Then our Spring General Membership Meeting is scheduled on March 21st.
The 2021 garden season is around the corner!
However, it is never too late to reach out and sign up to work with other gardeners and to share or learn some new skills. On the registration form, you have the opportunity to sign up to participate in garden committees. But what do each of these committees do? What does it mean to be part of a committee?
Committees are groups of garden volunteers who work together in an ongoing capacity to help run and maintain our community garden space. Any member or associate may join a committee. If you would like to join a committee you can sign up on your registration form, at the spring general meeting, or by sending an email to [email protected].
Here is a Further Description of RIGC's Committees:
Ad Hoc Compost
The Compost Committee returns all types of organic matter to the Earth. We have varied tasks and a relaxed schedule. Outreach is a big part of what we do, so it’s not all bugs and banana peels. No experience necessary. New associates and gardeners are especially welcome. Mother nature does most of the work. We just need to learn, then teach each other how to get out of the way.
Ad Hoc COVID Team
This team helps to place signs, formulate the alcohol cleaning solution, and to regularly clean common surfaces such as the gates and locks. Members work individually on an agreed upon schedule. This team also helps advise the Board and communicates any needs arising due to COVID precautions. Join this team if you want to help keep our garden community healthy!
Landscape & Common Areas
The Landscape & Common Areas Committee is responsible for planting and maintaining the garden’s borders, exterior perimeters and common areas. The committee meets for about two planning meetings per year, and members plant and maintain the landscape areas in small groups on their own time or on agreed upon work days. Join this committee if you want to learn or share skills with the aesthetics of landscape design, pruning, soil and plant care.
Maintenance
The Maintenance Committee manages and oversees maintenance projects and is responsible for the upkeep of tools and equipment. Maintenance projects are planned and executed as they arise. Members work in supervised small groups on planned work days. Past projects have included: upgrading pathways, upgrading the wooden borders surrounding each plot, water line repair, hose maintenance, cleaning and repairing tools, and others. Join this committee if you want to learn or share skills related to carpentry, using tools, and building the physical infrastructure of the garden.
Outreach & Publicity
The Outreach & Publicity Committee works with education and community-building activities and engages with the broader Roosevelt Island community. There are one-off and ongoing ways to participate. Signing up means you will receive requests to assist with varied outreach events if interested or you can work on garden signage or the website. Past projects have included: hosting groups for garden visits; offering free classes for older kids; participating in Roosevelt Island Day and Fall for Arts; helping with gardening workshops for members; and more. Join this committee if you like writing, graphic design, or education/arts activities.
Rose Garden
The Rose Garden Committee is responsible for planting and maintaining the Rose Garden. The Committee has a community education and pruning day in April and meets monthly together or in small groups to maintain the rose garden. Join this committee if you want to learn or share skills on growing roses and clematis.
Standards
The Standards Committee is responsible for ensuring that community members maintain their gardens and pathways to our collective standards so that RIGC is a source of natural beauty on Roosevelt Island. The committee meets monthly to assess all the gardens in the club according to the Rules and Regulations. This committee also communicates with members and the Board about any needs that may arise regarding the proper maintenance of individual gardens. Join this committee if you are committed to beautifying our garden or want to learn more about small garden design.
Treasurer or Secretary Support
This team supports the Board’s Treasurer or Secretary with certain parts of their duties. Members may help with tasks including: sign in at meetings, managing voting, double checking registration lists, assisting with bookkeeping, and other administrative tasks. Join this team if you are interested in learning or sharing skills related to communications, budgeting, and group administration.
Have other ideas for a short or long-term project? Let us know by emailing [email protected]!