our committees

The Andover Garden Club has 17 committees. Club members are encouraged to become actively involved in the organization; joining one or more committees insures your involvement.

Outreach

Civic Beautification & Agriculture (Judy Wright & Caroline Grady, Co-Chairs)

Members work together and in collaboration with local public/private groups to enhance the beauty of the town, preserve historical values and promote environmental stewardship. Current projects include a celebration of Arbor Day with a yearly tree donation to the town, Henderson Garden, planted urns outside old Town Hall and the Robb Center, and, more recently, guided walks on Town owned land to promote environmental stewardship. Throughout spring, summer and fall months, we provide hands-on care for the Henderson garden. Our Committee meets both formally and informally with lively discussions around plants, design, planning, and maintenance.

Committee members: Becci Backman, Sheryl Brennan, Maria Bartlett, Liz Bell, Joan Duff, Leslie Frost, Tina Girdwood, Ginny Longley, Caroline Grady, Ellen Guthrie, Susan Johnston, Joann Michalick, Stephanie Segall and Karen Marshall (Urns at Old Town Hall and Robb Center)

Environmental Awareness (Mindy Chave & Caroline Grady, Co-Chairs)

The EA committee keeps the AGC membership updated on environmental affairs. This includes short informational “Environmental Moments” at AGC monthly meetings and regular emails to members on programs, news stories, scientific information, legislative/policy issues and “green living ideas.”

We support the Andover Pollinator Pathway Initiative and other environmental activists in our community. AGC also promotes GCFM programs related to environmental affairs such as the Native Plant Challenge.

Committee Members: Maria Bartlett, Cynde Egan, Rosemary Halloran, Susan Johnston, Becci Backman, Erin Taylor, Liz Bell and Frances ‘Fyj’ Wheeler.

Garden Therapy (Mary Ann Marshall & Maria Shapiro, Co-Chairs)

Members visit local nursing homes, Mary Immaculate in Lawrence and Andover Forest Post Acute Care Center in Andover, for a total of four sessions (October, November, March and April). Each session focuses on an upcoming holiday and includes social time for stories, news, jokes and a sing-along. ACG members provide fresh materials and support in making floral arrangements that residents keep for their rooms. This is a joyful activity for all. Check out the Members Only page for dates and themes for this years’ sessions.

Committee members: Heather Holman, Nancy Norbedo, Virginia Begg, Marilyn Blumsack, Mindy Chave, Ann Collins, Anne Feeney, Pat Himber, Fran Karalli, Barbara Kurth, Carole O’Connor, Barbara Reichter, Isabel Seely, Judy Wright and Chris Quimet - club friend and musician).

Junior Gardeners (Rosemary Halloran, Chair)

The Junior Gardeners’ Committee works with local youth with the goal of developing early interest and respect for the natural world through gardening. Our hands-on activities and other programs help foster environmental awareness. We also love to share books and make donations to Memorial Hall Library.

Check the Members Only page for current programs. Join us. We welcome support and volunteers.

Committee members: Ellen Guthrie, Maria Bartlett and Mindy Chave. Volunteers are welcome as there are often several projects to facilitate at once.

Click HERE for more Junior Green Gardeners details.

Public Relations (Frances "Fyj" Wheeler, Chair)

The Public Relations Committee’s purpose is to make the club better known and to publicize regular meetings and events (such as the garden tour), as well as special events and fundraisers. This is effected through outreach to regional publications, various internet sites and communication with the membership.

Website (Holli Marrs, Chair)

The Website Committee is responsible for the creation and maintenance of our internet presence with the objective of broadening awareness, increasing exposure, and enhancing our image. We strive to coordinate the website content with the information found on the AGC’s Facebook page.

Please contact Holli Marrs, if you have anything to add to the website.

Committee members: Mindy Chave, Laura Bibler, Leslie Frost, Susan Johnston and Judy Wright.

Yearbook (Holli Marrs, Chair)

The Andover Garden Club Yearbook contains information on Members, programs and meeting schedules, committee information, and the AGC by-laws.   It is compiled and printed yearly, each summer, and distributed at the first general meeting. 

Committee Members: Becci Backman, Stephanie Segall, Cynde Egan and Betty Cunningham.

