NEW HAMPSHIRE FEDERATION OF GARDEN CLUBS, INC. HANDBOOK GENERAL INFORMATION

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1 NEW HAMPSHIRE FEDERATION OF GARDEN CLUBS, INC. HANDBOOK GENERAL INFORMATION Handbook Dedication.. 2 Garden Club Collect 2 National Garden Clubs Purpose and Organization.. 3 NHFGC Deadlines.. 3 General Information for Club Presidents 4 Parliamentary Tips for Presiding Officer 5 Tips for Club Recording Secretary. 6 Tips for Club Treasurers & Assistant Treasurers 7 Planning & Preparing Publicity Releases... 7 Introducing Speakers.. 7 Installation Ceremony. 8 Restricted Funds. 9 WEBSITES National Garden Clubs, Inc. gardenclub.org User Name: member Password: flight NOTE: The NGC Password changes with each administration in the odd numbered year. New England Region ngcner.org User Name: member Password: hummingbird New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. nhfgc.org User Name: nhfgc Password: peony ABBREVIATIONS New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. - NHFGC New England Region NER National Garden Clubs, Inc. - NGC NHFGC Handbook General Information / /1-1-15/

2 HANDBOOK DEDICATION: The handbook is dedicated to Mrs. William H. Champlin in appreciation of her guidance, aptitude and excellence as our President, She organized the Clubs of the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs into six, now four Districts, and promoted the recognition of the lilac as the State Flower by planting bushes on the State House grounds. These lilacs were from the Governor Benning Wentworth Estate in Portsmouth, and were said to be the first planted in America, in Mrs. Champlin later served as New England Region Vice President. Following that, she became First Vice President, then President, of National Garden Clubs, Inc., then the National Council of State Garden Clubs., Inc. Mrs Champlin is perhaps best known as the author of the NGC, Inc. COLLECT, which was adopted by the National Council in 1959, and read at all meetings. The Helen Hussey Champlin National Scholarship continues to stimulate advanced study in horticulture. FOREWARD: 2003 Edition, with quotes from the 1989 Edition Without the proper tools, even the most expert craftsman cannot produce a work of art. This handbook is your tool. Use it to help your club become the best it can possibly be. Use it to make you a more effective Club President, District Director, Executive Board Member, or Committee Chairman. You belong to the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs to preserve and beautify your surroundings, and to share your knowledge and appreciation of gardening with each other and your community. This handbook is your Federation s gift to you, to help support you in carrying out your projects, and to help you reap your rewards for them. Put it to good use in continuing your wonderful job! GARDEN CLUB COLLECT: To the Glory of God, and in grateful appreciation of His manifold expressions of beauty, WE, THE NATIONAL GARDEN CLUBS, INC., proudly acknowledge our horticultural stewardship; and humbly seek, by faithful service and undeviating purpose to be worthy of our ancestor conservationists, who preserved for posterity the myriad bounties of nature, and to emulate those early horticulturists, who, through experiment and continued endeavor increased and developed them. Let us be ever mindful of our heritage, considering it a sacred duty to protect and conserve those natural resources so generously lent to each of us for the infinitesimal span of a lifetime. Let us remember that the vision of beauty, the urge to create it, and its ultimate appreciation lie deep in the heart of everyone. And let us learn, O God, that only through increased knowledge and patient perseverance comes eventual success. In our design for daily living and in our constant association with others, let us reflect the order, harmony and loveliness of our gardens. And let us rejoice in the faithful recurrence of the seasons, knowing that each brings its own abundant and diversified glory. So may we draw courage and inspiration; realizing that we all, in our individual spheres according to our given capacities, may make lasting contributions to the goal of horticultural achievement, now and forever, down through the ages. HELEN HUSSEY CHAMPLIN, President, , The National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc. (Now National Garden Clubs, Inc.) Written September Adopted by the National Board of Directors, May 10, 1959 NHFGC Handbook General Information / /1-1-15/

3 NATIONAL GARDEN CLUBS, INC. PURPOSE AND ORGANIZATION National Garden Clubs, Inc. (formerly National Council of State Garden Clubs, Inc.) was organized in Washington, D.C. May 1, 1929, with thirteen State Garden Federations as charter members. National Garden Clubs, Inc. is organized: 1. For charitable, educational, and scientific purposes. 2. To coordinate and further the interests and activities of the State Federations of Garden Clubs, together with similar organizations in the territories and possessions of the United States and foreign countries. 3. To aid in the protection and conservation of natural resources, to promote civic beauty, and to encourage the improvement of roadsides and parks. 4. To encourage and assist in establishing and maintaining botanical gardens and horticultural centers for the advancement of science and for the enjoyment and education of the public. 