Winter Board of Directors Meeting
January 11 – 12, 2017
FFGC Headquarters, Winter Park, FL
Call to Order:
The regular Winter Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. was called to order at 12:30 p.m., January 11, 2017, by President Arlene Rand. President Rand extended a warm welcome to all members.
Invocation/Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America:
Inez Brooker, FFGC Chaplain, gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.
Quorum:
The Chair declared a quorum present.
Appointment of Committees:
The Chair named the following Committees who were appointed with no objections.
Minutes of this Meeting: Jill Anderson, Chair; Christy Linke, and Judi Jodoin
Tellers of this Meeting: Mary Tipboye, Karen Smith, and Sandra Lagana
Timekeeper for this Meeting: Pat Shira
Welcome:
Members who serve along with President Rand on the NGC Board of Directors and/or the Council of the Deep South Region stood and were welcomed.
The FFGC Officers stood and were recognized:
Claudia Bates - President Elect, Al Latina – Second Vice President, Marjorie Hendon – Third Vice President, Carolyn Schaag, Recording Secretary, Sandra Eckstein – Corresponding Secretary, Gina Jogan – Treasurer, Cinny O’Donnell – Parliamentarian, and Arlene Rand – President.
Report of Committee to Approve Minutes of Fall 2016 Meeting of Board of Directors:
Christy Linke, Chairman, reported the Minutes of the Fall 2016 Meeting of the FFGC Board of Directors on September 14 – 15, 2016, were approved as written.
January 11-12, 2017 FFGC Board Minutes Page 1 of 10
Appointments: The Chair made the following early appointments:
The Florida Gardener Editor: Kathy Smith
The Florida Gardener Asst. Editor: Sandra Lagana
Wekiva Youth CampFinance: Li Roberts
WekivaYouthCampBuilding & Maintenance: Sue Angle
REPORTS OF THE OFFICERS:
President Arlene Rand reported on the NGC Fall Board Meeting in Portland, Maine,
the FFGC Tour Team visits to the Fall District Meetings and the dedication of two Blue
Star Markers.
President-Elect Claudia Bates filed her report.
Second Vice-President Al Latina filed his report.
Third Vice-President Marjorie Hendon filed her report.
Recording Secretary Carolyn Schaag stressed the importance of following procedure to
write board reports and a report is expected at each regular FFGC business meeting.
Corresponding Secretary Sandra Eckstein prepared books for the Tour Team, sent out
Cards, and distributed Educational Exhibit letters.
Treasurer Gina Jogan reported the Quarterly Financial Report and filed copy for audit.
Parliamentarian Cinny O’Donnell had no report.
Election of Members of the Nominating Committee for H&E:
Secretary Schaag read Article XIV – Headquarters and Endowment Trustees; Section 3. Elections, Paragraph b. The Chair appointed Jo Ann Guise as chairman. Mary Collins and Margaret Chodosh were nominated. Vote was by voice.
ACTION: Mary Collins and Margaret Chodosh were elected to serve on the
Nomination Committee for Headquarters & Endowment Trustees with Chairman
Jo Ann Guise.
January 11-12, 2017 FFGC Board Minutes Page 2 of 10
REPORTS OF DISTRICT DIRECTORS:
District VI – Kathleen Terlizzo – Absent, no report.
District V – Louise Allen – The District V Garden Clubs are thriving on friendship, education, and devotion to their communities.
District IV – Carolyn Stevens – Educational programs, flower shows, youth gardening, and Environmental Studies Schools are keeping District IV learning and educating the public.
District III – Lucille Heinrich – District III is in the process of planning a dedication ceremony to place a Blue Star Memorial Marker at the JacksonvilleMemorialCemetery.
District II – Louise Michaels – Absent, no report.
District I – Sharon Johnson – The district raised funds to support FFGC, and will sponsor a Spring Symposium and dedicate their first District Blue Star Marker.
District XII – Linda Keyes – All clubs in the district will help put on the Metropolitan Miami Flower Show on March 30 to April 1, 2017, at SimpsonPark.
District XI – Barbara Horan – District XI collaborated with District X and XII to place a Blue Star Memorial Marker at the SouthFloridaNationalCemetery in Lake Worth, FL.
District X – Donna Berger –The District will host the Tropical Short Course in January. An EnvironmentalStudiesSchool, Course III, will be held March 14-15.
MOTION: Donna Berger, District X Director, made motion to accept the application of
the HamletGarden Club for membership in FFGC. MOTION APPROVED
District IX – Kathleen Hawryluck – District IX is made up of clubs that are active and interested in growing and learning. Many flower shows are being planned.
