Land O’Sky Garden Club - June 12, 2025 Minutes

Land O’ Sky Garden Club

Proposed minutes from the June 12, 2025, meeting Draft 1 of 1

1. Call to Order – Co-President Jan Wayne opened the meeting at 10 a.m.

2. Co-President Jan W thanked hostesses: Hostess Chair Dee Felice and Catharin Banta for setting up lunch as well as Sally Gregg for the newsletter.

3. Attendance – Membership Coordinator Margaret Stone took attendance and welcomed visitor, Sue Kampsen, who attended with Vice President Ginger Michel.

4. Introduction of Speaker – Vice President Ginger M introduced Fred Thompson and his wife, Andrea. Thompson gave a presentation on how to help the blue bird population thrive in this area and provided members with numerous fact sheets regarding the joys and tribulations of helping blue birds propagate and survive. Blue birds were endangered due to manmade threats; the population has been restored through the efforts of people like Fred and his wife. The team maintains blue bird boxes at Flat Rock Park. Fred answered member questions and took the group on a tour to a nearby blue bird box to demonstrate cleaning procedures and to continue to answer questions.GG

5. Old Business – The membership approved the May 2025 meeting minutes submitted by Recording Secretary Denise Layfield.

6. Ways and Means – The Ways and Means Committee has been working for months to determine ways to balance the club’s budget. Their suggestions have been publicized among the membership via email. Co-President Jan W summarized three options: 1. Withdraw from state and federal garden clubs to save about $1,000 a year. 2. Raise dues. 3. Keep everything the same and continue without a balanced budget and do a fund raiser each year to fund scholarships and other worthwhile projects. Membership can expect a survey to come via email on June 16, 2025, to vote anonymously for one of the three options. The majority will determine the outcome. Voting will cease on June 25, 2025. Here is the full LOSGC Board of Directors recommendations on Way & Means Committee proposals: “We acknowledge and agree: Our club needs to balance our budget. After many individual conversations we hear the desire for keeping the tradition of GCNC. We hear the desire to support our community – keep the LOSGC Christmas Bazaar; possibly consider other fundraisers in the future. We hear the appreciation for club comradery; currently created through Bazaar committees & local gardening efforts – Pardee atrium & Bicentennial Garden. Therefore, the leadership of our club recommends: Annual dues to be raised to $100 active members/$60 associates to maintain a balanced budget, maintain membership in GCNC and continue to fund (2) Candy R. Priest scholarships at BRCC. All other financial support to our community will be raised through fundraisers. We also believe to have a meaningful membership in GCNC we must create a GCNC committee; comprised of a chairperson and a minimum of 4 other members to: Expedite state information to our club, attend state and district meetings and act as the core committee when hosting district and state meetings.

7. New Business

a. Treasury Report – Co President Jan W presented the current accounting of garden club monies at $14,842.02.

7. Gardening – A sign-up sheet for maintenance of the Bi-Centennial garden and atrium were sent around for members to sign up for specific work dates. Please also sign up for a standing committee to handle management of these gardens.

8. Fun Thymes – Sunday, June 22, 2025, at Souther Williams Winery from 2-5 p.m. New member orientation will be held on June 24, 2025, at 10 a.m. at Veterans Healing Farm. At 10:40 a.m. all members are welcomed to come and tour the gardens. Location is at Kinsley Road.

9. Summer Social – Sky Top on July 20, 2025, at 6 p.m. Spouses or a guest are welcome to attend.

10. Celebrations and Concerns: Advisor Sallie Carr announced birth of her grandson who is “just perfect!” Please pray for Treasurer Maggie Mugan’s husband who suffered a stroke and Susan Frost who is battling cancer. New member Sally Gudger has also suffered a brain bleed. Please pray for all concerned.

11. State Garden Club Interface -- Oct. 10, 2025, is the District 1 and 2 Fall Board meeting of the Garden Club of North Carolina featuring new state officers for the next two years.

The meeting was adjourned at 11:43 a.m.

Minutes were submitted by Recording Secretary Denise Layfield on June 13, 2025.