Career Next 2017 Summit: Rising Tides in Horticulture
F E B R U A R Y- M A R C H 2 0 1 7
PUBLISHER GWA 355 Lexington Ave., 15th Floor New York, NY 10017 Phone: 212-297-2198 info @ gardenwriters. org
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
DIRECTORS Region I C. L. Fornari( 2019 N) The Garden Lady Carmen DeVito( 2017 R) Groundworks Inc. Jan Johnsen( 2018 R) Johnsen Landscapes & Pools
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’ S MESSAGE
MARIA UNGARO
When the Board of Directors met back in September, it reaffirmed our goals and objectives for 2017.
EDITORIAL Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp editor jemsharp @ sbcglobal. net
Cathy Wilkinson Barash copy editor thebloominggourmet @ gmail. com
Paul Wilson graphic designer paul @ paulwilsondesign. com
ADVERTISING Ashley Hodak Sullivan 212-297-2198 info @ gardenwriters. org
CIRCULATION Ashley Hodak Sullivan 212-297-2198 info @ gardenwriters. org
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.
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
Create Member Value: Our priority has been and continues to be about creating value for our members and to grow our membership. Good news is 89 percent of you think that GWA value is comparable or better than other green or communications organizations. We still have some work to do with the other 11 percent. We want to use 2017 to help you maximize your membership.
Recruit Volunteers / Engage Our Members: GWA is an amazing network of people. One of the best ways to get involved is to join a committee because it allows you to work closely with individuals you might not otherwise get to know. Foster relationships, and through participation, you can build your brand in the GWA community.
Continue to Reposition and Rebrand GWA: Now that a strong foundation is in place, we can continue our work repositioning the organization so that we can be the recognized education resource for the industry.
Achieve Financial Sustainability Within Two Fiscal Cycles: In 2016, we were able to cut our loss by 60 percent compared to 2015. We did this through a combination of cutting expenses and increasing revenue. A big thank-you to our leadership, who tightened their belts and increased revenue through sponsorship and recruitment. You can help, too. March is Membership Month( please see page 20 for details). Know people who should be a member? Recruit them. You will get a $ 20 credit towards your dues and you might even win some books from St. Lynn’ s Press. Your friend( s) will thank you.
It was great to see so many of you at MANTS and TPIE. I look forward to seeing you again soon in Buffalo!
Career Next 2017 Summit: Rising Tides in Horticulture
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 16, 2017! GWA’ s Career Next 2017 Summit will be heading to Magnolia Plantation in Charleston, South Carolina, with new education, new tours and a new theme focused on future professional careers in our industry: Rising Tides of Horticulture.
N = National director • R = Regional director • Date = term expires
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