5. To study and advance the fine art of gardening, artistic floral design, landscape design, and the study of horticulture. National Garden Clubs, Inc. cooperates with other organizations in the furtherance of the foregoing objectives, and in such other activities as may be determined by the Board of Directors. National Garden Clubs, Inc. maintains permanent headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, and in such other places as might be lawfully selected and determined by the Board of Directors. National Garden Clubs, Inc. is authorized to acquire real and personal property, and any interest therein, by purchase, gift, or any other legal means as may be necessary and proper for carrying on its legitimate affairs. National Garden Clubs, Inc. is divided into eight regions, which coordinate and facilitate the work of this large organization, under the leadership of Regional Directors, who, while in office, are members of the Executive Committee. NEW ENGLAND: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont. CENTRAL ATLANTIC: Maryland, National Capitol, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania. SOUTH ATLANTIC: Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia. DEEP SOUTH: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee. SOUTH CENTRAL: Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas ROCKY MOUNTAIN: Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah. PACIFIC COAST: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington. For up-to-date lists of National Officers and Committee Chairmen, refer to The National Gardener, the quarterly publication of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. For additional information, Members Services, The National Gardener Circulation, etc: NATIONAL GARDEN CLUBS, Inc. HEADQUARTERS Monday-Friday 9:00AM-4:30PM CDT 4401 Magnolia Avenue, St. Louis MO Tel: ; FAX Website: User name: member Password: flight NOTE: The NGC Password changes with each administration in the odd numbered year. NHFGC DEADLINES Awards sent to NHFGC Awards Chairman and/or Other Chairmen (If no Chairman listed on roster Award Application sent to NHFGC Awards Chairman) Deadlines for all Awards are listed on the NHFGC Website, Members Only Section, Forms & Awards Tab Lilac Letter DEADLINES: March 7, June 7, August 7, October 7. NHFGC Handbook General Information / /1-1-15/

4 GENERAL INFORMATION FOR NHFGC CLUB PRESIDENTS 1. As the elected chief officer of a Federated Garden Club, the Club President is responsible for maintaining an active relationship with the Federation, seeing that general Federation procedures are carried out, by delegation and follow-up, and/or handling them personally. Remember, these are Guidelines. If you feel that some things do not apply to your club, please talk to your District Director, or the Federation President. The clubs are free agents. We are here to help, not to command. 2. Presidents are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the detailed contents of this Handbook, including the Bylaws. Information found in the Bylaws may not be found elsewhere in the Handbook. Presidents should see that copies of relevant materials from the Handbook are made available to the committee chairmen to whom they apply, or to any other members upon request. 3. Immediately upon election of new Club Officers, the outgoing President shall see that the names, addresses, telephone numbers and addresses of the new Officers are sent to: The NHFGC President, The NHFGC Corresponding Secretary, The District Director for your District, the NHFGC Treasurer, The Lilac Letter Circulation Manager, The National Gardener Circulation Manager. 4. Copies of the club s new Yearbook should be sent to the NHFGC President, Treasurer, and Corresponding Secretary as soon as they are available. 5. NHFGC membership dues are payable by the clubs to the Federation Treasurer for each club member, whether active, associate, or honorary. Dues are payable June 1 st each year, and should be sent to the NHFGC Treasurer as they are collected. Clubs will be delinquent after September 1 st, when reminders will be sent. Clubs not paying dues for one year will be dropped from membership in NHFGC. A list of paid members should be sent annually to the NHFGC Treasurer, along with the check for the dues. A duplicate copy of the membership list should be sent to the Lilac Letter Circulation Manager. If there are any changes in membership, send them to the Treasurer and the Lilac Letter Circulation Manager when they occur, or before the next copy deadline of the Lilac Letter. This is extremely important. Life Membership: Any individual may become a Life Member of the Federation by making a contribution of $50.00 to the NHFGC. One half will go to the Scholarship Endowment Fund, one half to the State Operating Fund. Life Members receive the Lilac Letter and all Federation notices, as well as a special pin. They are NOT exempt from paying dues. Honor a club member by having your club present a Life Membership to the Federation in that person s name. 6. Club presidents, or their representatives, are encouraged to attend NHFGC Annual and Semi-Annual Meetings and two Advisory Board Meetings per year. Club Presidents are automatically voting members of the Advisory Board. For further information about the Advisory Board, see Bylaws, Article VIII. These meetings are also open to all other