Greetings ABS Members

   The American Bonsai Society Board of Directors is the group of volunteers who manage your ABS. Each Board Member serves for three years and one third of the Board is replaced each year so there is overlap and continuity on the Board.

  
   This year, 2006, has five members completing their terms on the Board. We need to replace these five volunteers and we could add more if additional qualified candidates are willing to help ABS by serving on the Board.

   What are the qualifications needed for the Board? Well, as you might expect, you need to be a member of ABS – not just a member of a club that belongs to the ABS, but an individual member. While there are not specific requirements for Board members, there are a number of talents and capabilities which would be useful as the ABS moves forward.

   First and foremost we wish to have people on the ABS Board who will support and promote the ABS mission: “. . .  to promote knowledge of and interest in bonsai  and to serve as a focal point for bonsai learning in North America.”

   Being a Board member does not require that you be a bonsai expert or master. Members of the Board (myself included) are volunteers who desire to work within the ABS. We need people with talents and knowledge in a large variety of areas who are truly interested (even addicted) to bonsai and its growth in North America.

   ABS is incorporated in New York State as a non-profit organization. We need at least one Board member from  that state..

   Secondly, it would be VERY useful if we find one or two younger Board members. We have a knowledgeable cadre of older people and are looking for some new younger blood to help us provide long-term continuity to the organization. ABS will be celebrating its 40th Anniversary in 2007.

   Thirdly, we have a number of legal issues which could use the assistance of an attorney who would be willing to guide us in legal areas.

   Fourth, we support our ABS vendors at conventions and our advertisers in the Journal and website. Therefore, if you are a bonsai professional who would like to serve on the board, we would  welcome you as a candidate.

   Fifth, we are striving for good geographical representation so that ABS is truly a North American organization. We have representation from most of those areas, but would welcome nominees from the Central regions of the U.S., Mexico, California and the South, especially Florida or Georgia. In addition to having representatives from a spectrum of regions, we want to work together with the regional organizations.

   Okay, you say, what do I need to do to volunteer to become a Board member or to nominate someone to the Board?  What follows is direct from the bylaws: Nominations may be made by members of ABS in writing. Such nominations from the members at large must include the signatures of three (3) ABS members and include a statement by the nominee that he/she is willing to serve if elected. We also need a brief bio of the candidate. These nominations need to be sent to the Nomination Committee by March 15, 2006 via either email or U.S.Postal service.

        ABS Nominating Committee
        c/o Pat Lucke Morris
        151 Paschall Mill Rd.
        West Grove PA 19390
        Email: pmorris@isp.com

   We look forward to the participation of all ABS members in the selection and election of  the new ABS Board members.

Roger Case
ABS president