2012 Winter BOD: Richmond

October 23, 2022

President Kim Nash called the meeting of the GCV Board of Directors to order at the Kent-Valentine House on January 19, 2012. Recording Secretary Jeanette Cadwallender read the minutes of the Executive Committee meeting, December 9, 2011.

Jane White of Hillside Garden Club presented a copy of the book, Lessons Learned from a Poet’s Garden, The Restoration of the Historic Garden of Harlem Renaissance Poet Anne Spencer to the Garden Club of Virginia and acknowledged the support from the Common Wealth Award in making the work in the garden possible.

Jane also made a gift of a recording and script from the 1979 Annual Meeting performance of the GCV in music. This was presented as a tribute to the GCV by Mary Morris Booth. The CD of the musical will be kept in the library.

Betsy Agelasto of the Virginia Beach Garden Club, as a representative from the Conservation and Beautification Committee, presented the issues coming before the 2012 General Assembly of Virginia

Parliamentarian Betty Michelson reminded the board that a member with a Conflict of Interest cannot be denied an opportunity to vote but may abstain from voting. She then presented a comprehensive and informative explanation of her role as Parliamentarian.

Kim reported that she and Lynn McCashin met with attorney John O’Neill. He states that we may give money to other organizations if the other groups’ missions falls within the mission of the Garden Club of Virginia This will not affect our 501(c)(3) status. We should always consider how the gift will further our charitable purposes.

Treasurer Anne Baldwin reported that Assistant Treasurer Joanie Robins had engaged Dominion Payroll Services, a local company that will provide employees access to their records online. Anne is continuing to hear frustration from clubs concerning the dues payable calculation based on a club’s constitutional membership.

Finance Committee Chairman Julie MacKinlay reported that all GCV budget holders are within parameters except for the funds needed for the Kent-Valentine Carriage House’s unanticipated repairs, noting that GCV has sources for the estimated $50,000 needed.

At the suggestion of Development, Julie has asked IMVA to start tracking separately the E. V. Williams Estate gift of $110,000, which was made in support of GCV Symposia and which has been held in endowment since the gifts were made in 2008 and 2010. This money will continue to be held in endowment but will be accounted for separately, as is done with the Common Wealth Award and Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award funds. The Finance Committee will determine guidelines about how this money, principal and/or interest, may be drawn down on for future Symposia at its spring meeting.

Kent-Valentine House Committee Chairman Bebe Luck provided the following comprehensive report:

“Over the past few months, the primary focus involving the Kent-Valentine House has been to obtain a tenant for the Carriage House. Our realtor, Gareth O. Jones of Jones Lang LaSalle Americas, Inc., brought BOB Architects as a potential tenant. At that point, it was determined that the Carriage House needed extensive renovations to make it acceptable to any client. Bobby Garland of Taylor & Parrish was contacted, and the GCV was referred to Mark Longenderfer of Balustrade Construction. After discussions and negotiations, the construction was approved. BOB Architects has agreed to rent the Carriage House and a seven-year lease is currently being drawn up. Necessary permits have been applied for with the City of Richmond, and construction is due to begin as soon as the permits are approved.

“November and December found the KVH decorated beautifully for the Christmas season; however, it was a time to reflect on the condition and the future needs of the interior. Preston Gomer, KVH Committee member for Antiques and Interiors, gave a number of recommendations and helped to prioritize the needs of the house. Preston has agreed to obtain estimates for the most urgent items which will be reported at a later date. Preston was able to inform the KVH staff on how best to clean the chandeliers without hiring a professional cleaning service. Leonard Booker is now in the process of cleaning the chandeliers with much success.

“Inquiries for weddings, parties and small business meetings have increased significantly over the past few months. With these inquiries, it has been determined that the KVH needs a comprehensive approach to publicity and marketing of the house as a viable destination for such events, which will be pursued in the near future. With the addition of staff over the past year at the KVH, it is felt that the duties of the members of the KVH Committee need to be reevaluated in terms of how best they can serve the GCV and support the staff members. This process will begin over the next few months.”

The meeting was adjourned following administrative business.