2011 Spring Annual Meeting: Roanoke Valley

October 11, 2022

Photos

The 91st Annual Meeting of the Garden Club of Virginia was hosted by the Roanoke Valley Garden Club on May 11-12, 2011, at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, chaired by Denise Revercomb and Julie Perry.

The GCV Board of Directors met on Tuesday, May 9 in the hotel’s Shenandoah Room. Following review and approval of January 2011 BOD motions, President Kim Nash distributed correspondence received and provided a brief overview of the April Executive Committee meeting.

Financial reports followed and the board adopted the preliminary 2011-12 budget. After Historic Garden Week Chairman Martha Ware Bryan reported that 2014 Historic Garden Week would fall on Easter week, the board voted to hold the tour April 26-May 3, 2014.

A comprehensive proposal for Kent-Valentine House rental fees was presented and, with minor changes, approved.

The board endorsed a proposal by Deedy Bumgardner on behalf of the Restoration Committee to landscape the green at the historic Henry County Courthouse in Martinsville. She also asked that clubs be reminded not to contact Will Rieley directly for club programs, but to contact the Restoration Committee instead.

Prior to adjournment, Parliamentarian Betty Michelson circulated a non-conflict of interest statement for signatures and as Outlook Committee Chairman, she noted that as a Special Committee created for a five-year term, the committee had completed its five-year commitment.

Attendees were hosted by Kelly and Russell Ellis for Dutch treat dinner at their lovely home Tuesday night.

President Kim Nash called the 91st Annual Meeting of the Garden Club of Virginia to order at the Hotel Roanoke on Wednesday afternoon, May 10. Kim thanked the Roanoke Valley Garden Club members under the leadership of their President Becky Austin and Annual Meeting  Co-Chairmen, Julie Perry and Denise Revercomb. She complimented them on the wonderful morning tour of the Taubman Museum of Art and Historic Roanoke City Market, and a tour and lunch at the O. Winston Link Museum of Transportation. Kim continued,

“Few of us had any idea how many adjustments would be made to ‘the way things are done’ when we embarked upon a strategic plan five years ago. Today we have new professional staff in place at our headquarters, updated financial management practices, streamlined meeting agendas, and our messages launched into cyberspace. All these changes have been designed to carry our beloved organization along into the 21st century. In today’s world, the technological, legal and time requirements of GCV management are far more than most of us volunteers can handle, certainly without losing sight of the reasons we joined. We may experience some growing pains, but please be assured that our focus on our vision, values and mission is clear and will continue firm and unshaken.”

Financial reports followed and the 2011-2012 budget was approved.

Kent-Valentine House Chairman Bebe Luck reported that, with the addition of new personnel, an evaluation of job responsibilities was made as they related to the space needs of each individual within the KVH. It was determined that the second floor would be devoted to staff operations. As a result, the Executive Director was moved into the library to allow for expansion of duties and easier access to other personnel. Plans are underway to move the library to the third floor for greater use by club members. Bebe also announced that a comprehensive fee schedule for Kent-Valentine House rentals had been established.

Personnel Chairman Catherine Whitham and Executive Director Lynn McCashin reported sweeping organizational changes in the fiscal year that began in July 2010 with the staffing model recommended by Warren Whitney & Sherwood. Five new staff members had been hired: Executive Director Lynn McCashin; part-time Bookkeeper Kathy Knollmann; Communications Coordinator Ann Heller; part-time custodian Leonard Booker; and Director of Historic Garden Week Karen Miller. They join part-time Director of Development Karmen Gustin and part time Historic Garden Week Administrative Assistant Christine Harris.

Before introducing Conservation and Beautification, Horticulture, Flower Shows and Symposium committees, Second Vice President Meg Clement reminded attendees, “… these functions and events go well beyond our mission statement. Quite plainly, they contribute to and impact the economic base, quality of life and fiber of communities around our Commonwealth. Local restaurants, service stations, antique shops, boutiques and hotels put out their welcome mats in full flair knowing that GCV members and tourists alike may be crossing the threshold of their establishment, whether they be in Martinsville, the Eastern Shore or the Northern Neck. The revenues generated by these patrons, particularly in these economic times, benefit not only the individual merchant and his family but the community as a whole.”

Flower Shows Chairman Lynn Gas and President Kim Nash presented the 2010 InterClub Artistic Award the Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton. The trophy was accepted by Martha Moore. When Rose Chairman Rachel Hollis was called upon to give her report, she concluded with special thanks to Pat Taylor, former Rose Chairman, and to Kim Nash, who “took a chance and didn’t pay any attention to me when I told her I couldn’t take the position because I didn’t have any clothes to wear.”

Horticulture Committee Chairman Lea Shuba announced the following recipients of the 2011 Horticulture Award of Merit: Marie Bundy, the Garden Club of Norfolk; Nan Freed, the Garden Club of Danville; Margaret Ford, the James River Garden Club; Susan Gentry, the Virginia Beach Garden Club; Minouche Robinson, the Williamsburg Garden Club; Betty Steele, the Petersburg Garden Club; Mary Wick, Three Chopt Garden Club; and Cam Williams, the Garden Club of Gloucester.

Corresponding Secretary Nina Mustard discussed the changing secretarial role in recent years, noting that reminders, memos, schedules and agendas can be sent out electronically with lightning speed and professional precision, sometimes by the corresponding secretary — more often not. She complimented Ann Heller and Lynn McCashin who continue to improve the website and are moving forward into the realm of social media. She then introduced chairmen of Historic Garden Week, Media Relations, Photography and Development.

Journal Editor Jeanette Cadwallender announced her retirement after four years and thanked members of the separate Journal committees for maintaining high standards of excellence in bringing the Journal to a full-color publication. She then introduced the new editor, Jeanette McKittrick, of Three Chopt Garden Club who affectionately became known as Jeanette II.

Following reports of Directors at Large the meeting was adjourned for the day.

The awards banquet was held Wednesday night in the hotel’s ballroom.

A resolution honoring Suzanne Munson, retiring Executive Director of Historic Garden Week, Suzanne Munson was read. The Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award was presented to the Garden Club of Norfolk for a rain garden that they will design in partnership with the Hermitage Museum and Gardens.

The Annual Meeting reconvened Thursday morning when President Kim Nash recognized those who had received awards at the banquet the previous night and called on Directors at Large for completion of their reports.

Nina Mustard then led attendees through an informative tour of the Garden Club of Virginia website with particular attention to the online directory and the facility with which one can send email messages to groups within the club.

Jeanette McKittrick, president of the Three Chopt Garden Club and representing the four Richmond GCV clubs, gave a report on the progress of the Capital Trees Project, winner of the 2010 Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award.

The following slate was presented by Nominations Committee Chairman Sally Guy Brown and approved by attendees as 2011-2013 Directors at Large: Linda Consolvo, Nansemond River Garden Club; Jean Gilpin, Winchester Clarke Garden Club; and Catherine Madden, Lynchburg Garden Club.

Chairman of Annual and Board of Governors Meetings Maria Tufts introduced Carrie Darracott, President of the Augusta Garden Club, and Ann Milliman, President of the Williamsburg Garden Club, who issued invitations to the 2011 BOG in Staunton and the 2012 Annual Meeting in Williamsburg, respectively.

Kim offered closing remarks and the meeting was adjourned.