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Annual Report

Director's Report April 2014

In 2013-14:
21 Societies; 2,263 adult members; 25,551 volunteer hours; 11.3 VH/member
Youth members = 225
District Dues = .50 per member
Special Anniversaries:
Carleton Place & District – 25th Anniversary

Spring Advisory Council meeting and District AGM: 2013-14 started on April 6 in Renfrew hosted by the District Director, Kathryn Lindsay, with great support from the D2 Executive. There were 165 delegates from all 21 Societies. James Graham (OHA 1st VP) provided an entertaining and inspirational message on behalf of the OHA. There was a D2 book sale, a silent auction with items donated by each Society and downtown Renfrew businesses and a photo competition (results posted on the D2 website). The D2 AGM trophy was awarded to Diane Partlo from Kemptville H.S. for the delegates’ choice among three designs submitted for the District logo. An excellent soup, sandwich, relishes and sweets lunch provided by the United Church women’s auxiliary was enjoyed by all. The guest speakers were Christina Ouellet from the Flower Factory in Renfrew demonstrating spring floral designs and Grant Dobson from Connaught Nursery on landscaping with native plants and the new Shaw Woods Outdoor Education Centre near Eganville.

District 2 Communiqué: It is managed by Linda Bartlett (ADD Mississippi Basin) and has been sent out throughout the year on an “as required” basis to communicate D2 information and events. Information from affiliated organizations may be included but is not sent out separately.

D2 Website: The D2 Executive has been working hard to make the website as useful as possible. It is a “work in progress” so constructive feedback is always welcome.

OHA Board meetings: The D2 Director attended three meedings during the year- in July (in conjunction with the 2013 Convention in Thunder Bay) and in October 2013 and March 2014 (near Barrie).

• Shift of liability coverage to Co-Operators Insurance:
• Society Letters of Credit cheques are no longer required
• Society cheques sent in 2013 are being returned via the District Director
• If a Society that has not received their confirmation/receipt for their insurance coverage for 2014, please contact Co-operators directly
• Information and guidelines have been posted on the OHA website
• Seedy Saturday/Sunday events – Creation of two new grants of $250 each for Societies organizing a first-time event, on application to OHA
• Website: OHA is waiving fees and file size limits for Society websites
• OHA university scholarship: D2 Director, Kathy Lindsay to work with the northern District Directors to come up with a recommended post-secondary institution for the north and east.
• OHA governance:
• The OHA is no longer a member of Imagine Canada; Societies must remove that logo, etc. from their website, letterhead, etc.
• D2 Director Kathryn Lindsay was nominated to be the Director Representative of the Northern and Eastern Districts
• A Youth Program Standards Committee was formed
• A Judging Committee (D2 Director is vice-chair) was formed
• Society Anniversary Dates review: A multitude of things are reviewed by the OHA Archivist to determine the age of a Society. It was determined that when there is a break in years for a Society, the OHA would acknowledge the founding dates as well as the renewed Society date.
• OHA policy: Development of OHA positions on neonicotinoid insecticides, GMOs and the proposed federal Bill C-18
• Organizational Capacity Building:
• Facilitated session on Board governance and running an effective meeting (Guidebook made available to each D2 Society)
• Discussion on how to increase membership
• District sharing roundtable
• Guidelines on use of OHA Charitable Status by Societies
• Development of an alert form for struggling Societies and a welcome package for new Societies
• Development of code of conduct for Society Boards
• Society to Society Ambassador Program pilot
• Promotion and Publicity: Six districts including D2 received a new OHA vertical display banner for use at outreach activities. A graphic table cloth has also been produced for use at OHA outreach activities. Both were previewed at the fall D2 Advisory Council meeting.
• OHA Grants to D2 Societies:
• Tree grants up to $200
• Special Project grants@$500: Carleton Place & District H.S.

OHA Convention: The D2 Director and Society members attended the 107th OHA Convention in Thunder Bay from July 19-22. There were 215 registrants. Convention competition results were reported in the 2013 fall and 2013/14 winter issues of the Trillium newsletter (http://www.gardenontario.org/gar/newsl.php?news=210). D2 Director Kathryn Lindsay co-convened the flower show competition with D16. D2 competition results:

Art: Class 8 – Rock My World 2nd Lois O’Brien, Petawawa
Photography: Class 5 – This Rugged Coast 1st Fleurette Huneault, Gloucester
Creative Writing: Class 1- 1st - Fleurette Huneault, Gloucester
Website: Class 2 websites outside of GardenOntario.org Web Shells - 1st Perth & District (www.perthhortsociety.com)
Publications: Class 5 - 2010/2011 Special Event Brochure/Pamphlet/Flyer – HM West Carleton Garden Club
Class 13 - 2013 Yearbook 8.5x11 – HM Gloucester
Class14 - 2013 Yearbook – Full Letter Size 8.5 x 5.5 – West Carleton Garden Club
Flower Show: Class 4- Superior Shores –water-viewing - 1st Kathy Lindsay Ottawa
Class 8 - Berried Treasure – a small design - 2nd Kathy Lindsay Ottawa

D2 Flower and Edibles Show: It was held in Beachburg on August 10 co-hosted by Beachburg and Deep River H.S. There were 21 exhibitors from 9 Societies who entered 213 entries including 47 spectacular designs depicting the Theme of “A Whitewater Experience”. The event netted a profit and the host Societies donated $140 back to D2.

