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: [phone] [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!