2021

director

Debi Foster

17

Durham and the portion of York that includes Georgina east of Park Road (19-40)

not applicable

Education

792 Lavis Street
Oshawa, Ontario L1K 1W7
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Yes

(905) 720-2642

ohadistrict17.ca

no

position not filled position not filled

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(000) 000-0000

no address
no city, Ontario XXX XXX
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Debbie Wright

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(905) 426-9073

248 Ravenscroft Road
Ajax, Ontario L1T 2A1
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17/04/2021

The 2021 year began with an on-line Presidents’ meeting held January 16th Charles Freeman graciously attended and answered the many Covid related questions the group had. It was very helpful and reassured many of the Societies and Clubs. The District AGM was also held on-line, ably hosted by Uxbridge HS on April 17th. It was strictly a business meeting and the refunding of the 2021 District dues was approved. The October 16th Presidents’ meeting was also a zoom affair where information from the OHA was shared with the group.

Without the in-person AGM fundraising opportunities and the refunding of the dues, there was a loss of $158.80.

There were also 174 fewer horticultural society/garden club members across the District compared to 2020 (which is actually are reflection of the 2019 membership numbers).

We are still looking for a Secretary and a second Assistant Director. Clubs and Societies are experiencing similar problems so it is a frustrating process.

Hard work, creative community outreach and diligence resulted in all but 2 clubs increasing their membership this current calendar year. (Orono had an astounding 124 new members to help celebrate their 100th Anniversary. Hopefully they will be able to retain them.) However, many of the society numbers have not returned to pre-covid levels. Social media such as webpages and Facebook groups have played an important part in connectivity for many of the clubs and helped increase public awareness resulting in the new memberships. The use of local newspapers to provide horticultural information or promote activities and events was also very helpful to raise the profile of societies.

The Clubs and Societies across the district had mixed uptake on moving to virtual presentations and there were a few groups who decided against virtual meetings altogether, based on input from their members. Internet connectivity continues to present challenges for many of the rural societies and computer illiteracy plays a part in poor virtual meeting turn-out. Several groups offered reduced membership rates to reflect their reduce programming. A few societies were able to hold virtual flower shows and photography competitions, but most groups simply cancelled them.

Work in community gardens and special projects continued and provided much needed personal social interaction even while following covid guidelines. Bus tours were all cancelled as were most garden tours. Those garden tours that were held were much smaller in scope than previous years to meet covid guidelines.

Financially, one society lost money in 2021, four broke even and 6 made money.

All Societies and clubs were able to hold AGMs. Five were held virtually, AD Robin Burns attended 3 and I attended four.

The Clubs and Societies of District 17 did their best to cope and function as normally as possible throughout the year while keeping their members safe, they should be extremely proud of their accomplishments.

The pandemic has presented significant challenges to the clubs and societies of the District. A number of the clubs have chosen not to meet virtually, and most have not recouped their membership loss. The lack of in person social contact has contributed to this situation. All groups have been extremely grateful for the monetary support they have received. They have worked hard to maintain contact with members using a wide variety of methods. Despite the hardships experienced, the majority of the clubs have discovered new strengths which will serve them well going forward.

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