rga 2011-12 annual report

1

Regina Garden Associates 2011 - 12 Annual Report

Regina Garden Associates2011 - 2012 ANNUAL REPORT

2


3

Regina Garden Associates 2011 - 12 Annual Report Regina Garden Associates 2011 - 12 Annual Report

Table of Contents

President’s Message

About the Regina Garden Associates

Mission

About the Regina Floral Conservatory

Members

Floral Display

Information Centre

Educational Programming

Teas

Horticultural Open House

By the Numbers

Partners/Sponsors

2011-12 Financial Statements

Five-Year Financial Analysis

Goals for 2012-13

Board of Directors

Committees

2

4

4

5

6

6

7

9

11

11

12

13

14

20

22

23

23

Photographs in this annual report courtesy of John Lake and Jessica Paul. Layout and design courtesy of Jamie Tremblay.

4


President’s Message

It is my sincere pleasure to introduce this first

ever Annual Report for the Regina Garden

Associates (RGA). RGA volunteers provide a

wide range services including educational

programming for students of all ages, hosting

public and private events and programming,

designing and installing the floral display, and

much, much, more.

The 2011-12 season was a busy one that

commenced with vacancies in two important

board positions: President and Vice-President.

The Board of Directors appointed me as the

Vice-President in the fall of 2011 while we

worked to fill the role of President. In April, the

Board of Directors appointed me as the Interim

President and long-time RGA volunteer Bob

MacFarlane as the Interim Vice-President. The

appointments expire at the 2012 RGA Annual

General Meeting, September 11, 2012, at which

time a new executive will be elected.

These appointments were made to give the

board more stability and the resources needed to

draw upon as it planned for the 2012-13 season.

The board held a Strategic Board Planning

Session with executive and committee

members in June of 2012 to map out the

upcoming season and to evaluate everything

that we do with a focus on increasing

membership (and in turn volunteers),

improving member communication and

increasing opportunities for members to

gather, increasing revenues, fine tuning

our successful events and programming,

and working towards the building of a new

floral conservatory.

During 2011-12, the association received a

Business Case for the building of a new Floral

Conservatory in Regina prepared by the

University of Regina’s Centre for Management

Development. The case presents an ambitious

plan for the building of a new conservatory.

In order to even begin to work towards the

building of a new floral conservatory, the

association requires a solid foundation

upon which to build – a major focus for the

association in the upcoming 2012-13 season.

The RGA is currently in the process of

negotiating a formal funding agreement

with the City of Regina for the first time in the

association’s history.

At the end of the 2011-12 season, two long-time

and dedicated RGA volunteers retired from

positions that they had held with the RGA

for many years in the areas of Events and

Publications. The volunteer workload of these

two individuals amounted to almost full-time

work in both cases, meaning the association

needed to find a number of volunteers to ensure

the roles were fulfilled in the 2012-13 season.

The executive met several times over the

course of the summer to restructure the

association’s committees and to identify

areas in which more volunteer help would be

required to ensure a successful 2012-13 season.

Our membership has certainly answered the

call, with many members pitching in to take

on new volunteer duties. I am thankful for

everyone’s ongoing dedication and desire

to ensure the Regina Floral Conservatory

continues to play such an important role in our

community. It’s going to be an exciting year!

Jessica Paul

5


6


The RGA was formed as a non-profit

organization in 1991 with the goal of supporting

the establishment and development of

horticultural projects within the City of Regina.

The original group of 12 members has grown

over the years to a membership of just over

100 dedicated volunteers with a passion

for gardening, plants and all things green

that operate and maintain the Regina Floral

Conservatory. In 1999, the RGA and the City

formed a partnership to maintain a 315-square

metre greenhouse display, oversee special events

and run the small gift shop.

In the last 21 years, fundraising activities have

varied and have included teas, a gift shop, tree

banding kits, plant sales, “Grow and Show”

contests, gardening classes, seed packaging and

sales, and facility rental and promotion. Over the

last two decades, the RGA has continued to focus

on working with students, teachers and parents

from Regina and area schools to foster awareness

of gardening, horticulture and the environment.

