Membership Procedure

Members in the New Canaan Garden Club (NCGC) share their knowledge and love of gardening, flower design, and photography and an interest in restoring, improving and protecting the environment. By association, members gain access to exceptional education meetings, conferences, correspondence and publications as well as occasions to socialize and become engaged in civic beautification and improvement.

 
NCGC Membership Eligibility

Membership is by invitation only. Prospective members are proposed, seconded and supported by current NCGC members. A membership committee confidentially reviews all applications and proposes candidates to the Board for approval.

 
To be eligible for membership an individual must:

  • Own or rent a home in New Canaan and have lived in the community for at least three years.
  • Have a garden in which an active personal interest is taken and/or be actively interested in floral design, horticulture, conservation or photography.
  • Be willing and able to sustain the goals of the club and to participate regularly in its activities and programs.
  • Pass through a provisional year (upon acceptance), which includes an introductory program as well as the regular club programs and activities

Active membership requires consistent involvement 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 sweepstakes at regular monthly meetings.

 
Membership Process

Current members are encouraged to bring individuals whom they believe may make good candidates for membership to any of the monthly meetings except September, December and June or to our joint meeting with the Garden Club of Darien. Please notify the Membership Chair in advance if you are bringing a guest to one of the Club meetings. The Membership Chair will have a name tag printed for your guest and will make a special effort to welcome her to the meeting. At the meeting it is important for you to introduce your guest to the President and as many members of the Membership Committee as possible.

To propose an applicant, please download the Membership Questionnaire (MQ) from the NCGC website. The deadline for submitting the MQ including a brief bio of the candidate to the Membership Committee is February 15, 2024. The Proposal letter, one Seconding letter and two letters of Support are due to the Membership Committee by March 15th, 2024. 

Please send the MQ and all letters to our Membership Chair.
By mail to:
Olivia English
62 St. John’s Place
New Canaan, CT 06840
OR
By scan and email:
[email protected]

For your letters, they should include how you know the potential member. You should write about her background, education, spouse, children and past volunteer history. It is important to also focus on skills, talents, gardening experience and what she could contribute as a future member to our Garden Club.

As a proposer, you will be expected to attend with your potential member an informational meeting to be held at the end of February or early March. This is to make sure that those being proposed will be fully versed with the expectations that will be required within their first two years in the club. As a proposer you are also expected to guide your candidate not only during their Provisional year but also during their first year of Active membership.

 
Prospective Membership Calendar

February
Membership Questionnaire and Bio are due to the Membership Chair by February 15th.

March

  1. All prospective members and their proposers must attend a membership informational meeting.
  2. ALL letters in support of the prospective member’s application are due by March 15th.
  3. Membership Committee meets to review files of applicants and vote on each candidate individually.

April
Prospective members are put to a vote at the April Board meeting by paper ballot.
If approved, a candidate is invited by the President to join as a Provisional.

June
Provisionals are expected to attend the June monthly meeting where they will be introduced to the membership.