2017 Fall BOG: Blue Ridge

September 6, 2024

The 2017 fall GCV Board of Governors meeting was hosted by The Blue Ridge Garden Club in Lexington on October 10-12, 2017, co-chaired by Barbara Luton and Carol Grigsby.

BRGC member Sallie Sebrell hosted the Board of Directors for luncheon on Tuesday, October 10, at her lovely townhouse in downtown Lexington. The board meeting followed at the Cornerstone Bank Building.

President Nina Mustard called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m. She acknowledged Sallie and the work of The Blue Ridge Garden Club in hosting the 98th meeting of the Board of Governors. She expressed her appreciation to the board, saying it has been a very enjoyable time and there is much of which to be proud.

First Vice President Jean Gilpin reported on the Symposium, attributing its success to the efficient and thorough work done by all committees. Feedback from attendees has been very positive.

Second Vice President Susan Robertson reported that a task force had completed its search for professional assistance in creating a comprehensive Centennial marketing plan. She plans to bring a recommendation with details to the January board meeting.

Susan noted many of the unknowns surrounding Centennial plans, adding that the committee will be broadened to clarify direction. Nina added that with the committees changing in May 2018, future chairmen should be prepped to work effectively with the Centennial Committee, and that the incoming board will play a major role in coordinating and overseeing activities.

Treasurer Betsy Worthington reviewed GCV’s financial reports and Finance Committee Chairman Vicky Alexander reported that Bookkeeper Kathy Knollman is working on document retention guidelines.

Parliamentarian Ann Gordan Evans shared her draft of an awards policy document that revealed an apparent lack of cohesive policy in all areas of awards — selection processes, guest allowances, funding, eligibility, notifications, presentations, and more. Work was to be continued.

Development Committee Chairman Debbie Lewis reminded everyone that the fall appeal will be going out soon. The Annual Fund goal for this year is $140,000, and a donor event is scheduled at Montpelier on November 2.

Flower Shows Committee Chairman Susan Wight spoke of the Symposium’s success. She announced that Daffodil Day will be March 28 and will feature workshops ($75 per person) on flower arranging in three categories: beginner, intermediate, and botanical arts. There will be no vendors at this event.

Restoration Committee Chairman Dianne Spence presented three projects for approval by the Board of Directors: the Kent-Valentine House’s exterior repairs; the East Garden at Stratford Hall; and the Reveley Garden at the College of William & Mary. All three projects were approved.

Director at Large Tuckie Westfall announced that the DALs have prepared a handbook to assist club presidents as they adjust to leadership roles within their clubs and within GGV, adding that an orientation event for presidents, similar to Historic Garden Week’s Boot Camp, would be helpful. Open handbook.

The board meeting was followed by cocktails and Oktoberfest Dutch treat dinner at Virginia Military Academy’s Moody Hall.

Optional activities Wednesday morning included a tour of Natural Bridge State Park, Chessie Nature Trail hike, or activities in downtown Lexington. Attendees then gathered for lunch at TAPS in The Georges.

President Nina Mustard called the 98th meeting of the GCV Board of Governors to order on Wednesday afternoon, October 11, at Washington and Lee University’s Evans Hall. She thanked members of The Blue Ridge Garden Club, noting the lovely board luncheon hosted by Sallie Sebrell, the morning tours, lunch, and the work of meeting co-chairmen Barbara Luton and Carol Grigsby and BRGC President Catherine Harcus.

Treasurer Betsy Worthington presented summarized financial and investment reports, adding that dues will remain at $40 per member and are due in March. Notices will go out in January. Finance Committee Chairman Vicky Alexander reviewed the duties of the Finance Committee and reported on investment accounts, noting that GCV’s investments outperformed for the current quarter. The GCV budget is on track to date.

First Vice President Jean Gilpin reported on the successful Symposium held in Richmond in September and expressed sincere appreciation to all who helped create and launch the event.

Flower Shows Committee Chairman Susan Wight joined Jean in thanking members for a successful Symposium. She then put on her Daffodil hat and announced that Daffodil Day will be held on March 28, 2018.

Daffodil Committee Chairman Janet Hickman announced that 627 sets of daffodil test collection bulbs were sold in 2017 — a record number for GCV. The collection features pink and white daffodils, not just yellow ones. The photography class has proven to be popular and will be included again in 2018. The daffodil judging school will take place the day before the show, on March 27.

Rose Committee Chairman Lea Shuba noted that the rose section at the Symposium was beautiful and that awards were given. She explained that GCV’s rose collection is not a “test” collection anymore but rather a collection of roses known to be successful in Virginia. Chamblee Nursery in Texas is the GCV’s source for roses, which come already blooming in pots. They are fragrant, repeat bloomers, and come in all forms.

Flower Shows Committee Chairman Susan Wight announced for Lily Committee Chairman Carrie Darracott that there will be a Lily Show on June 13, 2018, sponsored by the Lily Committee.