Today, the Regina Floral Conservatory is operated

and maintained by RGA volunteers with the

support of the City of Regina.

Mission

The Regina Garden Associates is a volunteer

non-profit organization that operates the

Regina Floral Conservatory to provide a

unique, tranquil, indoor tropical garden for

the enjoyment and education of all ages and

cultures in our community.

About the Regina Garden Associates

7


The current facility was established by the

City of Regina during the 1950’s. It housed the

main office building for the City Parks and

Recreation Department and also consisted

of three small greenhouses to grow plant

material used to beautify the city. A portion

of this operation was later opened to the

public featuring a variety of themed displays,

so that the citizens of Regina could enjoy an

indoor green space. Another large production

greenhouse was built in 1986 and was used by

the City until 1999, when it was leased to Trico

Farms, a commercial greenhouse operation.

This greenhouse was dismantled in 2008 to

make room for the new Parks and Open Space

office building directly south of the old building.

Two of the small greenhouses were

dismantled in 1990, and in 1996, Regina’s

City Council proposed to close the remaining

greenhouse (the one open to the public)

and their horticultural program in favour of

contracting commercial suppliers for plant

material for city parks and flowerbeds.

Due to enthusiastic public support, the display

greenhouse was kept open, and in 1999, a

partnership was formed with the RGA to

maintain the floral display, organize rentals

and events, and operate a small gift shop in the

main facility. The greenhouse was renamed the

Regina Floral Conservatory in 2002. The gift shop

was discontinued in 2008, but the floral display

continues to delight visitors and school children

with its beauty and tropical diversity.

About the Regina Floral Conservatory

8


Members

There are currently approximately 100

members of the Regina Garden Associates.

Membership fees are $15 per year per

individual. All members have a wide variety

of volunteer opportunities available to them,

including:

• FloralDisplayMaintenance

• InformationCentre

• TeasandEvents

• EducationalProgramming,FamilyDays,

andLil’GardenersClub

• ConservatoryTourGuides

• RGAPromotion

In addition to these volunteer opportunities,

our members gather three times a year

for RGA potlucks, have the opportunity to

gain hands-on experience in growing and

planting projects and to meet and learn from

experienced gardeners.

Each summer, the RGA also plans a garden

tour for its members. This summer, RGA

members gathered for a tour and learning

session at the Wascana Centre Authority

(WCA). Darcy Schenk, Manager of Forestry &

Horticulture with the WCA, educated members

about the many responsibilities of his team,

from the growing of annuals, shrubs and trees,

to park maintenance and dealing with pests.

Mr. Schenk also took members on a walk about

by the new Queen Elizabeth II Gardens in

front of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building

that were undergoing a significant renovation

and upgrade in honour of the WCA’s 50th

Anniversary and the 100th Anniversary of

the Legislative Building.

Floral Display

The main highlight of the Regina Floral

Conservatory is the indoor floral display that

is open to the public, free of charge, seven

days a week from September to the start of

June (except for Christmas Day and New Year’s

Day). There is a permanent collection of trees,

shrubs and other plants that make up the base

of the floral display. This permanent collection

includes a variety of trees (from figs to Norfolk

pines) and plants (birds of paradise, succulents,

cacti, and more).

This permanent collection is enhanced by

the floral display itself, which is designed,

installed and maintained by RGA volunteers

under the leadership of Pat Kosloski and

Joanne Sens. Each morning, a volunteer

maintenance crew oversees the care of

the display – from watering, deadheading,

identifying and dealing with insects and

pests, adding in new plants and more.

Throughout the course of the conservatory’s

10-month season, six different displays are

designed and installed. During the 2011-2012

season, the displays included: a fall display,

Thanksgiving & Fall Chrysanthemums,

Christmas (featuring hundreds of poinsettias),

Winter Get Away & Orchid Show, Spring Bulbs

& Easter Blossoms, and Celebrate Spring.

