Forming a gardening club?

[Digger-07]

I am looking for some guidance on how to form a new gardening club.

A bit of the background.

There are a small group of people who are interested in gardening of all types and growing in general plus all the ancillary stuff like flower arranging, cooking etc. etc. Some have allotments, some small gardens at home and some just a few pot plants.

However all have become disillusioned about the existing local gardening group because of the lack of concern about organic, sustainable and "green" issues related to food etc.

As it happens the local church have people who are also interested in gardening and green issues and who are looking to start meeting together. The venue for this new group would be at least 5 miles from any other group.

The first idea is that the new group should compliment the existing group but have a more "green" agenda.

Some people have tried to get the existing group to change over the years but with no luck and feel that a new group would be a better forum for their views anyway.

My questions are - how do we begin to form a new group? Where do speakers come from? Is there a format out there that we could adopt? Any tips would be appreciated.

[nick the grief]

Well, what you need to do is book somwhere ( the church hall maybe a good starter) and have an inaugeral meeting and see what people want from the club.

Then you need to decide

• What are you going to be called ( you may be able to do this before hand)
• How often you want to meet
• What format the meetings should take ( do you want a speaker every month or every other month etc)
• If you have speakers you will need to cover their expenses at least so finance is always a big issue
• Decide on a committee (you are better off having 4 keen people than 8 that just moan & talk and don't do anything)
• Decide on your constitution ( there must be some around that you can "borrow" )

.

As to Speakers, well LJ could come and do her Peasticks through the ages talk Seriously, once you know what people are interested n there are folks that will come and give talks. If you contact the national societies they can put you in touch with people that are local ( to cut down expenses ).

You do realise that you'll end up as the Secretary don't you

[Digger-07]

Thanks Nick.

Can anyone out there "lend" me their constitution?

[madderbat]

Hi there Digger 07
tried to upload a constitution for you, but had problems as its a bit big. can you pm me your e-mail address and I'll send you an attachment.

[sewer rat]

Hi Digger 07
We have just set one up here in Tain. Had two monthly meetings so far, looking promising. Watch what Nick says - I am secretary of ours - which means I run the whole damn thing.
As with Madderbat, PM me your E mail address and I'll whizz you a copy of our constitution too if you want.

[Digger-07]

SR - can't remember if I got round to PM you but I've sent another.

Thanks for your help

[sewer rat]

Digger 07
Have sent you a PM - details to follow.

[Dane End Dolly]

Are there any gardening clubs in East Herts, I am new to all this and all though it is lovely to have the forum (which I read religously every day for a couple of months before registering). It is sometimes nice to be able to speak to people face to face.

Help!!!!

[Lady Jana Muck]

Are there any in the Coventry area as I would love to join a group like this but wouldn't have the courage to start one

[snake the squadie]

yep same for the suffolk are am never there but would be good to get to the odd get together

[shirley]

Hi
A couple of friends and I went to a local village gardening club. We attended monthly for about a year. The main attendees were OAP's and we were made to feel intruders even though they took our money on the door every month and we contributed to their raffle. I think the moral here is don't make people feel unwelcome. we no longer attend