The EAGC President provides leadership and direction for the club. She/he shall preside at all meetings of the club, be a member ex-officio of all committees, and call special meetings when necessary.
In addition to the duties described in the bylaws, the president shall: prepare a written agenda for each board meeting; be responsible for the agenda of the general meetings; and provide for notification of board members of the date and location of board meetings. The president should be familiar with the job descriptions of each of the board members and committee chairs and should encourage the committees to function according to those requirements.
General responsibilities of the president include: attending as many club events as possible; serving as a member of the budget committee; appointing and chairing a nominating committee; appointing, along with the board, a committee to revise the bylaws if deemed necessary; examining the minutes of the board and general meetings for accuracy and informing the recording secretary of any corrections; and communicating garden club business through the website and/or email account (eagcnh@gmail.com).
Responsibilities for monthly board meetings include: by April, establishing the schedule for the following year’s board meetings; emailing the board members one week prior to the board meetings with draft agenda to solicit for additions/corrections; updating the draft agenda for the board meeting, emailing to board members, and bringing copies to the meeting; presiding over the board meeting; and following up on issues which require the president’s attention. The June board meeting traditionally includes both old and new board members, with the old members treating the new members to a pot-luck lunch or social coffee. This meeting is used to pass on information from the old to the new members.
Responsibilities for the monthly general meetings include: emailing board members one week prior to each meeting to determine which committees need to be placed on the agenda; preparing an agenda and giving a copy to the recording secretary; arriving early (with the Room Key) to facilitate set-up; welcoming any guests or new members; presiding over the business meeting (if possible, starting such that business meeting is over at 10:15am).
Duties also include: contacting the Stratham Municipal Center to book the meeting space for the board and general meetings and being the contact person with the Stratham Municipal Center for other room reservations. See Addendum for details on this process.
The president announces the slate of officers determined by the nominating committee at the April general meeting and calls for a vote on the slate of officers in May. The President selects someone to preside over the installation of officers at the June luncheon and provides the script for the installation ceremony. Traditionally, the script includes a plant gift to symbolize the position. The President coordinates gifts for the outgoing officers. Traditionally, the president has arranged informal summer gatherings for the membership.
The yearly term for Officers of the Board is July 1 – June 30. There is a President’s checklist that suggests duties for each month.
President Addendum
Details for room reservations for the club.
The club uses the Morgera Room at the Stratham Fire Station for general meetings. The club uses the Hutton Room at the Stratham Community Center for Board meetings. Currently, there are no charges for the use of these rooms (that policy is under review ). These room reservations are processed by Karen Richard. In general, they will not book far out into the future. It is best to send an email with the request for room times so that you and Karen both have receipt of the requests. Karen can book the Hutton Room directly but must get permission for the Morgera Room use from the Fire Chief. In the past, this schedule has worked.
After the February Board meeting, send an email request for the rooms needed to support our board meetings, general meetings and special date requests (Yuletide Greens workshop in the Sewall Room – 3rd Friday of November) for the club’s needs for September – December. After the September Board meeting, send an email request for the rooms needed to support our board meetings, general meetings and special date requests (Yard Sale setup and Yard Sale date in the Sewall room). It is best to book both the 1st and 3rd Thursday in June at the Morgera room for possible use for End of Year transition meeting and June Luncheon. If the club decides on a different location for these events, the rooms can be released with an email to Karen. KRichard@strathamnh.gov
Note: Karen Richard also handles reservation of the Pavilions at the Stratham Hill Park.
There are Room Usage rules for Morgera and Sewall. Paper and pdf copies are kept by the President. There is a checklist for Morgera use that should be returned with the key for the Morgera Room. See any past president for room advice.
The Morgera Room Key is held by Karen Richard and can be picked up after 7:30am from Karen at the Stratham Community Center. It is best to call her the Wednesday before the meeting to assure she will be in at your pickup time for the key. If you are in town, you may be able to arrange a Wednesday afternoon pickup before she leaves for the day. If you do not get the key, you can disturb the firemen at the front door and walk through the building to the Morgera room to open the exterior door that we use for the meeting.
Updated 4/1/26
