From the Executive Director
Laura Grant
Toronto, Ontario, Canada

        It was a real pleasure to attend an ARS spring convention in Everett, Washington. The convention was splendidly organized with great workshops, speakers and tours of public and private gardens. The Meerkerk Gardens are a jewel of the Whidbey Island under a capable direction of Kristi O'Donnell. Likewise the Species Foundation in Federal Way was a real treat to visit and take a grand tour with a modern day explorer and Co-executive Director Steve Hootman.
        Ted Stecki, our long time Budget & Finance Committee chair, stepped up to the president's chair and Bruce Feller became the Eastern Vice-president. Our annual board meeting welcomed several new faces to the table: Kath Collier ARS secretary, Bob McIntyre District 4 Director and Dave Collier Alternate, Richard Jones District 5 Alternate, Marvin Fisher District 7 Director, Ann Mangels District 9 Director and Don Hyatt Alternate, Ken Gohring District 10 Director, Larry Coleman District 11 Director, James Fry chair of Azalea Committee, and Jean Beaudry replacing Hazel Tarpley as Research Foundation treasurer.
        Shirley Rock gave a wonderful presentation to the members during my forum on Sunday morning. She created a DVD packed with ideas on how to attract and keep the members. Shirley provided a copy for each chapter to take home and those not present will get a copy in the mail. Well done Shirley!
        Very shortly the renewal packages will be in the mail and we would like to remind our members to send the renewals early to their chapter treasurers. A bonus 15-month membership is available to new members joining after July 8th and before October 8th for the price of one year. Sponsoring members, with a $100.00 annual membership, receive a small gift from our office every year. This year our sponsoring members received a DVD on plant collecting trip to Pradesh, India.
        Looking forward to the fall Eastern Regional Conference, hosted by the District 8 in Lionville, Pennsylvania, October 23-25th.and meeting many of you there.