There are five classes of membership in the New Canaan Garden Club, designated as Provisional, Active, Sustaining, Affiliate and Honorary. The combined number of these five membership classesis limited to one hundred and fifty (150).
PROVISIONAL MEMBERSHIP is required of each new member of the NCGC. Provisional obligations include participation in a one-year introductory program under the direction of the Provisional Chair as well as in all regular Club programs and activities. During the Provisional Year, a Provisional Member will serve on: (a) at least one of the following committees: Floral Design, Conservation or Horticulture; and, (b) serve as one of the Waveny Walled Garden volunteers. Whenever a Provisional Member cannot participate in one of the above requirements an explanation must be shared with the Provisional Chair.
At the conclusion of one year, those Provisional Members, who have successfully completed the program, will be invited by the Board to become Active Members of the New Canaan Garden Club.
A person unable to meet the Provisional requirements may be invited to extend the Provisional status for an additional year.
Provisional members are non-voting members of the New Canaan Garden Club. Dues shall be the same as for Active Members, totalling $215 per year.
ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP requires consistent participation in NCGC activities, including regular attendance at meetings and workshops, active participation on at least one administrative or civic committee, and active participation in at least one civic project each year. Active members are strongly encouraged to participate in Conservation and Fund Raising and to exhibit in at least one Flower Show each year and/or in sweepstakes at Regular meetings.
Absence from three regular meetings, or failure to fulfill other duties of membership, requires adequate written explanation to the Membership Chair. Failure to comply may, at the option of the Executive Committee, constitute a resignation.
Active members are full voting members of the New Canaan Garden Club.
SUSTAINING MEMBERSHIP is available to Active members who, after fifteen years of active participation, wish to be relieved of club duties. In order to become a Sustaining member one must apply in writing to the Membership Chair. A summary of the member’s active history must be included with the letter. The transfer will become effective upon a majority vote of approval by the Board and at such time as a vacancy exists.
The number of Sustaining Members is limited to no more than 30% of the total combined number of Active, Provisional and Sustaining Members.
Sustaining Members are full voting members of the New Canaan Garden Club.
AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP is available to (a) those members who are no longer residents of New Canaan, and (b) those members who have been active for 15 years and spend the majority of the Garden Club year (September -June) away from New Canaan. Any member wishing this change in membership status should apply in writing to the Membership Chair. The change in membership status becomes effective upon a majority vote of approval by the Board.
An Affiliate member residing in a town with a GCA club and wishing to become associated with its activities can do so by notifying the NCGC President and asking for a letter of recommendation.
There are two types of Affiliate Membership:
Primary Affiliate – those whose affiliation with the GCA is through the NCGC. These
members are full voting members of NCGC.
Non-Primary Affiliate – those who have joined a GCA Club in their new town and still
wish to be associated with NCGC. These Affiliates have full voting rights in their new primary club.
HONORARY MEMBERSHIP may be offered to long-standing members of the New Canaan Garden Club who have shown outstanding achievement in leadership, horticulture, flower arranging, conservation or civic endeavors. Honorary members will be elected by the membership upon recommendation of the Board. They will have all the privileges of the NCGC except that of holding office.
