The Heart of Our Garden Club: Our Committees

At the Garden Club of St. Augustine, our Committees are where the magic happens. They’re the hands and hearts behind every flower show, scholarship, workshop, and community project we bring to life. Whether it’s planning events, nurturing young gardeners, caring for the environment, or preserving our club’s rich history, each Committee plays a special role in helping our garden grow.

These dedicated teams bring together members with shared passions, creating a strong sense of purpose, friendship, and fun. 

We invite you to explore the many ways our members make a difference through these committees

Administration & Governance

Bylaws / Parliamentarian

Chair: David Farah (Shamrock Circle)
Keeps the club’s bylaws current and aligned with its mission.

Key Tasks:

• • Review bylaws annually and suggest updates.
  • Draft clear proposed changes.
  • Share changes with the board and members.
  • Inform members of updates.
  • Maintain and provide official copies.

Historian

Chair: Victoria Barrett-Gregory (Sunflower Circle)
Preserves the Garden Club’s history by documenting events, achievements, and milestones for future reference.

Key Tasks:

• • Keep records of club activities and accomplishments.
  • Take or collect event photos.
  • Organize and archive documents and media.
  • Prepare an annual history report.
  • Create displays for meetings and special events.
  • Collaborate with the president and committees to ensure accuracy.

Yearbook Coordinator

Chair: Marla Ward (Sunflower Circle), Maggie Ouellette (Camellia Circle)
Oversee the creation of the Garden Club’s annual yearbook, a key resource with event calendars, rosters, bylaws, and more.

Duties:

• • Gather and verify info from officers and committees.
  • Organize content clearly and attractively.
  • Work with printers or digital publishers for production.
  • Distribute yearbooks to members yearly.
  • Maintain archives of past yearbooks.
  • Coordinate with club leadership to ensure accuracy.

Awards & Recognition

Awards – Honor Plaque

Chair: Fran De Steno (Shamrock Circle)
Recognizes individuals or groups who have made a significant impact on the club through gardening, conservation, or service.

Key Tasks:

• • Collect and review nominations.
  • Select honorees fairly.
  • Arrange and inscribe the Honor Plaque.
  • Present the award at club events.
  • Keep records of past recipients.

Awards – FFGC, Deep South, NGC

Chairs:  Steve Davies (Hibiscus Circle)
Helps the club earn recognition by applying for awards from FFGC, Deep South, and NGC.

Key Tasks:

• • Track award opportunities and deadlines.
  • Gather project info and encourage member applications.
  • Prepare and submit award applications on time.
  • Share award news and keep records.

Serve as contact with award organizations.

Outreach & Education

Circle & Community Outreach & Grants

Chair: Marianne Davies (Hibiscus Circle)
Leads community gardening projects and manages grant applications and funding.

Key Tasks:

• • Plan outreach projects supporting beautification and education.
  • Apply for and manage grants.
  • Partner with local groups and schools.
  • Promote gardening and environmental care.
  • Report project results to funders and the club.

Junior Gardener

Chair: Suzanne Albanese (Geranium Circle)
Inspires kids to love gardening, nature, and the environment through hands-on learning and mentorship.

Key Tasks:

• • Organize gardening activities for children.
  • Partner with schools and community groups on youth gardens.
  • Teach about plants, pollinators, composting, and conservation.
  • Coordinate volunteer support.
  • Encourage participation in youth gardening competitions.

Nature Detective

Chair: Cathy Snyder (Las Adelfas Circle), Marilyn Smith (Las Adelfas Circle)
Runs the Nature Detective Program to teach kids about pollinators and inspire environmental care.

Key Tasks:

• • Create and deliver interactive pollinator programs for children and families.
  • Develop educational materials and resources.
  • Partner with schools and community groups to expand the program.
  • Host events highlighting pollinator conservation.
  • Support pollinator-friendly garden projects.
  • Encourage citizen science and hands-on learning activities.

Goals:

Raise pollinator awareness, inspire kids’ love of nature, and promote conservation.

