Irwin – Secretary
- Larry Madden – At Large
I’d like to give my personal thanks to all of them for their service. They work many hours in a large variety of ways to make FSA function.
Volunteers
Speaking of volunteers – many of you helped at our various summer activities including:
- 46 at the last Spring Plant sale
- 29 at the last Fall Plant sale
- 26 at the Garden Fair
We couldn’t succeed without you!
Planned for 2026
- Fifth annual Garden Fair
- Sixth summer Concert series
- Email to members
- Plant Sales – as always!
Financials
We ended the year about $8,000 higher than where we started – with almost $53,000 in the bank.
Major sources of income included:
- Fall 2024 Plant Sale ………………………………… $ 15,482
- Spring 2025 Plant Sale …………………………… $ 26,451
- Winterberry Holly Sales …………………………. . $ 10,833
- Garden Fair Registrations & Income ……… $ 8,430
- Membership Dues …………………………………… . $ 10,393
- Donations …………………………………………………. $ 16,222
Major expenses included:
- Purchases for Multiple Plant Sales & Prep $ 24,715
- Plants for the Arboretum Collection ………. $ 12,165
- Music at the Arboretum …………………………… $ 3,360
- Whiz Bang Science Shows & Project Rise $ 1,128
- Grounds Maintenance & Nursery Supplies $ 1,204
- FSA Operations ………………………………………… $ 3,756
- Secrest Staff Salary Support …………………… $ 10,000
- Other Secrest Support Expenses ……………. $ 8,536
- Garden Fair Expenses ………………………………. $ 3,600
Final Thoughts
Gift Memberships make wonderful holiday gifts! They can be purchased online at FriendsofSecrest.com or by mailing a membership form and check (available at the website) to:
Friends of Secrest Arboretum
3540 Burbank Rd #190
Wooster, OH 44691
As always, please reach out to me at friendsofsecrest@gmail.com should you have questions about FSA or if you are interested in volunteering or serving on the board. We are especially looking for someone to help promote FSA events through the press and social media.
–Bob Everett, President, Friends of Secrest Arboretum