District VIII – Barbara Jacobson –The district will install Blue Star Memorial Markers at two National Cemeteries.
MOTION: Barbara Jacobson, District VIII Director, made motion to delete the Bay
BouquetGarden Club from membership in FFGC. MOTION APPROVED
District VII – Owaissa Vanderberg – The Diggin It program and LandscapeDesignStudySchool, Course I, will be offered this spring by District VII.
January 11-12, 2017 FFGC Board Minutes Page 3 of 10
Special Order, Election of Delegates toNGC Convention:
Members of the Board of Directors of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. have a vote by virtue of their positions. In addition, Florida is permitted 12 elected Delegates and 12 Alternates. The Chair called for nominations from the floor for Delegates to the NGC 2017 Convention, May 16-21, 2017, in Richmond, Virginia. Lorene Junkin, Sue Angle, Claudia Bates, and Al Latina were nominated.
ACTION: By voice vote the Board elected Lorene Junkin, Sue Angle, Claudia Bates, and
Al Latina as Delegates to NGC 2017 Convention in Richmond, VA on May 16-21, 2017.
Recess: The meeting recessed at 1:50 p.m. and reconvened at 2:10 p.m.
Special Order, Election of Delegates to Deep South Convention:
Members of Board of Directors of National Garden Clubs, Inc. and Members of Council of Deep South Region have a vote by virtue of their positions. All States in the Region are permitted ten Delegates with voting status in addition to those on NGC Board and Deep South Council. All States in the Region are also permitted ten Alternates. The chair called for nominations from the floor for Delegates to Deep South 2017 Convention, March 26-28, 2017, in New Orleans, LA. Al Latina, Lenore Alford, Glenda Dawson, Kathy Smith, Li Roberts, Emily Palmieri, and Tim Hadsell were nominated.
ACTION: By voice vote the Board elected Al Latina, Lenore Alford, Glenda Dawson,
Kathy Smith, Li Roberts, Emily Palmieri, and Tim Hadsell as Delegates to Deep South
2017 Convention in New Orleans, LA on March 26-28, 2017.
REPORTS OF CHAIRMEN AND STANDING COMMITTEES:
Chaplain – Inez Brooker – The Chaplain requested the names of members who have recently passed away.
Nominating Committee – Sue Angle - The FFGC Nominating Committee met on January 10, 2017, and interviewed each candidate for office. The following slate of officers for the 2017 – 2019 Administration were announced:
Claudia BatesPresident
Al LatinaFirst Vice President
Majorie HendonSecond Vice President
Tina TuttleThird Vice President
Jana WallingRecording Secretary
Gina JoganTreasurer
Offices of Corresponding Secretary and Parliamentarian are appointed by the President.
January 11-12, 2017 FFGC Board Minutes Page 4 of 10
Bylaws/Standing Rules – Cissy Richardson – On behalf of the Bylaws Committee and Cissy Richardson, Chairman, Sue Angle reported and moved the followingfour Bylaws and
one Standing Rule be considered for adoption:
ARTICLE IV, DUES AND FEES, SECTION 3 The fee of a Life Member shall be three hundred dollars ($300), the sum to be placed into the FFGC Operating Fund. The interest from the Mary S. Compton Fund may be used to supplement the FFGC Operating Fund.
1. MOTION: In accordance with ARTICLE 5, Section 4b, VARIANCE POWER, the following
be considered for adoption-
AMEND BY STRIKING – The interest from the Mary S. Compton Fund may be used to
supplement the FFGC Operating Fund.
THIS WILL NOW READ: The fee of a Life Member shall be three hundred dollars
($300.00) the sum to be placed into the FFGC Operating Fund.
MOTION APPROVED
ARTICLE V, FINANCES, SECTION 4 – Special Funds – a(1) The Mary S. Compton Life Membership Endowment Fund
2. MOTION: In accordance with ARTICLE 5, Section 4b, VARIANCE POWER, the following
be considered for adoption-
AMEND BY STRIKING – A sum of not less than thirty thousand dollars ($30,000.00)
be maintained in this fund.
THIS WILL NOW READ: The Mary S. Compton Life Membership Endowment Fund –
Established by fees of FFGC Life Membership.
Rationale Motion 1 & 2 – The Variance Power, ARTICLE V, Section 4b, allows modification of restrictions by vote of Board of Directors. This was adopted at April 2016 Convention.
MOTION APPROVED
ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS, Section 1 – Elected Officers d. All officers, except the Treasurer, shall assume their duties at the close of the Annual convention at which they are elected. The term of the Treasurer shall begin at the close of the fiscal year. No elected officer shall serve more than (1) consecutive term in the same office except the Treasurer.
