About the Reading Garden Club
General Information
The Reading Garden Club was organized in 1956 and federated in 1958. Membership is open for anyone interested in gardening and the club is limited to 49 active members. The club has Active, Sustaining and Supporting members.
Annual dues are $45 per year, for both Active and Sustaining members. This includes access to the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts online newsletter, the Mayflower. Dues are payable by April 30th for the following year.
As of September 2021 we have a new level of membership. The Supporting Membership is for people who would love to support the club's activities but do not the time to commit as an Active member. Supporting membership includes attendance at 2 meetings or workshops a year. Dues are $25. For an additional $5 per meeting a Supporting member can attend additional presentations. Supporting members may volunteer at any working events and may attend any outings.
The Club meets during daytime hours on the second Thursday of each month, October through June. Meeting dates and information can be found on the Special Events and Meetings Tab on this website.
The Reading Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, East Middlesex District, and the National Garden Clubs, Inc.
General Information
The Reading Garden Club was organized in 1956 and federated in 1958. Membership is open for anyone interested in gardening and the club is limited to 49 active members. The club has Active, Sustaining and Supporting members.
Annual dues are $45 per year, for both Active and Sustaining members. This includes access to the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts online newsletter, the Mayflower. Dues are payable by April 30th for the following year.
As of September 2021 we have a new level of membership. The Supporting Membership is for people who would love to support the club's activities but do not the time to commit as an Active member. Supporting membership includes attendance at 2 meetings or workshops a year. Dues are $25. For an additional $5 per meeting a Supporting member can attend additional presentations. Supporting members may volunteer at any working events and may attend any outings.
The Club meets during daytime hours on the second Thursday of each month, October through June. Meeting dates and information can be found on the Special Events and Meetings Tab on this website.
The Reading Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, East Middlesex District, and the National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Reading Garden Club Committees
All active members serve on a working committee within the Garden Club. Committees are the key to our success!
The Reading Garden Club committees are summarized below. Some committees support the functions of the Club (such as Membership, Hospitality, Scheduling) and other committees are focused on supporting the community. Members are encouraged to switch Committees every two years.
All active members serve on a working committee within the Garden Club. Committees are the key to our success!
The Reading Garden Club committees are summarized below. Some committees support the functions of the Club (such as Membership, Hospitality, Scheduling) and other committees are focused on supporting the community. Members are encouraged to switch Committees every two years.
- Adopt-an-Island: Our AAI Committee started with one island and a great idea. We now coordinate over 50 volunteers who have adopted almost 100 sites throughout Reading. The work between our committee, the town, and the adopters benefits all of Reading. Some knowledge of plants and being organized are helpful for members of this committee.
- Civic Beautification: The Civic Beautification Committee focuses on highly visible areas in town that need beautification. Currently we are renovating the gardens surrounding Town Hall. Where overgrown junipers loomed, beautiful magnolias and fothergilla now bloom. The club also maintains the War Memorial and the planters by the entrance to the library. No gardening experience is necessary! Working closely with the Town Manager and the DPW and welcoming local Scout troops and other volunteers has been the key to CB’s success.
- Community Outreach: The Community Outreach Committee loves to get out into town for fun gardening-related activities. We sponsor planting tables at Reading Family Day and the annual Street Faire. We donate to the Reading Scholarship Foundation and organize drives for the Reading Food Pantry and Mission of Deeds.
- Horticulture: The Horticulture Committee plants and maintains the beautiful historic garden at Parker Tavern. Every two years, we decorate the Tavern with period-appropriate decorations for the Holiday Open House which is sponsored by the Antiquarian Society.
- Ways & Means: To raise money for our Club’s projects in town, this committee organizes and manages the December “Memory Tree celebration", the Mandarin Restaurant Profit Sharing Night ,the May " Plant Sale" and in house opportunity drawings. The gardens at the Depot, Parker Tavern, and the Town Hall could not have been installed without the fundraising of this committee. If you enjoy being part of a team, raising funds, and organizing great and meaningful community events, this is your committee.
- Hospitality: The Hospitality Committee keeps the Reading Garden Club well fed and happy. Every month, this committee coordinates a light brunch to be served at 9:30. Every two years, the Reading Garden Club honors its past presidents with a special luncheon and invites the presidents of other garden clubs, as well as Town officials, to attend.
- Membership: The Membership chair manages membership levels and welcomes new members. This is a one -person committee. Throughout the year the chair invites members to sit with them at the membership table to welcome all members,
- take attendance and hand out name tags.
- Outings: Our Outings Committee organizes two or three outings every year. We might tour gardens in Concord or Marblehead or join the Trustees of Reservations at the Crane Estate Holiday Open House. If you enjoy planning events, then you would enjoy this committee.
- Press and Historian : The Publicity Committee keeps the community apprised of the Garden Club’s happenings. Writers are needed to write feature articles on our latest projects and upcoming community events. Good communication skills and enjoying photography are a plus for members of this committee.
- Sustaining Members: This chairperson maintains contact with the Club's sustaining members. The chair shares their questions and concerns with the board and keeps them informed of club activities.
- Flower Press: This chair produces a monthly member online newsletter.