NGC Central Region

Awards

To All Garden Club Members, June, 2007

Central Region is celebrating its 75 years as a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. We will take this opportunity to promote not only Central Region, but all Seven States that comprise it.

We are again putting all the Awards information in the “Centerfold” for your easy use and removal. Keep it with your other Awards Information as some projects may qualify for more than one award.

We know you do many wonderful things as members of National Garden Clubs, Inc. Assist us in honoring those who give their time and talent to help those in need, or to beautify our environment, or those who help by educating and promoting our theme, “Propagating Beauty Through Gardening.” This will be done, hopefully, by promoting the use of native plants of your state.

Award applications are to be sent to: Fran Stueck, 5589 22^nd Avenue Trail, Vinton, Iowa 52349. The latest National Award Information will be found in the September/October, 2007 issue of The National Gardener. If you have any questions pertaining to these awards, please contact Fran at the address listed above, by phone at (319) 472-3032, or by email at franstueck@yahoo.com.

We recognize that each of the CR States has their own awards but the application requirements are simple. Unless otherwise noted, applications for Central Region Awards may be in the form of a brief. A “brief” being a short summary of the activity along with supporting photographs, letters, financial information, or publicity - whatever helps document your work – then place in a folder of your choice. This is not a formal Book of Evidence, (Except for the States Garden Club’s CR # Unified Project and Historic Preservation Award #13). Just be sure to keep it simple and make it fun. Please do not send scrapbooks or loose items.

Special attention should be given to the time period and deadlines for each set of awards. An award on Calendar Sales will be given at the CR Meeting this Fall in Minnesota, some at the 2008 NGC Convention in Tennessee, some at the CR Meeting Iowa, and some at the CR Meeting in Texas, 2009. Read Carefully. Do not miss deadlines! Remember everyone can be a winner. Start now.

Karen Hix
Central Regional Director

CENTRAL REGION UNIFIED PROJECT AWARD

National Gardens Clubs, Inc. is again offering the Emerald Award Certificate of Merit to one region for an outstanding Unified Project in which all states in the region have participated. This is a two-year project and we would like Central Region to win this award.

The Central Region Unified Project - Propagating Beauty Through Gardening - will focus on individual member clubs and State Federations working together on special plantings, projects of landscaping and revitalizing areas around Government buildings, Veteran’s Memorials historic sites, and establishing New Blue State Markers in each of our seven states with an emphasis on the use of Native Plants. The Unified Project form may be reproduced as multiple copies may e needed for your various award applications.

Submit completed forms of these projects to your CR Unified Chairman, who along with the State Awards Chairman, will evaluate the project before December 1, 2008.

Information will be used by the state Unified Project Chairman to complete A Book of Evidence that includes Club and District entries. Please send your Book of Evidence to our Regional Unified Project Chairman: Karen Hix, 382 Keystone Dr., Valparaiso, IN, 46385-8829. It must be received on or before January 1, 2009. A Book of Evidence will be submitted to the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Awards Chairman for judging.

In additional, Regional Awards will be given based on information provided by seven states within the Central Region in their NGC, Inc. Emerald Award application. These regional awards are to be presented at the Central Region meeting.

CR Award 1 - “Propagating Beauty Through Gardening” Unified Project: $50.00 and a Certificate to the State Garden Club that has the most program participation in the Central Region’s Unified Project. This award will be judged on the Book of Evidence submitted to Karen Hix, 382 Keystone Dr., Valparaiso, IN, 46385-8829.

CR Award 2 – Celebrating Our FutureMember clubs or districts eligible. The winner will receive $25.00 and a certificate for the youth involved in gardening-related activities using native plants of your state.

Central Region Awards for January 1, 2007 – April 1, 2008

(Application where required are due April 1, 2008)

CR Award 3 – Celebrating Our Gardens

Certificate and $25.00. Member Club(s) or Councils are eligible. Given for a garden walk, garden tea and/or tour, garden therapy outing (and the like) with a “unique” twist. Submit application form and brief to the CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck, on or before April 1, 2008. Covering events from January 1, 2007 through April 1, 2008.

To be given at the CR function at NGC Convention, Memphis, TN. A second award will be given in Texas, 2009, if merited through April 1, 2009 events.

CR Award 4 – Celebrating Treasures in Publicity

Certificate and $25.00. Member Club(s), Councils, or State Garden Clubs are eligible. Given for best newspaper or magazine feature article published anytime from January 1, 2007 to April 1, 2008, concerning garden club activities or events. Stories published in state garden club publications or newsletters are not eligible. Submit original clipping of story in a clear plastic cover dated and with name of publication, along with CR Awards application form to the CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck, on or before April 1, 2008.

CR Award 5 – Celebrating CR Talents in…

“Visions of Beauty”

Certificate and $25.00 to the CR State with the largest number of entries featured in the Vision of Beauty Calendar. No application required.

