THE ANNUAL
"CHECK-UP"
FOR YOUR CLUB

 

As some of you may recall, our national organization was formerly called National Council of State Garden Clubs.  In 2001 the name was changed because it was felt that the original name was too long and there would be better name recognition with a shortened name.  The convention body approved the name change, and we became known as National Garden Clubs.  Do you realize that National Garden Clubs, we’ll refer to them as NGC, is the largest volunteer gardening organization in the world?  And… you are a part of it.

There are 221,943 members in 7,183 clubs in our 50 states and the District of Columbia.  In addition, there are 477 International Affiliates.  Those are garden club members in such countries as Canada, Mexico, Central and South America, Europe and so on.  And, there are 49 National Affiliates.  Those are organizations such as the American Rose Society, American Daffodil Society, National Wildlife Federation, U.S. National Arboretum, and even Walt Disney World Horticulture Services.  So, you see, we are a very large organization. 

Your club can keep up-to-date on NGC’s membership, as it is always in the current issue of The National Gardener on page 1.  Each Club President receives a complimentary copy of The National Gardener magazine during his/her term of office.  It is NGC’s intent that the 4 issues per year be shared with the club members, as they contain many interesting articles, beautiful photographs, updates on NGC projects, etc.

In 1999 NGC adopted a mission statement.  It reads: National Garden Clubs, Inc. provides education, resources and national networking opportunities for its members to promote the love of gardening, floral design, civic and environmental responsibility. 

NGC hopes that you are inspired by its mission statement.

They hope you are enthused about the opportunities they offer to learn about gardening, floral design, landscaping and the environment.

They hope your club is energized by participation in the projects and activities of your district and state.

Our national organization is interested in the health and well-being of the individual garden clubs, much like you are interested in the health and well-being of the members of your own families.  You want them to be happy and well adjusted – to set worthwhile goals and to achieve them.  NGC wants its club to be happy and to achieve their goals.

Just as an annual checkup is advised for humans, an annual checkup is also a good idea for your garden club to be certain it is on a healthy road-on a pathway to success.

So, let’s conduct a little annual check-up.  You will be the “chief examiner”, and you can evaluate your own club’s stability.

 

First, let’s start with:
THE EYES How is your club’s vision?
Has you club foreseen its members’ interests and planned accordingly for a variety of programs that include the basic goals and objectives of the garden club organization?  Nurture your members with informative programming.  Two years ago I was privileged to serve on the committee to judge club yearbooks, and was quite surprised, and disappointed actually, to see how weak some of the club’s monthly programs were.  It was easy to SEE why members might lose enthusiasm about attending meetings. 

THE EARS  Is your club receptive to hearing new ideas? 
Do your members guard against the tendency to say “no” too quickly to ideas that are presented.  An easy way to bury an idea is to say: “We’ve never done it that way before”.   

THE MOUTH  Are your business meetings conducted in a concise manner?
Do members carry on individual conversations while the President is presiding? Start your meetings on time, have a well prepared agenda, and there will be ample time for everyone to enjoy the speaker and to visit with one another. 

THE ARMS  Do you open wide your arms and embrace all members in your club’s activities? 
Are all members invited to participate in some manner?  Maybe it is something as simple as serving as a co-hostess for a meeting.  It could be giving a brief report on an unusual plant that a particular member grows.  It is important to include all members in some manner, so the feel needed.  There is a saying that is worthwhile remembering:  Use a member or lose a member. 

THE BODY – your club’s composition. 
Do you have interested, active and involved members?  We need each generation in our garden clubs—those with the practical experience of years—those with the enthusiasm and strength to carry through—and those with idealism to work toward a better tomorrow.  All of these members contribute to the uniqueness of your club. 

Finally,
THE EXERCISE PLAN  Are projects and activities an integral part of your club? Our gardening experiences become exciting for us when we plan and execute worthwhile projects.  Working together on a community project spurs enthusiasm, generates publicity and provides an opportunity to apply for awards.  Receiving an award creates pride among the members.  An active club is a healthy club.

So, how did your club do with its checkup?  If it passed with flying colors, congratulations!  If not, resolve to improve its health where needed, so it will be in peak conditions this time next year.

A healthy club is a happy club.  

Remember: 

 Garden club membership is a privilege, a responsibility and a joy.  Make the most of it!
 

Written and given by NGC Representative

at 74th Annual State Convention ,
Gerry St. Peters