Professional development and networking are the primary reasons people join GWA and why they remain members.

Those are among the findings of the 2016 Membership Satisfaction Survey, where 206 out of 1,232 members, or nearly 17 percent, participated. The full results of the survey can be found on the GWA website.

“ The membership survey will be done annually, which is in keeping with the best business practices,” said Maria Ungaro, GWA’ s Executive Director.“ The survey tells us what members are feeling and allows us to take the pulse of what’ s going on.” Here are some highlights:

• 38.9 percent said professional development was the primary reason they joined GWA, and 27.1 percent said it was the reason they continue their membership.

• 37.4 percent said networking was the primary reason they joined GWA, and 42.9 percent said it was the reason they remain members.

• On a scale of 1 to 4, with 4 begin the highest, the top five benefits valued by members are: Conference & Expo, 3.32; free admission to public gardens, 3.18; membership directory, 3.08; Quill & Trowel( On the QT), 3.06; regional meetings, 2.98.

• On a scale of 1 to 4, with 4 begin the highest, respondents rated the cost of GWA membership at 3.02, and the value at 3.42, when compared to other communications and green industry organizations.

• 82.2 percent of respondents are on Facebook; 30.3 percent on Twitter; 28.1 percent on Pinterest; 27.6 percent on Instagram; and 40 percent on LinkedIn.

• 81.9 percent of respondents said they found the level of correspondence from GWA is satisfactory; 8.5 percent said it was too much, and 1.5 percent said it was too little.

Networking is one of the key reasons people are GWA members, according to the survey.

• 94 percent said they planned to renew their membership; 6 percent said they would not.

“ It’ s wonderful to see our members enjoying what they get from GWA. The satisfaction level and the fact that 94 percent said they planned to renew are unprecedented for our group,” said Kirk R. Brown, GWA President.“ With so many happy customers that seem thrilled with the amount and types of services our organization provides, why do we not have twice the number of members?”

In the hopes of bolstering our ranks, the board has put forth March Membership Month, and the request for members to bring in at least one new person or company to GWA, he said.( See page 20 for details).

Brown and Ungaro said that the results were informative and the only concern was the demographic makeup of GWA’ s membership. Not only does it skew older— 41.4 percent, 55 to 64 years old; 29 percent, 65 to 74 years old— the organization is 94 percent white.

“ The lack of diversity was discussed at the January GWA board meeting, and the membership committee is working on a plan to address this concern,” Brown said.

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp is editor of On the QT.

Networking under the Palms

GWA members visited the Montgomery Botanical Center in Coral Gables, Florida, a renowned display and research collection of 30,000 palm trees, including many rare and endangered species from all parts of the world. The former home of Col. Robert Montgomery has become the centerpiece of this 120-acre estate. This was where GWA was treated to dinner while seated on a veranda overlooking the grand lawns, allee and waterway.

About 50 GWA members participated in the Florida Nursery, Growers and Landscapers Association tour and Tropical Plant Industry Exhibition in South Florida in January 17-19. Members were escorted to several unique public and private gardens, including The Kampong, where the groups sampled Cuban pastries and coffee; Patch of Heaven Gardens, where the natural hammock topography is being restored; and R. F. Orchids Inc., where third-generation owner Robert Fuchs R. F. Orchids Inc., where third-generation owner Robert Fuchs gave a tour of his garden and retail orchidarium. The group had lunch at Costa Farms trials gardens.

It was a 15-hour marathon tour, organized and led by GWA members Jennifer Nelis and Sylvia Gordon of FNGLA.

PHOTO COURTESY KIRK BROWN