Standing Committees and Responsibilities
Since 1924, The Martha's Vineyard Garden Club’s vision has been to stimulate an interest in all aspects of horticulture, gardening and conservation. Through our monthly meetings, club hosted events, and the Old Mill fundraisers the Executive Committee hopes to provide our members with the opportunity to socialize through an interest we all share. The success and connectedness of our Club relies heavily on the participation of our members, so we encourage you to reach out to the Chairperson of the Standing Committee if one of the Committees below sounds of interest to you!
Archives Committee: This Committee is responsible for looking after permanent records of the Garden Club and shall ensure that they are kept in the file at the Club office located at The Wakeman Center. Archivist Chairperson: Irene Ziebarth
Building and Grounds of the Old Mill: The Old Mill Committee includes the chairperson and as many members as are deemed necessary. The Committee seasonally opens and closes the Old Mill and is responsible for seeing that the Mill is ready for Club meetings and other events the Club hosts there. Additionally, the Committee cares for the grounds by overseeing maintenance that is done around the Mill. Any parking arrangements for special events held at the Mill are managed by this Committee. Building and Grounds Chairperson: Carol Goldstein
Building and Grounds of the Old Mill: The Old Mill Committee includes the chairperson and as many members as are deemed necessary. The Committee seasonally opens and closes the Old Mill and is responsible for seeing that the Mill is ready for Club meetings and other events the Club hosts there. Additionally, the Committee cares for the grounds by overseeing maintenance that is done around the Mill. Any parking arrangements for special events held at the Mill are managed by this Committee. Building and Grounds Chairperson: Carol Goldstein
Communications/Public Relations: The Public Relations and Communications Committee reports Club activities to the press, assists in promotion of the Club and for keeps a file of press articles that pertain to the Club. Additionally, this Committee assists the webmaster with the Club's online presence and manages the Club's social media accounts. Communications: Donna Arold / Webmaster: Karen Huff
Conservation: This Committee's role is to keep Club members apprised of best practices for gardening and our households, liaise with other organizations, to identify events and speakers for the Club that will be beneficial to our mission. It is an opportunity for a small group of conservation activists to impact our Club and the Island in a positive way, while respecting the foundation of conservation the MVGC was built on 98 years ago. Conservation Chair: Laurisa Rich
Floral Design: The Floral Design Committee is a newly formed committee in late 2023 with the objective of providing ongoing floral design information,
workshops, and demonstrations throughout the year for our members, in addition to those for our Blooming Art floral designers. Examples of events for the membership include a Holiday Wreath Decorating Workshop in December, ongoing informal floral design get togethers hosted by an experienced designer, fun challenge floral arrangement opportunities at membership meetings throughout the year, and floral design panels and workshops to allow members to enhance and showcase their skills. All members are welcome to join and share your ideas and suggestions!
Co-Chairs: Jayne Isford and Nancy Cabot
Greenhouse: The Greenhouse Committee is an active, cohesive and knowledgeable group. The members are responsible for the care and operation of the greenhouse (located at The Wakeman Center, behind the Program Room) along with growing plants for the Club's yearly plant sale. They run and manage the plant sale, which is held in mid-May and the 'work' done in the Greenhouse is typically from late September through May. Many of the greenhouse plants are grown from cuttings, and seeds are used to grow a variety of herbs and annuals. The plant sale this Committee makes possible is an important fundraiser for the Club. Greenhouse Chairperson: Anne Kushwaha
Conservation: This Committee's role is to keep Club members apprised of best practices for gardening and our households, liaise with other organizations, to identify events and speakers for the Club that will be beneficial to our mission. It is an opportunity for a small group of conservation activists to impact our Club and the Island in a positive way, while respecting the foundation of conservation the MVGC was built on 98 years ago. Conservation Chair: Laurisa Rich
Floral Design: The Floral Design Committee is a newly formed committee in late 2023 with the objective of providing ongoing floral design information,
workshops, and demonstrations throughout the year for our members, in addition to those for our Blooming Art floral designers. Examples of events for the membership include a Holiday Wreath Decorating Workshop in December, ongoing informal floral design get togethers hosted by an experienced designer, fun challenge floral arrangement opportunities at membership meetings throughout the year, and floral design panels and workshops to allow members to enhance and showcase their skills. All members are welcome to join and share your ideas and suggestions!
