Playgrounds all over the State are much quieter now.  Garden Clubs are quieter now also.  A new look on the playground.  Rain, a tad bit of snowflakes here and there and bare branches showing off their sculptural shapes are nature’s landscape for the winter playground.   Skaters and snowmen share their space with the wrapped up joggers and children playing tag in the cold.

The holiday season is a fond memory and now we have time to make phone calls, reminding members and guests of the special meetings coming up, the traditional project that is still exciting and worthwhile, plus the annual meetings with great programs. This year will be busy in Indiana with the Judges’ Design Luncheon, State Convention, Landscape Design School and Flower Show School Symposium.  What opportune times to invite guest to attend and participate.

As members of TGCI, let us go out and enjoy the winter landscape, have a fun time, and by example we may encourage someone else to wrap up and enjoy this playground in a different manner.  Once they are at your event.

                        —SMILE AND MAKE THEM  FEEL WELCOME —                                           

When a guest visits your meeting, make them feel welcome and do not overwhelm them.  Make it a gentle introduction, please.  Guests visit because they are curious, and we must show by example, not by volunteering them as the next new member for the upcoming available committee assignment.   

A membership chairman responsibilities are not many, but it can be frustrating.  Members ask questions about getting new members and the only answers I have are the tried and true ones.  They bear repeating.  Even the National Chairman says the same thing over and over.  All of us just re-arrange the wording but the intent is the same.  INVITE  INVITE  INVITE   Just keep INVITING.  Maybe someone does not have time when you extend the invitation, but they retire or are downsized,  INVITE again.

We are here because we enjoy garden club, just share that knowledge.  It is not a secret organization, it is worthwhile and worthy of our time.  So spread the news and continue to encourage others to join in the fun. 

 As membership chairman, I am dreading the day of trying to do the figures for the Silver Bowl Award. This award is passed to the District with the largest percentage increase in membership.  Doing this math is by far the most difficult part of this job.  Sharing my enthusiasm for federated garden clubs and their benefits is almost a no—brainer.  At first I was nervous, but then realizing I just had to share my honest thoughts, and the fact that I sincerely believe in this organization, made this an easy place to be and a more than enjoyable chairmanship.  I am so glad that I have had this opportunity to do

so on a state wide level.  You may continue to contact me for information or programs.  As an involved member, I am always willing to aid with the growth of membership.  Cheryl Toney is your new candidate for this job and I wish her well.   She does many great programs and will continue to work with you to help meet your needs.   

Just ASK, INVITE, ASK and the enthusiasm will be contagious.  Be excited when guests turn up at the meeting,  enjoy their presence on our playground, and continue to encourage their eagerness to learn and to experience the joy of belonging to a garden club.  

Your 2005-2007 Membership Chairman,
                 Joyce Bulington