Winchester Home & Garden Club
Frequently Asked Questions
How many members do you have?
Although the club has about 135 members, the number changes slightly each year as new members join. There are 11 honorary members who have gained this status through length of membership and through board & committee participation.
Where do your members come from?
The majority of members live in Winchester but many members live in surrounding communities. The Club has a very diverse membership with ages varying widely and occupations range from full time workers, parents and students to retirees.
How do I become a member?
All this is required is that that 1) a membership application be completed so we can gather your name and other information and 2) you pay your annual dues. You are welcome to attend one meeting as a guest before joining to see what the Club is about. A guest donation of $10 is requested.
The membership application can be found as a link on the Membership page. All completed applications are sent to the membership chairman at the address on the application. The membership chairman will contact you to welcome you to the Club, provide you with a yearbook (list of all members and events) and a copy of the most recent newsletter. She will also see that you are added to all Club distribution lists.
Do I have to be sponsored to join the Club?
No, the Club is open to everyone.
What are the annual fees or dues?
The annual dues are currently $50. Dues are collected between September and December. The dues cover the costs of our programs & speakers, rental of the meeting space, club supplies, donations for civic beautification purposes (i.e.- the beautiful hanging baskets around Winchester in the summer), the many plantings done around town (i.e.- in the urn and planters on the town common), insurance, dues in the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts and much much more.
Where and when do you meet?
Where: The Club meets at St. Eulalia’s Church at 50 Ridge Street in Winchester.
When: We usually meet the 3rd Wednesday of each month during the period of September-May. In December and May we hold a social luncheon instead of a program.
Time: The social hour begins at 11:45AM. There is a coffee and tea table with light luncheon food and desserts provided by members. There is a business meeting at 12:30PM followed by the featured program/speaker. The meeting usually ends between 2:00PM and 2:30PM.
Benefits of joining
- Learn more about gardening and horticulture, ecology, landscape design and home decoration by attending informative monthly meetings and periodic hands-on workshops
- Promote Civic Beautification and Conservation
- Enjoy social functions like festive themed holiday and spring luncheons
- Meet new people and form new friendships
- Automatically become a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts and the National Garden Club (note: the GCFM holds many classes in floral design & arranging, landscaping, horticulture, etc)
What can I do once I join?
Besides partaking in the benefits and opportunities to learn from our programs and workshops, you will enjoy the social times we provide. To get the most from the Club by working with other members and by giving back to the community, we encourage all members to join one of our many committees or to help with an event during the year.
What committees can join?
A complete list of Board and Committee is included as a link on the Membership page. Examples of ways to help various committees include:
- Hospitality- Help to set up and serve refreshments at the Club meetings
- Civic Beautification- Assist in seasonal plantings and maintenance of those plantings on the town common and various sites around the town of Winchester
- Programs- Assist in planning programs for the upcoming season by suggesting topics & speakers. Assist with speaker set up. Attend the GCFM speaker conference.
- Newsletter- Assist is preparing, editing and mailing the Club’s newsletter
- Yearbook- Assist in updating membership data, proofreading and distributing the books
- Luncheons- Assist the event chair with any number of things including invitations, centerpieces, nametags, silent auction items, selling tickets, and so much more
- Garden Therapy- Work with local nursing home residents on a designated craft, two mornings in the fall and two mornings in the spring.
- Membership- Assist with greeting members, signing them in and distributing name tags at meetings
- Treasurer- Help with the collection of dues at the fall meetings
- Miscellaneous- Many officers and Committee Chairs could use help with copying, typing reports, affixing labels and stamps, proofreading, making calls,
There are lots of ways to get involved…big and small and all help is greatly appreciated!!!! Please check one or boxes on the new member application if you are willing to help any of our committees. The committee chairman will contact you. THANK YOU!!!
What is the difference between meetings and workshops?
Meetings are the Club’s regularly scheduled programs held the 3rd Wednesday of each month where a speaker is hired to inform us about a topic of interest (gardening, flower arranging, landscape design, conservation, home design & improvements, etc.).
Workshops are held periodically at varied places and times, including some in the evenings. Many workshops are hands-on events where members will arrange flowers, make a wreath, cook with fresh herbs, do a craft, etc. Workshops require separate sign up and usually have a fee to cover the cost of the supplies.
Is the Club a nonprofit organization?
Yes, The Winchester Home & Garden Club is 501(c)3 organization.