NHFGC Members, who are strongly encouraged to attend. The Annual Meeting is usually held on the 4 th Wednesday in May, and the Semi-Annual Meeting is usually held on the 4 th Wednesday in September. One Advisory Board Meeting is usually held on the 4 th Wednesday in April, the other, on the 4 th Wednesday in October. Any of these dates may be changed by the NHFGC President and Executive Board if necessary. All dates are announced in the Lilac Letter and on the NHFGC website, 7. Your District Director is there to support you and your club members. Don t hesitate to call on her/him with any questions, comments, or requests for help. The District Director is your direct connection to the NHFGC Executive Board, and will keep you in touch with all its activities and projects, and let you know what will best benefit your club. 8. Each year, by March 1 st, Club Presidents send to their District Director a summary of their club s activities, especially the ones they are proudest of, for the previous year. The District Director then sends a summary of the activities of all the clubs in her/his District to the NHFGC President by April 1 for consideration for the receipt of the President s District Bowl. This award goes to the District which has most advanced the objectives of the NHFGC and NGC during the previous year. 9. Clubs are encouraged to invite the NHFGC President and The District Director for their District to visit during one of their meetings within each two year term of office, preferably to different meetings, but not necessarily so. The purpose is to let the President and the District Director get to know the club members in their own clubs, and to let the members get to know them on a much more informal level than is possible at a State Meeting. NHFGC Handbook General Information / /1-1-15/

5 10. Awards are given by the NHFGC, New England Region of NGC, and National Garden Clubs, Inc. as encouragement and congratulations to clubs, individuals, and districts for their hard work, creativity, and devoted service to their communities. For a listing of NHFGC awards see NHFGC website nhfgc.org user name nhfgc password peony click on Handbook Awards, for NER awards see the NER website ngcner.org, for NGC awards see NGC website gardenclub.org or The National Gardener in the Fall issue of the odd numbered years. 11. Clubs wishing to make a contribution to one of the NHFGC funds such as Scholarship, Colprit, Lilac Endowment, Wildflowers, etc., are asked to do so through the NHFGC Treasurer. Clubs have contributed to other organizations, such as NH Audubon, through the NHFGC Treasurer as well. Checks should be made out to the NHFGC with a notation, in the lower left hand corner, of the name of the fund or organization to which it is to be forwarded. 12. The Lilac Letter is the official publication of NHFGC, and the only direct communication with every member. It is published four times a year and distributed to all Federation Members whose names are on the distribution list. Every club is encouraged to send news and/or announcements to the Lilac Letter Editor. 13. The National Gardener is the official publication of National Garden Clubs, Inc., and is full of very interesting material for anyone enthusiastic about gardening. It is also important for any club planning to apply for a NGC Award, or presenting a flower show, as recent changes in rules, as well as new ideas, are included. Club Presidents automatically receive The National Gardener, free of charge, as long as the out-going president informs the subscription department of the change of presidents. Other club members, or perhaps the club s Vice-President, might like to receive The National Gardener. If so, contact the Circulation Department at National Garden Clubs, Inc. PARLIAMENTARY TIPS FOR THE PRESIDING OFFICER 1) As presiding officer, it is important that you be familiar with the fundamental rules of parliamentary law, and the charter, bylaws, and standing rules of your organization. 2) Have a well prepared agenda. Begin your meeting on time. If you use a microphone, make sure it is working before the start of the meeting. 3) The pledge of allegiance is given standing, with the right hand over the heart. The flag is placed on the right of the presiding officer. The Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all 4) Always speak of yourself as The Chair or Your President. 5) Stand to introduce business, but sit during discussion. 6) After the reading of the minutes of the last meeting, ask if there are any corrections to the minutes, not corrections or additions. (An addition IS a correction.) Then state the minutes are approved as read, corrected or circulated as applicable. No motion is needed. 7) After the Treasurer s report, the Chair says, The report will be filed for audit. The report is never approved. 8) Learn how to state and put questions, the order of precedence of the various motions, which motions are debatable, those that cannot be amended, and those requiring a 2/3 vote, if any. Say, The Chair will entertain a motion., or informally May I have a motion? Then ask Is there a second to the motion? Only after a motion is made and seconded is there any discussion. You may ask, Is there any discussion? Making a motion does not indicate approval, it merely brings the subject to the floor. 