By Rachel Cerelli
LO Membership and Chapter Coordinator

Each year our chapter boards work diligently for you by coordinating the best possible educational and networking events. Chapters also give back to the communities through both large and small projects.

Our chapters are able to pull this off by virtue of hard working volunteer boards of directors, committees, and with a little help from home office.

Again this year, home office has created a little incentive to help your chapters grow.  We all are working towards maintaining a standard of professionalism and want to continue as the leader in representing, promoting and fostering a favourable climate for the advancement of the horticulture industry in Ontario.

Because we believe in you, we have created the Chapter Challenge to ensure we support YOU, our lifeline of the Association. The contest encourages each chapter to increase membership by five per cent. Each chapter that achieves that mark will be granted $500. As well, the chapter to increase and retain its membership by the highest percentage will receive an additional $500, plus the bragging rights to own Grout Gnome’s cousin for the year. The winner will be announced at the AGM during Congress 2016.

Our  membership total is the highest ever. Heartfelt congratulations to you all. Since March of this year, which is when we arrived at the starting membership totals, the majority of chapters have already surpassed the set goals. Now we just need to ensure we maintain these numbers.

As you are all aware, membership renewals went out in August for our new fiscal year (Sept .1). Second invoices have gone out, as well as a third mailing. If you have yet to renew, I ask you, “What are you waiting for?”  Both the industry as a whole and your chapter need you. Together we are strong and make a difference.

Don’t forget to check what your chapter is working on for you. Go to horttrades.com and click on chapters. From here, click on yours. Both employers and employees are invited to participate at all events and meetings. If you have a friend who is not yet a member, bring him or her to a meeting. We encourage new faces to join, learn with us and educate us, too.

For more information on how you can get involved in your chapter, contact Rachel Cerelli at rachel@landscapeontario.com.  Each spring, your board of directors holds elections at a general meeting, where you can make a difference. Elections happen in the spring. If this interests you, contact me today.