5a. Vision of Beauty Calendar 2008

Given at CR Meeting in Minnesota

5b. Vision of Beauty Calendar 2009

Given at CR Meeting in Iowa

CR Award 6 – YOUTH: The Greatest Gardening Treasure

Certificate and $25.00 to the State Garden Club with outstanding participation in NGC, Inc. Youth Award Programs for 2008-2009 – poster, poetry, speech and essay contests as determined by the Region Youth Activities Chairman. Award is in addition to the Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Poster Contest. No application required.

Central Region Awards for January 1, 2007 – Sept. 1, 2007

(Deadline is September 15, 2007 – Awarded in Minnesota)

CR Award 7 – Celebration Through Unique Club Programs

Certificate and $25.00 for best single club program given by a member or members of a garden club during the period from January 1, 2007 through September 1, 2007. Application form and brief required. Submit to CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck.

CR Award 8 – Celebration Through Garden Therapy

Certificate and $25.00 for activities from January 1, 2007 through September 1, 2007. Application form and brief required. Submit to CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck.

8a. Award to member club with the best single program or project of services for an activity with the developmentally and/or physically challenged. Need not involve clients.

8b. Award to member club with the best single program or project of service to shut-ins, nursing homes, or senior centers. Need not involve clients.

CR Award 9 – Celebrating Beauty: Lunching with Butterflies

Certificate and $25.00 for each category for outstanding work the field of butterfly education regarding the butterfly’s habitat. May be with youth and/or adults. Application form and brief summary required. Submit to CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck.

9a. Award to a club or an individual club member with the best single project with youth involvement in the field of butterflies.

9b. Award to a member club with a project on butterflies that involved the community.

CR Award 10 – Celebrating Creativity

Club, Council, and District Flower Shows eligible

10a. Certificate and $25.00 for best overall Flower Show schedule. Submit application and one copy of schedule to CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck.

10b. Certificate and $25.00 for best Flower Show Horticulture Division. Given to a schedule with correct scientific nomenclature of horticulture classes, number of horticulture classes, number of horticulture entries in proportion to size of sponsoring club, and number of correctly labeled entries as reported by show chairman. Submit application form, one copy of schedule, and brief with required data to CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck.

10c. Certificate and $25.00 for best Educational Exhibit. Submit application form, one copy of schedule, and brief to CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck.

Central Region Awards for January 1, 2007–April 15, 2009

(Deadline is April 15, 2009 – Awarded in Texas, May 2009)

CR Award 11– Celebrating The Propagating of Beauty

Certificate and $25.00 to the State Garden Club with the greatest percentage per capita of giving to areas hit by Natural Disasters. Briefly describe how you funded your project (i.e. donations, club funds, etc…). Include the amount donated and membership in the State. Submit to CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck.

CR Award 12– Celebrating Special Gardens

Certificate and $25.00 to a Member Club(s) or Council for establishing or maintaining a “special garden” such as a learning garden, a healing garden, and the like.

CR Award 13 – Celebrating In Preserving the Past

(Book of Evidence Required)

Certificate and $25 for the best book or Evidence on reclaiming and preserving a park, trail, building, and/or garden of important historic value to a locality, state or nation. Must be located in Central Region. May be awarded to an individual garden club member, State Garden Club, or Member Garden Club(s). Need not be entirely completed but must recognized by local, state, or national authorities. Before and after pictures recommended. To be given at the NGC Convention in Texas in May, 2009.

Scale of Points

Quality of Design, suitability of materials
For type and/or kind of period 20

            Successful Completion or near Completion                      45
                                                Presentation (15)
                            Proof of Accomplishment (25)
                                  Member Involvement ( 5)

Distinction or marked superiority 15

Significance, fulfillment, value and performance 20

Total 100

CR Award 14 – Celebrating A Better Tomorrow

Certificate and $25.00 to Member Club or Council for the best effort to stimulate community awareness of environmental matters through projects, informational folders, pamphlets, booklets, displays, or programs. Must include some water Conservation. Submit application form and brief including summary, pictures, and financial data to CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck.

CR Award 15 – Celebrating Civic Achievement

Certificate and $25.00 for a project incorporating into its beautification of buildings, schools, historic sites, and other suitable locations the use of native trees. Submit application form and brief to CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck, on or before April 1, 2008. Covering projects from January 1, 2007 through April 1, 2008.

CR Award 16 – Celebrating Blue Star Memorials

Certificate and $50.00 to a Member, Member Club(s), Council, or District or State Garden Club for an outstanding project in establishing Blue Star Memorials. Submit application form and brief to CR Awards Representative, Fran Stueck, on or before April 15, 2009. Covering projects from June 1, 2007 through April 15, 2009.

Award Application form.