9


Information Centre

The Information Centre at the Regina Floral

Conservatory is the public’s first point of

contact upon their arrival. RGA volunteers

staff the centre on a daily basis during the

hours the display is open to the public, seven

days a week. Volunteers provide the public

with information about the current display

and any upcoming events and programming

at the conservatory.

Long-time volunteer Edna McCall heads up

the Information Centre, which this past year

was staffed by:

• Monday–

EmmaBartelandGraceBurtonwood

• Tuesday–

MaryHoffmanandShirleyTuttosi

• Wednesday–

GeriColterandEdnaMcCall

• Thursday–

TrudyNatyshakandAnnaWoods

• Friday–

RalphBryantonandBarbCrowhurst.

• Saturday–

RoseMiller

• Sunday–

Marion&JohnLake,ElizabethMagee

Our volunteers give the public special

attention to ensure their visit to the

conservatory is a memorable one. There are

many compliments from guests about how

they are greeted and treated throughout

their visit at the conservatory – something

we love to hear!

10


11


Educational Programming

Our Educational Programming is fondly

known as Kids Can Grow and is run by

a number of retired educators under the

leadership of Rosemary Helliwell. Her team

includes: Marilyn Bergen, George and Lily

Dobransky, Angela Fuller, Brenda Herring, Marj

Sawyer, and Joanne Sens.Marion Lake has also

provided invaluable assistance to the team.

Kids Can Grow focuses on the exciting and

diverse world of plants. School classes tour the

tropics, deserts and temperate zones of the

floral conservatory. They discover some of the

interesting adaptations of plants needed for

their survival in different climates. Students

look for plants that humans utilize and learn

about plant growth, parts and needs.

Each participant learns how to prepare

and plant a cutting for dish gardens and

bottle gardens. One of the new focuses

of the program is the introduction of

vermicomposting whereby children learn to

use red wiggler worms to compost household

kitchen food waste. Students and adults with

disabilities are provided access, tours and a

hands-on experience.

Family Days

The four garden-themed Family Days bring

youth and adult family members together

for an outing that showcases plant ecology

with seasonal themes. Children participate in

planting a bulb, cacti, or cuttings at each event

to take home with them and care for.

The Kids Can Grow program consists of four environmental education components with the following objectives:

•Conservatoryschooltoursfornearly1,000

students,teachersandassistantsfromelementary

andsecondarypublic,Catholicandprivateschools

inReginaandsurroundingareas;

• Hosting500youthandadultsatfourgardenthemed

FamilyDays(September,October,January&April);

• EnvironmentaleducationoutreachtoGirlGuides

andScouts;ReginaOpenDoorSociety

(apartnershipiscurrentlyunderdevelopmentto

aidlanguagedevelopment);RanchEhrloSociety,

plusstudentswithdisabilitiesfromCosmopolitan

LearningCentre;

• Hosting700pre-schoolchildrenandadultvisitors

atnineLil’GardenersClubevents,apreschool

programtopromotecreativityandinterestin

gardeningandtheenvironment.

Kid

s Can Grow

!

Regina Floral Conservatory

12


Lil’ Gardeners’ Club

From the inception of the Lil’ Gardeners

Club in 2009-2010, the program component

has progressively expanded into a nine-

event initiative, comprising one event per

month. It is implemented as a co-op effort

of the RGA with parents/guardians or

caregivers. Lil’ Gardeners Club emphasizes

creative play, exploration, investigation and

social interaction in a garden environment.

Programming stresses work with vocabulary

around plants and encouragement of parents

to play and read with their children.

The RGA environmental education program

continues to meet an increasing need for

Regina’s youth and families. Support from the

TD Friends of the Environment Foundation

has enabled the continued expansion of the

Kids Can Grow program. Student, parent and

teacher letters are extremely supportive of

the programming. We are encouraged with

the interest shown to-date and our volunteers

remain focused on offering the best in

environmental education programming and

floral displays. During the 2011-12 season, our

educators worked with 1,466 children in

115 classes, 364 parent supervisors, and 110

teachers and teacher assistants. Every year

our numbers continue to grow. The letters

and appreciative comments that are received

as each class leaves, spurs us on and we

know that we are making a significant

difference in the lives of our youth. These

little ones and their families keep us all

young at heart and laughing.

