Renee Blaschke
President, National Garden Clubs, Inc., 2009-2011
Renee Blaschke of Smithville, Texas, Installed as President Of 200,000-Member National Garden Clubs Inc.
Former Smithville Mayor Selects Green Theme for NGC, Largest Volunteer Organization of Its Type
ST. LOUIS—Renee Blaschke of Smithville, Texas, was installed in May as president of one of the nation’s most-recognized nonprofits--National Garden Clubs Inc., the largest volunteer organization of its type in the world. Headquartered in St. Louis, National Garden Clubs has 200,000 international members connected by a vast network of 6,300 local clubs, 50 state clubs, and a National Capital Area club. As president, Blaschke will help guide the organization and travel widely for the next two years. She’ll meet with members coast-to- coast to stay current with local issues and to advance NGC’s overall mission of promoting civic and environmental responsibility as well as a love of gardening and floral design.
In keeping with the traditions of this 80-year-old organization--but with an entirely modern spin appropriate to NGC’s increasingly diverse membership--Blaschke has chosen an official theme for her administration that reflects some of today’s most pressing concerns. Titled “The World Around Us: Love It, Beautify It, Protect It,” Blaschke’s theme encompasses a wide range of projects designed to promote clean air, pure water, recycling and “green” practices.
“Today’s NGC members pull together on a wide variety of key issues and take great pride in the fact that we’ve become a powerful voice for achieving a healthier, more sustainable, more beautiful world,” Blaschke says. “We’re a strong and dynamic organization that evolves with the times, appealing to men and women of varying ages and backgrounds.”
Blaschke notes that NGC frequently has been in the limelight due to its local, regional and national civic-minded projects and partnerships with such groups as Habitat for Humanity and the U.S Forest Service. Most recently, NGC launched a highly publicized initiative called Plant It Pink, which raises funds for Susan G. Komen for the Cure® and NGC’s own horticultural therapy programs. “Our organization blends gardening education, floral design and community service, offering members an opportunity to make a difference while engaging in activities they enjoy,” she says.
Blaschke first joined the Smithville Garden Club as a young bride of 17, where she served in almost every elected capacity. She also belonged to the Violet Crown Garden Club of Austin and was a member of the Capitol City Judges Council. On the state level, she served as president of the Texas Garden Club and made the rounds to more than 600 local clubs.
Blaschke also has been active in Smithville’s local government, serving as its first female alderman and as the city’s mayor for eight years. In state government, she has served on the board of the Texas Municipal League and was appointed by the governor to serve on a task force committee to revitalize Earth Day. She also was a member of the Texas Urban Forestry Board and the Keep Texas Beautiful Board. She served as secretary of the Central Texas Floodplain Coalition and as state chairman of the Cooperative Training and Recycling Association for five years.
National Garden Clubs Inc. (www.gardenclub.org) offers extensive educational resources on topics ranging from organic gardening to the study of birds, butterflies and beneficial insects and how to attract them. Among NGC service projects are healing gardens and horticultural therapy programs; fundraising for replanting disaster-struck forests; the Blue Star Memorial project, which honors members of the U.S. Armed Forces; flower shows; school gardening initiatives for children; and a host of civic beautification and improvement efforts.
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