Long Range Plan
Photo by Debbie Laverell, The Garden Workers, PA
Moving Forward Together
The Garden Club of America has been successful in fulfilling its purpose and mission for over 100 years.
The Long Range Plan 2025-2030 is the roadmap for ensuring the GCA remains a vibrant, engaging organization of informed volunteers working for a beautiful, healthy planet.
Our purpose is “to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, to share the advantages of association by means of educational meetings, conferences, correspondence and publications, and to restore, improve, and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and action in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.”
Our mission is “Bringing clubs together to cultivate the bond among people, plants, and the environment.”
Our vision is “Informed volunteers working for a beautiful healthy planet.”
The Garden Club of America will focus on five strategic priorities in the years ahead.
The Five Strategic Priorities
- 1 Vitality and Preparing for the Future Enhance our position as a leading volunteer organization.
- 2 Serving Member Clubs Respond to the individual, dynamic needs of the GCA’s member clubs.
- 3 Financial Security Grow our financial resources to fulfill our mission and extend our reach.
- 4 Leadership Manage the work carefully to keep the volunteer pipeline strong and engaged.
- 5 Staff for Growth Invest in professional resources while preserving our volunteer culture.
1 - Vitality and Preparing for the Future
The GCA will enhance its position as a leading volunteer organization.
- Grow Our Public Presence Raise awareness about the GCA and our garden clubs' work to strengthen the impact of our activities and advocacy.
- Explore New Membership Categories Evaluate options beyond our traditional club model to support our mission.
- Steward Our Key Relationships Proactively engage with GCA honorary members, award recipients, scholars, and collaborating organizations.
- Grow The Number of Clubs Expand our presence to achieve our purpose in more communities across the country.
2 - Serving Member Clubs
The GCA will work to clearly understand and actively respond to the needs of our member clubs.
- Know Our Clubs Customize our offerings to meet individual club needs
- Streamline Administration Optimize processes and explore emerging tech-based solutions
- Consolidate Content Delivery Reduce information overload by centralizing communications
- Optimize Meetings Balance online and in-person gatherings and host them all across the country
- Tech Support Support our clubs as they harness emerging technology to meet their needs
3 - Financial Security
The GCA will ensure we are on solid financial footing to achieve the long term vision including expanded scholarships, civic projects, and educational outreach.
- Set Ambitious Growth Goals Substantially increase our endowment and expand other income streams
- Simplify Financial Reporting Enable flexible and customized management reports for national leadership
- Plan For Future Facility Needs Anticipate space requirements for in person events, staff, and GCA collections
4 - Leadership
The GCA will keep the pipeline of volunteers strong. We will carefully manage the work to ensure our volunteers and staff feel appreciated, empowered, and stimulated.
- Strengthen Nominating and Onboarding Enhance the pipeline for qualified volunteers and support leadership development
- Simplify Processes Leverage technological innovations and examine roles and responsibilities
- Examine Zone Configuration & Support Balance the geographic alignment of clubs to better serve our members
- Optimize National Positions and Term Lengths Ensure the Executive Board and committees are staffed and organized to best accomplish the work
5 - Staff for Growth and Excellence
The GCA will increase investment in high-quality, professional resources to meet the evolving needs of our volunteers and member clubs.
- Expand Standardized Metrics Increase the frequency and depth of reporting on activities and performance
- Ensure Effective Hybrid Work Maintain a flexible yet productive staff environment
- Invest in Technological Advances Adopt software that simplifies and streamlines processes
- Support Professional Development Enhance our strong staff through continued training and hiring for excellence
For more information, reach out to us at gca@gcamerica.org
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