Williamstown Garden Club Executive Committee Meeting: May 13, 2016
A meeting of the Executive Committee was held at 1 pm at the home of Joan Wright. Attending were Robin Clutz, Treasurer; Kathy McKnight, Secretary; Pam Turton, Nominating; Anne Tiffany, Corresponding Secretary; Elaine Neely, Susan Hyde, and Sue Metzner, Civic Beautification; Linda Conway, Publicity and Programs: Marilyn Faulkner, Membership/Outreach; Susan Pike, Publications and Website; and Joan Wright and Dianne Glick, Co-Presidents, with Dianne Glick presiding.
Treasurer’s Report: The report by Robin Clutz showed total assets of $54,738.77 with the Mountain One Checking Account: $13,332.05 (includes $5,000 from Alice Shaver Foundation); the Mountain One Savings Account: $9,653.38 (includes $1,358 interest from Sally Tenney Osborne Fund); and the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation: $31,753.34 (with WGC Fund at $22,735.39 and Jean Lee Fund at $9,017.95). Robin is looking for someone she can help transition into becoming the Treasurer so she can relinquish her position after many years. Committee chairs reported that everything is on budget for the year.
Garden Club T-shirts: These will be available at the June meeting with sign-ups for sizes at the May meeting.
Civic Beautification: Regarding the Sally Tenney Osborne Garden at the Milne Library, there was some concern as to who was/would be in charge of maintenance. The watering was supposed to be done by the library and there was a question as to whether this had worked well last summer. Dianne Glick, Elaine Neely and Joan Wright will assess the current situation with the plantings. There was a suggestion to replace the azaleas with something more hardy. It was recommended that perhaps the Field Park volunteers could go once a month to the library and monitor the situation. Linda Conway explained the history behind the garden at the Milne as well as the Garden Club’s involvement and the source of funds dedicated to its maintenance.
Plant Sale: Elaine Neely discussed the upcoming sale on May 28 which will include a bake sale and tag sale of garden items in addition to the perennials from members’ gardens. An email will be sent to members reviewing the event and member obligations. Ginny Sheldon has ground cover that can be dug and sold. Anyone needing help with digging may contact Elaine for assistance. There was discussion regarding the publicity and location of signs and equipment for the sale.
Scholarship: The group voted to recommend a donation of $1,000 to the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Scholarship Fund which helps provide educational scholarships to high school seniors furthering their studies in horticulture and related fields. The WGC scholarship chair would help facilitate these applications with the local schools.
Membership/Outreach: The group recommended that this committee be divided into Membership (which Marilyn Faulkner is willing to chair) and Outreach. It was suggested that the latter might attract younger prospective members and their children and promote a family gardening effort in support of the WGC civic beautification plans. However, it is a new initiative and there was a question as to its leadership. Pam Turton will contact Sarah Foehl to determine her interest in pursuing this further.
Program: Linda Conway requested suggestions as to a location for the August meeting which requires a power point presentation and the ability to darken a room. This is difficult to achieve in a private home and it was recommended that she try St. John’s Church.
General Discussion: This centered on the reluctance of Club members to take on officer and chairperson responsibilities. Hence several committees have groups of individuals with no designated chair or coordinator. The lack of a “point person” makes it difficult to understand whom to contact for what. Susan Pike suggested the bylaws should note that there might not be a chair. Linda Conway felt that the membership should realize that the organization needs volunteers to come forward and assume these leadership positions. A comment was made that “we don’t need new projects when we can’t cover the ones we already have.” Dianne Glick recommended that the group consider continuing a two year Co-Presidency but have the two year terms be staggered so as to overlap and assure continuity – and confidence in the job.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:30, followed by refreshments generously provided by Joan Wright.
Kathy McKnight, Recording Co-Secretary