Page 3 - BSAM 2018 Q4

President’s Message
Ican’t believe this is the last issue for 2018. Where did the year go? It has been a busy year at BCI putting together the magazine with informative and educational articles, continually updating and improving the website and being much more active on social media. The new Instructors Register is ready to be launched, and I hope the BCI Clubs take advantage of the extensive list of International Artists to choose from for your events. You can contact the artist directly regarding fees and other requirements. We will be adding to this list as new candidates apply. You can find the application form on the members’ area of the website.
With this issue, we are going to press early so we can stagger the mailing. We are aiming for you all to receive your magazine around the same time.
I’dliketothanktheauthorsandadvertisers who contribute to the magazine and especially Joe Grande, our talented editor.
The Managing body of BCI is the Board of Directors who all work as volunteers. We have two longtime board members retiring at the board meeting this year after many years of service. Nikunj Parekh has served as a Director, 2nd Vice President, Chair of the Education Committee and author for BCI Magazine. He has worked very hard recruiting BCI membership in India. Gudrun Benz has served as a Director and on several committees including the Editorial Committee. Although she is retiring from the board, she will continue to be a regular contributor for BCI Magazine. Gudrun not only served as a director for many years, but she also helped her husband Willi and translated for him when he served as a board member. BCI directors give a lot of time to
their committee work, and all travel is at their own expense. We thank them both very much for their time and devotion to BCI.
I would like to personally thank the BCI Board for their contributions in 2018 and especially my Executive Committee, Vice President Helen Su, Secretary David DeGroot and Treasurer Roger Snipes for their continued support and commitment. Magazine Editor Joe Grande, Business Manager Larry Stephen and Bonnie Moore our Tech guru. They make my job a lot easier!
It’s great to see articles from the young and very talented bonsai professionals Mauro Stemberger and Bjorn Bjorholm featured in this issue. Both are keen to share their vast knowledge. The future of bonsai is in excellent hands.
For many years Lindsay and I have been trying to attend the US National Exhibition in Rochester, Upstate New York, hosted by Bill Valavanis. This year we finally made it and what a great event! The displays and standard of trees was first class. This US National has contributed greatly in raising the standard of bonsai in North America. You can read a report in the News section of this issue.
After Rochester, I made a quick trip to Guzhen Town in China for BCI China Group’s second Exhibition and the opening of the 10th BCI Cooperation Center. The Exhibition was first class and featured over 300 bonsai. Guzhen is famous for lighting, and the bonsai exhibit was lit for a special night viewing. We will have a full report in the next issue.
Cheers from Down Under, Glenis Bebb
I would like to personally thank the BCI Board for
their contributions in 2018
and especially my Executive Committee, Vice President Helen Su, Secretary David DeGroot and Treasurer Roger Snipes for their continued support and commitment, and Magazine Editor Joe Grande, Business Manager Larry Stephen and Bonnie Moore our Tech guru. They make my job a lot easier!
October/November/December 2018 | BCI | 1