13


Teas

Each year, the RGA puts on five public teas at

the Regina Floral Conservatory. Each tea has

four sittings of an hour each where guests

are treated to tea, coffee, and dainties and

enjoy local entertainment. The RGA’s Social

Committee responsible for putting on the

teas consists of Social Director Edna McCall

and her team (Rose Miller, Joanne Sens, Mary

Hoffman, Shirley Tuttosi and Christine Brown).

In 2011-12, the five teas hosted by the RGA

included the Harvest Tea, Christmas Tea,

Valentine’s Tea, Easter Tea, and the

Celebrate Mothers Tea. This season’s events

were extremely successful with near sellouts

for some and complete sellouts for most.

This year’s entertainment for the teas

featured a wide variety of local talent

performing for the first time at the

conservatory, including Ken Jefferson, Brian

Sklar and the Tex Pistols, Gil White (AKA

“Gilvis”), Dennis and Curtis Ficor, and, back by

popular demand, A capella Attitude.

Horticultural Open House

Every spring, the RGA partners with several

other local plant and horticultural societies to

put on a Horticultural Open House. Joining the

RGA to organize and put on this event each

year is the Regina Horticultural Society, Peony

Society, Rose Society and Lily Society.

This annual event is come-and-go style

and gives the general public an opportunity

to meet other gardeners, ask questions

of experts from these societies and gain

information about the many vibrant

gardening organizations in our city.

14


By the Numbers

The Regina Floral Conservatory continues to be

a popular attraction for visitors including those

from Regina and other areas in the province,

as well as national and international travelers.

During the 2011-12 season, more than 11,200

people visited the Regina Floral Conservatory.

Forty per cent of those who visited in 2011-12

were those who came in to view the floral

display, including visitors from six Canadian

provinces and eight foreign countries. Twenty-

three per cent were people who participated

in educational programming including school

tours, Family Days and Lil’ Gardeners Club.

The remaining 36 per cent included people

who attended teas, private booked events and

photo sessions. Total monthly visits peaked in

April with more than 1,800 people, followed in

order by December, March and May with more

than 1,300 people per month.

Of all events hosted, weddings and photos,

plus paid group/private functions comprised 62

and 25 events respectively. A total of 64 school

tours were held along with four Family Days,

nine Lil’ Gardeners Clubs and five public teas.

RGA volunteers started to record events and

attendance beginning in 2008-09. Use of the

Regina Floral Conservatory is continuing to

evolve. To date the four-year attendance and

events have fluctuated from a 15,606 people

and 261 events in 2009-10 to 11,222 people and

191 events in 2011-12. The number of visitors

continues to remain fairly consistent in the

range of 4,500 to 5,500 people. The evolution

in visitors could be a result of a combination

of both expanded educational programming

offered and increased event rental rates. The

peak year for events occurred in 2008-2009

with 295 and this was principally represented

by 134 weddings/photos, 11 paid photo sets

plus 169 paid group/private functions. The four-

year trend has seen a decline in total events.

This is primarily attributed to fewer weddings/

photos and paid group/private functions. In

sharp contrast, educational programming has

school tours increasing from 33 in 2008-2009 to

a high of 74 in 2009-2010. For 2011-2012, school

tours increased to 64 over 44 in 2010-2011.

The addition of Little Gardeners events

beginning in 2009-2010 has grown from 5 to 9

events. Public teas and Family Days remain

constant at 5 and 4, respectively. To generalize,

the number of people and events for private

use by rental of the Floral Conservatory are

declining over the four-year period. Public use

by visitors remains relatively constant with

additional new people growth being attracted

by expanded educational programming.

15


Partners/Sponsors

The RGA would like to thank its many partners

and sponsors who are an integral part of

the continued success of the Regina Floral

Conservatory and all that the RGA does.

CityofRegina

KanukaThuringerLLP

LookMatters

ReginaHorticulturalSociety

Rose,LilyandPeonySocieties

TDCanadaTrustFriendsoftheEnvironmentFund

WascanaCentreAuthority

16


2011-12 Financial Statements

REGINA GARDEN ASSOCIATES INC.