9) Before bringing the subject to a vote, the motion must be stated again. Say It has been moved and seconded that State the motion clearly and slowly. Then Are you ready for the question? After a brief pause, All in favor say aye opposed no. Then announce the decision to the motion. A motion is not complete until the negative vote is taken and the results stated by the Chair. Courtesy Resolutions are the exception. The negative vote is NOT taken. The Chair should refrain from taking part in the discussion. It is wise for the presiding officer to vote only when the vote is by ballot. The Chair may vote to break a tie vote. 10) Never say, Is there any old business? Say, Is there any unfinished business? 11) A meeting is never turned over to anyone. Say, Mrs. Blank will now introduce our speaker, or Mrs. Blank will now take the chair. 12) When having a guest speaker, be sure there is someone to greet her/him on arrival and to give them any needed help. 13) If there is more than one business session, say, The meeting is now in recess. State the time the meeting will continue. Only the final session is declared adjourned. 14) PROTOCOL: Stand for the National President and/or the Regional Director when each is presented for the first time. If you choose to stand for the NHFGC President, to show respect for the office, do so the first time she/he is presented. NHFGC Handbook General Information / /1-1-15/

6 When reports are given, the President reports first, then the officers, according to their rank. The President does not vacate the chair while reporting. 15) The State Parliamentarian stands ready to assist clubs with parliamentary procedures such as bylaws and changes in bylaws, installations, secretary s duties, etc. 16) Recommended books on parliamentary law. Robert s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, and Parliamentary Procedure, by Phyllis Wood. Both are available from NGC Member Services. TIPS FOR CLUB RECORDING SECRETARIES 1. Helps the President at meetings by keeping track of motions in progress, making sure they are accurately recorded, properly seconded, and brought to a vote. The Secretary may ask the person making the motion for a written copy of the motion, or ask the person making the motion to dictate it for the record. Since minutes may have legal value in certain cases, it can be very important for any motions, decisions, etc., to be clearly recorded. 2. Makes enough notes at the meeting to be able to write up clear and accurate minutes. Asks for clarification when something is not clear. Minutes are an historic record of the business transacted at a specific meeting. They should contain accurate, factual information, organized in such a way at to be a useful tool for future reference. In general, discussion is not included in minutes except where a brief reference is needed to clarify a decision. Minutes do not give an account of the program or the social part of a meeting, though the name of the program, who is giving it, and the names of the hostesses of the day might be added at the end. Minutes should always be signed by the Secretary, or by the Secretary Pro-Tem, in case of a substitute. Respectfully Submitted is no longer used. 3. Writes up minutes promptly, preferable within a few days, and immediately provides the President with a copy to be used in implementing decisions and actions taken, as for use in planning future agendas. 4. Keeps orderly files that can be readily accessible when needed. The Secretary should be responsible for the safekeeping of all the official records and documents of the organization. Details of how this is to be done may be found in the club By Laws or decided with the guidance and approval of the club s Board of Directors. SAMPLE FORMAT FOR PREPARING MINUTES A copy of the President s agenda, when available, can serve as a helpful guide to the way the minutes should be organized. However, it may be necessary to pull together material on the same subject if it comes up more than once in a meeting. A suggested format follows: HEADING (name of organization) TITLE OF MEETING board, regular, etc. and COMPLETE month, day, year. The regular, monthly, annual, special, etc. meeting of the name of organization took place at name of place on date. Name, and title, if any called the meeting to order at time. PRESENT: List those present, when relevant, ie Board Meetings. ABSENT: Same as Present. MINUTES: The minutes of the relevant title and date meeting were approved as read or distributed, corrected, etc. You may detail corrections, ie correct spelling of Sally Gardeners to Gardener, page 2. TREASURER S REPORT: The balance on hand date was amount. Add brief explanations or pertinent data as reported by the Treasurer. The report was accepted/filed for audit, never approved. The President decides on the importance and order of business to be covered at any meeting. The term OLD BUSINESS is no longer used. Substitute UNFINISHED BUSINESS. All subjects should be headed in CAPS in the margin, as above. This makes it easier to find specific items, when it is necessary to refer back to them at some future date. SUBJECT: Introduce the subject with enough detail so people have an idea what it is about. Follow with action taken, conclusions, consensus, motions, votes, etc. as applicable. Discussion is not usually recorded, or personalities delineated. MOTION: It was moved by name of person, seconded name of person not recorded, that record the exact wording of the motion as it was made. The motion was carried, or defeated, or tabled, etc. Continue as above for each item of business The meeting was adjourned at time. The next meeting will be date, time, place. If appropriate. Signature Recording Secretary Date NHFGC Handbook General Information / /1-1-15/

