PURPOSE
The role of the Awards Committee is to consider and propose candidates eligible for GCNH Club awards and for awards available (club, zone, and national) from The Garden Club of America (including length of service awards) and The National Council of State Garden Clubs/Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut. This role is, by tradition, the responsibility of the Outgoing GCNH President and past presidents. Awards to Community Organizations are proposed in concert with the Chair of Civic (Florence Bradley Award) and the Representatives of the Nancy H. and Henry E. Bartels Fund for GCNH (Bartels Award).
MEMBERS
Chair: Lisa Lovejoy
ACTIVITIES
COMMUNITY AWARDS
THE FLORENCE BRADLEY AWARD
This award is given to a Greater New Haven group, organization, or individual whose work best reflects the mission of our Garden Club: “to create interest in and promote knowledge of gardening, preservation of natural resources, and civic horticultural work.” This award was established in 2012 by the Board of Directors.
Recommendations for recipients are made to the committee; the members vote for the final selection. This award will be presented annually at a general meeting.
2013 City Seed
2014 Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA)
2015 Solar Youth
2016 CT Agricultural Experiment Station
2017 The Children’s Center of Hamden
2018 The New Haven Land Trust
2019 Growers, Inc.
2020 Friends of Edgewood Park
2021 The Huneebee Project
2022 Mill River Watershed Association
THE BARTELS AWARD
This award was established in 2013 by Nancy H. Bartels and her husband Henry and the GCNH to strengthen its ties with the community, particularly in the area of community gardens. This monetary award may be given annually to a civic organization or individual in the Greater New Haven area, or may be used to support activities within the Club that focus on areas of education and civic engagement.
2014 Common Ground, and two Workshops for the Community on “Trees and Power Lines”
2015 New Haven Farms
2016 No award given
2017 LEAP Children’s Garden
2018 GCNH Intern Scholarship Program
2019 GCNH Intern Scholarship Program
2020 The CT Beekeepers Association
MEMBER AWARDS
THE WATERMAN BOWL
2023 Betsy Weber
Mrs. Frederick Waterman gave the Waterman Bowl to our Club in 1956 “to be awarded annually by a Trophy Committee appointed by the President for the most noteworthy accomplishment by a member during the year.” This prestigious award is given each year to a member who has gone above and beyond a prescribed job and contributed greatly to the general well-being and furtherance of our Club.
NEW MEMBER AWARD
2023 Pat Sabosik
The New Member Award is given to a member who has recently joined the club and who, by active participation in various club activities, has demonstrated enthusiastic appreciation of the club and is therefore an example to other new members.
THE JOYCE HARRIS AWARD
2023 Sharon Bender
Given in memory of Joyce Harris, a former president and beloved member, this award is given to a member of the Club who embodies the ideals and examples set by Joyce. The award will be given at the discretion of the Awards Committee to a member who has been a leader, mentor and teacher to other members and has demonstrated dedication to the values of the Club. The award was established in 2010 by Edith Wilson, daughter of former Garden Club of New Haven President, Horty Wilson, to honor the family’s longtime neighbor and friend.
THE GCA CLUB APPRECIATION AWARD
2023 Hart Caparulo
This award is presented by a GCA member club (voted by its Executive Board) to one or more members for dedicated and sustained participation in activities within the recipient’s own club.
The GCA Club Horticulture Award
2023 Robin Hochstrasser
The GCA Club Horticulture Award is presented to a club member for outstanding service in horticulture within the recipient’s club or comm unity. The recipient of this Award receives a framed Certificate to keep and proudly display in their home.
The GCA Medal of Merit
2023 Debby Moore
The GCA Medal of Merit is awarded by a member club to one or more members for contributions of exceptional merit in the field of horticulture, conservation or civic achievement, or dedication and inspirational leadership within the area of a member’s respective club. The recipient of this Award receives a framed Certificate and engraved GCA Medal, to keep and proudly display in their home.