REVIEW ENGAGEMENT REPORT

To the Members of Regina Garden Associates Inc.,

I have reviewed the balance sheet of Regina Garden Associates Inc. as at June 30, 2012 and the

statements of income and cumulative surplus and cash flows for the year then ended. My review

was made in accordance with Canadian generally accepted standards for review engagements

and accordingly consisted primarily of enquiry, analytical procedures and discussion related

to information supplied to me by the organization. A review does not constitute an audit and

consequently I do not express an audit opinion on these financial statements.

Based on my review, nothing has come to my attention that causes me to believe that these

financial statements are not, in all material respects, in accordance with Canadian generally

accepted accounting principles.

Marcia Herback

Chartered Accountant

Regina, Saskatchewan, July 17, 2012

17


See accompanying notes.

Approved on Behalf of the Board

Director Director

Current assetsCash

Temporary Investments

Interest Receivable

Inventory

Investments (Note 2)

2012

ASSETS

$ 38, 517

40, 974

687

-

80, 178

96, 930

$ 177, 108

2011

$ 46, 309

38, 594

861

952

86, 716

75, 726

$ 162, 442

Net assetsCumulative surplus $ 177, 108

$ 177, 108

$ 162, 442

$ 162, 442

REGINA GARDEN ASSOCIATES INC. BALANCE SHEET

LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS

ASATJUNE30,2012

(withcomparativefiguresfor2011)

(Unaudited)

18


RevenueGreenhouse RentalsTeasKids Can Grow ProgramDonationsMembershipsTree branding Kits

Expenses

Feasibility studyBusiness caseGreenhouse plantsGreenhouse labourGreenhouse suppliesGreenhouse teasAdvertisementsInformation centreInsuranceKids Can Grow ProgramNewslettersOffice suppliesPrinting and duplicationProfessional feesRepairs and maintenanceSoft drinksTelephoneTree bandingVolunteer appreciation (socials, lunches, etc.)

Surplus (deficit)

2012

$ 16,4027, 7628, 5007, 4311, 847

47842, 420

-

5, 0001,3855, 5001, 8912, 267

423806515

4, 884500127955770

-166

2, 799952

1, 88530, 825

11, 595

2011

$ 19, 5527, 9748, 4249, 0812, 0251, 126

48, 182

17, 500-

5, 6288, 1751, 8662, 3232, 3816, 097

5155, 602

662669

1, 710770356 411

2, 446-

1, 52358, 634

(10, 452)

REGINA GARDEN ASSOCIATES INC.STATEMENT OF INCOME AND CUMULATIVE SURPLUS

FORTHEYEARENDEDJUNE30,2012


(Unaudited)

19


See accompanying notes

2012

2, 60514546

2753, 071

14, 666

162, 442

$ 177, 108

2011

3, 290110101150

3, 651

(6, 801)

169, 243

$ 162, 442

Other IncomeInterest on term depositsClassesSoft drinksMiscellaneous

Surplus (deficit) of the year

Cumulative surplus, beginning of the year

Cumulative surplus, end of year

20


Operating activitiesSurplus of the yearNet change in non-cash working capital balances (Note 6)Cash provided by operating activities

Investing activitiesAdditions to investmentsCash used in investing activities

Increase (decrease) in cash

Cash position, beginning of year

Cash position, end of year

See accompanying notes.

2012

$ 14, 666(1, 254)

13, 412

(21, 204)(21, 204)

(7, 792)

46, 309

$ 38, 517

2011

$ (6, 801)

35, 074

28, 273

(17, 704)(17, 704)

10, 569

35, 740

$ 46, 309

REGINA GARDEN ASSOCIATES INC. STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

FORTHEYEARENDEDJUNE30,2012


(Unaudited)

21


NOTES

1. Summary of significant accounting policies(a)ThepurposeoftheReginaGarden

AssociatesInc.istosupportandpromote

horticulturalactivitiesintheCityof

Regina.Thisismainlysupportedby

fundraisingactivitiessuchasseminars,

teasandrentaloftheGreenhouse.

