Policies and Procedures

1. Dues- Members shall pay the following dues March 1st of each year.

a. Active Members  $450

b. Sustaining Members  $350

c. Affiliate Members, Primary Club  $350

d. Affiliate Members, Secondary Club  $288

e. Emeritus Members $75

f.  Honorary Members $0

2. The per capita GCA dues are to be paid by Founders from monies collected as part of the annual Club dues.

3. All members shall sign in at meetings.

4. All written contracts and obligations of the Club require two signatures: one of the signatures must be that of the President

5. All requests for reimbursement or gift-in-kind donations acknowledgement should be submitted with the necessary receipts and reimbursement form to the Treasurer by June 1 of each fiscal year.  No sales tax will be reimbursed.

6. All active members are expected to participate in all special projects.

7. There shall be a flower show at least every other year.

8. Any solicitation materials from the Open Meeting or Flower Show shall include the following language: “Funds raised will be used primarily for the funding of The Founders Garden Club of Dallas Community Grants.  Any excess funds maybe used to further the stated purpose of The Founders Garden Club of Dallas and The Garden Club of America.

9. Membership proposal forms will be available in January and February.  Either the proposer, or one of the members who seconds the nomination of the candidate, shall be willing to serve as a mentor should the candidate become a member.  

10. New members shall:

a. Pay a $500 initiation fee

b. Attend the new member orientation.

c. Attend at least 5 general meetings.

d. Participate in the program Our Favorite Things at a general meeting in the year they become an active member.

e. Attend at least (6) activities offered by the Club: workshops, field trips, volunteer time at Founders project sites.

f. Enter both flower arranging and horticulture in the Flower Show following membership acceptance. Flower arrangement may be done with a partner.

g. Actively support any special events (open meeting, fundraising activities, etc.) planned by Founders during the year they become an active member.

11. Guests at Club meetings will be limited to house guests and visiting Garden Club of America and Zone IX officers.  A luncheon fee should be paid to the Assistant Treasurer for each guest.

12.  No sale of any sort will be allowed without prior approval by the Executive Committee.

13. A gift in excess of $10,000.00 designated to establish a new program for The Founders Garden Club of Dallas, specifically the Lucinda S. Seale Lecture Series, must be introduced in writing to The Founders Garden Club President who will refer to the Finance Committee for evaluation of the impact on the Club and for feasibility of its financial structure.  The proposed Program will then be presented to the Board of Directors for consideration.  If endorsed, it will be, (1) presented to the Membership either by special mailing or reported in Terra Firma, the Club newsletter, (2) presented at one General Membership Meeting for discussion, and then, (3) discussed and voted upon at a subsequent General Meeting.  Should circumstances change so that the original intent of the donor cannot be fulfilled, the Board of Directors reserves the right to alter the arrangement.