Northbrook Garden Club - About Us

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The Northbrook Garden Club (NBGC) was founded September 20, 1949.  (See our HISTORY & TIMELINE.) Our 2019-2020 season, focused on our 70th Anniversary with programs and events about the history of our club and historic Northbrook gardens and gardeners.  Our 2020-2021 & 2021-2022 seasons were impacted by COVID and we used the available technology to offer programs for beginning gardeners, hobbyists and Master Gardeners. Our upcoming seasons may include in-person, virtual and/or hybrid online programs as we transition to the post-COVID world. 

The objective of the Club is to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, to aid in the protection of native trees, plants, animals and insects, to encourage civic planting, and to further the programs of the Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc., and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. (See our CONTINUING PROJECTS.)

The NBGC currently has about 65 members, most of whom are Northbrook-area residents or former area residents. (See our CONSTITUTION, BY-LAWS & STANDING RULES.)

Come for a visit; stay as a member. 

Membership Year: Sept to June

Membership Fee: Annual dues are $25 for individuals; $35 for couples.

Mailing Address: Northbrook Garden Club, PO Box 474, Techny, IL 60082

Online, hybrid and in-person meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month September through June, unless otherwise noted. See our PROGRAMS & EVENTS for dates, times and locations. 

The NBGC is affiliated with: 

The National Garden Club, Inc.

Central Region of the National Garden Club, Inc. 

The Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc.

Save Our Monarchs

District IX of the Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc.

Chicago  Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL

River Trail Nature Center, Northbrook, IL

SCHOLARSHIP:

 A $1000 scholarship is awarded to a Glenbrook North High School senior majoring in horticulture, landscape design, botany, biology, forestry, conservation or environmental concerns. 

ANNUAL PLANT SALE:

Our sole fundraiser in May supports scholarships, contributions, and program expenses. Members provide perennials from their gardens to sell at the May sale. Members are encouraged to participate by providing perennials from their gardens, helping others pot up plants from their gardens, assisting at the plant sale with set-up, providing advice and gardening tips to customers, and clean-up after the sale. 

A COMMUNITY GARDEN and PRAIRIE STEWARDSHIP:

Maintenance of a public garden and a local prairie provide opportunities to learn and share gardening techniques during spring and fall cleanups of the sites, planning, and weeding throughout the season. Members are encouraged to participate with at least one garden.

Blue Star Memorial Marker Garden, 2490 Dundee Road - April thru November

Rogan Prairie, Woodhead Drive - As needed

GARDEN THERAPY: 

Visits to Rosewood Care Center in Northbrook are on hiatus due to COVID-19.  Members have provided residents with horticultural and nature-themed craft projects using materials donated by the NBGC. 

EARTH & ARBOR DAY PARTICIPATION:

The NBGC participates in Northbrook's event held in the Spring at the Village Green. Members give out seed packets and share gardening tips.

VILLAGE OF NORTHBROOK FLAMINGO FRIDAY/NEW RESIDENT EVENT:

The NBGC distributes milkweed saplings and other plants to new residents. 

SHERMERFEST FALL FESTIVAL:

The NBGC participates in the Northbrook Historical Society's fall festival at the Village Green. Members provide fun activities and expert advice. 

MONARCH PROJECT:

We support the state and national MILKWEED FOR MONARCHS project. The NBGC initiated the "Let's Make Northbrook a Monarch Way Station Program". Since 2010, we have distributed over 700 milkweed saplings at our plant sale and other venues. 

The Northbrook Garden Club (NBGC) was founded on September 20, 1949. As the club grew in membership, it joined The Garden Clubs of Illinois and the National Garden Clubs and continues to actively participate  in both. The NBGC is a community of gardeners that provide opportunities to learn, participate in community service, and meet other gardeners. 

The NBGC has been a vital part in establishing plantings for the Village, the Fire Department and the Park District throughout the years. The NBGC assisted in establishing the Children's Sunshine Garden at the Leisure Center and in 2017 the NGC helped design the patio garden at Sportsman's Country Club. In 2019, in partnership with the Northbrook Historical Society and the Northbrook Park District we participated in a project to preserve heritage peonies that were relocated from private property to many parks throughout the Village. 

Our environmental contributions to the stewardship of the native environment includes preservation of a local prairie site. We participate in the Village of Northbrook's Earth & Arbor Day festivities and initiated the "Let's Make Northbrook a Monarch Way Station" program to help save the Monarch butterfly. We have supported local schools in establishing organic gardens, environmental conservation and educational programs including planting milkweed. 

Continuing Education is a vital part of the club's membership. Monthly programs and workshops are planned throughout the year to share the best practices in all aspects of gardening and horticulture. 

