I have belonged to a garden club for 2 years now. It's kinda a dying group and I have been elected to become president in September. I would love any and all ideas on things to do to make this club more fun, like crafts, trips, speakers. anything! Help!
The thing that revitalized ours was a project that involved the young hort students at the high school, so that a sense of purpose and trans-generation developed among us oldies. Also that momentum was rolled along further when we linked up for charity with other clubs. It was very fun when we got on a chartered bus (not that expensive after all!) and went to a tour of winning gardens in a nearby city. All the way home one by one we each shared one idea gained that we found useful for our own homes. Just lots of mixing up with seeing other gardens seemed great by itself. If there is a feud among your members, be sure to deal with it swiftly and publicly so that both feudants know that you are prepared to swat them both quickly. All I had to do was to loudly say "IF YOU TWO DON'T TAKE YOUR PERSONAL STUFF OUTSIDE THIS MEETING, I WILL KNOCK YOUR HEADS TOGETHER RIGHT NOW." Seemed like a great sigh of relief went up and smiles returned! God bless your good-hearted efforts!
My first thought was to have a plant and bulb exchange. Since you are starting your reign in September, it's an ideal time to trade perennials, perennial seeds, and spring bulbs for fall planting. If your funds permit or you have a free newspaper, you could invite the public to come and bring some of their favorites to trade. This way you may be able to increase your membership, as well.
You could initiate a public service project and invite students from the local vo-tech program at the high school -- clean up and decorate an old cemetary, put a garden around the town sign, start a seedling campaign to have members trade/share/sell clippings from their favorite plants. Open a contest to local residents-- most unusual planter, ugliest plant, etc. and provide entrants with invitations to your club.
If there is a local fair in your area (remember the days when every town had one??), sign up for a display tent. Ask residents who aren't members but have fantastic gardens to allow your group to tour. Have "best (fill in the season) garden" contests and provide the winnner with a nice plaque or stake to put in their yard, and have your club be the judges.
Ask local homes for senior citizens if you could do a short presentation. Many retired persons have/had an interest in gardening and may either join or provide interesting stories, tips, etc.
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