The purpose of the Membership Committee is to manage the process by which candidates for GCNH membership are identified and proposed and their qualifications considered. The committee considers the qualifications of all candidates proposed for membership in accordance with the Bylaws and makes recommendations to the Board of Directors.  At general meetings, its members are available to meet guests who may be interested in joining the GCNH and welcomes and introduces prospective new members to active members of the Club.

The Committee provides information on the membership procedures and timeline throughout the year and supplies forms to current members who are proposing new members to ensure that all necessary paperwork can be completed and submitted for timely review.  The Committee is responsible for organizing applications and supporting letters, tracking potential members’ contact information and Directory photos, and planning and organizing a Prospective New Member Reception at which the prospective new members are greeted and introduced to the Board. The Committee manages and presents two slates:

• New Prospective Members: All forms, applications and associated paperwork from Proposing and Seconding Members of the GCNH are managed and introduced for Board review.
• Provisional Members: Those members who have completed one year as a Provisional Member and are recommended to the Board for Active Member status.

Note:  The committee is composed of four members, proposed by the Nominating Committee and elected by the members at the Annual Meeting for two-year terms. Two members are elected each year from the slate presented by the Nominating Committee. The Chair is subsequently appointed by the President for a one-year term from the second-year members of the committee.

Considering Proposing a New Member?

It is important for all involved that the proposer is aware of the process.  The exact details can be found in the By-Laws Section II, Article 2. 

Or you contact members of the Membership Committee:

Some things to consider when selecting a candidate:

• This person should be a resident of the Greater New Haven area and be interested in gardening, conservation and the various activities of the club.

• The candidate should show genuine interest in the work of the GCNH and they should be prepared, as active members, to serve on at least one committee, participate in club sponsored events such as flower shows etc., and give notice prior to any meetings they are unable to attend.