GCBB COMMITTEES 2020-2021 (*committees appointed by the President)
Archivist: Chair: Nancy Watson
Judi Sterns
Gathers, catalogs and maintains records of club meetings and activities.
Awards* Chair: Tammy Beckman
Laura Campbell, Fran Levin, Judi sterns, Happy Webb
Selects worthy members to receive GCBB and GCA awards usually given out at the Annual Meeting.
Boxwood: Heartbeat Chair: Marcy Busch
Advisors: Susan Rothschild and Ruth Ann Walega
Barbara Brown, Sue Fairfax, Beth Ladd, kathe Parker, Judi Sterns, Debbie Tinay, Happy Webb
Cares for and maintains the Boxwood Collection. This is an historic collection that provides an excellent teaching tool in boxwood propagation (fall) and pruning/plucking (spring). Undertakes additional projects to document the collection and share knowledge about it.
By-Laws* Chair: Janet Coquillette
Ellen Christie, Sandy Hall, Susan Mead
Interprets the By-Laws; drafts amendments as needed and sends them to the Board of Directors for member approval.
Communications: Co-Chairs: Laura Campbell and Carolyn Willard
Anne Heller, Ruth Jolliffe
Publishes a bi-monthly members’ newsletter. Helps to generate content for GCBB website. As appropriate, submits articles to the GCA Bulletin and shares information with Zone I leadership and its Communications Committee.
Time commitment: throughout the year. Much may be accomplished remotely.
Website Chair: Holly McDonough
Laura Campbell, Lisa Mellgard
Maintains GCBB website. Works with outside vendors as needed to develop and maintain the site. Works with committee chairs and others to develop content. Chair serves as GCA Administrator.
Conservation-Heartbeat Co-Chairs: Ellen Christie and Ruth Furman
Janet Coquillette, Cheryl Gamsby, Sandy Hall, Ruth Jolliffe, Holly McDonough, Susan McLaren, Jane Rheaume, Margot Schmid, Joan Underwood, Nancy Watson
Educates members on current conservation issues and promotes respect for natural resources and responsibility for environmental stewardship. Undertakes club and community projects to support conservation goals. Members are invited to attend the annual GCA Conservation Study Conference and the annual GCA National Affairs and Legislation Conference.
Time commitment: periodically throughout the year.
Floral Design and Flower Show: Co-Chairs: Sally Lutz and Tina Read
Helen DeGroot, Christel Phipps, Margot Schmid, Mary Schubert, Carolyn Willard
Provides arrangements for monthly meetings, September to June. Promotes an interest in flower arranging among the membership through workshops and demonstrations. Represents the club through entries in zone flower shows and runs any club or GCA flower show the club undertakes.
Time commitment: periodic meetings and workshops, plus providing an arrangement for one meeting a year.
Founder’s Fund Representative* Sandy Hall
Keeps members informed about the GCA Founder’s Fund and facilitates the club’s annual voting. Forwards results to the Zone I Founder’s Fund Representative.
Garden History and Design: Chair: Nan Sinton
Ruth Jolliffe, Fran Levin, Betts Murray, Margot Schmid, Janet Sherwood, Joan Underwood, Caroline Wehner
Finds and documents significant gardens in our area and submits documentation to the GCA/Smithsonian Archives of American Gardens. Works on projects to document the history of gardens and gardening in our area. Educates members in garden history and design. Works on historic preservation projects the club may undertake.
Time commitment: throughout the club year.
Grants * Chair: Gig Lang
Janet Coquillette, Ruth Furman, Cheryl Gamsby, Lisa Mellgard, Mary Schubert, Cathy Stone, Nancy Watson
Administers the club program of grants to 501(c)(3) organizations engaged in projects consistent with the club’s mission. Publicizes the program, accepts proposals, makes selections and sends recommendations to Board of Directors for approval, then sends notification letters and checks.
Time commitment: January through April.
