My new 'job'

Dont think I have told you folks about this.
The Calgary Hort. Society is one of, if not the largest, hort society in N.A. (5500 members!)
One of the things the society does is organize small workshops which take place almost every Saturday morning ( occasionally other times too) from Jan to June and Sept thru Nov.
I wont bother you with the detail but late in August I took over as (Volunteer) Chair of the Workshop Committee(actually I am pretty much the whole committee!) Timing was a huge issue as they wanted workshops for the fall and I had to scrounge around to get that in place and since then have been working on the Jan to June time frame.
Need to be booked well ahead of time because of newsletter deadline. Jan/Feb workshops for instance needed to be ready mid October for the newsletter which will go out end of Novemeber.
So my goal has been to have first 6 mos all booked before Xmas and I am doing pretty well - just need a few more for May and June. Then I can relax for a few weeks! Then I have to start all over again!
Here is the banner that I just finished stencilling for the Society
carolvan

carol, that is a job, all right. Must keep you occupied through the winter. Good for you. They are lucky to have such a conscientious volunteer, and I am sure the workshops will be enjoyed by all. Good luck.
Bambam

Congratulations Carol! What a wonderful opportunity to help make a difference - it must be very satisfying. I love that banner too - you're very talented.

--Ginny

Beautiful banner Carol! As a Calgary Hort member I would like to thank-you for all your time and effort. I will be sure to check my next newsletter for the details. Did you tell me that you are also hosting/teaching a Christmas themed workshop?

Susan

That's great, Carol. Wow, what a huge membership Calgary has! It takes alot of organization and planning to pull those things off, especially for such a big crowd. I helped coordinate the speakers last year for our little garden club so I have a small inkling of the effort required. It's generous of you to give your time so that many people will benefit. It sounds like you are enjoying it.

What workshops do you have planned so far?

Sandy

Carol that's a lot of work you've got on your plate. Planning a DG RU will be nothing as hard as anything you are doing now.

If the DG RU is to be a reality, might I suggest a vote/poll/list of those that will commit to coming before the planning really gets underway.
For the first national DG RU we had 15 attending. at least very close to that number, and it was good times. We learned lots from each other, saw lots, did lots of GH's, and it lasted about 2 days.

Susan: no I am not hosting/teaching anything. But if you check the weksite you will see there is the Poinsetta disgarden workshop coming up - still space on afternoon of 25 November - it will be held at Balzac Garden Centre which is quite a distance for you I guess. I posted some pics in the chat forum this past week.

Sandy: And who said you can't garden in Calgary?????????/
Topics: Pondless waterfall, native plants,shade plants,3 part basic landscaping course,gardening 101,peonies(both a lecture and later a tour)roses 101(lecture and summer tour)
edible flowers,Succession of bloom(i.e. how to have perennial flowers all summer!)Bugs,Birds and Blooms,kitchen garden, use of color,shopping, perennial propagation, containers, pond construction, salad in a basket,basic pruning and a hands on pruning, raised veggie gardening, hopefully primroses and fruit trees.Some of these are new topics, some are repeats from previous years that sell well.
Some of these are lectures some are done off site.like the pond construction and the pruning.

MG99 (sorry I dont remember everybody's name yet!) I posted here about a possible RU last spring and had quite a positive response and offers of help from local DG members and put it off until this coming spring - probably early June. I will start work on that in January - I kept a list of names of those interested. I will post about this after Xmas.

carolvan

'Shopping'?? I could totally teach that! Seriously though, that's a great line up. Do the teachers come from within the society itself, or do you have to recruit local merchants that have a particular expertise? Probably a bit of both, eh? What other sources do you tap for your teachers? Are the workshops open to the public and are a source of revenue for the society?

The roundup might be a possibility for me too, as I'm due for a family visit in Fernie, B.C, which is only about 3-1/2 hours from Calgary. I was thinking about visiting this summer, although early June might be a bit early for me. I might be able to swing it though, that would be fun!

Sandy

Sandy:
Instructors may be professionals (for instance the Landscaping and pond construction workshops) or experts in their fields either professional or amateur who may or may not be members of the society. Workshops are usually Saturday mornings, 2 1/2 hours ,5-20 people depending on the nature of the workshop. Open to members/non members but the only place we advertise them is in the newsletter and on the website. Members pay $30/non m.$45. We do pay the instructor but there are almost no other costs since generally we use a room in the building and it is a huge source of revenue for the society - which is why they really push for workshops virtually every week except Jul, Aug and Dec. !
Which is why I have been so busy! Actually if I can get everything booked till the end of June then I can take a break for a few months until I have to start planning for the fall workshops!

That would be great if you could come to a roundup. The reason I am suggesting
June is because by then our gardens will be well on the way - and there are some great gardens- both public and private -to visit here!
In any case if you are going to fly thru Calgary stop and visit - we can always have a mini RU!
carolvan

This message was edited Nov 14, 2006 6:08 PM

Fancy, I have to fly to Calgary around stampede time to pick up my grandbaby from my daughter. They're all going to the stampede and I get her for 2 weeks. Any chance it could be around then?

We see what people think when I start posting in January but personally I dont think Stampede is a good time unless people are coming for Stampede - town is jammed!

Congrats fancyvan: How lucky to have a job you enjoy and they are lucky to have you. Your banner looks great!

Betterbloom thanks!
I am retired and this is not a 'real' job! just volunteering!

Fancyvan... You made a beautiful banner. I had no idea all this existed in Calgary, makes me want to move back there:) Hmmm cancel that I just remembered the cold winters.
What a great line up of activities best of all it is a perfect way to pass the winter and get ready for spring. Sure wish we had something like that here. You really have a fun job. I am sure you really enjoy being a part of it all.

Bea

Congratulations and lovely banner Carol!

Wow, Carol, all that will keep you out of trouble. Did you imagine retirement would be this busy? lol What if the roundup was at the end of June, 'just before' the Stampede, brugcrazy could stay on in Calgary after the RU and pick up her grandbaby. I'll try to remember to suggest it when you start the thread in January. Thanks for the 'mini round-up' invite, I'll definitely keep that in mind! I remember reading about Lilypon's visit earlier this year, and it sounded like you guys had a blast.

Sandy

Sandy: Stampede in 2007 is July 6-15.
The weekend before is June 30/July 1/2(long weekend) and I have a 3 day agility trial that weekend so no go!
Just so you know!

carol

Stampede is from the 6-15th of July. I probably won't be coming out until the end. I'm not going to the stampede. I'm just picking up my grandbaby and bringing her back to BC for 2-3 weeks. She'll be almost 2.

Hilarious Carol, we posted at the exact same time.

It's easy to see that they have a good worker in you Carol. Congratulations on your appointment and your banner.

Joan

That's fantastic, Carol! If I lived closer I would be there. Did a beautiful job on the banner!
:) Donna

seems roundup should be a little earlier or no one will be able to leave their garden to come