January 11-12, 2017 FFGC Board Minutes Page 5 of 10
3. MOTION:
AMEND BY INSERTING: The FFGC Treasurer may serve no more than five (5)
consecutive terms effective April 2019.
Rationale: NGC presently has term limit of no more than five (5) consecutive terms for the Treasurer.
MOTION APPROVED
STANDING RULE #30 – CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
4. MOTION: Amend by inserting a new #2.
2. PERSONS OF AUTHORITY
Only one family member (defined as parent, child, sibling) may serve as an FFGC
Officer during the same period of time. Effective with term of office beginning
April 2019.
Rationale: In order to avoid any suggestion of Conflict of Interest due to position of
authority, multiple family members may not serve as FFGC Officers during the same
time period. This would be effective April 2019.
During discussion Jo Ann Guise made following:
MOTION TO AMEND MOTION BY ADDING WORD “SPOUSE”
MOTION APPROVED
The motion then reads:
2. PERSONS OF AUTHORITY
Only one family member (defined as parent, child, sibling, spouse) may serve
as an FFGC Officer during the same period of time. Effective with term of
office beginning April 2019.
Existing numbers 2 – 4 will be renumbered 3 – 5.
MOTION APPROVED
January 11-12, 2017 FFGC Board MinutesPage 6 of 10
5. MOTION: to amend the bylaws by inserting a new
ARTICLE XV – LONGRANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE
Section 1 – Membership
a. The LRPC shall consist of nine (9) members. Three (3) members shall be the First
Vice President, Second Vice President, Third Vice President of FFGC. Three (3)
members to be Chairmen on the current Board of Directors appointed by the
President with the approval of the Board of Directors. Three (3) members At Large
elected by the Board of Directors with one (1) serving a two year term and two (2)
serving a three year term. (The President serves by virtue of office on all
Committees except the Nominating Committee.)
b. Vacancies shall be filled by the President subject to the approval of the Board of
Directors.
c. The chairman shall be elected within the Long Range Planning Committee. The FFGC
President will not be eligible for chairmanship of LRPC.
Section 2 – Eligibility
Elected and appointed members shall currently serve on the FFGC Board of Directors.
Section 3 – Election
The Chairman of the Nominating Committee shall be appointed by the President at the
January Board meeting in the odd numbered years. Two members to the Nominating
Committee shall be elected at the January Board meeting in the odd number year. The
Committee will report at the Pre-Convention Board of Directors meeting. The election
shall be by ballot and a majority vote shall elect. If there is but one nominee for each
vacancy to be filled, election may be by voice.
Section 4 – Term of Office
a. The FFGC Officers shall serve for the duration of their terms of office.
b. The term of one elected member shall be two years. The term of two elected
members shall be three years.
c. An elected member may serve no more than two (2) consecutive terms.
Section 5 – Duties
The Long Range Planning Committee duties would include consideration of issues to
protect the future of FFGC and strengthen the organization and other items as suggested
by the President, Officers or FFGC Board of Directors. The Committee functions in an
advisory capacity only. The Committee will report recommendations tothe President
who will then assign to the appropriate existing FFGC Committee for consideration.
Rationale: At the request of the current LRPC Committee, appointed by Arlene Rand for this administration, the Bylaws Committee reviewed the suggestions forwarded, considered NGC standing of similar committees and crafted the Bylaw to strengthen FFGC Organization and protect the future of FFGC.
MOTION APPROVED(Note: Renumber Bylaws beginning with Article XVI)
January 11-12, 2017 FFGC Board Minutes Page 7 of 10
Tropical Short Course – Nancy Richards – This year’s Short Course, “Tropical Destinations”,
will be held January 25-26, 2017 at MountsBotanical Garden,West Palm Beach.
Presentation of Office Manager and Staff:
Dawn Murphy, Office Manager, and Liea Ward, Office Assistant, were introduced.
Short Course FFGC/UF – Jeanice Gage –The Chairman announced the Short Course would be held June 12-14, 2017 in Gainesville.
Scholarship – Helen Purvis –Three students were awarded $3,000 scholarships. On behalf of the Scholarship Committee, Helen Purvis made the following motion:
MOTION: I move to ratify scholarship awards in the amount of $1,500 per semester
to the following students in the 2016-2017 academic year.
