
Standing Committees
Civic Beautification Committee - Chair: Sheryl Vos
This committee oversees the preparing, planting, watering, fertilization and weeding of town gardens. All Civic Beautification participants are requested to help with Spring/Fall cleanup. Scheduling, designing and purchasing plant material is done by each garden Site Chair. Garden assignments, approving billing and overseeing all gardens is coordinated by the Beautification Chairwoman. No participant limit.
Corporation Beach Dory
Site Chair: Patricia Koehler
Dorothy Craft
Joanne Mockler
Mary Raycraft
Chamber of Commerce
Site Chair: Marie Susen
Elizabeth Ching
Bethany Gaita
Dennis Memorial Library
Site Chair: Barbara Norman
Marlea Hoelzer
Laura Luke
Barbara Murphy
Dennis Port Public Library
Site Chair: Nancy J. Wilson
Colleen Baldelli
Dennis Port Pocket Park
Site Chair: Colleen Baldelli
Catherine Bonta
Melanie Carlson
Susan Carnathan
Mary Karen Noonan
Kathy Ozella
Patti Sakellis
Peg Sheridan
Lisa Swansey
Bonnie Willey
Nancy J. Wilson
Jacob Sears Library
Site Chair: Karen Smith
Jane Brennan
Lynn Carlson
Priscilla Cronin
Barbara Fitzpatrick
Bev Petti
Josiah Dennis Manse Interpretive Garden
Site Co-Chairs:
Mary Raycraft
Jan Ward
Dennis Village Post Office
Site Chair: Mary Rahal
Donna Christensen
Jean Forte
Marsha Fredericks
Mayflower Beach Dory
Site Chair: Nadine Bradshaw
Kate Lazarovich
Mary Raycraft
Nancy Torrente
Nobscussett Park
Site Chair: Peggy Lahey
Mary Gemme
Mary Raycraft
Karen Smith
Sheryl Vos
Jan Ward
AWARDS - Chair: Nancy Jamieson
The Chairperson of Awards researches the awards available for the Club from GCFM, New England Regional and National Garden Clubs Inc., and any other applicable sources. This information is shared with our VGCD Committee Chairs who may wish to apply for an award or grant.
DESIGN STUDY - Chair: Nancy Jamieson
The Design Study Committee holds club workshops to teach members good Floral Design using the Elements and Principles of Design as put forth by the National Garden Club, Inc. The committee will share techniques used to achieve good designs for Home and Shows.
ENVIRONMENT - Chairs: Lisa Swansey & Mary Noonan
The Environment Committee keeps members informed about significant conservation and environmental issues as well as local,
state and national legislation on environmental concerns. The use of the Grapevine, announcements at General Meetings, as well
as email notifications of upcoming Internet programs, allow a variety of ways of keeping the membership informed.
GARDEN THERAPY - Chair: Nancy Torrente
Garden Therapy spends time monthly with the residents of South Dennis Health Care creating crafts or garden related projects.
Each committee member is responsible for sourcing craft ideas and projects for a specific month which are preapproved by the Chairperson. At the end of the year committee members plant a garden for the residents.
Committee Members: Bethany Cassin Gaita
GRAPEVINE - Chair: Elizabeth Ching
The Grapevine is the VGCD newsletter sent to all VGCD members informing them of scheduled activities and noteworthy information pertaining to gardening, nature, all aspects of VGCD and GCFM information and activities.
Committee Members: Patty Sowpel
HORTICULTURE - Chairs: Colleen Baldelli & Kathy Ozella
The Horticulture committee, in conjunction with relevant committees is responsible for the planning and organizing of field trips, flower shows, December wreath decorating, horticultural minutes, providing center pieces for the December luncheon and Annual Meeting.
Committee Members: Catherine Bonta, Melanie Carlson, Betty Morse, Barbara Murphy, Mary Raycraft, Nancy Wilson
HOSPITALITY - Chairs: Susan Carnathan & Patty Koehler
This committee organizes the monthly meeting luncheon refreshments for VGCD members and guests to enjoy. The committee is responsible for proper cleanup and storage of materials.
MEMBERSHIP - Chair: Joanne Mockler
The Membership Committee coordinates the record keeping for the body of all VGCD members. This includes the creation of new and renewal applications. Members will interface with any new applicants regarding their interests and skills following which applicant names will be presented to the Board for approval. Members of the committee will work with the Vice President (who is a de-facto member of the committee) to assign a mentor to each new member. The committee will take attendance at meetings and maintain records in print and electronic spreadsheet form showing all current members and their status. This information will be used by the committee to manage renewals and in conjunction with the Tech Team, make current membership lists available on the VGCD website under the secure section for other committees and club members to utilize. The committee along with the Vice-President, may take on other activities during the year such as a welcome event for new members, training for mentors or membership promotion events as needed.
Committee Members: Nadine Bradshaw, Lynn Carlson, Melanie Carlson, Peggy Lahey
PHOTOGRAPHER - Chair: Sheryl Vos
This VGCD member takes photographs at all VGCD events and works with the website editor to display and archive all photos on the VGCD website.
