75th Annual Meeting of the
New England Region of NGC, Inc.
September 21st & 22nd, East Windsor, CT
The 75th Annual Meeting of the New England Region of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., was opened at
9:00 am by Kathleen Thomas, Director. She welcomed everyone and introduced the NGC President, Renee Blaschke, who thanked her predecessor Barbara May and other NER members present who have been instrumental in NGC in the past. The President spoke about her “dream” of spreading the new on-line virtual study courses to younger students, of her Presidential Projects….. Golden Days, Beautify Blight, and the Louisville Stoneware bird house which supports the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Research as well as
NGC. She reminded us of the importance of the “Clean Water Network” which will help to bring back the original Clean Water Act. She assured us that NGC is in good financial health and that many of our ongoing projects, such as Woodsy Owl and Penny Pines, continue with vigor.
A. Kathy Thomas opened the Business Meeting and introduced her board as well as several Past Regional
Directors.
a. Pledge of Allegiance led by Stephanie Hockensmith, President of FGCV
b. Invocation by Vera Bowen, President of RI FGC
c. Welcome by Donna Nowak, President of FGCCT
d. Response by Diane McMillen, President of NHFGC
e. Invitation to the 2010 NER Meeting by Stephanie Hockensmith, FGCV
f. Preliminary Credentials Report by Liz Stanley, NER 2009 Chairman:
1 NGC President
1 NER President
1 Past President NGC
5 NER Past Presidents
6 NER State Presidents
125 regular members
121 voters
g. Reading of the Annual Meeting Rules by Lucille Grassi, NER Parliamentarian: 3 minute limit,
speak only when recognized by the Director, speak at microphone, no cell phones, may speak
again only after all have spoken for the first time.
h. Liz Stanley asked for the Adoption of the Annual Meeting Program, with corrections (encl)
i. The Director asked for the Report of the Committees to approve the fall 2008 NER minutes and
the July 2009 minutes. So approved, filed, and can be found on the web site.
j. The Director appointed Donna Nowak and Linda Jean Smith as the Committee to approve the 2009
NER Annual meeting minutes.
k. The Director appointed Jacqueline Connell as Page to Renee Blaschke NGC President and Hila
Lyman as Page to Kathleen Thomas, NER Director.
l. The Director appointed Sophie Kelley, Chairman of the Judges Council of the FGCCT to be
Timekeeper. She will ring a bell for a 1 minute warning and a 3 minute warning.
B.Report of Officers and State Presidents
a. Kathy Thomas, NER Director: spoke about the July 28, 2009, NER planning meeting, her
desire to transmit all information via e-mail and on the NER website, the board decision to
sell Danforth Pewter earrings and key chain as our Ways and Means project chaired by Elaine
Dates, the choice of a NER project “Responsible Stewards of the Land, New England Growing
Naturally” to eliminate dangerous chemicals and pesticides in the environment by researching
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in our communities, schools and public fields with Suzanne
Reed as Chair, and to include advertising on our web site with earned money going towards
scholarship and chaired by Stephen Dates.
b. Report of NER Treasurer, Helga Frazzette (encl)
c. Report of Golden Days contest by Nancy Donaldson: contest open to all NGC states with one
state picked in Atlanta next spring as winner of bulb sales. All winning monies will go to one state.
d. Report of Ways and Means project by Elaine Dates: sale of Danforth Pewter earrings and key
holder to be sold separately or paired at a slight discount.
e. Report by Linda Frisko, 2010 Symposium Chairman, regarding the upcoming 2010 Symposium
to be held at the Colony Hotel I Kennebunkport, ME, May 19-21.
f. Report by Dee Mozzochi regarding the Vision of Beauty Photo Shoot, held for judges and
designers. Photos were taken by Cheryl Collins in her barn in CT.
g. Blue Star Memorial report by Maria Nahom, Chair, reminding us that this is one of the oldest NGC
programs, having been started in 1944 in memory of all who have served in the Armed Forces.
h. Jacqueline Connell reported as Membership chair that the new membership contest which honors
the state with the largest increase in membership will name a new day lily cultivar after that state.
She also reminded members to plan to attend study schools.
i. Milford’s Greenleaf Garden Club introduced their Peer Mentor Program, which has resulted in
an increase in visibility and membership for their club.
C..Recommendations of By-Laws Changes in NER Handbook, p 1-10
a. Barbara May, By-Laws Chair, explained that several NGC by-laws were changed at the NGC
Annual Meeting in May, 09, and the NER by-laws need to reflect those changes.
1. Policy for NER Symposium: Chairman: page 8, Section 10. The motion was made and
passed that a maximum of $3000 will be held in the symposium fund (May/GrandPre.)
2. Rotation of New England States: page 6. The motion was made and passed to hold the
Symposium and NER meeting at the same time and place if the state chooses (May/
Frazzette.) (encl)
b. New England Wildflower Society Award
1. The Director read the recommended NEWFS award and its scale of points. After discussion the motion to accept the NEWFS award was passed by a majority vote.
D. Other Business
a. A Memorial Service was led by Helen Pritchard, NER Gardening Study Chair
b. Ron Wik, Nursery Business director of the Nasami Farm Native Plant Nursery, spoke about
the farm’s role in the NEWFS.
c. “Recycling Programs” led by Laura Dillman, Suffield Garden Club, MA, and Martha Hamilton
Springfield Garden Club, MA, and “The Ladies from Little Rhodie.”
E. Lunch followed Friendship Time and a blessing led by Barbara May, Past NGC President
F. Awards Presentation by Joyce Kimball, NER Awards Chair (encl)
G. Final Credentials and Registration Report, Eleanor Harple, Registrar
a. 125 Registered voting members
b. 4 no-shows
c. State break-down: CT 61, ME 10, MA 25, NH 9, RI 11, VT 9
H. Courtesy Resolutions, by Jean Criscuolo, FGCCT
I. Benediction, Linda Jean Smith, Pres. GCFMA
J. Adjournment by Director Kathleen Thomas, 2:45
Susan Robinson, NER Secretary
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