Page 3 - BSAM 2016 Q3

President’s Message
Ihope you are liking the educational articles. We have more in this issue. As I have been saying, education is the BCI Buzz word for 2016.
As President of BCI, I also take on the role of Chair of the Editorial Committee, as it is a bylaw requirement. Also on this committee are Gudrun Benz, Massimo Bandera and of course our Magazine Editor Joe Grande. BCI’s membership is made up of Individual Members and Clubs. Trying to balance BCI Bonsai and Stone Magazine to include reports on club events and exhibitions around the world and at the same time include educational articles on both Bonsai and Stones is what makes BCI Bonsai and Stone Magazine unique. We have increased the number of pages in this issue to accommodate everyone.
One of the great things about being involved with BCI is, we are always learning. We have some very talented members who are willing to share their knowledge and we are always looking for more. We have some great articles in this issue. I o er a personal thank you to all of our contributors for without you we would not have a magazine. I hope you enjoy their articles and learn from their shared knowledge.
I feel that bonsai is having a great resurgence throughout the world and I feel we, at BCI are contributing in this.
We have some great articles in this issue. I o er a personal thank you to all of our contributors for without you we would not have a magazine. I hope you enjoy their articles and learn from their shared knowledge.
It is sad to hear of the passing of Guillermo Castaño, a past board member and long time supporter of BCI. Guillermo was the creator of the BCI Excellence Awards that have been presented by BCI Directors at major bonsai events throughout the world for several years. I rst met Guillermo and his son Enrique at the rst BCI Convention held in China in Guangzhou, in 2006, followed by a BCI Post Convention Tour, travelling through China and Inner Mongolia with a small group, where we formed long-term bonds. Guillermo was a very talented bonsai artist, sculptor, a gentleman and friend. Guillermo will be sadly missed but never forgotten.
BCI will open three more cooperation Centres in China in September in Rugau, and Myyang, Jiangsu province and in Kunming, Yunnan province. Some of the BCI board members will travel to China to participate in these events and also the rst BCI-China Exhibition to be held in conjunction with the 9th National Exhibition to be held in Guangzhou.
We now have a new BCI board member and Treasurer, Roger Snipes from Spokane, Washington, USA. Roger has been involved in the US bonsai world for the past 30 years. Roger is an accountant and we are fortunate to have someone with such experience. is is a voluntary position. BCI Board members are all volunteers they pay all of their own travel expenses to all BCI events.
Larry Stephan, BCI Business Manager’s trial period is up and he is now a permanent BCI sta member. Larry is a great asset to the BCI team and is working well with the BCI Editor Joe Grande and with our web guru Bonnie Moore.
e next BCI event will be a Regional Convention in Mysore India from 19th–22nd December, 2016. ey are also hosting a four day pre-convention tour for international guests from 15th -18th December. More information can be found on the BCI website convention page.
Cheers from Down Under, Glenis Bebb
July/August/September 2016 | BCI | 1