New Member Admission Procedure

PROPOSING NEW CANDIDATES AS PROVISIONAL MEMBERS 

Section I.

[1.] The procedure for Club members wishing to propose candidates for Provisional membership is as follows:  

a.  Active Members may invite candidates to three General Membership Meetings, at which time they will introduce the candidates to other members.  After attending the meetings, a candidate may be proposed and seconded in writing by two Active Members (for two or more years), who are not members of the Executive Committee or Membership Committee, have an in-depth knowledge of the candidates and have known them for at least a year, and are willing to offer strong support.  

b.  The proposer must obtain two additional letters of support from Active Members (for two or more years), who also have an in-depth knowledge of the candidate and are willing to offer strong support.  All letters must be addressed to the Membership Committee Chair.  

c.  After obtaining all support letters, the proposer must provide the candidate with the Club application questionnaire to complete, sign, and return to the proposer, at which time the proposer will review and also sign the form.  

d.  The proposer will then send the four letters together with the Club application questionnaire as a package by mail, or electronically using PDF's, to the Membership Committee Chair.  Proposal packages are accepted from November 1 through March 31.

e.  Active Members are limited to proposing one candidate per calendar year and seconding one candidate per calendar year.

f.  Upon the Membership Committee's review and approval of the proposal application package, the proposer will be asked to host and introduce, along with the Membership Committee, the candidate at an informal gathering of the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and Membership Committee, to be held prior to the next MGC Annual Meeting.

g.  Shortly thereafter, the Executive Committee will vote whether or not to accept the candidate as a Provisional Member, and if majority approval is achieved, the candidate will be proposed to the Board of Directors for a majority vote approval.  If majority vote approval is achieved, the candidate will be notified by the President in writing and invited to the Club Annual Meeting to be introduced to the membership, at which time, Provisional status commences.  

h.  During the candidate's Provisional term, it is the responsibility of the proposer, seconder, and supporters to introduce the candidate to the members at Club meetings and events, and ensure the candidate's background and interests become known.  

[2.]  Provisional Members failing to meet the requirements for Active Membership during the calendar year of Provisional status, without just cause (as determined by the Membership Committee), and without timely notification to the Membership Committee Chair, may not be proposed again during the following two calendar years.  If, however, candidates were not able to fulfill the requirements due to just cause, and give timely notification to the Membership Committee Chair, they may fulfill the requirements the following calendar year.  

The questionnaire and proposer guidelines may be downloaded from links at the bottom of this page. Completed applications are accepted from November 1 through March 31.

Section II. Proposing former Members or Members of the GCA Clubs

• A resident new to the area, who has recently been a member in good standing of another Garden Club of America Club, may be invited by the Executive Committee to become an Active Member of the Millbrook Garden Club, if a place is available. 

• A former member of the Millbrook Garden Club who was in good standing may apply for reinstatement, and if a place is available, may be accepted at the discretion of the Executive Committee.