from the GGMG president...

What a Pleasure!

It seems as if I just wrote about the cold and dreariness of winter, and here we are seeing April flying past us and May beckoning before us. 

As we come to the end of ourprogram year, I can’t begin to express my appreciation to all of you for helping to make my year as president so wonderful and rewarding!  When I completed my training and volunteer service in 2001, I didn’t ever expect to serve as the president.  But having the opportunity to serve in such a capacity is one of the reasons this association is so unique.  We support each others’ unique abilities and talents, and we encourage each other to stretch ourselves beyond our comfort zones and try out new roles within the association—whether it’s serving on a committee one has never served on before or serving in a leadership role without prior experience.  The opportunities are there for the taking.

Our association experienced changes to our program during both the 2007-2008 year and during 2008-2009.  Change is not an easy thing, but the overwhelmingly positive spirit shown in embracing those changes has humbled me.  The commitment and passion everyone has given during this unsettling time is awe inspiring!

As the 2008-2009 year comes to an end and we look ahead to 2009-2010, I can’t help but be excited!  One can be as active as one chooses and be inspired to participate in all sorts of venues.  To me, the choices are endless.  A member can volunteer at the Master Gardener office at the Extension, man an Ask A Master Gardener booth, work on the annual symposium committee, give a garden talk to a community garden club, and work at one of our community gardens planting perennials, vegetables, herbs, shrubs and annuals.  In addition to those activities, there are day and evening programs, field trips, and annual parties where we can meet for more fun and fellowship.  I have said before that I can’t think of anything better to do than to spend time with other gardeners who share my enthusiasm and passion about gardening.

With new members of the Executive Committee and Board beginning their terms of office, I hope that you will join me in supporting them, and participating in as many of the upcoming events and activities as possible.  I look forward to the 2009-2010 program year being as rich and rewarding as ever, and I hope that we will have more fun than we can possibly stand!

Thank you again for such a wonderful year!
     
                                         Evelyn