TRGC Meeting Minutes, April 20, 2023
Meeting was brought to order at 12:00 p.m. by Karen Neilan (President)
Attendance: 37 active members, 13 excused members, 1 privileged member
Karen Neilan, President
- Karen asked for a moment of silence for the passing of Patricia Uguccioni.
- Karen asked if there were any corrections or amendments to the March 16, 2023, meeting. No amendments or corrections were heard. Minutes were approved.
- Karen thanked and acknowledged our hospitality team: Val Haagensen, Jill Johnson, Sara Petrini, Margie Sydney, Ann Thibault, and Everett Munro, our coffee maker.
- Karen acknowledged Pam Atkins, Elaine Lombardi, and Vonice Carr for representing the Thames River Garden Club at the Federation level. All three served on the Federation of the Connecticut Garden Clubs. Pam and Elaine served as Meetings Chair and Vice-Chair and were in charge of the Federation’s Annual Meeting on April 19, and Vonice is the Awards Chair on the Federation board and continues to serve. Karen showed appreciation to the ladies awarding them beautiful plant bouquets.
- Karen announced that the Policies and Procedures are being processed at the printer and will be distributed at the June Luncheon meeting.
- Karen discussed the Penny Pines project. She asked our members to bring a penny to each meeting beginning in June to contribute to the plant a tree project.
Vice-President – Val Haagensen
Presented two new candidates for membership.
Tina Marzano – sponsored by Regina Kowenhoven, Tina loves her gardens and competitions.
Karen asked for a motion to accept the application. The motion was first and seconded by Maria Zalegowski and Elaine Lombardi, respectively, and unanimously passed.
The second candidate is Kathleen Pavelcak – sponsored by Sandy Kelly. Kathleen maintains an English Garden and a vegetable garden. Karen asked for a for a motion to accept the application. The motion was first and seconded by Vonice Carr and Maria Zalegowski, respectively, and unanimously passed.
Treasurer- Elaine Lombardi
- Report attached, Elaine discussed the expenses and income for March.
- Elaine discussed our annual philanthropy plans. She gave the members a handout listing donations for the most recent years. She read down the list of contributions and asked members to give their suggestions for additions or removals via email.
Recording Secretary- Pam Atkins
- Recording Secretary- No report
Corresponding Secretary- Laurie Markowicz
- Thank you from Avalonia
Committee Reports
- Civic- Ivy gave the membership a hand out about some notorious insects to watch for.
- Horticulture- Vonice asked members to bring daffodils. She explained the different types and encouraged members to pay attention to their own bulbs and enjoy them.
- Plant Sale- Publicity – Ivy has placed an ad in the area newspapers and a coupon for free plants. The plants are coming from Claudia and will be distributed at check-out. Manly will work on signs for any one who needs one. Bring in houseplants to Pam at the plant sale. Check to see if you have something for the white elephant table. See Manly for raffle items. Claudia has pots outside to take home for planting and labels. Please use a permanent marker. Transportation- Phyllis Grohocki – Check with Maria. She has six or seven people lined up for you. Claudia is making up a FYI tip sign. If you have something useful, let Claudia know. Elaine will bring 3 cash boxes. It was decided to increase perennials to $8 each. Using credit card, Venmo, PayPal were all discussed. Mothers Day table, Laurie needs vases, please contact her or bring them. Barbara Mingo and Sandy Kelly will work on arrangements. We are hoping to get into the venue on Friday about 1:00 or 2:00. Claudia will let us know. There will be a Master Gardener table.
- Program- Pam reminded everyone about the Broken Arrow field trip. Please contact Pam if you have not made transportation arrangements.
- Website- Joanna Woodward gave a demonstration to explain the launch of our website. Handouts were given to the membership. Liz Paganetti and Joanna worked very hard to make this user friendly and useful to our membership. Karen acknowledged Joanna and Liz for their efforts and presented them with beautiful plant bouquets and bright idea light bulbs.
- Workshops – The next workshop will do the arrangements for the June Luncheon, Wednesday, June 14 at 1:00p.m.
Upcoming Events:
- TRGC May Field Trip – Broken Arrow Nursery, May 18, 2023
- TRGC June Luncheon Meeting- Kentford Farm, June 15, 2023
Meeting adjourned 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Atkins, Recording Secretary