Strategic Planning

December 16, 2021

Chairman Mary Hart Darden, The Nansemond River Garden Club

Planting Perennials, the Garden Club of Virginia’s first strategic plan, was presented by Deedy and Lee Switz at the 2006 Annual Meeting.

Catherine Whitham had reported that when seeking grants for the Balustrade Project, she was frequently asked the question, “Does your organization have a strategic plan?” At the recommendation of the Development Committee, the Board of Directors passed a motion at the January 2005 board meeting to undertake a statewide strategic planning effort over the next twelve months with assistance from an outside professional consultant. Allocating up to $15,000 for the project, Mary Hart Darden was named chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee with Catherine Whitham serving as a major guiding force to have the committee reach its challenge. Lee Switz of Lee Switz and Associates was engaged to help lead the effort.

The Strategic Planning Committee began the work of involving the membership in determining the direction the GCV should take over the next five to ten years. Focus meetings were held throughout the summer and fall with the past presidents, board members, club presidents and committee chairmen, and continued into winter with regional focus groups.

Steve Ellison and Bill Greer were hired to produce a survey and to tabulate the results. An electronic survey was sent to 3600+ members in September, and results were tabulated in October. After receiving an astonishing response rate of 51%, five additional regional meetings were added.

The committee members held over 30 meetings to establish the strategic plan. The areas stated in the report were establishing a GCV Vision, Values and Mission; establishing Strategic Directions for GCV; setting two year and five-year goals.

The GCV Board of Directors was called to a day-long meeting on March 22, 2006, to hear findings and recommendations of the Strategic Planning Committee. In kicking off the strategic plan, the Board of Directors approved the following:

• Adopt the Garden Club of Virginia’s Strategic Plan
• Change Kent-Valentine Endowment to Garden Club of Virginia Endowment
• Jump-start gifts to endowment by adding $100,000 from HGW each year for five years
• Raise Common Wealth Award Fund to at least $300,000 by taking 5% from HGW proceeds net each year for five years
• Approve investigation and design of a new publication GCV Year in Review
• Change the name of the GCV Fund to The SEED Fund (support, education, events and development)