MINUTES of the 77th ANNUAL MEETING
NEW ENGLAND
REGION /NGC, INC.
October 17 -18, 2011
The Radisson
Hotel and Suites, Chelmsford, MA.
The 77th Annual
NER Meeting was called to order at 9:15 AM by Director Joyce A. Kimball who
welcomed everyone and introduced the head table:
Helga Frazzette, Treasurer;
Susan Robinson, Recording Secretary and Catherine Schwenk, Parliamentarian; Also
introduced were the Alternate New England Region Director, Jane Goodwin and the
Historian, Virginia Grand Pre’.
The Former New England Region
Directors were introduced: Jeanne Marie Parkes (1997-1999), Virginia Grand Pre’
(1999-2001), Pamela Hebert (2005-2007), Sonia Cianchette (2007-2009) and
Kathleen Thomas(2009-2011).
Next, the Director introduced
the New England Region State Presidents: Ronnie Schoelzel, Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut; Kathleen Marty,
Garden Club Federation of Maine; Heidi Kost-Gross, Garden Club Federation of
Massachusetts;Virginia Urdi, New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs; Judy
Hager, Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs and Gay Gaston, Federated Garden
Clubs of Vermont.
The Pledge of Allegiance to
the Flag of the United States of America was led byJudy Hager, President of the
Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs.
The Invocation was given by Ronnie
Schoelzel, President of the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut.
The Welcome was given by our
host, Heidi Kost-Gross, President of the Garden Club Federation of
Massachusetts.
The Response was given by
Judy Hager, President of the Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs, inviting
all members to the 2012 NER Annual Meeting being held on October 14th
and 15th, 2012 at the Providence Marriott Hotel in Providence, Rhode
Island. Vera Bowen is chairing that meeting and Sue Redding is chairing the
Symposium that will follow the Annual Meeting.
On motion of Candace
Morgenstern, Credentials Chair, it was VOTED to adopt the First Report of the
Credentials and Registration Committees. The following numbers were reported: 1 Regional Director, 6 State Presidents, 5 Former Regional Directors, 71 Delegates, 12 Duplicates, 71 Voting Strength.
The number of voters present
was 71. The Chair declared a quorum
present and the Registration Report was placed on file.
On motion of Catherine Schwenk, Parliamentarian it was
VOTED to adopt the following Standing Rules:
Please turn
off all cell phones, pagers and other electronic devices.
Those who wish to speak should use the microphone and
address their questions to the Director.
When recognized at the microphone, please give your
name and state. You must give your name and state every time you come to the
microphone.
All amendments and substantive motions are to be in
writing and signed by the maker and seconder. Paper/motion forms are available
on the head table/stage.
Every member is entitled to speak on a debatable
motion unless the meeting by a two thirds vote has ordered discussion stopped.
A member is entitled to speak a second time on the
same question provided all members who wish to speak have spoken. No speaker
may speak more than twice on the same issue, nor longer than two (2) minutes at
one time, unless permission is granted by majority vote of the members present.
Report of the officers, other than the Director and
Treasurer are limited to three (3) minutes. The Director may have five (5)
minutes and the Treasurer(Budget) twenty (20) minutes.
Debate is limited to 20 minutes on any issue.
Motions to “receive or adopt” informational reports
are not needed. The report of officers or committees not present will be placed
on file with the Secretary.
These rules may be suspended by a two-thirds vote of
the members present and voting.
On motion of Nancy Donaldson,
2011 NER Meeting Chairman, it was VOTED to adopt the Annual Meeting Program as
presented.
There was no objection to
appointing Kathleen Marty, President of the Garden Club Federation of Maine and
Virginia Urdi, President of the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs to
approve the minutes of this meeting.
The Director announced the
appointment of pages: Meredith Chase for
Joyce Kimball, Director and Maria Nahom for Jane Goodwin, Alternate Director.
There was no objection to the
appointment of Jacqueline Connell and Allison Beards as time keepers.
Recording Secretary Susan
Robinson reported that the Minutes of the October 19, 2010 New England Region
Annual Meeting had been approved by the 2010 Committee to Approve the Minutes
and had been posted on the NER website.
OFFICERS’ REPORT AND BUDGET
Joyce Kimball, New England
Region Director gave her report. She spoke about her theme, “Observe, Conserve
and Preserve the Beauty All Around You…” and how it could be incorporated into
club programs.
Helga Frazzette, New England
Region Treasurer, gave the Treasurer’s Report. She reported Total Assets of $40,118.47.
There was no auditor’s report. The Treasurer’s Report filed for audit.
The next business in order
was the Proposed Budget for June 1, 2011 – June 1, 2013. On motion of Helga
Frazzette, seconded by Kathleen Thomas, Financial Advisor, the Proposed Budget
of $4,170.00 was adopted.
STATE PRESIDENTS’ REPORTS
Each State President gave a 3-minute
report on her state’s activities and programs.
Connecticut: Ronnie Schoelzel invited everyone to the
Connecticut Flower Show, ‘The Fabulous Fifties”.
Maine: Kathleen Marty reported on Maine’s “Promote
and Preserve our Two Peas of Gardening” campaign which promotes Preserving and
maintaining gardens with a Purpose.
Massachusetts: Heidi Kost-Gross said membership is her
state’s major focus having lost 1,000 members over the past year. She invited
members to look with anticipation toward the March 2012 Spring Flower Show in
Boston.
New Hampshire: Virginia Urdi spoke about her state’s recent
Fall Meeting which was held at the Urban Forestry Center in Portsmouth, a
significantly more informal and less expensive, yet highly successful approach
to a state meeting.
Rhode Island: Judy Hager invited everyone to the Rhode
Island Flower Show being held on February 23-26, 2012 themed “Through the Eyes
of a Child”.