Members participate in the four schools of  study sponsored by Garden Clubs of Illinois (GCI): 

Landscape Design

Garden Studies (Horticulture)

Environmental Science

Floral Design

NBGC shares its love of flowers with a local skilled care facility. We also work with the Glenbrook North High School Environmental Club on preservation projects. 

The NBGC's rich history of award winning projects, the annual plant sale and civic beautification has laid the foundation for the NGC's future as it strives to meet the objectives of its charter "to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, to encourage the artistic use of flowers, to aid in the protection of native trees, plants and birds, and encourage civic plantings".

Article I - Name

The name of this organization shall be the Northbrook Garden Club (“NBGC” or “the Club.”)

Article II - Objectives

The objective of the Club shall be to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening among its members, to aid in the protection of native trees, plants, and birds, to encourage civic planting and to further the programs of The Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc. (GCI), and the National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Article III - Membership

Any person who will further the objectives of the Club, upon payment of dues and through adherence to the Constitution, By-Laws, and Standing Rules of the Club may be a regular, or if qualified, an associate member in good standing.

Article IV - Officers

The officers of the club shall be: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary. Officers shall be elected by a majority vote of the regular members at the meeting prior to the annual meeting. Officers shall serve for a term of two years or until new officers are elected.

Article V - Meetings, Quorums, and Voting

Regular meetings shall be held monthly September through June. The annual meeting shall be held in June of each year. A simple majority of regular members attending (in-person or virtually) and voting at a regular meeting shall be sufficient to decide all matters other than amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws.

Article VI - Boards

The officers shall constitute the Executive Board. The Executive Board and the Standing Committee Chairs shall constitute the Board of Managers (“Board”). Eligible voters are elected officers (Executive Board) and Standing Committee Chairs. For the purpose of voting, each officer (except for the President) and Standing Committee Chairs, shall have one vote. ­ Sub-committee chairs and Immediate Past President (Advisor) have no vote. The President votes in case of a tie. A simple majority of those Board members attending (in-person or virtually) and voting constitutes a quorum and is required for passage of matters other than amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws.

Article VII - Dissolution of Club

In the event of dissolution of the Northbrook Garden Club, the total assets shall be liquidated and allocated to not-for-profit organizations of like purposes duly constituted by the Statutes of the State of Illinois. Said distribution shall be determined by the Executive Board with the approval of the Regular Members.

No portion of such funds or property shall be distributed among members.

Revised: April 2022

Article I - Duties of Officers

The President shall preside at all meetings, appoint the Chairs of all committees, serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the Nominating Committee, provide the club with current information on available GCI and other awards, and is authorized to act in all matters on behalf of the club. In the absence of the Treasurer, the President may disburse budgeted funds.

The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in his or her absence and chair the Program Committee and the By-Laws and Revisions Committee. 

The Recording Secretary shall record minutes of all meetings of the membership and all Board meetings, be a member of the By-Laws and Revisions Committee, and keep an inventory of all property of the club. 

The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the club and send meeting notices to all members. In the absence of the Recording Secretary, the Corresponding Secretary shall be responsible for taking meeting minutes.

The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds of the Club, collect all dues, pay all bills, prepare monthly financial statements to be reported at each Board meeting, and chair the Budget Committee. The Treasurer will be responsible for keeping all financial records for seven (7) years and submit a roster of membership to The Garden Clubs of Illinois. In the absence of the Treasurer, the President may disburse budgeted funds. 

Article II - Standing Committees

The Standing Committees of the club and their duties may include but are not limited to the following:

Programs: Arrange in advance, the educational programs and locations of each meeting not including social events. 

Social Events: Appoint the hosts for in-person meetings and arrange details and location for social events.

Publicity: Publicize the activities of the club. All publicity releases should be reviewed by the President.

Social Media: Administer the social media accounts and website. All publicity releases should be reviewed by the President.

Membership: Maintain a roster of members. Determine whether members are in good standing (i.e., dues are paid). The Membership Chair reports all names and addresses to the Yearbook Chair and Corresponding Secretary.

Yearbook: Prepare the annual yearbook for distribution to all members in September.

Ways and Means: Be responsible for fund raising events (e.g., the annual plant sale).

Philanthropy: Conduct philanthropic activities determined by the membership. The Chair oversees selection of candidates for scholarships.

Conservation/Horticulture: These committees may include but are not limited to the following: Blue Star Memorial, Rogan Prairie, and Sustainable Gardening. 

Chairs of all committees shall submit an annual report to the President of their committee’s activity for the year.

Article III - Special Committees

A Nominating Committee composed of one (1) Board member appointed by the President and two (2) members at large, in good standing, shall propose a slate of  candidates to stand for election. The Nominating Committee elects its own Chair. 

The Committee is formed in February, reports the names of nominees in April, the election is in May, and officers are installed in June. There may be nominations from the floor, with prior consent of the nominee, before the final vote.