1. Desirae Ehley, a senior at FloridaStateUniversity.
2. Quinn Zacharias, a sophomore at FloridaStateUniversity.
3. Miller Maddox, a freshman at TallahasseeCommunity College.
MOTION APPROVED
Junior Gardeners – Joanne Connor – Junior Garden Club registration has decreased. Two award applications have been forwarded to NGC. A Junior Gardener web page has been created with Junior information and links to forms located all in one place.
Special Projects – Tina Tuttle –A brief report was given on the Pageant planned for the Early Arrivals and FFGC Board Dinner at Convention.
Tri-Council of FFGC – Inger Jones – Members will continue to provide tools of knowledge. If we keep silent and do nothing, we have failed. Water is life, nothing can live without it.
NationalGarden Week – Andrea Finn – NationalGarden Week is June 4-10, 2017, and this week Environmental, Gardening, and Landscape Design Consultants are available to share their knowledge and plan activities. Clubs are encouraged to apply for FFGC Award #66.
Garden Therapy/Penal Therapy/Exceptional – Patricia Shira – AvonPark and the Common Ground are both environments for our inmates and exceptional children. These programs are successful because of the community and FFGC members support.
Blue Star Memorial Marker – Rosita Aristoff –During this reporting period one new Blue Star Memorial Marker, one Blue Star By-Way Marker, and one Gold Star Marker (first in FL) were ordered. Four additional Memorial Markers for national cemeteries were ordered.
January 11-12, 2017 FFGC Board Minutes Page 8 of 10
SEEK – Judy Greenberg – The Conference will be held June 14-17, 2017, with SilverSpringsState Park the home base for learning. A tiered program schedule will be used.
Affiliates – Marylou Ruiz –A list of active affiliates can be found on the website. Members are encouraged to support the Affiliates whenever possible.
Coral Restoration – Judy Clark – Donations through FFGC to end of 2016 total over $23,400 plus an additional $4,700 directly to Coral Restoration Foundation for total of over $28,000.
Florida Wildflower Foundation Liaison - Carolyn Schaag – FWF has released a 139-page “Wild About Wildflowers” Classroom Activity Guide for Florida’s 3rd & 4th grade students.
Announcements – Tina Tuttle reported the FFGC sale of wood had a profit of $378.
Adjournment:
President Rand gave evening schedule of a social, program by FWF Director Lisa Roberts, and a dinner. Meeting was adjourned at 4:10 p.m. until 9:00 a.m. the following morning.
THE FFGC 2017 CONVENTION COMMITTEE invited all to attend the Convention with song, dance, signs, costumes, marching mixed with laughter and fun!
Call to Order:
The regular Winter Board Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. was called to order on January 12, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. by President Rand. The invocation was given by Inez Brooker, FFGC Chaplain.
Appointment: The Chair made the following early appointment:
FFGC 2018 State Flower Show – Kathleen Hawryluk
REPORTS OF CHAIRMEN AND STANDING COMMITTEES (continued)
Award Donors – Judi Jodoin –Members were requested to continue to be a valuable Award Donor. It makes a difference to those applying and winning an Award.
Headquarters & Endowment – Carol Hall -Recent work on the building includes a door and window added in Library, resurface of patio, repair roof valley at foyer, and painting.
Finance Committee – Claudia Bates – The Committee will explore possible investment opportunities . The Chairman will order specific ‘BARS’ for the newer Membership Pin.
Wekiva Leadership Training – Marge Hendon – WLT will be held February 3-5-2017, at WekivaSpringsState Park, with Open House on Sunday.
January 11-12, 2017 FFGC Board Minutes Page 9 of 10
Wekiva Youth CampFinance – Li Roberts – WYC 2016 was successfully completed within approved Budget. WYC had a cash position growth of 8.6% for Dec 1, 2015 – Nov 30, 2016.
Labels for Education – Carolyn Schaag – After clippin’, strippin’, and shippin’ Labels for Education since 2004 for free “stuff” for Wekiva Youth Camp, the LFE Chairman is being forced into retirement when the program ends Summer 2017.
EnvironmentalStudiesSchool – Nancy Richards – Three Schools are currently offered in Florida; three have been in Jacksonville, two in Silver Springs, and two in West Palm Beach.
The Florida Gardener – Kathie Smith –Chairmen are encouraged to submit articles on their projects, events, and areas of involvement.
Solar Energy – Mary Dipboye – Solar friendly policies were won at the 2016 ballot box but utilities will continue to oppose solar expansion which is linked closely to fracking.
Earth Steward – Barbara Hadsell – Six Earth Stewards were recognized since October 2016.
NGCGardeningStudySchool – Barbara Hadsell – A school series in SouthFL will be completed in March 2017 with a new series beginning Fall 2017 in NewSmyrnaBeach.