National Garden Clubs, Inc.
New England Region

NEW ENGLAND REGION 73rd ANNUAL MEETING MINUTES
BARTLETT, NH

October 17, 2007

Call to Order

        NER Director Sonia Cianchette called the 73rd NER Annual Meeting to order at 9:00AM.

Opening Ceremonies

Susan Robinson, President of Federated Garden Clubs of Vermont led a prayer of invocation. Shirlene Gosline, President, Garden Club Federation of Maine led the Pledge of Allegiance to the United State of America.

Welcome Joyce Kimball, President of The New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., introduced Virginia Urdi, NER Meeting Chairman, to welcome members of Board of Directors, garden club members and guests to the 73rd Annual Meeting and conference She explained that the pink tulips given to each attendee were in recognition of October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Response was given by Lynne Merrill, President of The Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs. She extended an invitation to the spring symposium themed “First Aid For The Garden”

Invitations Celeste Wilson, President of The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, extended the invitation to the 2008 NER Annual Meeting on October 16 -17 to be held at Sturbridge, Massachusetts and Maria Nahom, President of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc., invited all to attend the NER Symposium June 9-11, 2008 at the Hartford Marriott, Rocky Hill, CT.

Registration NER Credential Chairman Ronnie Schoelzel reported a voting strength of 81 present. ADOPTED

Annual Meeting Rules were read by Virginia GrandPrè . ADOPTED AS READ

Annual meeting program Virginia Urdi NER Annual Meeting Chairman recommended the program be adopted as printed.. ADOPTED

2007 Minutes Approval Committee Maria Nahom and Joyce Kimball were appointed to serve as the committee.

2006 Annual Minutes Allison Beards reported the Minutes for the 72nd Annual Meeting were approved by the committee.

Report of NER Director Sonia Cianchette conveyed information from the NGC Fall meeting in St. Louis: the NGC website has been updated. Information about conservation issues; a new Award category for flower shows “Grower’s Choice”; recycling efforts cell phones and printer cartridges (email carol@carter.com for more information); “Seeds of Tomorrow” program a collaboration with Gro-Well Products as well as traditional information can be found on the website: www.gardenclub.org. A copy of the report is attached to the minutes.

NER Treasurer’s Statement Helga Frazzette reported:

Reports of NER State Presidents:

Joyce Kimball, President NHFGC,
Celeste Wilson, President GCF of MA,
Maria Nahom, President, FGCC,
Shirlene Gosline, President GCF of ME,
Lynne Merrill, President RIFGC,
Susan Robinson, President FGCVT

            Copies of the New England Presidents’ reports are attached to these minutes and are available upon request.

Regional Chairmen Reports

40th Annual NER Symposium Chairman, Frankie Gibson, reported 94 attendees, 27 for exams, at the September 9,10, 11, 2007 event at Killington, Vermont. The symposium was a success.

Awards Chairman, Kathy Thomas, recommended the adoption of a “universal” application form for all NER award applications. APPROVED

The new cover application form can be accessed on the NER website.

Polly Povall, moved that the NER purchase canvas bags with NER identified on the bag at a cost of $12.00 to be sold at a suggested price of $20.00 as a NER fundraiser. Susan Robinson gave the second. APPROVED

NER Director’s Project Chairman, Rebecca Linney gave a brief presentation of “Future Choices” which promotes the education about and the use of regionally native alternatives to non-native invasive plants. Emphasis is placed upon inter-committee and agency cooperative education and awareness avenues. She noted that biological diversity is important to supportive relationships in both the plant and animal kingdoms. Climate and its changes are also factors in the equations. All garden clubs are urged to encourage garden centers to remove non-natives from their sales stock. Awareness, education, and implementation of this ecologically sound program is important to each local area.

NER Website Chairman, Pam Hebert, reported the website is current and up-to-date, and she strongly advocated that all emails carry a “NER” as part of the subject to avoid a message being sorted into junk mail.

NER Symposium, 2006 Chairman, Sue Redden, gave her final report. Total Income of $17,581.50; Total Expenses of $16,655.71; Net Profit of $925.79 with a split of 60% to RIFGC and 40% to NER.

Environmental Concerns, Heidi Kost-Gross, advised the group there is pending in federal legislation an amendment to the Federal Water Act assuring all state rights over their own water resources. She encouraged us to inform ourselves of the contents of this amendment and to contact our legislators to indicate how we want them to vote.

Historical and Memorial Gardens Chairman Susan Faulkner’s written report emphasized Awards #50 and #51 was read by the NER Secretary.

Memorial Service Caroline Frey conducted a service in memory of NER board members Shirley Dennison Johnston, Past President of The GCF of Maine; Peg Tart, Wildflower Chairman from Vermont; and Jean Whittaker, Past President RIFGC. A copy of the reading is attached to these minutes.

Virginia Urdi introduced a representative from New England Rain Barrel Company who gave a brief presentation about water conservation by means of collecting roof water run-off in rain barrels. It was noted that this may possibly be used as a cooperative environmental awareness project for garden clubs.

The meeting was recessed at 11:30 AM for the presentation of the speaker: Peter Crane, Director of Programs at Mt. Washington Observatory “History of Mt. Washington - Home of the Worst Weather”.

The meeting was reconvened at 12:45 PM by NER Director Sonia Cianchette.

The blessing was given by Claire Hunt, PhD, alternate NER Director.

Award presentations were announced and presented by Kathlene Thomas, NER Award Chairman and Co- Chair, Nancy Donaldson. A copy of the list of award recipients is attached to these minutes.

Final registration report was read by Ronnie Schoelzel. The voting strength of 81 was confirmed.

The Courtesy Resolution was presented by Patricia Snyder. ADOPTED A copy of the resolution is attached to these minutes.

The benediction was given by Susan Poole.

Adjournment

73rd Annual NER meeting was adjourned By NER Director Sonia Cianchette at 2:30 PM

Submitted by: Susan Poole, NER Secretary                                                         Date:

NER Director Sonia Cianchette                                                                            Date:

Approved by:  Maria Nahom, Pres. FGCC                                                             Date:

Approved by: Joyce Kimball, NHFGC                                                                    Date