Alsea Garden Club

I moved to Alsea 7 1/2 years ago. Since I went through the Oregon State Master Gardening Program in Salem in 1999, I joined the garden club when I moved here. Not too long after, I was elected President. I was excited and had big plans. I outlined at least two years of gardening workshops I wanted to teach since I love teaching. I was pleased that I was elected President. I had plans for meetings that included seed and plant sharing, members teaching the group with what they were learning, hands on gardening projects, and much more. I welcomed this opportunity.

Not too long after, I started receiving letters from the Oregon Department of Justice that alerted me that the Alsea Garden Club was in violation of the law and that the Club had to cease. The garden club was also in violation of Oregon State Garden Club rules. I felt it important to let the membership know the status of the Alsea Garden Club. I was told that no one cared and that no one wanted to follow the rules. I didn't understand this at all. If you take on the group umbrella of another organization, then I feel you should follow the guidelines and basic rules or the group had the option of just being an independent garden club. The group wanted to be a garden club connected to the Oregon Garden Club structure without following all these goofy rules and regulations.

My club officers were Kay Podmore and Katrina Carver.

During this time I applied for a grant for the public garden on Highway 34 in Alsea that the garden club was responsible for with upkeep. The club was awarded $500 in grant money, which I was responsible for securing.

I was happy about the grant money for the public garden and the garden club has made this area beautiful after I left the club.

I didn't find support among the membership in the Alsea Garden Club so after I brought the club back into legal status with the Oregon Department of Justice and the Oregon State Garden Clubs, I quit. Can't do much without support, no matter how much you want to help or serve since I don't believe in forcing things. I did stay long enough to bring the club into legal compliance for my own protection. It's funny but people acted like it was no big deal to get letters from the Oregon Department of Justice. Well, I did and I took it seriously. I guess I don't understand people sometimes.