Gardening Partners know that gardening is work and gratification wrapped together. After being with this group for awhile you begin to see how powerful the tie (the love of gardening) that binds such a diverse group of people. There's a lot of talent within this group that needs to utilized. Having committed four months to managing and working in the club's greenhouse has led me to believe that I am qualified to share some thoughts about our club's greenhouse, projects and ways to better use the talent and resources available.
The plant sale, from all indications, was successful despite the weather. During the process of preparing for the sale, several good ideas and suggestions were offered by gardening partners. Now would be a good time for assessment of this project. Would invite everyone to discuss this project. (Let's leave personalities out of it and discuss ways to improve). Here's my first thought....
Spend more time planning for this project and begin earlier. If another sale is planned for next year, have a group begin discussions now on what to plant, how much, what the budget will be, what the cost is and the price of the product to be sold. Much of the last minute work at this plant sale could have been accomplished earlier and would have made the job easier. Anyone else?
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You make some good points. We improve every year, but there is still the mad last minute dash to set up. Lots of last minute decisions and changes. I don't think there is a way to completely avoid those, but there is much room for improvement. I plan to bring up the purchase of a laptop for the use of the greenhouse manager(s). The use of online document sharing and bulletin boards would be invaluable in my opinion. You did that to some extent and we can improve and expand on that. A firm written greenhouse management plan in place before the first seed is ever planted should also be considered.
ReplyDeleteThe great ideas for improvement are coming at us fast. Great stuff from great volunteers.
ReplyDeletePart of the last minute pressures (to me) had to do with whether our markting was in place to get the most out of the Middle Tennessee coverage area. The ads for the sale ... and WHERE they are placed ............. are they repeated in a two week period before the sale, etc. Prior activity of ads should be in the print media, radio, flyers, posters, service clubs, schools, nurseries, and such.
Our notices should be distributed through email newsletter from such places as the Extension Services mailing list as well.
Another BIG item to me is the Gardening Partners web site. We have a very nicely done product but it is under-utilized. More pages and features need to be updated regularly and, of course, our dates for plant sales and courses being offed should be visible there.
Whenever a web site is part of our "presence" on the Internet we should have that web site address presented on EVERYTHING we create .... flyers, ads, magnetic car signs, sales brochures, advertisements, classroom slide presentations, businesss cards, Chamber
of Commerce brochures, etc. It is www.GardeningPartners.org by the way. I have only been a member for a short while compared to most members but I only recently found out that we even HAD a web site. That's not good. We will need a person to head up its use and involvement - keeping it active and up-to-the minute when a big event such as the plant sale is coming at us. Nuff for now - except to say that I've not enjoyed being with a group as much as I have with this fun group.
Through that medium we can also develop the requisite"email distribution lists" enabling a member to send ONE email to everyone quickly.
From there we have an open door to far greater beneficial uses .......... links to and from our friends, speakers, and potential new members.
Thank you Sherry for this wonderful idea!
ReplyDeleteI think this is the kind of "Tools" that is needed...among others.... to allow for members to express feelings and opinions.
The points that were made are all valid and very helpful. The observations, whether positive or negative, should serve us as guide for improvement.
What makes an organization function and succeed, in my opinion, are the following:
1- A clearly defined vision of the path that the organization wishes to follow.
2- Committed leaders who motivate, encourage, set examples, are willing to sacrifice, are willing to listen and execute for the cause.
3- Committed members who are willing to do the same. To take on projects and provide necessary help and time for their successful completions.
Gardening Parteners HAS made GIGANTIC leaps thanks to the many volunteers who have put in hours upon hours of hard and sincere effort. Its atmosphere could be more conducive, not only to be sucessful in seeding, planting and selling plants, but also to create a warm and close social circle amongst its members.
Nuff of the "Moose" philosophy!
Thoughts on the sale:
1- Shame on the weather!!!! Messed us up!!!
2- We were not ready! And here , I agree with Sherry. We should have a clear idea of what the plant is (label) the price and where the plant is going to be placed during the sale....in place and ready for the customer before dark ,on the eve of the sale.
3- A committee should be appointed (or elected)to work hand in hand with the Greenhouse Manager to communicate with members and facilitate the set up for the sale.
4- ...and this is a BIGGY! Members need to remember that such a "BIG" project "CAN NOT" be accomplished by just the few who show up day in day out....! We have over 100 members...and I encourage those who have been waiting for the invite to join in and give us a hand! Remember that "IN UNION, THERE IS STRENGTH! "
Agree completely on a greenhouse management plan. By the time we found out more help was needed with watering, fertlizing and record keeping, we were too busy to organize, recruit and delegate tasks. A plan would alleviate guesswork. Also create committees and empower them to make decisions. It should not be necessary for Carl & Mike to make every decision. Price our products reasonably and give the public a deal. We don't have to receive premium prices to cover our costs. Eliminate the need to slash prices. Great suggestions for utilizing our website Dennis.
ReplyDeleteIs too much emphasis placed on the sale? Too much time devoted? Are sale proceeds used to accomplish the club's goals? What are the Club's goals?
ReplyDeleteAll of the above are great questions that need to be answered...not only by the board, but by the general membership and by those concerned...I suggest that, since our time is limited, we reserve a couple of General meetings in a town meeting format during the year. Make them timely and productive!
ReplyDeleteIt's is amazing to me to see just how many plants come out of such a small amount of space. I have enjoyed walking in and seeing how fast things have grown in 3 days / a week or even a month. Although I have thoughts about some of the tomatoes doing well then turning yellow. As we continued to mix soil I recycled a bunch from the compost bins. That was used on a bunch of the waters tomatoes and coleus [ at time time of sale the coleus were ok but they just didn't kick in compared to others ]. They were left behind . So does new potting soil only apply? I gave pepper plants to a neighbor last year. His were in Wal mart 99 cent potting soil / the buckets I kept were in miracle grow or earth worm castings. Needless to say mine got twice the size , I never told him why.
ReplyDeleteI very much enjoyed the fellowship and learning along the way. Kinda glad the sale is over and looking forward to trying to get some plants started with cuttings. Also how to come up with the perfect organic fertilize for my greenhouse plants. Someone gave me a confederate rose-does anyone know what I am talking about?- It has a large pink flower somewhat like an althea bloom.
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