How To Organize A New Garden Club

1. Call a meeting of a few interested people. (You need 10 to start a club) Start with 3 or 4 and have each one of them ask 1 or 2 more people.
2. Choose one person to serve as temporary chairman.
3. Decide on a maximum number for membership.  This is important if meeting is in member's homes.
4. Select a date for an organizational meeting.  Announce this date in your local newspaper and invite attendance.  Schedule a plant exchange or a short program on horticulture or flower arranging.  Something other than just organizing makes your meeting more enjoyable.
5.  At this meeting the temporary chairman should explain the reasons for forming the club and the qualifications of a garden club member.  The chairman should conduct an election of officers.  Have each person at the meeting fill out a program questionnaire that states their interests in gardening. (This will help the program committee when planning programs.)
Use nametags, have a door prize, have someone from a local OAGC club or your County Contact Chairman  (click here to find link to your county) speak to the group.

6. The club's monthly meeting date should be decided at this meeting. (You need to meet at least 10 times a year if entering the OAGC program book contest.) Try to get each person individually involved.


7. Appoint a committee to present a slate of club names for the membership to select a name for the group.  A good name is important.  The regional director should be ready to supply a list of club names in your region to avoid duplications.


8. A committee to draw up a set of by-laws should be appointed as soon as most things have been decided, such as dues, frequency of meetings, number of members, meeting places, etc.  See the Handbook for Garden Clubs for suggested by-laws, p. 126-137 (link to the sales page where this can be purchased) and change to suit your club.


9. The Ohio Association of Garden Clubs helps newly organized groups, or groups wishing to organize through the County Contact chairman and the Regional Director.  A new club needs to be sponsored by two OAGC clubs for one year.  Let the sponsoring clubs offer program help and even provide programs from their own members. You may find someone in your ranks that is talented, use them to help.

 
10. Set the date for another meeting to have:
a. reading of proposed by-laws
b. selection of club name
c. members bring program ideas
d. hostess set up by months.

11. When planning the program book for the first year, it is important to include the things the prospective members stated they wanted to learn.  Keep meetings interesting.  Try to borrow some program books from other garden clubs for ideas.

Some things that will help: Copies of the Garden Path, Copy of the OAGC Handbook, Contact your County Contact, Contact your Regional Director
Names and addresses of Regional Directors and County Contacts can be obtained from the State Secretary.   

Request an application to join OAGC by contacting the secretary.

Applications and dues are processed through the state secretary who places your application on file and has the application approved by the OAGC board.

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