Greenhouse-Heartbeat Project Leaders: Linda Cornell, Margaret Forbush and Cheryl Gamsby
Leslie Bernert, Barbara Brown, Marcy Busch, Janet Coquillette, Sue Daylor, Sue Fairfax, Ruth Furman, Sandy Hall, Anne Heller, Ruth Jolliffe, Beth Ladd, Betsy Lawrence, Holly McDonough, Susan McLaren, Susan Mead, Lisa Mellgard, Kathe Parker, Christel Phipps, Suzie Prescott, Jane Rheaume, Mary Schubert, Judi Sterns, Debbie Tinay, Ruth Ann Walega, Nancy Watson, Caroline Wehner, Lee Wheeler, Carolyn Willard
Operates and manages the club greenhouse open October through May. Propagates and grows plants for annual plant sale and other projects. Holds regular Tuesday greenhouse sessions, usually from 9-10:30 a.m. Project leaders manage specific parts of the program and plan, monitor and share knowledge. They are aided by a large committee and the advice of key specialists.
Time commitment: throughout the year from October to May.
Provisional members are automatically assigned to the Greenhouse Committee.
Horticulture-Heartbeat Chair: Susan McLaren
Leslie Bernert, Janet Coquillette, Ruth Furman, Ruth Jolliffe, Kathe Parker, Susan Rothschild, Cathy Stone, Joan Underwood
Educates members on horticultural issues and activities. Sponsors workshops, coordinates with the Greenhouse and Conservation Committees on special projects, coordinates Zone and GCA propagation and growing projects, and advises on submission of horticulture entries in Zone and GCA flower shows. Members are invited to attend the occasional Zone I horticulture workshops and the annual GCA Shirley Meneice Horticulture Conference.
Time commitment: periodically throughout the year, with emphasis on spring and fall. Focus is hands-on work with plants, not meetings.
Hospitality: Chair: Susan Mead
Assigns head hostesses for each monthly meeting, Provides guidelines for meeting logistics such as refreshments, name tags, chairs, etc.
Each member is asked to sign up to be a hostess at one monthly meeting per year. The head hostess will coordinate the group of hostesses for each meeting.
Judging: Chair: Tina Read
Chair acts as an advisor to GCBB members who would like to be involved in the GCA judging process for Flower Arranging, Horticulture or Photography.
Membership* Co-Chairs: Tina Read and Carolyn Willard
Anne Heller, Betsy Lawrence, Holly McDonough, Susan Mead, Mary Schubert
Manages proposals for new members to the GCBB. Appoints mentors for new members to make them aware of their responsibilities and to help integrate them into the club. Arranges meetings for new members to get acquainted with one another and to be oriented to the club’s structure and activities. Helps to develop membership policies. Takes attendance at monthly meetings.
Time commitment: occasional throughout the year
Nominating* Chair: Ruth Furman
Ex officio-Janet Coquillette, Sandy Hall
Ellen Christie, Linda Cornell, Ruth Jolliffe, Mary Schubert
Selects candidates for elected offices and presents them for membership vote at the annual meeting.
Time commitment: meetings as needed, usually in late winter or early spring.
Plant Sale: Co-Chairs: Sandy Hall and Anne Heller
Marci Busch
The annual plant sale is the major ongoing fundraiser for the club. The Plant Sale Chairs work closely with the Greenhouse Committee to grow and acquire plants for the sale, as well as the Treasurer, Website Chair and other members who take on various roles to support the success of the sale. They also make arrangements for venue, publicity, layout, setup, display, transfer of plants from the greenhouse, volunteer staffing and disposal of any unsold plants.
Time commitment: throughout the year.
THE ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP IS INVOLVED IN THE SETUP AND SALE DAYS IN EARLY MAY!
Program: Heartbeat Chair: Ruth Jolliffe
Libby Eustis, Betsy Lawrence, Fran Levin, Suzie Prescott, Nan Sinton
Plans seven programs per year, with a speaker, site visit or special event such as a film, with the goal of providing the membership with a variety of interesting programs and experiences. Members suggest ideas, follow-up on leads, identify venues, make arrangements and provide introductions.
Time commitment: about six meetings during the club year. Fall meetings set topics, dates and venues one year in advance. Follow-up meetings confirm the calendar and arrangements. Some assignments can be done remotely.
Visiting Gardens: Chair: Joan Underwood
Janet sherwood
Selects one or more gardens each year for visitation and handles the arrangements. Keeps a list of area gardens open to visiting GCA members.
Time commitment: periodically throughout the year. Much may be done remotely.