Executive Director's Message

MTC Needs You!

Please mark your calendars and complete your pre-registration form to attend a fabulous Educational Program and Trade Show all dedicated to Cheryl Gaultney, our secretary for 46 years. Once again, we are going to be at the premier facilities at Turf Valley Resort & Golf Course in Ellicott City, MD. You can find your pre-registration form on page 19 in this magazine or watch for the pre-registration packet that is being sent directly to you. Look on the preregistration form, page 19 for a new pre-reigstration schedule to save you money and hopefully avoid the rush the morning of the conference.

Our conference is LIVE this year, however, if you are feeling ill or still having fears of large groups, you can still attend the “Lawn & Landscape Management Track” virtually with zoom. However, you will miss the Trade Show, fine food and the networking opportunities only available at the LIVE conference. Please indicate on your conference registration form if you cannot join us.

Also, on the pre-registration form or the sponsor/vendor form, please see the question asking, “Do you prefer receiving notices and forms by email or U.S. Mail?” Several members have asked to have notices and forms e-mailed to them instead of sending it through the U.S. Mail. We have already started a new email contact group for those preferring email. If you choose email, all will come in that form except the quarterly MTC Turf News Magazine.

As of September 25, we already have seven vendors and a sponsor, but there is still plenty of room for you to be a vendor and show us all your wares. If you prefer to support the University Turfgrass Research Program, we can always use many sponsors to help reduce the cost of the conference and increase the funding we have to support the turfgrass programs. Just complete the form on page 21 and send it in ASAP to receive the best pricing. Thank you for your support.

Don’t miss the “Quilt for Research Raffle” on page 18. These top-quality lap quilts are fantastic for watching TV, sitting by a bonfire, or just snuggling with a loved one. These are designed and constructed by Katy, our treasurer. This year’s quilt has Black-eyed Susans as the center of each square. It is approximately 50" x 63" and is valued between $550 to $600. John Shields won last year, and Diana Patton won the year before. Tickets are $10 each or 3 for $20 and the drawing will occur at the MTC General Meeting right after lunch.

Have you ever considered being part of the MTC Board? We are in need of a secretary; 46 years’ experience is NOT a requirement but some of the secretary’s duties are:

• Keep a complete record of all meetings of the MTC Annual General Meetings, monthly Board of Directors meetings, and any special meetings which may be called (generally 12 – 14 per year with many being by Zoom).

• Maintain the meeting records of the MTC, with a duplicate copy maintained by the executive director.

• Provide notices of all meetings to all board members and advisors, accumulate the responses to ensure a quorum will be available for the meetings.

• Assist the executive director, treasurer and others with registration and sign-in at the Annual Winter Conference, Regional Pesticide / Fertilizer Recertification Classes, University of Maryland Field Days or other such activities as needed (perhaps 3 – 5 per year).

• Coordinate other activities with the executive director that may be necessary.

• The term of the secretary is 2 years, but you may be re-elected if desired at the Annual Conference.

If you think you would like to get involved, please contact any MTC Board Member or give me a call.

Looking forward to seeing you at Turf Valley,

Vernon Cooper

MTC Executive Director