2013 Winter BOD: Richmond

November 3, 2022

The Board of Directors met January 17, 2013, at the Kent-Valentine House. Prior to the meeting, Board members toured the Carriage House and met the new tenants. Afterward, Sally Guy Brown presented a video showing the Edgar Allan Poe Museum gardens, a potential Restoration project.

Ann Gordon noted the large inventory of Historic Virginia Gardens — 1,159 books on hand — and encouraged Board members to think of additional ways to reduce the inventory.

She also reminded the Board that GCV activities or events, such as Legislative Day, Horticulture Field Day and workshops should not be fundraisers. It is GCV policy to make sure these events are self-sufficient. The per person fee should cover all event expenses, and she asked the Board liaisons to communicate this policy to their committee chairmen.

Development Committee Chairman Julie MacKinlay announced that a generous gift of stock was made to the Garden Club of Virginia by Janet Jackson Dennis in December 2012. The gift is to be held in the Endowment Fund and the interest from the principal is to be used for the benefit of the Kent-Valentine House.

On behalf of the Admissions Committee, liaison Betsy Worthington proposed the names of two outstanding individuals for GCV Honorary Membership: Nancy Ross Hugo, proposed by Three Chopt Garden Club and seconded by the Ashland Garden Club; and Frank L. Robinson, proposed by the Boxwood Garden Club and seconded by the Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton. The Board approved both proposals.

Board members divided into two Long-Range Planning Focus Groups — one led by Catherine Whitham, Long-Range Planning Committee Chairman and the other led by Executive Director Lynn McCashin. The following questions were discussed in both groups: What will the GCV be best known for? How will the GCV continue to make a difference in the Commonwealth? How can the GCV change with the times while still maintaining its essence?

The Annual and Board of Governors Committee expressed concern about space limitation at the 2013 Board of Governors Meeting in Danville if roundtable discussions are on the agenda. Further discussion was suggested.

Upon the resignation of Journal Editor Jeanette McKittrick, Jeanette Cadwallender volunteered to edit the upcoming two editions and made plans to add members to the Editorial Board, suggesting that former teachers would be good candidates. She requested the Board’s help in finding a replacement editor as soon as possible.

Lynn McCashin reported Kent-Valentine House maintenance issues involving the kitchen floor tiles, second floor windows and gutters. She also reported that vandals had ripped off a copper downspout on the east corner by the tower addition. Sadly, the west magnolia is diseased and will need to be replaced. Several tree specialists have examined the tree in hopes of saving it, and DHR has been alerted. From the original deed and easement document, “The two magnolia trees on the front aspect of the East Franklin Street side shall not be removed unless damaged or diseased in which case they shall be replaced with two magnolia trees of at least six (6) feet in height.” And finally, Lynn reported that Carriage House rental income began in the fall at $1506.79 a month and will increase by 3% each year on October 1.

The Board approved the following slate to serve 2013-2015, presented by Nominations Committee Chairman Kim Nash: District 2: DeLane Porter, Dolley Madison Garden Club; District 5: Lynn Gas, the Hunting Creek Garden Club; and District 6: Susan Wight, the Princess Anne Garden Club. The slate is to be presented at the 2013 Annual Meeting for approval.

Parliamentarian Meg Clement presented a second reading of two proposed changes to GCV bylaws and moved for approval:

Article VI, Section 6.2, Add: “The Executive Committee reserves the right to review any communication produced in the name of the Garden Club of Virginia.”

Article V, Section 5.7. Add: “The Treasurer is responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Budget.”

The motion passed without objection.

Restoration Committee Chairman Sally Guy Brown reported that four of the current Restoration projects are nearing completion: Historic Henry County Courthouse, Green Spring Gardens, Poplar Forest and John Handley High School. Several committee members visited Monticello, noting that plans for the restoration of a part of Jefferson’s original landscape are moving forward with work to begin in July. The Board then approved the restoration of the gardens at the Poe Museum in Richmond.

Directors at Large expressed concern from their districts about printing the GCV Directory & Handbook for all GCV members but the Board was unclear if the concern was based on conservation, finances or lack of interest. Following discussion, it was suggested that the Long-Range Planning Committee should consider this concern with all GCV printed publications and marketing tools.

The Board approved a motion to postpone the Symposium to 2015 with time and location yet to be determined.

Due to deteriorating weather, the rest of the meeting was curtailed.

Prior to adjournment, Ann Gordon announced that Meg Clement will serve as Assistant Chairman of Historic Garden Week for 2013-2015 and will be Chairman of Historic Garden Week from 2015-2017.