On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA April - May 2017 | Page 2
A P R I L - M AY
2 0 1 7
On the QT is the membership
newsletter of the GWA:
The Association for Garden
Communicators. It is published
bimonthly and distributed
electronically.
© 2017 GWA All rights reserved
PUBLISHER
GWA
355 Lexington Ave.,
15th Floor
New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212-297-2198
[email protected]
EDITORIAL
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
editor
[email protected]
Cathy Wilkinson Barash
copy editor
thebloominggourmet@
gmail.com
Paul Wilson
graphic designer
[email protected]
ADVERTISING
Ashley Hodak Sullivan
212-297-2198
[email protected]
CIRCULATION
Ashley Hodak Sullivan
212-297-2198
[email protected]
The information contained in
articles and advertisements
herein represents the opinions of
the authors and advertisers, and
although believed to be accurate
and complete, is not represented or
warranted by GWA to be accurate or
complete. GWA disclaims any and all
responsibility for damages suffered
as a result of reliance on information
contained herein.
2016-17 GWA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President
Kirk R. Brown
John Bartram Lives
Vice President
Becky Heath
Brent & Becky’s Bulbs
Treasurer
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
Write for You! LLC
Secretary
Maria Zampini
UpShoot LLC
Past President
Larry Hodgson
Horticom Inc.
DIRECTORS
Region I
C.L. Fornari (2019 N)
The Garden Lady
Carmen DeVito (2017 R)
Groundworks Inc.
Jan Johnsen (2018 R)
Johnsen Landscapes & Pools
Region II
Denise Schreiber (2017 N)
Allegheny County
Parks Dept.
Louise Clarke (2017 R)
Morris Arboretum
Kate J. Copsey (2018 R)
Freelance
Region III
Diane Blazek (2019 N)
All-America Selections/
National Garden Bureau
Beth Botts (2018 R)
Morton Arboretum
Susan Martin (2017 R)
Gardener Sue’s News
Region IV
Brienne Gluvna Arthur
(2018 N)
Brie Arthur Consulting
Cheval Opp (2017 R)
Cheval’s Garden Tours
Barbara Wise (2018 R)
Crescent Garden, LLC
Region V
Bill Johnson (2019 N)
Bill Johnson Nature Stock
Photography Inc.
Rita Perea (2018 R)
International Contemplative
Garden Association
Kelly Norris (2017 R)
Greater Des Moines
Botanical Garden
Region VI
Nan Sterman (2017 N)
Plant Soup Inc.
Jacqueline Soule (2018 R)
Gardening with Soule
Lydia Plunk (2017 R)
Freelance
Region VII
Ken Brown (2018 N)
gardening-enjoyed.com
Wendy Downing (2018 R)
Freelance
Tony Spencer (2017 R)
Freelance
N = National director • R = Regional director • Date = term expires
2
EXECUTIVE DIREC TOR’S MESSAGE
MARIA UNGAR O
Get the most out of
your membership
Dear Members:
March was GWA Membership Month. We encouraged you to
get out and sign up some friends and colleagues. And you did!
We had a bumper crop of new members in March. Now the hard
part begins…getting engaged! How can you maximize your
membership? Here are a few suggestions of how all members
can benefi t from GWA.
JOIN A COMMIT TEE
What is the benefit of joining a committee? There are myriad benefits to
serving on a GWA committee. Committees provide the opportunity to connect
and network with an amazing group of individuals while having an impact on the
association. They also allow you to learn new skills, sharpen the ones you already
possess and gain new experiences. You will be a part of the development of GWA
and its objectives for the future.
GWA has numerous committees, so there is a place for everyone to get
involved. Our committees include:
• Association Outreach
• Communications
• Education
• Honors & Media Awards
• Membership
• Sponsorship
• Sustainability
Not sure what committee to join? Reach out to one of your regional directors or
to me. We’ll help you find a good fit.
NET WORK
GWA members are well connected. As you develop relationships with other
members, you will become linked to those who can help publicize your books,
organizations, events and talents. Often GWA members can turn “six degrees of
separation” into “two or three steps to connection.”
Join Regional and Connect Meetings as frequently as possible. These
meetings—held across GWA’s seven geographical regions—feature exclusive
tours of renowned gardens and horticulture facilities, insightful education to help
you build your career and one-on-one networking with professionals from across
the communications and horticultural spectrum.
Mark your calendars and come to Buffalo! The GWA Annual Meeting and
Expo, August 4 to 7, is a great place to connect, learn and grow! Registration is
open, so sign up today and take advantage of the Early Bird Rate.
Need more ways to maximize your membership? C.L. Fornari put a terrific fact
sheet together, Maximizing Your Membership, which provides some great ideas
on how to get the most out of your membership.
Happy Spring!