Conservation and Beautification Committee Chairman Wendy Vaughan announced that the Conservation Forum, “Fracking in Virginia — From All Perspectives,” will be on October 27 in Charlottesville. Legislative Day is January 22, 2018.

Wendy also updated the group on the work of the Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellow Kate LeCroy, whose project is titled “Evaluation of Bee Hotels as an Effective Conservation Tool for Spring-Emerging Mason Bees (genus Osmia) in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Common Wealth Award Chairman Candy Crosby introduced Sarah Hellewell of Hillside Garden Club, who presented an update on the Academy Center of the Arts Tree Garden (“Academy Trees”), recipient of the 2016 Common Wealth Award.

Director-at-Large District 4 Kris Carbone revealed the new handbook for club presidents. The six Directors at Large then highlighted the work within each district with a visual presentation and report.

Horticulture Committee Chairman Catherine Madden was thrilled to announce that over 500 stems, representing 30 clubs, were entered in the horticulture division of the fall Symposium and thanked Fran Carden and Kim Cory for coordinating the show. She then announced that Horticulture Field Day will be held in Lynchburg on June 5-6, 2018.

Restoration Committee Chairman Dianne Spence announced the approval of three new exterior repairs to the Kent-Valentine House; landscaping at Stratford Hall’s East Garden; and, pending finalization of partnership terms between GCV and William & Mary, the Reveley Garden. GCV Landscape Architect Will Rieley then detailed the history and initial plans for each project.

Nina adjourned the meeting until 9:30 Thursday morning.

Attendees were graciously hosted for cocktails at the historic home of Carol and Ben Grigsby. The awards banquet followed at Washington and Lee’s Evans Hall. The Common Wealth Award was presented to Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club ($10,000) for “The Healing Grove at Boulder Crest Retreat.” A second-place award was presented to The Petersburg Garden Club ($6,000) for “The Lee Park Wildflower and Bird Sanctuary.”

Nina called the meeting to order on Thursday morning.

Development Committee Chairman, Debbie Lewis, announced that the generosity and commitment from GCV members over the past year really made a difference in enabling the GCV to reach its financial goals. Because of this generosity, GCV exceeded its Annual Fund goal and the draw on the endowment was smaller than budgeted.

First Vice President Jean Gilpin introduced Strategic Planning Committee Chairman Candy Crosby, who reminded attendees that the implementation plan outlines the GCV’s goals and is reviewed yearly. The committee has met with large and small groups, asking questions and gathering information. In response to the feedback received, the first new strategy implemented, the Symposium, was very successful. The committee will focus on communication and strengthening the relationship between the GCV and member clubs.

Virginia State Parks Committee Chairman Jeanette Cadwallender presented the results of the first grants given by the GCV to various state parks in Virginia. She encouraged member clubs to collaborate with a state park to submit a grant application. She then encouraged everyone to go on a First Day Hike at a state park on January 1, 2018.

Conservation and Beautification Awards Chairman Leesie Leake announced that the Blue Ridge Partnership in Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM), nominated by Albemarle Garden Club, was selected to receive GCV’s 2017 Dugdale Award for Meritorious Achievement in Conservation.

Jody Ullmann, director of the Lynnhaven River NOW Pearl School Award Program, nominated by The Princess Anne Garden Club, was selected to receive GCV’s 2017 Conservation Educator Award.

These awards will be presented at the upcoming Conservation Forum in Charlottesville.

Leesie also reported that Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award recipients will now be selected by club member votes in a process similar to that of the Common Wealth Award.

Blue Ridge Garden Club member Barbara Walsh then introduced Eric Wilson, Executive Director of the Rockbridge Historical Society, who presented, “Main Street Lexington: A Trail through History, and Beyond.”

Historic Garden Week Chairman Stephie Broadwater expressed appreciation to the clubs for making HGW successful each year, noting that procurement of homes and gardens needs to take place 18-20 months before the tour date, as publicity is beginning sooner and homeowners need the time to prepare. The selection of tour chairmen and co-chairmen is also critical, and they should be in place in May of the year before their tour dates. Stephie impressed upon the group the fact that social media plays an extremely large role in publicizing HGW and encouraged presidents to ask their members to “like” and “share” HGW Facebook posts. In 2012, the HGW Facebook page had 1000 followers. The 2017 tour had 6211 followers and was up 10% from the number of followers in 2016. HGW’s Instagram had 500 followers. To date, $87,400 has been generated through the sale of 117 ads in the HGW Guidebook.

Director of Historic Garden Week and Special Events Karen Ellsworth announced that HGW Boot Camp will occur on June 26-27, 2018. She then revealed the 2018 Guidebook and brochure covers featuring Auburn Plantation in Mathews County. The Kwanzan cherry is the featured flower.

Nina congratulated Carol Grigsby, Barbara Luton, Catherine Harcus, and the members of The Blue Ridge Garden Club for their success in hosting the Board of Governors meeting. The club received a standing ovation.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:40 a.m.

BOG Photos