OHA Judges: There are 38 OHA certified judges in D2 on the OHA judges registry. A judging update was organized and hosted on September 28th in Beckwith Township by a D2 committee co-chaired by Linda Bartlett and Kathryn Lindsay; 32 judges attended from D1, D2 and D3. Participants submitted cut specimens for the horticulture show/practice judging and created line designs for the flower show/practice judging. The demonstrators were Ann Clarke-Stewart on roses and Dorothy Morrison on floral design. Topics discussed in the “Judges on Judging” session included revision of criteria for OHA certification renewal and the new Judging Committee being created at the OHA Board. A request for a survey on judging (and speaker) fees across the District was referred to the D2 Executive. Sheila King, who was unable to attend, was later recognized by a D2 service award for serving as the D2 Judges Coordinator for the past five years presented by the D2 Director at the Manotick H.S. Christmas dinner.

D2 fall Advisory Council: The meeting was held on Saturday, November 2, in Hazeldean hosted by the Greater Ottawa Water Garden & H.S. The most impressive icebreakers on Gardening Success stories included:

• Pembroke H.S. received an international award in the Communities in Bloom competition (article p.10 in the winter 2013/2014 issue of the Trillium)
• Madawaska Valley H.S. created a public education pamphlet and garden of rare,uncommon and interesting native plants (including the Fragile Prickly-Pear cactus) at the Barry’s Bay & Area Public Library (submitted for the Spring 2014 Trillium).
The fall Advisory Council meeting also included a Knowledge Café session (inspired by the sharing session at the OHA Board fall meeting) to enable Society reps to identify and talk together about topics of mutual interest which included: Society membership issues (2 groups), hosting a D2 Flower & Edibles Show, awarding the D2 AGM trophy, maintaining a Society website and permaculture.

D2 Society AGMs: There is a lot of distance to cover in District 2. The D2 Director was able to attend 13 of the 21 Society AGMs between October and the middle of January; the Assistant District Directors were able to attend another five.

Seedy Saturday/Sunday: District 2 and its member Societies were represented at the Seedy Saturday in Ottawa on March 1, 2014 and the Seedy Sunday in Pembroke and Perth on March 2, 2014.

D1D2 Boundary Revision: D2 has continued to discuss a proposed boundary revision between D1 and D2 to more evenly allocate the number of Societies, members and financial capacity and to reduce the size and geographical extent of D2 to enable the D2 Director to visit D2 Societies more often, to motivate Societies to host D2 events and to encourage more members to attend D2 events. A meet and greet gathering organized by Jeff Blackadar and the D1 and D2 District Directors on March 30 near Metcalfe was attended by 21 Society members from D2 and 4 Society members from D1.

Upcoming highlights for D2 in 2014-15 include:
Special Anniversaries
• Ottawa HS – 160th Anniversary
• Kemptville HS – 115th Anniversary
• Pembroke HS - 90th Anniversary
• Beachburg HS – 55th Anniversary
• Perth & District HS – 30th Anniversary
• West Carleton Garden Club & HS – 25th Anniversary
• Smith’s Falls HS – 10th Anniversary
OHA Grants to D2 Societies:
• Tree grants up to $200

OHA 108th Convention: The Convention is being hosted by District 1 from July 18-20 at the Nav Centre in Cornwall. I encourage each D2 Society to participate in the OHA business meeting and Society members to enter the adult and youth competitions, register for the Convention and participate in seminars, judging updates, bus tours, the banquet and volunteer to help when asked by D1.

D2 flower and edibles show:I also encourage D2 Society members to participate in our own show being co-hosted by West Carleton Garden Club & H.S. and Kanata-March H.S. on Saturday, August 16, in the Carp Agricultural Hall on the outskirts of Ottawa.

D2D1 Fun Day: The D2 Executive is currently working with Gloucester H.S. on a D2D1 fun day in September. Stay tuned! Respectfully yours in horticulture and floral design, Kathryn Lindsay District 2 Director Member of the Ottawa Horticultural Society

Latest Annual Report: OHA Annual Report, District 2, 2014

Last Updated: 2019-02-02