Executive Committee Meeting: October 18, 2016
A Meeting of the Executive Committee was held on Tuesday, October 18 at 2 pm at Joan Wright’s home. Attending were Co-Presidents Dianne Glick and Joan Wright, Linda Conway (Programs), Elaine Neely (Field Park), Sue Pike (Website), Marilyn Faulkner (Membership), Eja Heekin (Fall Plant Sale), Robin Clutz (Treasurer), and Kathy McKnight (Recording Secretary).
Meeting Days and Times: It was determined that meetings would continue to be held on Tuesdays at 1 pm with perhaps one meeting to be held on a Saturday morning. Any Saturday meeting must be coordinated with Saturday meetings held by the Williamstown Historical Museum. The occasional 10am time this past year did not attract younger members as hoped. There was mention that any meetings held in public places could be open to the public. Linda Conway and Anne Tiffany will share leadership at the November meeting as neither co-president is available.
Website: Dianne discussed how general membership emails have been utilized between monthly meeting notices sent by the web provider. These have been sent by the President who put the members’ emails on her personal computer, thus avoiding going through the web master. Sue Pike shared upgrade information, and the group decided that the jump from the 2016 website cost of $729.88 to the proposed upgrade of $1199.88 was not justified at this point. The current procedure will continue.
Beautification: Two pots on the Post Office steps planted with geraniums and owned by Susan Hyde, were smashed by vandals following a football game. Co-Presidents Dianne Glick and Joan Wright submitted a letter reporting the incident to the Williams Record. This was published in the October 19 th issue. A $50. gift card to Whitneys from the WGC will be purchased for Susan, though she did decline reimbursement. A small brass plaque “This garden is planted and maintained by the Williamstown Garden Club” has been approved by the Post Office and will be displayed in the small garden there.
Publicity: Suggestions included updating the display board, an advertisement on the screen at Images Cinema, a display and one-year membership as a prize at the Holiday Walk Penny Social, an increased effort to have programs included in the Eagle’s community calendar, include the meeting dates and topics on the Town’s calendar, provide membership brochures in an acrylic holder at Town Hall, conduct a special membership drive in the spring, and invite the public to come help on a specific day. Joan Wright and Dianne Glick will compose a “Letter to the Editor” promoting the beautification efforts of the Garden Club
Program: Suggestions included practical, hands-on demonstrations such as pruning, propagation and growing vegetables as well as flowers. Kathie Jones was mentioned as someone who might help with propagation. Sheep Hill was suggested as a potential meeting place for “hands-on” workshops.
Officers: Nominating Chair, Pam Turton, is eager to receive suggestions. Presidential leadership remains a concern. Robin said she would continue as Treasurer for one more year but wants to train someone to succeed her.
Treasurer: Robin presented the 2016-17 budget with a proposed income of $11,809 and expenses of $10,500. This was changed with an additional budget line for public relations of $1,500 for a total expense line of $12,000. The budget will be presented for approval by the membership at the Annual Meeting at the Williams Inn on December 13.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:25 pm.
Kathy McKnight, Recording Secretary