Habitat for Humanity

Chair:  Ginny Pierucci (Las Adelfas Circle)

The Habitat for Humanity Committee partners with Habitat for Humanity of St. Augustine/St. Johns County to support the landscaping needs of new Habitat homes.

Key Tasks:

• Plan, source, and install low-maintenance, Florida-friendly plants for newly built homes, helping to create welcoming and sustainable outdoor spaces for new homeowners.

• Engage members and volunteers, including Habitat staff, in hands-on service projects.
• Provide guidance on plant care, and encourage community involvement through hands-on service projects that reflect the Garden Club’s mission of beautification, conservation, and community outreach.
• Document and share project results with the Club.

Scholarships

Chair: Dottie Colsant (Woodland Circle), Karen Ford (Camellia Circle), and Kathy Boyd (Woodland Circle)
Manages the Garden Club’s scholarship program for students interested in horticulture and environmental fields.

Key Tasks:

• • Promote scholarship opportunities locally and online.
  • Update eligibility and application criteria annually.
  • Review and evaluate applications fairly.
  • Select and award scholarships.
  • Coordinate with the schools and the treasurer for fund distribution.
  • Stay in touch with recipients to track progress and share success stories.

Wekiva

Chair: Elaine Domenick (Sunflower Circle)
Promotes and supports youth participation in Camp Wekiva, an environmental education program by FFGC. Helps with outreach, sponsorships, registrations, and transportation.

Duties:

• • Promote camp to schools and groups.
  • Coordinate with FFGC on schedules and applications.
  • Select and sponsor eligible campers.
  • Assist with applications and transportation.
  • Keep in touch with campers before and after camp.

Report to the club and share camper experiences.

Environmental

Arbor Day

Chair: Tracy Brogan (Woodland Circle)
Plans and leads the club’s annual Arbor Day celebration, promoting tree planting and environmental care.

Key Tasks:

• • Collaborate with local groups to organize events.
  • Plan the tree planting ceremony.
  • Host educational activities on tree care and conservation.
  • Create promotional materials and manage media.
  • Document the event with photos and reports.

Environment / Conservation

Chairs: Maggie Weaver (Shamrock Circle), Sue Swain (Shamrock Circle)
This committee promotes environmental awareness, education, and action in our community. Stipends are provided to St. Johns County educators for qualifying school gardening and environmental projects.

Goals:

• • Encourage eco-friendly gardening and protect native plants and wildlife.
  • Share information on water conservation and pollution prevention.
  • Support local efforts like clean-ups, tree planting, and habitat restoration.
  • Advocate for practices protecting St. Augustine’s natural environment.
  • Inspire sustainable living and gardening.

Landscape

Chairs: Shirley Bonner (Woodland Circle), Rita Forrest (Geranium Circle)
Enhances local beauty by planning and maintaining public gardens and green spaces.

Key Tasks:

• • Manage landscaping projects that support the club’s mission.
  • Partner with local groups and officials.
  • Organize volunteer planting and clean-ups.
  • Promote sustainable landscaping.
  • Oversee plant and landscape feature selection.

Keep records of projects and maintenance.

Communications & Media

Advertising / Publicity

Chair: Helen Boxer (Las Adelfas Circle)
Promotes the Garden Club’s events and mission to members and the public, building a positive image and encouraging community involvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• • Advertise club events such as fundraisers, tours, and special programs such as Florida Arbor Day, Plant Sale, and Flower Show.
  • Create and distribute press releases to local magazines, websites, and newspapers.
  • Design and share flyers (with assistance) and produce event signage as needed.
  • Collaborate with local media outlets to promote Garden Club activities.
  • Support other committees and circles with publicity efforts when requested.
  • Ensure all publicity materials reflect the Garden Club’s mission, values, and community spirit.

Library

Chair: Lois Hannabury-Deno (Sunflower Circle)
Maintains and promotes the club’s collection of gardening and environmental resources.

