2017 Summer BOD: State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm

September 5, 2024

The GCV Board of Directors held its annual summer retreat with spouses in Winchester on July 14-16, 2017, with accommodations at the historic George Washington Hotel.

Attendees were graciously hosted by Jean and Tom Gilpin at their lovely Millwood home for dinner and cocktails on Friday night. Board members met on Saturday morning, July 15, at the State Arboretum of Virginia at Blandy Experimental Farm, a GCV restoration site. Spouses, hosted by Tom, enjoyed bowling and lunch at Northside Lanes, followed by an afternoon of golf and local attractions. After a day of meetings and activities, attendees walked to the Village Square for cocktails and dinner on Saturday night.

President Nina Mustard called the meeting to order at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. She reviewed board responsibilities, stressing participation at GCV events and contributing financially, with the goal of 100% participation by the board in the Annual Fund. She also reviewed the role of the executive committee — to meet between board meetings when important matters arise unexpectedly, or at any time HR matters call for discussion. In concluding her report, Nina thanked everyone for the work each has done during the past year, noting the diligence given to implementing parts of the strategic plan and board initiatives.

Executive Director Lynn McCashin reported that the duties of Director of Historic Garden Week, Karen Ellsworth have been expanded to include special events planning. Terri Lowman has been hired as the HGW Administrative Coordinator.

Finance Committee Chairman Vicky Alexander noted preparations for the upcoming audit. On behalf of Treasurer Betsy Worthington, she reported that FY2016-2017 was within budget, using a smaller than anticipated draw from the endowment of 3.39%.

Wendy announced that future recipients of the Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award will be voted upon by member clubs in a process similar to that of the Common Wealth Award. The recipients will be announced each year at the Annual Meeting.

Development Committee Chairman Debbie Lewis reported the Annual Fund exceeded the budgeted goal with a final total of $115,913.93, stating that the number of donors was down slightly but the amount given was greater.

Flower Shows Chairman Susan Wight announced plans for upcoming events: Symposium on September 26-27, 2017; Daffodil Day on March 28, 2018; and Growing and Showing Lilies, hosted by the GCV Lily Committee for the first time at no cost to GCV, on June 13, 2018.

Before turning the meeting over to Historic Garden Week Chairman Stephie Broadwater, Nina thanked Stephie for graciously agreeing to step in as HGW Committee Chairman when Betsy Casteen could not assume the responsibilities. Stephie displayed the poster for Historic Garden Week 2018 featuring the Kwanzan cherry. This specimen is found at Auburn, in Mathews County, which will be the home featured on the Guidebook cover.

Stephie noted that with Karen’s expanded job responsibilities, she will not belong 100% to the Historic Garden Week effort. Therefore, the Historic Garden Week Committee will become more of a working committee.

Restoration Committee Chairman Dianne Spence provided property updates and reviewed a new plan for each property to establish a maintenance reserve fund, to be used if that property neglects to maintain its GCV gift. She then fielded questions and listened as ideas to increase club involvement were discussed, giving assurance she would take all suggestions back to her committee.

Two recent reports were reviewed: the 2016-2017 Member Club Survey; and the list of Member Club Presidents by Year (updated in 2020 and posted online in FTGA III).

Centennial Committee liaison Susan Robertson reported the committee’s progress and expressed concern about the lack of clearly defined Centennial goals. At that, the board voted to seek a professional to elevate the GCV brand for the event. Lynn and Susan were directed to bring recommendations back to the board.

2017 Symposium Committee Chairman Jean Gilpin described the upcoming two-page spread in the September Journal.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned by the President at 1:48 p.m.