Membership of Garden Club of Celebration is open to all past and present residents of Celebration. We have a membership of over one hundred members, both men and women, all of whom share an interest in various aspects of gardening
Our year runs from September to May. We meet on the third Wednesday each month in Heritage Hall at 9.00am.
Dues are paid in September each year and are $30 for a individual membership and $40 for a couples membership. Dues can be paid on-line on our website.
Our program is varied with a variety of different meetings.
Regular Monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of each month:-
Meetings commence at 9.00am with social time. At 9.30am we discuss any business matters of the Club and our speaker talks from about 10.00am.
We have a wide variety of topics, from growing succulents, roses, begonias and also how to plant up containers gardens and attract pollinators to your garden. Our meetings are informative and fun!
Our gallery shows pictures of our meetings.
We have three social meetings each year:-
- September – We gather after the holidays and welcome new members
- December – We enjoy our holiday luncheon
- April – We visit a local restaurant for our spring luncheon
In addition to our monthly meetings, we organize trips to local places of interest, gardens, plant fairs, university gardens, local theme parks. This is an opportunity to tour places which may not always be accessible to the public and learn about different plants around Florida.
Our Garden Club year runs from September through May. Our dues are paid in September each year
Garden Club of Celebration is open to all residents of Celebration, past and present regardless of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, religion, national origin, political opinions or affiliations.
There are two ways to join The Garden Club of Celebration.
- Come to a meeting, pay your dues $30 for individual membership and $40 for couples membership and you can join straightaway and enjoy our Club
- Contact us via the website and pay on-line.
MISSION STATEMENT
The general nature and object of this non-profit Corporation shall be – to organize themselves into a non profit association for the purpose of engaging in activities which are charitable, educational and scientific within the means of Section 501 c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
Specifically the purposes of the Club are as follows
- To further the education of members and the public in the fields of gardening, horticulture, botany, landscape design, conservation of natural resources, civic beautification and nature studies
- To do and perform all other acts necessary to carry out the purposes of this Corporation not for profit, in accordance with the law in such cases made and provided
THE GARDEN CLUB OF CELEBRATION, INC.
BYLAWS
Article 1 – Name
The name of this club shall be The Garden Club of Celebration, Inc. (hereafter referred to as the Club).
Article II – Objective
The objectives and purposes of the Club will be accomplished by activities proposed by the Board of Directors (hereafter referred to as the Board) and approved by members of the Club.
Article III – Membership
Membership is open to all adult residents of Celebration or those that wish to maintain membership having moved away from Celebration. Members shall pay annual dues and be encouraged to take an active part in the Club. Each member is entitled to one vote.
Membership Dues and Fees
The fiscal year shall be from September 1st through August 31st.
1. Dues of active members shall be determined by the Board of Directors and ratified by the Club members. Notice of intention to change amount of dues shall be presented in writing at a regular meeting of the club and action shall follow at the next regular meeting. A 2/3 vote of those present shall be necessary for ratification.
2. The annual dues of the Club shall be $30.00 for an individual and $40.00 per couple.
3. Dues are payable upon joining the Club. Renewals are due in September.
4. Members must be in good standing in order to attend club funded events such as annual luncheons.
5. Guests are allowed to attend two regular monthly meetings per year before being required to join the Club.
6. Dues are non-refundable.
Article IV – Executive Board
The Executive Board of the Club shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Community Advocate. Any position on this board may be co-shared, according to need.
Section 1 – Election of Officers
1. In alternate years (odd numbered) the President shall explain the nominating procedure at the January meeting of the Club. Not later than the February meeting, if needed the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three (3) active members who shall submit a slate of officers for the succeeding year. Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the March meeting.
2. Officers shall be elected and installed at the March meeting of the Club to become effective the following fiscal year. Term of office shall be two years. Should a position become vacant during that term of office, the replacement will fulfill the remainder of the term.
Section 2 – Duties of Officers
All officers shall perform the duties as detailed in these bylaws, the standing rules and the adopted parliamentary authority.
