South Burnaby Garden Club Executive
Virtual Meeting
Jan. 20, 2026
Minutes
Present: Betty, Lucette, Elizabeth, Dina, Maria, Lorna, Elly for part of the meeting.
Regrets: Elizabeth, Sofia, Syl
Called to order at 7:04
Treasurer Report Elizabeth
AGM financials will be completed on Friday for presentation at the February meeting. Budget for the Speaker and Christmas party will stay the same. A copy was sent and is in the ‘red’ book.
Lucette and Elizabeth will go in to Vancity this week to renew the term deposit. Affiliation renewal needs to go to the BC Council of Garden Clubs.
Bonsor Liaison: Dina
A certificate of insurance has been requested from Ron at BC Council of Garden Clubs once the 2026 dues are remitted. 78 members on the renewal. Dina will reach out to Sofia to update the rental contracts in the next week. Concerns about the room being cold were voiced, but nothing can be done.
Secretary: Betty
Annual report needed after AGM. Will bring info about garden tour in Kelowna and Tulameen to the next meeting.
Membership: Syl
No report
Newsletter editor: Lorna
Lorna is working on the February issue right now. Lorna may be away for the March issue, but will let us know. Lorna will put condolences for Bob with further info in the March issue. Lucette will ask Syl to write a more complete condolence for Bob for the March issue.
Lucette will write the chair’s message for the February newsletter and send documents for the AGM.
Burnaby Blooms is May 3rd. There would possibly be a table available for a plant sale as the shade club has disbanded. After discussion it was decided to remain with our usual sale place in front of the church. We could have a free info table, perhaps share with Lorna. Lucette will ask for a volunteer.
Speaker Coordinator: Maria
Maria voiced frustration with the accuracy of the BC Council of Garden Clubs’ accuracy of the speakers’ list.
The plan for speakers:
• February Garden tour in photos (Lucette)
• March Adventure down with from Betty and Jennifer
• April not yet booked
• June – Elizabeth Elle
• July – Kelly Arendt (not confirmed)
• August – Rhonda Whils
• October potluck
• November
Some possibilities for speakers were discussed: Marilyn Holt, Jason Croutch, Conway, round table, Ron on house plants but he was reluctant when Maria contacted him.
Directors at large: Sofia
No report
Sunshine:
Bob Rutherford , condolence note in the February bulletin, with further info from Syl in the March newsletter.
New Business
Christmas dinner feedback
Martine isn’t planning to volunteer in 2026 People were generally happy with Casalinga.
Plant Sale
?May 2nd, Lucette will contact church. Lucette and Elizabeth will inquire about getting a squarewhen they go to Vancity to renew the term deposit.
125 th Anniversary Celebration Committee
Minutes of the Planning committee that took place via zoom on Jan 2nd.
Present: Sofia Khouw, Syl Davis,
Missing: Maria Mackenzie (Noted Maria does not want to be involved in meetings but will help with ideas etc.), Lesli McBratney (we used incorrect e mail on zoom invite)
It was decided that we will not try and have it early in the year when the club was created but rather in the spring so the outdoor can be appreciated.
Saturday May 16 2026 suggested as best date
Syl to contact City of Burnaby Councillor James Wang early next week (He was at Fall Fair along with Elaine Wong elaine.wong@burnaby.ca They insisted they would like to help us with this potential celebration with a community grant)
Syl is to ask James Wang whether:
• 1 the date is appropriate for them to participate
• 2 they will be able to join us
• 3 they will still be able to offer financial assistance
• 4 a park bench is appropriate gift from the club as something lasting on the Bonsor grounds
• 5 we have to contact parks & rec as Sofia read they had halted benches application for now
A potential site for celebration is the downstairs room at Bonsor so we can serve tea and goodies to past and present members as well as the members of the public. Syl to contact her neighbour re.: an estimate cost for a bench and whether his company could make a bench if City of Burnaby does not want to?
Plan to ask members if it is a good time to consider getting new t shirts made with 125 years noted on the shirts.
Syl to contact Creative Embroidery to see if they can do and the cost since they still have our templates from the past.
Lucette will add a line to the budget for the celebration and speak to Sofia. The steering committee is supportive of getting tshirts done again
Old Business:
• Update on projector Requirements for the size of the room etc. • HD projector • 3000 lumens • Built in speakers • Name brand • Carrying case/bag • HDMI cables transition from lap top • Approx $1000 Costs $150 per meeting to rent the projector from Bonsor • Consider a motion at the AGM, consider fund raising at the fall fair.
2026 Meeting Chairs
Dates were reviewed and chairs confirmed for March and April, June, July, September and December. Updated schedule attached sent with the minutes
Feb AGM
Lucette
Feb exec/Mar mtg
Betty
Mar exec/Apr mtg
Lucette
May exec/June mtg
Betty
June exec/July mtg
Lucette
Aug exec/FHF
Lucette
Nov exec/Dec mtg
Elizabeth