Persons nominated for the office of President shall have been a member of the club for two years and have served on a standing committee of the board for one year. The President and Vice President shall be elected in odd numbered years and serve concurrently. The Treasurer, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary shall be nominated in even numbered years and serve concurrently. A vacancy occurring in any office other than President shall be filled by presidential appointment until the next general election of officers.

A Budget Committee consisting of the President, Treasurer, the past Treasurer (in year of transition) and the Chair of Ways and Means shall prepare an annual budget of receipts and disbursements for the upcoming fiscal year. Once approved by the Board, the budget will be distributed to the general membership for approval by the June general meeting. Passage requires a simple majority of the members attending and voting.

A By-Laws and Revisions Committee, comprising of at least three board members, shall review and propose amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws. Proposed amendments shall be presented to the Board for approval by a two-thirds majority. The proposed revisions shall then be presented to the membership at least one meeting prior to voting. A two-thirds majority of those members attending (in-person of virtually), and voting shall be required for passage.

Other Special Committees may be created by the Board of Managers.

Article IV - Membership

Membership in the club is subject to payment of dues and approval of the Board. Regular members are entitled to hold office, to vote at general membership meetings, and have access to resources provided by the State of Illinois (GCI) and the National Garden Club (NGC). Dues are payable by July 1st of each year.

Regular members shall volunteer their services on at least one committee, participate in the club’s annual fundraiser and shall attend regular meetings. 

Associate membership is subject to approval by the Board. Associate members must have been Regular members for five years. Associate members are excused from service on committees and attendance at regular meetings. Associate members are not entitled to vote or hold office. 

Honorary memberships may be granted at the discretion of the Executive Board. Honorary Membership is given in the Club only, not in GCI or NGC.

Article V – Club Standing Rules

In addition to the Constitution and Bylaws of the Northbrook Garden Club, there shall be a statement of Standing Rules. These rules are subject to the approval of the Board and may be changed at any time by a simple majority of the Board.

Article VI – Fiscal Year 

The fiscal year of the Northbrook Garden Club shall begin on July 1st and end on June 30th of the following year.

Revised: April 2022 

MEETINGS

There should be a minimum of four (4) business meetings a year. Members of the public are invited to attend regular meetings or programs as they consider joining the club. 

Minutes of the last meeting are approved as presented or with any additions or corrections, and the Treasurer’s Report is approved as presented. Committee Chairs report as needed, followed by Old Business, then New Business, then any Announcements. Board and business meeting minutes and the Treasurer’s report to the Board are available upon request.

MEMBERSHIP

Dues for Regular members are $25.00 annually for individuals or $35.00 annually for a household (a couple or two persons residing at the same address) and are payable by July 1st of each year. Dues for Associate members are $10.00 more than Regular members. 

The dues paid by new members who join after March 31st, will be effective from the date of joining through the end of the following fiscal year ending June 30th. 

Regular members shall volunteer their services on at least one committee, participate in the club’s annual fundraiser and shall attend regular meetings. 

All members shall receive a Club Yearbook. The members’ information is used solely for Club, GCI and District IX correspondence and is not to be shared outside of NBGC. Members may opt to keep their personal contact information private from publication in the yearbook, the newsletter, or social media. The opt-out does not apply to participation in events, or social activities where photographs are taken.

Notification requesting payment of dues will be made in April.

CONDOLENCES

Upon the death of a member, the President may request a remembrance not to exceed $100.00:

· a floral arrangement, or

· a donation to a charitable organization:

- One preferred by the family, or

- GCI Book of Remembrance - Scholarship Fund.

Upon death of a member’s spouse or child, a condolence card will be sent by the Corresponding Secretary.

For members who are seriously ill, the President may request flowers at a cost not to exceed $30.00.

SECRETARY

Each Committee Chair shall maintain a list of their committee’s properties, including items stored in the Public Works building, and report them annually to the Recording Secretary. The Recording Secretary will maintain a record of all the properties. .

TREASURER

The Treasurer shall submit a roster of membership to The Garden Clubs of Illinois. The Treasurer shall inform the President and Membership Chair of members that have not paid their dues.

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The Membership shall vote on any unbudgeted expenditure over $250.00.

An audit of the Club’s financial records shall be conducted at a minimum of every three years by a committee appointed by the President.

AWARDS AND GRANTS

President or a delegate shall review GCI or other awards available and apply or delegate as appropriate.

PROGRAMS

A $50.00 honorarium may be given to non-paid speakers at Open Meetings.

GCI STUDY SCHOOLS

Members attending GCI Study Schools may be reimbursed 50% of up to two classes per year provided they meet the following criteria:  must be a member for one year and perform at least six service hours as: host, serve on Plant Sale Committee, hold office, or serve on the Board or work on a civic project. 

Revised: April 2022