Are you considering creation of a new chapter of NARGS? I'm delighted; this is how to do that:

Your organization could be very simple at the beginning:

- The Chapter Chair, the Program Chair (for a very small group, the Chapter Chair can double as Program Chair) and the Secretary/Treasurer. NARGS By-Laws, actually stipulate that the Chair and Secretary are the only two "must have" officers. No minimum number of members is specified.

- There is no need for an extensive newsletter; e-mail notifications of meetings will suffice.
The newsletter would come later as you grow and find a volunteer editor.

- Although we don't currently have seed money for new chapters, generating some money could be as easy as asking potential members to donate plants, seeds, books, or garden implements and having a sale.  This could be open to the public, in case there is enough "merchandise," which might help recruit new prospects.  Private donations of funds might also be pursued.

- When the chapter grows and has more members, you'll need to formulate your By- laws. An excellent way to draft them is use other chapters' By-Laws.
Let me tell you what NARGS will do for you and what you'll be expected to do for the Society:

1) The new chapter, after its formal approval by the Administrative Committee, will be listed at the end of the "Rock Garden Quarterly," the NARGS publication, with all the other chapters. The listing  includes the Chair's name and e-mail address. This will allow others in the region to contact the Chair and, hopefully, express readiness to join.

2) Another support NARGS is going to do for the chapter is create its Web page, unless you have a programmer who can do that. Then we'll link to it on http://www.nargs.org/.  The page will be maintained by Web site volunteers based on info provided by the chapter and this will continue till you find your own Web master.  We will also place you on the chapter's map page, which you'll find on the Web site.

3) To help you with your programs, you'll be able to reserve quality speakers from NARG Speaker Tour Project (STP). These requests are handled by the Speakers Tour Project Chair who is listed on the website. Requests for speakers are handled on a first-come-first-served basis.

4) As a courtesy, I'll ask newsletter editors to send you their newsletters. I'll need an e-mail address where to send them. When you have your own newsletter, please reciprocate and send it to other chapters. (Chapter Editors mailing list is available from NARGS Executive Secretary.)

5) The new chair of your chapter will automatically become a member of the NARGS Board.  As such she or he will participate in NARGS decision-making either by e-mail or attending board meetings at NARGS Winter Study Weekends or the Annual Meeting.  If the Chair cannot attend, she or he is asked to designate a member of the chapter who registered for a given Study Weekend or Annual Meeting as her/his replacement.  This person will represent the Chapter and have full voting rights at the Board meeting.  The notification of Board meeting replacements should be sent to NARGS Recording Secretary. The chair or designated member should be a member of NARGS (national).

6) When you feel you have enough dedicated volunteers and wish to generate a good bit of money for the chapter, you may tell the NARGS president that you want to organize a national meeting. There is good support for this undertaking: guidelines (on the Web site), a loan from the national (there are certain requirements for that) and assistance by former meeting organizers.  Organizing a national meeting, apart from replenishing chapter's coffers, is a great way to make friends with rock gardeners from other parts of the country and Canada.

7) Your chapter may also be interested in helping with one of the phases of the Seed Exchange. No money to be made here, but chapters report having fun! Appeals for help with Seed Exchange, complete with instructions how to work different Phases are sent out to Chapter Chairs in the summer/fall.

8) Most of your future questions will be answered by Bobby Ward, NARGS Executive Secretary.

Still not sure how to "grow a new chapter"? Drop me a line, I'd love to help.

Grazyna Grauer,
NARGS President
grazynalg at sbcglobal.net