President
The President shall:
1. Be the official representative of the Club.
2. Preside at all meetings of the Club and its Board.
3. Appoint other Board members and committees to facilitate the organization of the Club, such as Social Committee, Scholarship committee, etc.
4. Fill vacancies of officers subject to the confirmation of the Board.
5. Sign checks in the absence of the Treasurer.
6. Prepare a budget with the assistance of the Treasurer each fiscal year and make a statement of account to the Club at a general meeting.
7. Shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
Vice President
The Vice President shall:
1. In the absence of the President, perform the duties of that office.
2. Serve as program chairman.
Secretary
The Secretary shall:
1. Record the proceedings of all meetings of the Club and the Board. Draft minutes of such meetings will be submitted to the President as soon as possible after the meeting for approval and circulation to Club members.
2. Attend to correspondence as directed by the President or the Board. Have charge of all papers pertaining to the office.
3. Present to the Board a copy of the minutes and of the reports within thirty days after the close of the term of office.
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
1. Be responsible for all the funds belonging to the Club.
2. Be accountable for receipts and disbursements.
3. Render statements and issue receipts.
4. Pay bills.
5. Make accounts and vouchers available for inspection by the Board.
6. Make a financial statement available at each general meeting.
7. All books and funds of the Club shall be transferred to the new Treasurer within 30 days after the close of the fiscal year.
Membership Secretary
The Membership Secretary shall:
1. Introduce visitors and new members.
2. Distribute/maintain name tags.
3. Maintain an up-to-date list of members and forward to person updating website.
Community Advocate
The Community Advocate shall:
1. Increase awareness in the community of the funds available for donation by the Club.
2. Liaise with school personnel to encourage an interest in horticulture in the school environment.
Article V – Meetings
Section 1 – Meetings of the Club shall be held on the third Wednesday of each month from September through to May.
Section 2 – Special meetings may be called at any time by the President or upon request of ten (10) or more members of the Club. The object of any special meeting shall be stated in prior written notice to all members.
Section 3 – The members present at a general meeting shall constitute a quorum of the Club for the transaction of business.
Article VI – Board of Directors
Section 1 – The Executive Board shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Community Advocate. Others deemed necessary by the Executive Board may participate in Board meetings and have voting rights.
Section 2 – The Board shall have general supervision of the affairs of the club, determine the time and place of meetings, make recommendations to the Club, and shall perform such duties as are specified in these bylaws.
Section 3 – The Board shall hold regular meetings to ensure the smooth running of the Club.
Section 4 – Fifty (50) per cent of the Board plus one (1) constitutes a quorum.
Article VII – Dissolution
In the event that the Club should dissolve or be discontinued, the Club shall transfer its residual assets, if any, to some organization or organizations within Celebration having purposes similar to its own, contribution to which is deductible under the Federal Internal Revenue Code or to the State, Federal, or local government for public use.
Article VIII – Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and standing rules.
Article IX – Methods of Operations
Section 1 – The Board shall have the authority to approve expenditures up to a maximum of five hundred dollars ($500). Such expenditures shall be reported as information to the subsequent general membership meeting.
Section 2 – Any proposed expenditures over $500 must be approved by the general membership at a regular monthly meeting. Any request for approval shall be preceded by a full report on the necessity for such expenditure, and normally shall be discussed and approved by the Board.
Section 3 – Notwithstanding any other provision of these bylaws, this organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Section 4 – The President is authorized to make expenditures up to two hundred dollars ($200.00) when necessary to expedite the business of the club. Under all circumstances such expenditures shall be reported to the Board at the first subsequent meeting.
Article X – Amendments
The bylaws may be amended at any regular meeting of the Club by a 2/3 vote of those present. Motions to amend the bylaws must be presented at the preceding meeting or one month prior to a meeting. The bylaws should be reviewed every three years by the Board
Adopted on November 7, 2001
Revised on September 17, 2003 – Time change
Revised on April 18, 2007 – Term of Officers
Revised on September 16, 2009 – Fiscal Year
Rewritten on August 1st 2013 – To bring into line with FFGC guidelines and 501(c) 3 regulations
Revised on January 9, 2018 – Complete review of bylaws