(b)Inventoryisrecordedatthelowerofcostor

netrealizablevalue.

(c)Capitalassetsarechargedagainst

operatingrevenueswhenpurchased.

(d)Revenueisrecognizedintheperiodin

whichitisearnedandiftheamounttobe

receivedcanbereasonablyestimatedand

collectionisreasonablyassured.

(e)Thepreparationoffinancialstatements

inaccordancewithCanadiangenerally

acceptedaccountingprinciplesrequires

managementtomakeestimatesand

assumptionsthataffectthereported

amountsofassetsandliabilitiesand

disclosureofcontingentassetsand

liabilitiesatthedateofthefinancial

statements,andthereportedamountsof

revenuesandexpensesduringthe

reportingperiod.Theseestimatesare

reviewedperiodically,and,asadjustments

becomenecessary,theyarereportedin

earningsintheperiodinwhichthey

becomeknown.

2. InvestmentsInvestments consist of the following term

deposits:

• $55,000-3yearnon-redeemable,annual

interestrateof2.6%,maturesJanuary20,

2014

• $40,500-3yearnon-redeemable,annual

interestrateof1.6%,maturesJune14,

2015

3. Incorporation statusRegina Garden Associates Inc. is incorporated

under the Non-Profit Corporations Act of

Saskatchewan. Under present legislation, no

income taxes are payable on the reported

income of such operations.

4. Financial instrumentsThe association’s financial instruments,

including accrued interest receivable,

accounts payable and accrued liabilities,

have carrying amounts that approximate fair

value due to their immediate or short-term

maturity.

5. Economic dependenceThe Regina Garden Associates Inc. has a

partnership with the City of Regina to run

and maintain the Regina Floral Conservatory

which is owned by the City of Regina. The

Regina Garden Associates Inc. operates out of

the Regina Floral Conservatory. Many of the

plants in the floral display are purchased by

the City of Regina. As a result, the association

is dependent upon the continuance of this

partnership to maintain operations at their

current level.

6. Net change in non-cash working capital balancesDecrease (increase) in current assets:

2012 2011Temporary investments $(2,380) $34,024

Accounts receivable 174 1,050

Inventory 952 -

$(1,254) $35,074

22


Five-Year Financial Analysis

The financial position of the RGA has

continued to flourish over the past five

years. The net assets of the organization

have grown $50,255 from $126,853 at June

30, 2008 to $177,108 at June 30, 2012. This

represents continuing growth in the revenues

the organization raises accompanied by

the careful management of expenses. The

organization has also invested $17,500 for

completion of a feasibility study in 2010

and $5,000 for a business plan in 2011.

The University of Regina Centre for

Management Development prepared these

documents, with input from the RGA

members and other interested groups.

These documents provide a professional view

of the future direction of the Regina Floral

Conservatory and will help the RGA continue

to develop in the coming years.

The rental of the conservatory for personal

events such as weddings, anniversaries,

birthdays has been the main source of revenue

over the past five years, although revenue

from these events has dropped from a high of

$23,003 in 2010 to a low of $16,402 in 2012.

A hailstorm in the summer of 2011 resulted in a

loss of revenue since the facility was closed for

repairs for two months. The Board of Directors

is reviewing this source of revenue since the

long-time Event Coordinator decided to take

a well-deserved retirement from this activity.

Offsetting this decline in revenue is the increase

in the Kids Can Grow program sponsored

by the TD Friends of the Environment.

This popularity of this program and the

continued support of the TD sponsorship

resulted in an increase in revenue form $1,393

in 2008 to $8,500 in 2012. This program brings

many young families to the conservatory

to experience the unique atmosphere of

the conservatory and expands the base of

conservatory patrons. Teas, donations and

membership continue to be fairly consistent

sources of revenue for the RGA.

