President’s Letter April 2024
March 6, 2024, General Meeting – Forest Workshop:
The meeting was quite productive and engaging. Creating new forests and seeking advice on old forests from senior members shows an excellent level of initiative and willingness to learn within our group. It is lovely to see such collaboration and support among members. I want to thank Linda Camp, Jim Beck, Phil Malhoit, Larry Magee, and Matt Mazza for their contributions and assistance in making the workshop successful.
March 6, 2024, General Meeting – Election:
Elections were conducted, and the following officers were elected:
President Badar Zulqarni (ex-Treasurer)
Treasurer Doug Bradbury (new officer)
Secretary John Comastro—John later declined to hold the position. So, during the board meeting on March 11, 2024, the board requested Charlotte Field stay on as secretary. She grudgingly agreed. We are grateful to Charlotte Field.
Programs Director Larry Magee (existing officer, the same position)
Special Events Director Craig Cronquist (ex-President)
Membership Director Jim Beck (existing officer, the same position)
Publicity Director P.K. Ganeshan (new officer)
Newsletter Director Katlin Mulligan (existing officer, the same position)
Website Director Rick Manning (existing officer, the same position)
At-Large Board Members Steve Fluett (existing officer, the same position)
(3 were elected) Nick DiBattista (ex- Special Events Director)
Charlotte Field – See note above under Secretary. This position is now open.
As we transition into this new phase, I want to take a moment to extend a heartfelt welcome to our new officers who have stepped up to serve on the board. Your commitment and enthusiasm are invaluable assets to our community. Your contributions will significantly enhance our efforts to promote our shared passion for this incredible art form.
To our existing officers continuing in their roles or taking on new positions, I extend my deepest gratitude for your unwavering dedication, tireless efforts, and boundless creativity. Your leadership has been instrumental in shaping our organization and fostering its growth, and I am genuinely thankful for the countless hours you have devoted to advancing our cause.
Let us reaffirm our commitment to excellence and innovation as we embark on this journey together. Our collective efforts have already made a significant impact, and I do not doubt that with our continued collaboration, we will achieve even greater success in the days ahead.
Thank you for your hard work, passion, and unwavering commitment to promoting and preserving this incredible art form. Let’s keep up the excellent work and continue to inspire others with our shared love for Bonsai.
Prelude to May 2024 General Meeting, Featuring Mauro Stemberger:
This is a reminder that the May General meeting will be on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, May 15, 2024, instead of the customary 1st Wednesday. The May general meeting will feature Mauro Stemberger from Italy as our guest artist. In anticipation of a larger attendance that may include members from our sister club, the Midwest Bonsai Society, we have reserved a lecture hall, HSC1234, in the Health & Science Center at the southeast corner of Lambert Road and Tallgrass Road. A map and directions will also be included in next month’s Bonsai Hai in emails.
I hope to see you all on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, in room HEC 1020 of the Homeland Security Education Center building.
The May general meeting, typically on the 1st Wednesday of the month, will be rescheduled to the 3rd Wednesday, specifically May 15, 2024. Please mark your calendars accordingly.
We are delighted to announce that Mauro Stemberger, an Italian artist, will be our guest artist for the May meeting. Mauro is renowned for his expertise in bonsai artistry, and we’re thrilled to have him share his knowledge and skills with us.
In anticipation of a larger attendance, which may include members from our sister club, the Midwest Bonsai Society, we have reserved lecture hall HSC1234 in the Health & Science Center. The center is conveniently located at the southeast corner of Lambert Road and Tallgrass Road.
For your convenience, a map and detailed directions will be included in next month’s edition of Bonsai Hai, our club’s newsletter, and sent out via email.
We look forward to a fantastic meeting with Mauro and the opportunity to connect with fellow enthusiasts from the Midwest Bonsai Society. Thank you for your attention, and we hope to see you all there!
Best Regards,
Badar Zulqarni
