The Garden Club of Windham
Minutes of Board Meeting 11/20/2024
Windham Senior Center/Virtual
Call to order – 4:05 pm, Barbara Wright and Jay Osborne, co-chairs presiding
In Attendance – Faith Kenton, Kathleen Mangiafico, Jay Osborne, Daniel Phipps, Ursula Roskoski, Debbie Stoloff, Carole Williamson, Barbara Wright, Pam Wright.
Minutes of the Board meeting held on 10/24/2024 were unanimously approved as they had been posted on-line previously for members to access and read. Faith asked that it be noted that, after Jay’s discussion of communication policy, she had concurred.
Zoom Renewal – The renewal of the Zoom account is due on December 2. Debbie moved that we renew the Zoom account for one year for the cost of $159. Carole seconded the motion. Motion passed with unanimous approval.
End of Season Dinner – An end of season social event has been proposed and research on several venues was compiled and emailed previously for members to peruse prior to the meeting with various pros and cons listed for each, including such things as site, price, parking, etc., with availability on three dates in mid-December. After lengthy discussion of pros and cons, including of the dates and purpose of the get-together, Carole made a motion that we meet for dinner and socializing on Dec 11 at the Fenton River Grill. Debbie seconded the motion. Motion carried with unanimous approval.
Proposed Slate of officers for 2025 – Compiling a slate of officers for the coming year has been a work in progress. Barbara stated that she would like to open the discussion to the whole board for ideas, suggestions for new committees, new members who might be interested in board positions, etc. She stated that according to bylaws the board needs to present a draft slate of officers for the coming year at the last meeting of the year. That means we will need to have a meeting in December to propose a suggested slate for April and a financial plan. It could be a brief meeting by Zoom.
Educational Programs – Faith proposed compiling a list of possible committees and points about each to possibly interest new members in joining or chairing them. She stated that we had been talking about an educational committee for a while and she thinks that is really important and has to be ongoing to provide programs about the how’s and why’s of gardening. Carole added such items as how to plant successfully, how to prune successfully. Barbara stated that these educational activities for beginners are essential for growing new membership, which is a great segue into the next agenda item.
Growing GC Membership – Barbara stated that this is essential, we have to grow membership.
She stated that the membership list was inherited by her and Jay and is chaotic, it includes anyone who has ever had contacts with the GC, people who have moved or are no longer interested, but also people who have kept up membership but are not active and who might be able to be persuaded to become more active. Faith stated that she would like to send a holiday card to all members just as a greeting, with a little info on upcoming events, and the friendly suggestion that maybe we’ll see you sometime in the spring. There was lengthy discussion of the pros and cons of various methods of outreach.
Social Events – Dan stated that, if the board wishes to have a string of social events, he would propose starting an Events Committee.
Other – Barbara stated that this item refers to spreading evergreens on the planters at the Garden on the Bridge. This is done for aesthetics but may also help protect some of the new plantings and is done with donated cuttings. Faith agreed to take charge of distribution of whatever greens and berries are collected by the first weekend of December.
Next Meeting – TBD
Adjourned – 5:50 pm
Respectfully submitted by Ursula Roskoski
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