2012 Fall BOG: Nansemond River

November 1, 2022

The 93rd Board of Governors meeting was hosted by the Nansemond River Garden Club October 9-11, 2012, at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront in Suffolk, chaired by Sharyn Flintoff and Pat House. Photos

Prior to the 2012 fall Board of Governors meeting, President Ann Gordon Evans called a meeting of the Executive Committee September 5, 2012, at the Kent-Valentine House. Long Range Planning Committee Chairman Catherine Whitham presented goals of her committee and a schedule for completion of goals. Following her presentation, the Board discussed Centennial funding, and the Executive Committee agreed that a Centennial Chairman and committee should be selected soon. Executive Director Lynn McCashin reported on the recent visit to the Kent-Valentine House by the Department of Historic Resources and the meeting adjourned without action.

The Board of Directors met on October 9, 2012, at the Hilton Garden Inn. President Ann Gordon Evans called the meeting to order and thanked Linda Consolvo for hosting Board members for lunch at her beautiful home prior to the meeting, and for bringing extra cookies to the board meeting.

She then introduced Long-Range Planning Committee Chairman Catherine Whitham, who described the process and goals of the Long-Range Planning Committee for the upcoming two years.

Ann Gordon announced that Anne Cross will serve as the chairman of the Centennial Celebration in 2020.

Treasurer Anne Baldwin and Finance Committee Chairman Barbara Luton reviewed finances and investments. Barbara reported on a recent presentation to the committee by Ben Tompkins, President of Virginia Commonwealth Corporation, who gave a full overview of all GCV insurance coverage including property, general liability, workers’ compensation and umbrella policies. All GCV-sanctioned events are covered but individual clubs’ events are not covered by GCV insurance.

Development Committee Chairman Julie MacKinlay reported on Annual Fund giving and credited Director of Development Karmen Gustin with producing the much acclaimed Year in Review. The Development Committee drafted a Gift Acceptance Policy that was adopted by the Board.

Common Wealth Award Committee liaison Charlotte Benjamin and Betsy Worthington reported concerns about club finalists soliciting, lobbying and emailing in order to seek support for their projects. The Board unanimously agreed that finalists should not overtly or covertly seek support for their projects. The guidelines about solicitation need to be strengthened to discourage these activities.

Executive Director Lynn McCashin reported on activity at the Kent-Valentine House. The house has a historic easement which triggered a recent visit from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources. An architect and photographer documented the house and grounds and reviewed the easement and deed. The large magnolias were of interest to them and, if replacement ever becomes necessary, there are specific requirements for their replacements. The documents are very specific about what can or cannot be done. Lynn has the documentation report on file. Megan Melinat, DHR, was complimentary about GCV stewardship of the property. The chimneys have been restored, the drywall and leaks repaired so currently the house is in good shape. The Board will visit the Carriage House on January 17, 2013. The check for the first month’s rental of the Carriage House has arrived, and there have been numerous inquiries for renting KVH.

Parliamentarian Meg Clement presented a first reading of two proposed changes to GCV Bylaws:

1. Add the following statement to Article V: Officers, Section 5.7. “The Treasurer is responsible for the preparation and presentation of the Budget.”
2. Add the following statement to Article VI: Committees, Section 6.2. “The Executive Committee reserves the right to review any communication produced in the name of the Garden Club of Virginia.”

Prior to adjournment, Directors at Large reported they will not report at the upcoming Board of Governors meeting but will meet with their club presidents at lunch prior to the meeting.

Attendees were invited to attend a Dutch treat dinner Tuesday night at Mosaic in the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts, former Suffolk High School.

President, Ann Gordon Evans called the 93rd Board of Governors meeting to order Wednesday, October 10, 2012, at the Hilton Garden Inn Riverfront.

Ellen Godwin, former Garden Club of Virginia President and Nansemond River Garden Club member, offered the prayer, and Betty Schutte read a tribute to the 35th President of the Garden Club of Virginia, Nancy St. Clair Talley.

President Ann Gordon Evans welcomed attendees and shared opening remarks to inspire member engagement in planning the future of the Garden Club of Virginia.

Kent-Valentine House Committee Chairman Bebe Luck reported that interior and exterior renovations to the Carriage House were complete and the commercial tenants were in residence. She announced a pending visit from the Catesby Commemorative Trust.

Flower Shows Committee Chairman Bettie Guthrie announced that the Garden Club of Virginia InterClub Artistic Award would be renamed the Garden Club of Virginia Annabel Josephs InterClub Artistic Award.

Journal Editor Jeanette McKittrick described the new colorful Journal covers, reflecting GCV energy throughout the publication with more photographs, graphics and artwork by members.

Following adjournment for the day, attendees were hosted for cocktails by Jane and Dwight Schaubach at their beautiful home on the Nansemond River. Ann Gordon arrived in style, driven by Dwight in one of his antique cars. The awards banquet followed at the Cedar Point Country Club where tables featured exquisite flower arrangements. The 2012 Common Wealth Award was presented to the Lynchburg Garden Club for their project, “Renovation of the Miller-Claytor House Garden in Riverside Park.”

Thursday morning business began with a slide presentation by Mary Eades, on behalf of Rivanna Garden Club, recipient of the 2011 Common Wealth Award for their project at Hatton Ferry, the last pole-operated ferry in America, on the James River near Scottsville. The award check in the amount of $10,500 was used to assist in replacing the information kiosk, to install substantial picnic tables and trash receptacles, and to provide new landscaping. The club identified plantings to add beauty and erosion mitigation and included river birch, sumac, buttonbush, yucca, St John’s wort, witch hazel, Virginia bluebells, various hollies and ferns.

Following reports from chairmen of the Historic Garden Week Committee and the Restoration Committee, meeting chairman Pat House introduced featured speaker, Michael Boone, who presented a slide lecture on Unilever’s Lipton Tea Company’s Zero-Landfill Facility and recipient of the 2010 Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award for Conservation.

Annual Meeting and Board of Governors Meetings Committee Chairman Julie Grover reminded attendees that the Garden Club of Virginia Handbook for Planning the Annual & Board of Governors Meeting was available on the GCV website. Julie then called on Betsy Casteen, president of the Charlottesville Garden Club, host of the 2013 Annual Meeting, and Kris Carbone, president of the Garden Club of Danville, host of the 2013 Board of Governors Meeting.

Director at Large Jean Gilpin provided a recap and the meeting was adjourned.