7 TIPS FOR CLUB TREASURERS/ASSISTANT TREASURERS Club Treasurers/Assistant Treasurers shall have custody of all funds of their club, and disburse in accordance with the club bylaws. Collect all dues, forwarding the NHFGC dues to the NHFGC Treasurer by June 1 st. Present a financial statement at each meeting. Files annual reports with IRS and NH State Attorney General s Office by October 15 th each year. Files with the NH Secretary of State, Every five (5) years for Corporation renewal. In order to comply with 501 (c) (3) tax law each club should have a Policy Statement on Conflict of Interest, see NHFGC Bylaws Article XVI for an example, and have each club officer sign a Conflict of Interest Statement annually. EXAMPLE OF A: CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT I am familiar with and understand the established policy of the name of club with respect to conflicts of interest as enunciated in the policy statement. Except as indicated below, I have nothing to disclose which is or is likely to be in conflict with the established policy. Should any change in my situation occur, I shall promptly submit a further statement covering the details. Exceptions: Signature Date This form is to be kept by the club treasurer. PLANNING AND PREPARING PUBLICITY RELEASES Publicity releases should be written in proper newspaper style. All stories should include who, what, why, when, where, and how. The most important facts should come first, in case space limits the length of an article. Articles should be double spaced, one side only, with wide margins. The name of the club and the name and address of the Publicity Chairman, subject, and date should be in the upper left hand corner, along with the release date. Accuracy is vital!! The spelling of all names and places should be double checked. Be sure to have all of the facts and tell them in a simple manner. Be totally objective No editorial remarks. Maximum photo coverage is most desirable. If a newspaper photographer is not available, most newspapers will accept a good photo of the event. Include the names of the persons in order, left to right, and what the photo is about. Many newspapers will accept articles via and digital photos. Where radio or TV interviews are involved, the person chosen for the interview should be well informed on the subject. A good, clear speaking voice and attractive general appearance before the camera or microphone are important. Dates for Public Service Announcements must be strictly met. It is much better to be ahead of time, but never be late. The Media should all be contacted well ahead of time to determine their copy deadlines. Copies of all news releases should be kept on file and passed on to the incoming chairman. Helpful reading for Publicity Chairmen: Communication in the 21 st Century, free from NGC Member Services. Prepare and practice before the meeting. SUGGESTIONS FOR INTRODUCING SPEAKERS Condense the important points of your introduction speaker s name, important background, qualifications as an expert, etc. on 3x5 cards numbered and clearly written. Do not write out complete introduction, and do not memorize it. An introduction learned by ideas, not just words, will be remembered and will sound easy and natural. The cards are reminders. NHFGC Handbook General Information / /1-1-15/

8 Be brief. Acknowledge the presiding officer and greet the audience. Speak directly to the audience, not the speaker. Have an opening sentence or two leading to the speaker s subject, such as, It is a privilege to have with us today someone who is an authority on. Never use the hackneyed phrase Our speaker needs no introduction. This is a false compliment. All speakers need an introduction you are the liaison between the speaker and the audience. Continue with such information as where the speaker is from, what she/he does, and what in her/his background qualifies her/him to address your members as an authority on the subject. If the speaker has agreed to answer questions, the audience should be told in advance so they can prepare questions as the lecture proceeds. Mention the speaker s name and subject last. It is important to have the exact name, the initials, and the correct pronunciation of the name. You might conclude with such words as, I have the pleasure of introducing Mr. John Doe, who will speak to us on. Then, turning to your guest for the first time since you started your introduction, Mr. Doe. INSTALLATION CEREMONY Following is a model of an Installation Ceremony which may be conducted by the outgoing president or any other NHFGC member who has the respect of the Club. Other installation examples may be found in A Collection of Installations available from NGC Member s Services. The retiring president of the organization may install the incoming officers, or may invite someone else to perform the ceremony. Having done this, she/he will, when the time comes, introduce the installing officer who will then take charge of that part of the program. The installing officer greets the membership and says a few words of commendation to the retiring officers. Then: