How to Organize a Club
Are you and your neighbors interested in
beautification of your neighborhood or town?
Do you want to learn how to grow your own
vegetables - even on your patio?
Are you concerned about environmental issues
facing your community?
Do you wish you knew how to landscape your yard,
plant a container garden on your porch or make a floral centerpiece
for your dinner table?
Then start a garden club!
1. Find Members
- Post flyers where gardeners hang-out:
- Nurseries
- Garden Centers
- Botanical Gardens
- Libraries
- Book Stores
- Parks
- Organic Restaurants
- Food Co-Ops
- Environmental Stores
- Feed Centers
- Community Gardens
- Community Centers
- Take out a small classified ad in small local newspapers or
neighborhood newsletters
- Ask neighbors and friends to join
2. Select a Meeting Place & Time
- Be as flexible as possible to accommodate busy schedules
- Set the date and time for the first meeting; then club
determines what day and time works best.
- Free meeting rooms are often available at libraries or
community centers.
- Local nurseries might be willing to donate space in exchange
for free advertising to club members.
3. Determine Club's Purpose & Goals
- Will the club purpose be singular or multifaceted?
- If a singular purpose, what will it be?
- Landscape Design
- Floral Design
- Community's Environmental Issues
- Horticulture
- Church members who do floral design for worship services and
landscaping of the church
- Retirement community members who are interested in landscaping
of the church
- Educate the community about specific gardening practices
- Beautification of the local community/park
- Work with youth to ensure the next generation of gardeners
- How often will the club meet to accomplish these goals?
- Will the format of the meetings be informal or formal?
4. Organize the Club
- Elect officers
- Determine the amount of dues based on expenses of programs,
rent and projects
- Write Bylaws
5. Become Affiliated with National Garden Clubs, Inc.
These affiliations bring benefits like invitations to
conferences and specially arranged tours and access to well-known
speakers.
Network with Local Resources
After your club forms, make sure you introduce yourself to the
community. Network with local resources like country extension
agencies, colleges and universities and local nurseries and garden
centers. Let others know what your club is all about and who can be
contacted to answer questions or respond to inquiries. Find out
what resources may be of benefit to the members of your club, and
what your club can offer to others in the community.
Whether starting your own club, or joining one that is already
established, you'll enjoy the encouragement you receive from
others, learn better ways to beautify your environment and get
acquainted with like-minded members of your community.
Resources