Page 3 - BSAM 2017 Q1

President’s Message
As we welcome another year, this issue marks the start of 55 years for BCI. BCI was constituted on 29th March 1962, origi- nally operating as Bonsai Clubs Association. e name was
changed to Bonsai Clubs International in 1974. With most of the mem- bership being in the US initially. We now have representation from all over the world.
Although we faced a severe nancial crisis several years ago, due to strict budgeting and good planning we have improved our nancial position substantially. Our bank balance is now the highest in our organ- isation’s history. Our main source of income comes from Membership and Conventions. We are also reliant on advertising income. We have a couple of advertisers Joshua Roth and Golden Arrow Bonsai who have supported us for a long time and continue to do so. To them I would like to extend our sincere thanks. I would also like to ask our members to please support the businesses who support BCI.
In 2017 we want to continue with the educational content in the mag- azine and website. To achieve this we need your help. We are always looking for new authors. If you would like to submit an article or know of someone who can, please contact our editor Joe Grande. Joe can help with the layout, design and copy editing.
e 2016 BCI Meritorious Service Award was presented to Nikunj Parekh, BCI’s Second Vice President at the regional convention in December, held in Mysore India. Nikunj has served on the BCI board since 2001. Nikunj is also a founding member of World Bonsai Friendship Federation. He has served as the Director for India Region since its inception in 1987. In 2015, Nikunj received e Order of e Rising Sun with Gold and Silver Rays awarded by the Japanese Government for promoting Japanese culture in India. He has just released a new book, Beyond the Spirit of Miniature Landscapes coauthored with Jyoti Parekh and Chand Kejriwal. We will feature a book review in the Q2 issue of Bonsai & Stone Appreciation magazine.
e Writer/Photographer Award for 2016 went to Toby Kleynhans from South Africa. Toby is a long time BCI supporter and is a regular contributor to BCI Magazine. He has written an interesting article which is included in this issue on the biggest baobab Forest in the world. Toby is very active in promoting bonsai in South Africa. I congratulate and thank both Nikunj and Toby for their continued support and contribu- tions to BCI.
I recently attended Beyond the Spirit of Bonsai Convention, hosted by Bonsai Study Group of e Indo-Japanese Association Mumbai and its A liated Chapters in India. e organiser was Avadhoota Datta Peetham, Kishkindha Moolika Bonsai Garden in Mysore, India. e headliners and partners were treated to a four-day pre convention tour which was enjoyed by all. e camaraderie on the tour was very special. Over 450 delegates gathered for four days of demonstrations, work- shops, entertainment great food and most importantly, the most hospi- table and friendly people who went out of their way to make everyone feel welcome. e atmosphere at the Ashram, where the convention was held, had a feeling of relaxation and tranquillity. We have a full report on the convention in this issue.
Our next BCI Convention will be held in Taiwan 4th–8th, 2017, fol- lowed by a tour. When I met with Mr. Chen, the convention organiser, in India recently, I mentioned that 2017 was BCI’s 55th year and he expressed a wish that we could get 55 countries represented at our an- nual convention in Taiwan. I put out this challenge to you, our members. Please spread the word. Registrations are now open. You can register via a link on the BCI website.
Another big event this year is the World Bonsai Convention in Saitama, Japan 24th-27th April. ey are expecting over 1000 delegates, so hopefully I can catch up with many of you who may be attending.
I mentioned to Mr. Chen, the convention organiser, that 2017 was BCI’s 55th year
and he expressed a wish that we could get
55 countries represented at our annual convention in Taiwan. I put out this challenge to you, our members. Please spread the word and register at www.bcibonsai2017.com
ey have a great line up of demonstrators. Japan’s top Masters and featuring some of Japan’s younger artists. e other eight regions of the world will have one headliner. e motto of WBFF is world peace through bonsai and I think this re ects how we all feel.
e planning of BCI six-day tour, following the 2018 convention in Mulhouse, is near completion. Some places we hope to visit are Colmar, Montreux, Lausanne, Geneva, Anncy, Lyon, Beaune, Dijon, Troyes, Epernay, Reims and end in Paris. Registration will be available later in the year.
We are seeking applicants for the BCI International Instructors/Art- ists Register. Quali cations necessary for instructors to be listed in the Register are:
• BCI member for two years or pay two years membership in advance.
• Have conducted at least 3 solo demonstrations, internationally.
• Willing to publish /submit one techniques article for BCI magazine each year.
• Willing to be recommended to demonstrate for BCI conventions.
• Applicants should submit before and a er photos of at least 3 demonstrations.
• Applicants should submit a list of International Events at which they have demonstrated.
An International Instructor Certificate will be issued to each instructor on the Register.
If you are interested in applying you can submit your details via the BCI website, or send your details to a BCI Director in your region or the Committee Chair, Budi Sulistyo. Directors contact details are avail- able on page two of this magazine or on the BCI website under o cers.
We at BCI, hope 2017 is a great year and we can continue to educate and promote bonsai and stones internationally.
Cheers from Down Under, Glenis Bebb
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