The expenses for the operation of the

conservatory, programs and publicity,

administration and members have

fluctuated over the five-year period. In 2009

communications and technology for the

conservatory were updated to provide

23


voice-messaging services and there was a

one-time expense of $4,579 for a new audio

system. The communications upgrade both

increased the ease with which people calling

the conservatory could book events and

register for programs, and the ease with

which volunteers could access and respond

to these requests. Internet service was also

established which brought the benefits of

online calendaring and access to e-mail and

the Regina Floral Conservatory website at the

conservatory.

The expenses of the Kids Can Grow program

have increased consistently with the increase

in the number of families participating.

Publicity and printing costs have risen over

the five-year period in order provide wider

exposure to the events and promotion of the

availability of the conservatory as a unique

rental facility in Regina. The growing use of

social media, earned media and other free

publicity opportunities available to non-profit

organizations will help to manage these types

of costs in the coming years.

In 2010 contract labour costs started to

be recorded in the Greenhouse category

rather than the Administration category.

This change is reflected in a lower

Administration cost from 2010 onwards

and a corresponding higher cost for

operating the Greenhouse.

The following graph depicts the various

categories of expenses:

5 Year Expenses 2012 to 2008

$ T

hou

san

ds

Expense Category

Greenhouse Programs & Publicity Administration Members

20

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

-

2012

2011

2010

2009

2008

24


Goals for 2012-13

An important goal for the coming year, and

indeed for years to come, will be to continue

to attract new members, especially those

from a younger age demographic, so that we

can ensure the RGA continues to flourish into

the future. One of the key challenges many

organizations and associations throughout the

province and country are currently facing is

a shortage of new blood. In order to facilitate

continuity and knowledge transfer within

the association, it’s important that the RGA

starts to attract members of a younger age.

Our educational programming is a great

vehicle for finding these new members. Many

of those who are coming to the conservatory

for this programming often are coming for

the first time and are members of younger

families. A greater emphasis will be placed on

encouraging more of these visitors sign up to

become members of the RGA.

This coming year, a Fundraising Committee

will be established with the goal to

establish an annual campaign to fund

annual operating costs. To be launched by

spring 2013, this new exciting initiative will

progressively seek annual contributions

ultimately reaching $25,000+ per year.

The Committee will focus on corporate,

foundation and individual contributions to

the Regina Garden Associates’ operation of the

Regina Floral Conservatory. The Committee

will first identify what aspects of the operation

could be matched to contributor interests.

Subsequent work through the coming year

will include research and identifying a

prospective donor list from which committee

members will prioritize, develop individual

prospect proposals and contact/ask will be

made to prospective contributors. While the

Fundraising Committee’s effort is new, they

will be building on a successful existing RGA

corporate partnership with TD Canada Trust

Friends of the Environment Fund, which

currently contributes to the RGA educational

programming.

In 2012-13, the board will continue to work to

ensure the association has an engaged and

sustainable membership and volunteer base,

well-run and organized events, sustainable

revenue streams, strengthened relationships

with our community (the City, Wascana

Authority, Open Door Society and other

entities), and that we do all of this keeping our

mission top of mind:

TheReginaGardenAssociatesisavolunteer

non-profitorganizationthatoperatesthe

ReginaFloralConservatorytoprovidea

unique,tranquil,indoortropicalgardenforthe

enjoymentandeducationofallagesandcultures

inourcommunity.

25


Board of Directors (2011-12) President-JessicaPaul

Vice-President-BobMacFarlane

Secretary-SherrySproule

Treasurer-ColleenSampson

Committees (2011-12)

Display-PatKosloski&JoanneSens

Education-RosemaryHelliwell

Social-EdnaMcCall

Events-RoseMiller

Publications-MarionLake

Publicity-JessicaPaul

InformationCentre-EdnaMcCall

Statistics-AlyceGarratt

Membership-LisaTurk

MemberContact-ChristineBrown

26


27


28


Regina Garden AssociatesBox1790ReginaSKS4P3C8

Regina Floral Conservatory1450BFourthAvenueReginaSK

Phone: 306•781•4769

Web: www.reginafloralconservatory.caEmail: [email protected]

Facebook: facebook.com/ReginaFloralConservatoryTwitter: @reginagardeners

rga 2011-12 annual report

Documents