Key Tasks:

• • Keep an updated inventory and organize materials.
  • Manage borrowing and returns.
  • Recommend new resources.
  • Promote library use to members.
  • Care for and preserve materials.
  • Support educational events with other committees.

Social Media

Chairs: Linda Buchanan (Shamrock Circle), Shirley Bonner (Woodland Circle)
The Social Media & Website Committee promotes the Garden Club’s mission and activities online to increase awareness, community engagement, and participation.

Key Responsibilities:

• • Manage and update the official club website and social media accounts.
  • Create and schedule posts highlighting events, programs, and member achievements.
  • Promote meetings, fundraisers, and special activities.
  • Collaborate with other committees to share relevant content.
  • Monitor and respond to comments in a professional, positive manner.
  • Track engagement and adjust strategies to improve outreach.
  • Ensure all content reflects the club’s values and mission.
  • Maintain and update the official club website with current information, events, and resources.
  • Coordinate design and content updates to keep the site welcoming, informative, and aligned with club branding.

Ways and Means

Chair: Pat Greenman (Shamrock Circle)
Plans and runs fundraising activities to support the Garden Club’s finances. Organizes events like plant sales, tours, raffles, and merchandise sales. Works with the Treasurer to track income and ensure compliance.

Key Tasks:

• • Propose fundraising ideas to the Board.
  • Manage events and recruit volunteers.
  • Keep records and report funds raised.

Promote activities to members and the community.

Member Services

Facilities

Chair: Rita Forrest (Geranium Circle)
Oversees maintenance, improvements, and use of the club’s properties and meeting spaces to support its mission.

Key Tasks:

• • Manage scheduling of meeting spaces and garden areas.
  • Coordinate maintenance, repairs, and improvements.
  • Work with vendors and contractors as needed.
  • Ensure safety and accessibility compliance.
  • Monitor supplies like chairs and tools.
  • Help with event setup and cleanup.
  • Report facility issues to the executive board.

Membership

Chairs: Rita Forrest (Geranium Circle), Linda Buchanan (Shamrock Circle)
Handles recruiting, welcoming, engaging, and retaining club members.

Key Tasks:

• • Promote membership and attract new members.
  • Orient and onboard new members with info and support.
  • Encourage involvement and maintain communication.
  • Monitor satisfaction and recognize members.
  • Keep membership records and track renewals.
  • Report updates to the Board and members.

Pavers

Chair: Angela Demetriades (Geranium Circle)
Manages the club’s commemorative brick paver program for fundraising and legacy.

Key Tasks:

• • Promote the program and handle orders.
  • Coordinate engraving and delivery with vendors.
  • Oversee installation and maintenance.
  • Keep records of donations and placements.

Update the Board and members as needed.

Events & Exhibitions

Calendar

Chair: Ginny Pierucci (Las Adelfas Circle)
Manages the official club calendar, scheduling events and activities for all groups.

Key Tasks:

• • Collect and coordinate event dates.
  • Avoid scheduling conflicts.
  • Create, update, and share the yearly calendar.
  • Work with Communications to share calendar updates.

Flower Show

Chair: Ginny Pierucci (Las Adelfas Circle)
Plans and runs the club’s flower shows following National Garden Clubs (NGC) standards, promoting education, horticulture, design, and community involvement.

Key Tasks:

• • Create the show schedule and manage logistics.
  • Organize entries and recruit judges.
  • Oversee classification, awards, and publicity.
  • Educate members and the public about the shows.
  • Submit reports to NGC as needed.
  • Collaborate with other committees and encourage member participation.

Tour of Homes

Chair:  Maggie Weaver (Shamrock Circle)
Plans and runs the annual Tour of Homes fundraiser, showcasing historic homes, gardens, and floral designs.

Key Tasks:

• • Plan the event timeline and select featured homes.
  • Coordinate with homeowners and volunteers.
  • Manage logistics: transportation, signage, ticketing, décor.
  • Promote events through media and materials.
  • Arrange hospitality and staffing at tour sites.
  • Handle budget and financial reporting.
  • Recruit and train volunteers.

Review events and suggest improvements.