Vermont: Gay Gaston encouraged us to measure our
carbon footprint. She reported that Vermont also had a membership loss and they
are working diligently to gain new members.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Thelma Shoneman, NER
Symposium Chair, reported that 130 people had registered for the Symposium which
follows this Annual Meeting. She reported that Tony Tedesco will give a design
program on “Armature Design” that was recently approved by NGC.
Diane Bullock, Publicity
Press Book Chair, announced that the deadline for the 2011 entries is 1/25/2012.
Virginia Grand Pre’, NER
Historian, announced that she had recently completed formulating the history of
the New England Region, by term, from the year 1929 through the last
administration. She stated the current State Presidents have been given a copy
of this document and it will soon be available for all members via the NER
website.
Bonni Dinneen, NER Gardening
Council Chair’s report was placed on file.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Candace Morgenstern, NGC
Member Services Chair noted a new 4 and
5 star pin is available from NGC Member Services.
NEW BUSINESS
On motion of Helga Frazzette,
it was VOTED to have the New England Region Silver Awards appraised for
insurance purposes and a Special Committee will be formed.
Virginia Grand Pre’
volunteered to chair this committee.
On motion of Cathy Felton, it
was VOTED to help those areas affected by Tropical Storm Irene.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Susan Robinson, Container
Gardening Chair for NGC President Shirley Nicolai’s Special Projects, Plantings
for Public/Special Places, announced that Brent
and Becky’s Bulbs has daffodil bulbs for sale to NGC members with special
choices for planting bulbs in containers and to give as holiday gifts. NGC will receive 25% when you order these
bulbs.
PROGRAM
The morning program was
introduced by Joyce Kimball, NER Director,
“6 Ways to Observe, Conserve and Preserve the Beauty All Around You…”
Each New England Region state
gave a mini-educational presentation echoing one or more facets of the
Director’s theme “Observe, Conserve and
Preserve the Beauty All Around You…”
“Historic Landscapes,” Ronnie
Schoelzel, President FGCCT presented a pictorial program on the Connecticut
Federation’s long-term affiliation with the historic 37-mile Merritt Parkway.
“Preserving Natural
Habitats,” Kathleen Marty, President
GCFME talked about the four basic needs of wildlife, food, water, cover and space.
“The Asian Longhorned
Beetle,” Heidi Kost-Gross, President GCFMA showed photos of the beetle and of the massive
devastation experienced in Worcester, Massachusetts where thousands of trees
had to be cut down and destroyed as a result of the Asian Longhorned Beetle.
“New England Butterflies and
Their Life Cycles,” Michelle Mensinger, Chairman, Birds, Butterflies and Wildlife,
gave a talk on how butterflies are very
plant specific in relation to desirable habitats and ultimate reproduction.
“Going Green,” Judy Hager,
President RIFGC, urged members to use the dedicated “green” font, Calibri, and
to “Recycle and Conserve” by encouraging electronic communication, installing
rain barrels, banning plastic grocery bags, etc..
“Recycle and Reuse,” Mary
Webster, Chair of NGC President’s Special
Projects for FGCVT provided a program with examples of how to “Recycle and
Reuse”.
The Business Meeting was
recessed until after the Social Hour and Luncheon, where the Blessing was given
by Jane Goodwin, Alternate Director.
AWARDS CEREMONY
Joyce Kimball, Director introduced Betty Sanders of the Medfield,
Massachusetts Garden Club, acknowledging
her as the New England Region’s most recent recipient of the NGC Member Award of Honor. Only one recipient from each region of NGC is
given this distinction annually. Betty was presented with her award at the 2011
NGC Annual Convention held in Washington, DC in May. Recipients of this honor have made outstanding
contributions to their club and community over a period of at least five years.
The Award Presentations was
given by Vera Bowen and Diane McMillen, Awards
Co-Chairmen:
Sears
Civic Beautification Bowl to the
Opechee Garden Club of New Hampshire;
Evelyn Cole
National Gardener Tray to the Garden Club Federation of Maine;
Mary Stone Garden Therapy Award to the Danvers Garden Club of Massachusetts;
Mary Louis Marks Smith Flower Show Schedule Award to the Atkinson Garden Club of New Hampshire;
Virginia Thurston Landscape Design Award to the Williamstown Garden Club of Massachusetts;
Kenney/Colton Horticulture Award to the Atkinson Garden Club of New Hampshire;
Nancy H. Atwell Trophy to the Camden Garden Club of Maine;
Jeanne-Marie Parkes Award to the Atkinson Garden Club of New Hampshire;
Deanna Mozzochi Creative Design Award to Maureen Christmas of the Acton Garden Club of
Massachusetts;
Maureen Colton Award to the Barrington Garden Club of Rhode Island;
Pamela Hebert Garden of Youth Award to the Danbury Garden Club of Connecticut;
Excellence in Team Work Award to the Dracut Garden Club of Massachusetts;
And, The National Gardening Association Award to
the Guilford Garden Club of Connecticut.
On motion of Candace
Morgenstern, Credentials Chair, it was VOTED to adopt the Final Credentials
Report of the Credentials Committee. There was no change from the First Report.
On motion of Kathleen Thomas,
Registrar, Meeting Registrar, it was VOTED to adopt the Final Report of the Registration
Committee. There were 89 Total Registrations: 41 Massachusetts, 16 New
Hampshire, 8 Rhode Island, 11 Connecticut, 7 Maine and 6 Vermont. There were 63 Full-time and 26 Part-time
attendees.
The New England Region Annual
Meeting was adjourned Sine Dai at 2:30 PM.
Recording Secretary
Susan Robinson
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