Club/Member Activities

Continuing Education (Leslie Frost, Chair)

Each year, the Continuing Education Committee awards four scholarships to AGC members that cover tuition to attend any of four Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Schools (Flower Show, Landscape Design, Garden Study, and Environment). We look forward to giving as many as possible the opportunity to attend these quality courses. First come first serve. Contact Leslie for details.

Committee members: Linda Carpenter Ardito, Tina Girdwood and Maria Shapiro.

Hospitality (Karen Marshall & Izzy Seeley, Co-Chairs)

The Hospitality Committee co-ordinates refreshments for the social hour of our monthly meetings. We need 3-4 volunteers at each meeting for the following tasks: ● 1 person to bring cream & lemon slices, and help with pre-meeting set-up and post-meeting clean-up. ● 2-3 people to provide treats. Small finger-foods are best. ● 1 person to create a flower arrangement and bring coordinating napkins for the buffet table. This is a great way to meet other members. We look forward to having you join us.

Committee members: Becci Backman, Jan Brink, Linda Carpenter, Betty Cunningham, Cynde Egan, Anne Feeney, Barbara Cloonan, Caroline Grady, Ellen Guthrie, Sherri Hallgren, Susan Johnston, Ginny Longley, Holli Marrs, Karen Marshall, Mary Ann Marshall, Nancy Norbedo, Barbara Reichter, Izzy Seeley, Maria Shapiro, Leslie Frost, Tina Girdwood, Heather Holman, Fyj Wheeler and Judy Wright.

Programs (Stephanie Segall & Jan Brink, Co-Chairs)

The Program Committee, composed of 1-5 members, researches, plans, contacts and contracts with speakers for the upcoming year. Monthly programs are held from October to May. Most are open to the public, providing members and the community exposure to experts from a variety of fields. For our programming topics, we aim to include areas related to floral arranging, landscape design, historic preservation, environmental and horticultural issues, and holiday design.

Committee members: MaryAnn Czerepak, Sherri Hallgren, Judy Wright and Laura Bibler.

Flower Arranging Workshop (Ann C Lange, Judy Wright, Anne Feeney & Susan Johnston, Co-Chairs)

Learn the basics of floral design through hands-on classes with materials provided. You will create a beautiful arrangement to take home. Instructions include guidance on how-to select and prepare fresh flowers, classic techniques, and principles of design with color, texture and height. Learn to forage what’s in your backyard. The classes are a time to play, create and relax with fellow AGC member Dates, locations and themes TBD.

Scholarships & Awards (Laura Bibler, Chair)

The Scholarship and Awards Committee oversees the publication of announcements regarding the GCFM Scholarships with our Public Relations Chair. The Committee also applies, on behalf of the Andover Garden Club, for Awards that are given by the GCFM that are presented during the year at GCFM Conferences.

Administration

Auditor (Heather Holman, Chair)

The Audit Committee assists the board in fulfilling corporate governance and oversight responsibilities in relation to the Andover Garden Club’s financial reporting, internal control system, risk management system and audit functions.

Finance (Betty Cunningham & Melissa Qian, Co-Chairs)

The Finance Committee prepares a budget for the coming year and presents it to Club members for approval at the first meeting of the year. They also make banking decisions and look out for the long-term health of our accounts.

Committee members: Stephanie Segall, Leslie Frost, Cynde Egan, Laura Bibler and Becci Backman.

Historian (Virginia Begg, Chair)

Our Historian keeps a record of the Club’s accomplishments and activities for the year. This involves collecting items such as photos and news clippings about the club and its members along with preparing to celebrate our 100th anniversary in 2027!

Membership (Barbara Reichter & Mary Ann Marshall, Co-Chairs)

This Committee promotes and facilitates AGC membership. Committee activities include:

*Participating in community events such as Andover Day.

*Staffing a membership desk at the monthly Club meetings to answer questions, follow-up on contacts, and help with the registration process.

*Supporting new members by matching them with mentors and encouraging involvement in Club activities.

Committee members: Linda Carpenter Ardito, Stephanie Yang and Anne Feeney.

Nominating (Chair to be Determined in 2027)

The Nominating Committee is composed of 5 members, each of whom has been a member of the club for at least 4 years. Two members of this committee shall be elected from the membership and 3 will be from the Board of Directors. In March, this committee presents a slate of Executive Officers (President, Vice President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer) for Board consideration to cover the coming two-year term. After Board approval, this slate is announced to the membership at the April meeting and voted upon at the annual meeting.