Meeting was brought to order at 12:05 p.m. by Karen Neilan, President
Attendance: 38 active members, 15 excused active members, 1 guest, 2 Lifetime members , 2 privileged members.
President – Karen Neilan
First selectman of Waterford, Robert Bruel, presented our club with a proclamation certificate honoring 70 years
- Karen thanked our audio and visual committee members: Rod Atkins and Richard Bucklin.
- Karen thanked our hospitality team: Becky Starrett, Bugi Reiff, Kristen Widham and Everett Munro.
- Karen welcomed our guest, Bo Bogart, Guest from Plant sale info.
- The April 25, 2024 meeting minutes were approved with no corrections.
- Karen announced that she has submitted three committees and 8 individual members for FGCCT awards.
- Our Penny Pines project is 94% of it’s goal. We are sure to fulfill our goal of $500 by next month. This will allow us to make three more donations of $68 each. The honorees will be announced at the June luncheon.
Vice-President – Val Haagensen –
- Reminded membership that dues will be collected at the June Luncheon.
- Val welcomed our new member, Megan Brown to our membership. She gave her our yearbook and name badge.
Treasurer- Elaine Lombardi
- The treasurer’s report, budget proposal and philanthropy documents were emailed to members for review prior to this meeting.
- Elaine presented the budget to the membership and asked members to give her figures for changes.
- Margie asked to have the Senior gardening increased to $400. She indicated that it’s not just flowers, they also need decorations and containers.
- There was a question regarding the (guest day or members + 1 day) There is an amount listed in case expenses occur, we did not spend the $600 last year.
- Karen asked members to read the documents that are sent to membership prior to our meeting so they are prepared.
- Philanthropy- Elaine presented the list of proposed donations-
- Elaine explained the Grasso Tech scholarship and the donation of $200 the executive board had approved.
- Vonice proposed that we remember Kayla’s daughter, Maria. She indicated that $200 is not going to make a difference to some of our larger donors. She felt that Kayla has been an active and contributing member to our club. Maybe reduce the amounts to some of the other donors. Jill brought up that we have made exceptions to our mission in the past.
- Karen asked that we add this to our philanthropy list. Vonice proposed we add $1,000 for Kayla’s daughter.
Standing Committee Reports
Healing Therapy- York Prison – Peggy Schepp
- Peggy read a thank you note from one of the girls.
- She invited our members to sign up for this committee.
Plant Sale Committee– Claudia Kenyon and Maria Zalegowski
- Claudia thanked all the members who helped with the event.
- She feels we can increase the annual sales from Malerbas. Claudia feels that Phyllis Grohocki should have a co-chair to give her some help.
- Claudia and Maria have been co-chairs for 6 years. 2021 the raffle made $500 and we netted $5,000, in 2022 the raffle made $633, we netted $6,032.91, in 2023 the raffle made $426, netted $6,450.74, this year the raffle made $739 we made $7,187.20.
- Claudia announced that the new Chairs will be Pam Atkins and Elaine Lombardi.
Nominating – Elaine Lombardi
- Presented the 2024-2026 slate of officers
President, Magie Sydney
Vice-President , Joanna Woodward
Treasurer, Kayla Mullen
Assistant Treasurer, Doris Burr
Recording Secretary, Joan Treadow
Corresponding Secretary, Pamela Atkins
Immediate Past President, Karen Neilan
- Karen asked if there were any nominations from the floor, hear none she asked for a motion to accept the slate as proposed. Val Haagensen made the motion it was seconded by Brenda Kramer. There was no discussion. The motion was approved and carried.
Hospitality – Jill Johnson
- Thanked the membership for working the hospitality teams throughout the year.
- Two openings are left
- Jill announced that the hospitality team for June and December meetings are responsible for arranging the venues.
Workshop- Brenda Kramer
- May 23 at Brenda Kramer’s at 1:00. You will be making posies. Please rsvp asap.
Historian- Brenda Kramer
- Brenda read a report written by Jean Lena, she was President from 1967-69. It was about flower arranging.
Upcoming Events:
- Our last workshop will be making posies on May 23.
- Pam Atkins announced that the Florence Griswold Blooms with a View event is June 14-16.
- TRGC Annual Meeting, Installation of Officers, and 70th Anniversary Celebration at Enders Island
June 20, 2024 – RSVP no later than June 7. Karen asked members to signup asap.
Meeting adjourned 1:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Pamela Atkins, Recording Secretary