Thank You! Looking Back, Planning Forward - Rapid City Garden Club 2024 - 2026 Join or Renew Today!

Key moments of the club from 2024 to the present. We hope you'll think about joining or renewing your membership at this link, as we are experiencing EXCITING TIMES!

The last two years have been transforming for the Rapid City Garden Club, which is now marking its 79th anniversary! Over this period, our membership has expanded considerably, hitting a record high of over a 100 members in 2025.

Your creativity is enhancing community bonds, as seen in our gardens, shared arboretum, events, fundraising efforts, and our first plant sales, which included a city-wide garden tour and collaboration with the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Native Plant Initiative. 

Mission - Gardens & Arboretum - the Mission statement has been refined to "Knowledge, Sustainability, and the Beautification of Gardening for All Generations." The public gardens have garnered increasing support from numerous volunteers, alongside additional volunteer and paid efforts in preparation for plant sales and garden events. The Butterfly Garden has a dedicated team that consistently enhances the bed at Canyon Lake Park. The education garden behind the Canyon Lake Activities Center (CLAC) features over 15 beds, with a full team of caretakers ready for 2026. A partnership with a Vets group has taken charge of several education garden beds, and we are exploring potential sponsorships for the remaining garden beds. The club's Memory Lane Memorial granite rock and trees at the Ralph Coe Arboretum, located off Jackson Blvd by the city water treatment plant, will unveil a new sign in collaboration with the City of Rapid City during Arbor Week, April 25, 2026.

Programming - Additional programming was added for the outdoor summer club meetings, along with a website calendar to engage participants. A computer, audio speaker, and screen were acquired to enable virtual participation (when indoors) and to facilitate AI-generated minutes. Numerous new members were recruited through a club event table at various community activities, including a new event at the public library.  

History - the club's historical archives are stored at the Canyon Lake Activities Center starting with materials when the club formed in 1947, making it a valuable resource. Some of the materials are available on the website with the potential to continue adding materials. A number of members are Honorary members that continue to share their support and stories for the future of the organization. 

Membership - a new website has been introduced, featuring an online membership form and payment, and the member handbook transitioned to a digital format. The digital handbook includes a password-protected directory, club history, activities related to the garden and arboretum, tributes to deceased honorary members, an annual calendar, and monthly updates via email blog and Facebook (boasting over 900 followers on Facebook). Virtual equipment was acquired to facilitate online access and minute recording during inclement weather and busy schedules.

Fundraising - To support the club's mission, it's essential to diversify and enhance fundraising efforts. Although costs and expenses have risen, the proposed budget reduced expenses compared to the previous three years. In addition to the annual Wreath & Greens fundraiser, a new Fall Plant Sale has been introduced, and a Spring Plant Sale is planned for 2026. To boost annual funding for club operations, pursuing sponsorships and grant funding is recommended. The Wreath and Greens fundraiser is evolving, with 2025 legacy and new volunteer members crafting products for a sold-out event. New leaders and their team have exciting plans for the 2026 event, with activities commencing in September. The Fall Plant Sale, featuring Iris and Succulents, was held in collaboration with Black Hills Works Foundation and Rotary Garden Tour, which sold over 200 tickets and generating more than $800 in plant sales for the club.

Finance - The financial reporting process was enhanced by introducing paid bookkeeping services, which include external auditing, automated payments for recurring expenses, and debit card transactions to minimize time spent on reimbursements. A volunteer club-elected treasurer oversees the service, which also involves maintaining the membership directory necessary for club operations. Paid services is providing consistency and sustainability for club governance and membership. The SDSU Scholarship, initiated by the club in 1976, grants an annual scholarship of approximately $500 to a student majoring in plant sciences, which was formerly an annual expense. One-time investments were made for club equipment and the development of a website to facilitate digital access. Increased spending on the gardens was aimed at maintenance sustainability for engaging membership and the public.    

Governance - The Bylaws and Constitution were updated to better define the mission statement and reorganize the roles to officers and directors, providing clearer responsibilities. Terms were reintroduced for officers and directors on the Executive Board (EB), which has also resumed its monthly meetings. Board Support Liaisons are attending monthly EB meetings to strengthen our team-based governance model and engage in leadership shadowing. Additionally, the club holds liability insurance for volunteer activities and elected board members to reduce risk factors. 

THANK YOU! 

None of this would be possible without you—our members. The Rapid City Garden Club is a 501(c)(3) organization supported by the time and generosity of its volunteer members, and we are grateful for your role in shaping its future. Thank you for being part of this journey, and we look forward to what lies ahead in 2026!