It is now my pleasant assignment to install the officers of the incoming administration. Will the incoming officers please come forward. She/he may then introduce each of the incoming officers, beginning at the end of the list and leaving the President until later. She may explain in a few words, some of the qualifications each has for the office. The Garden Club, in electing you to office, expresses its full confidence that you will contribute your best efforts toward the growth and development of this organization, that you will promote good fellowship among its members, and that you will faithfully perform the duties attendant to your office. Do you pledge yourself to this service? Answer, in unison, I do. I hereby declare you duly installed in office. At this point a flower or gift may be given to each of the new officers, or they may simply be congratulated. And now, may I present your new president? Tell of her/his qualifications, if she/he is not well known to all the members, something about her/his life and former achievements. Introduce her/him, be brief but complimentary., you have been duly elected to the highest office in the garden club. It will be your responsibility to uphold the declared purposes of this organization, to encourage all members to take part in its projects, and to be ever mindful of the best interests of the Club. Do you pledge yourself to the faithful performance of the duties of the President? Answer I do. Then I hereby hand you the symbol of your office and declare you to be the President of the garden club. Hands the gavel and NHFGC Handbook to new President. The retiring president or installing officer presents a flower or gift if the other officers have had them, or the Past President pin, if one has been provided. Will the members rise, in appreciation of the loyal service of the outgoing officers and in welcome to the new officers? The foregoing may be considered a basic ceremony, and may be varied at will. It might be closed by the recitation of the prayer, creed, or motto of the Club by the entire membership, or perhaps by a prayer offered by the installing officer, depending absolutely on the preference of the club. NHFGC Handbook General Information / /1-1-15/

9 RESTRICTED FUNDS Restricted Funds are those funds which have been permanently established and designated for a specific purpose by the Federation, its Executive Board or Advisory Board. Only the interest thereof may be used for the purpose designated by the original motion or donor. The New Hampshire Headquarters Fund was established by the NHFGC Executive Board on January 16, A motion was made and passed to establish a permanent NHFGC State Headquarters Fund. An initial donation of $50.00 was made by the President, Mrs. Justin Hartford, and gratefully accepted by the Executive Board. On November 20, 1974, a motion was made by the Executive Board, and carried, that this Fund be cumulative, compounding the interest, until such time as the interest would be used for maintaining a headquarters. The Helen A. and Ernest S. Colprit Memorial Scholarship Fund was first established as the Helen A. Colprit Award October 18, 1967 by the Pioneer Garden Club of Dover and the family and friends of Helen A. Colprit, deceased, as a trust fund in her memory. The Pioneer Garden Club and Officers of the NHFGC recently voted to add the name of Ernest S. Colprit to the award. Income from this trust fund is to be used annually as an award or awards for meritorious horticulture exhibits or achievements by members of Junior, Intermediate, or Senior High School Clubs. The NHFGC is a trustee of the fund and its duly appointed judges decide annually who the qualified winner shall be. The Scholarship Endowment Fund was voted by the Executive Board of the NHFGC on May 26, 1967, with Mrs. W. O. Wilkinson as President. It was voted that the Fund be established and the interest there from to be used for scholarships to students majoring in the fields of Plant Science, Forestry, or Conservation. The Lilac Endowment Fund was established in 1941 by the NHFGC, Inc., and Horticulture Department, now the Plant Science Department, of the University of New Hampshire. The Fund was in the custody of the University and was created to provide funds for research, scholarship grants and/or special equipment for the genetic development of new varieties of lilacs. In 1971, with the permission of the Plant Science Department, the Advisory Board and the Executive Board voted to retain all future contributions and invest them in the most advantageous way. The Executive Board voted that this Fund be cumulative, compounding the interest, until a time when the interest would be sufficient for the designated purpose. The Elizabeth C. Helme Scholarship Fund encourages participation in flower show judging. Its award is to be given to a student who has successfully completed a Flower Show School course. The recipient must be a member of the NHFGC, and will be chosen based on the highest total score of the most recent Flower Show School course taken. In the event of a tie, the highest score in Flower Show Procedure shall be used. The recipient will be chosen by a scholarship committee consisting of the Flower Show School Chairman, the current Judges Council Chairman, and the Immediate Past Judges Council Chairman. No application is necessary. NHFGC Handbook General Information / /1-1-15/