PLANT SALE PLANNING - Chairs: Marsha Fredericks & JEAN FORTE
The Plant Sale Committee coordinates one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, the annual plant sale. The committee is
responsible for all aspects of the sale including purchasing plants from nurseries, gathering members plants, locating a sale site, obtaining town permits, building a team, assigning tasks, works with various committees (as needed) such as the finance team, treasurer, tech team and publicity to coordinate funding and advertising. Additionally, leads the effort to collect plant accessories and vintage items offered for sale. They are responsible for building a team for the final cleanup and disposal of all site materials at the end of the sale. Lastly, provides the final reporting to include finances and balances of accounts within 30 days of the event.
Committee Members: Dorothy Craft, Susan Foley, Mary Gemme, Nancy Jamieson, Barbara Lockhart, Margaret McQuillan, Mary Karen Noonan, Bonnie Willey, Nancy J Wilson
PROGRAM - Chair: Marjorie Dienhart
This Committee researches and arranges monthly programs for the club. The program may include speakers and other gardening, nature, and environmentally related subjects, along with focuses that support our club mission and budgets. Additionally, committee members review speaker’s presentations and equipment needs either in person or via technology before engaging on behalf of the club. This includes being a liaison with the speaker, coordinating contracts, submitting requests for payment, introducing the speaker/subject at each monthly meeting. Prior to meeting day, all equipment requirements, plus equipment set up plan is in place to ensure high quality programs. Also, collaborates with other VGCD Committees members to assist in planning the December Member Luncheon, VGCD special events (anniversary celebrations) and providing updates to the Grapevine Editor and Tech Team representatives.
Committee Members: Denise Bienfang, Jane Brennan, Judie DeCarolis, Barbara Drowne, Elaine Fialky, Bethany Cassin Gaita, Karen Smith
PUBLICITY - Chair: Deb Watson
The Publicity Committee is responsible for managing communications and publicity for notable club events and activities while staying within budget. This includes all forms of written or electronic messaging, internet solutions and/or other avenues of affordable media for promotional purposes. Publicity works with the club photographer and various committees to achieve effective publicity awareness.
SCHOLARSHIP / COMMUNITY OUTREACH - Chairs: Kate Lazarovich & Mary Rahal
This committee works with local schools and organizations to provide scholarships, tool-ships and grants to residents living on Cape Cod. Working with high school guidance counselors, the committee identifies students who plan to pursue careers in fields that support the mission of the VGCD such as horticulture, landscaping design, environmental science, botany, forestry and other related fields. The committee will meet to review applications and award college scholarships and tool-ships to students to help them meet their career goals. In addition, this group may offer grants and advice to Cape Cod schools and other community organizations to help these organizations create and promote gardens and greens spaces in our town.
Committee Members: Donna Christensen, Priscilla Cronin, Laura Luke, Connie Maney, Peg Sheridan
TECHNOLOGY - Chair: Jan Ward
This Committee is responsible for audio and video setup at each monthly meeting in conjunction with the Program Committee. Committee members manage and update the VGCD Facebook Page and website. Club laptop administration, including software updates, antivirus and hardware support, are managed by this team. This committee also works on creating media for all VGCD events such as the plant sale, open meeting and other special events in conjunction with the publicity team.
Committee Members: Elizabeth Ching
YEARBOOK - Chair: Elizabeth Ching
Based on current input from all committees, the yearbook committee creates the yearly VGCD yearbook, coordinates printing with detail to cost and distribution. Committee chairs must submit edits or new material to the yearbook Chair as scheduled to guarantee on-time publication. Yearbook draft(s) must be proofread by committee Chairs before going to print. In addition, committee Chairs must provide these changes to the Technology and Publicity teams to ensure all media is in synch.


Hospitality Schedule

Co-Chairs: Susan Carnathan & Patty Koehler
September Chair - Priscilla Cronin
Tea Table— Jan Ward
Catherine Bonta, Elizabeth Ching, Barbara Drowne, Barbara Fitzpatrick, Connie Maney, Peg Sheridan, Lisa Swansey
October Chair - Laura Luke
Tea Table— Marsha Frederick
Dorothy Craft, Donna Garrabrant, Mary Noonan, Barbara Norman, Sheryl Vos
November Chairs - Peggy Lahey
Tea Table—Nancy Jamieson
Jean Forte, Mary Gemme, Barbara Murphy, Bev Petti, Trish Rivers
January Chairs - Lynn Carlson
Tea Table - Colleen Baldelli
Patty Koehler, Kathy Ozella, Lynda Stamboni, Marie Susen, Bonnie Willey
February Chairs - Joanne Mockler
Tea Table - Priscilla Hutchinson
Marjorie Dienhart, Susan Foley, Marlea Hoelzer, Patti Sowpel
March Chair - Bethany Cassin Gaita
Tea Table— Kate Lazarovich
Judie DeCarolis, Gail Jamison, Betty Morse, Mary Raycraft
April Chair - Nadine Bradshaw
Tea Table - Deb Watson
Susan Carnathan, Barbara Lockhart, Margaret McQuillan, Patty Sakellis, Martha Young
May Chairs - Nancy Wilson
Tea Table— Mary Rahal
Jane Brennan, Melanie Carlson, Donna Christensen, Elaine Fialky, Karen Smith, Nancy Torrente