Co-Chairs: Jayne Isford and Nancy Cabot
Greenhouse: The Greenhouse Committee is an active, cohesive and knowledgeable group. The members are responsible for the care and operation of the greenhouse (located at The Wakeman Center, behind the Program Room) along with growing plants for the Club's yearly plant sale. They run and manage the plant sale, which is held in mid-May and the 'work' done in the Greenhouse is typically from late September through May. Many of the greenhouse plants are grown from cuttings, and seeds are used to grow a variety of herbs and annuals. The plant sale this Committee makes possible is an important fundraiser for the Club. Greenhouse Chairperson: Anne Kushwaha
Membership: This Committee gathers 'new member' information to share with the Executive Committee at monthly Board meetings. They encourage members to invite family and friends to attend meetings and Garden Club events and are active in recruiting new members by word of mouth and by sharing information about the many opportunities the Club has to offer. Co-Chairperson: Linda Shaw and Susan Shea
Programs: The Program Committee is responsible for identifying and securing diverse speakers to present a informative, exciting and educational program at Garden Club monthly meetings. The Committee is for communication with each speaker, securing speaker bios and providing program information for the website and yearly program calendar. Additional responsibilities include speaker introduction at each meeting, the set-up of AV equipment, other presentation needs and getting the speaker to and from the ferry, if needed. Programs Chair: Kathie Skinner
Scholarship: The Club awards a scholarship to a Vineyard high school student bound for a college major in a field related to horticulture, landscape, environmental studies, farming, or other connected areas of study. The MVGC Scholarship Committee accepts reviews all applications and the award is presented at the High School's awards Ceremony by a Scholarship Committee member at Class Night Ceremony held at the Tabernacle. Scholarship Chair: Kathy Kitsock
Special Projects: The Special Projects Committee arranges for, promotes and helps coordinate special activities for the Club such as Blooming Art, The Ag Fair entries, Member Garden Tours, and the traditional 'Winter Greens' Workshop. Special Projects Chair: Joan Cavazuti
Programs: The Program Committee is responsible for identifying and securing diverse speakers to present a informative, exciting and educational program at Garden Club monthly meetings. The Committee is for communication with each speaker, securing speaker bios and providing program information for the website and yearly program calendar. Additional responsibilities include speaker introduction at each meeting, the set-up of AV equipment, other presentation needs and getting the speaker to and from the ferry, if needed. Programs Chair: Kathie Skinner
Scholarship: The Club awards a scholarship to a Vineyard high school student bound for a college major in a field related to horticulture, landscape, environmental studies, farming, or other connected areas of study. The MVGC Scholarship Committee accepts reviews all applications and the award is presented at the High School's awards Ceremony by a Scholarship Committee member at Class Night Ceremony held at the Tabernacle. Scholarship Chair: Kathy Kitsock
Special Projects: The Special Projects Committee arranges for, promotes and helps coordinate special activities for the Club such as Blooming Art, The Ag Fair entries, Member Garden Tours, and the traditional 'Winter Greens' Workshop. Special Projects Chair: Joan Cavazuti
Wakeman Representative: The Wakeman Representative and Committee are responsible to secure the meeting room at The Wakeman Center when a Garden Club Meeting or activity is planned there. Additionally, attending meetings at Wakeman that discuss The Center's future. The MVGC pays rent and has partial ownership and therefore an interest in future plans for the Center. Wakeman Representative: Ty Johnston
Webmaster: The Webmaster, is responsible to maintain the website and to keep it updated. In conjunction with Communications and Public Relations Committee, the online presence of the Club is the major role of the Webmaster. Webmaster: Karen Huff Website Secondary: Donna Arold
Windemere: The Windemere Committee arranges monthly visits to Windemere, where they assist the interested residents in projects related to plant and flower activities. Windemere Chairperson: Joan Eville
Webmaster: The Webmaster, is responsible to maintain the website and to keep it updated. In conjunction with Communications and Public Relations Committee, the online presence of the Club is the major role of the Webmaster. Webmaster: Karen Huff Website Secondary: Donna Arold
Windemere: The Windemere Committee arranges monthly visits to Windemere, where they assist the interested residents in projects related to plant and flower activities. Windemere Chairperson: Joan Eville