June 2, 2001 Minutes

The President Robby Russell called the meeting to order at Wakoola Water Gardens, Cumming, Georgia at 10:15 AM with 35 members and guests present.

The morning program featured a presentation by Mike Hotchkiss followed by a Q and A session with a panel of Mike, Robert Small and Robby Russell. After the lunch break Robert Small gave a slide presentation on designing with bamboo.

Following a 15-minute break Robby Russell called the business meeting to order.

Robby reported the October meeting had been set at Mike Turner's for Oct. 13, 2001 starting at 10:00 AM.

Meeting schedules were discussed and the following items set:

1. Joint meeting with NEC

After a discussion on a joint meeting with the Northeast Chapter, Mary Ann and Bert Silverman were to investigate and report as soon as possible.

2. January 2002 meeting:

Cleanup day at the grove of P. nigra at the Camellia Gardens in Ft. Valley, GA. Mike and Robby were to coordinate this and set a date. The tentative date is January 12, 2002, beginning at 10:00 AM.

3. February 2002 meeting:

The Savannah meeting in February was to be set based on possible conflicts with the 2002 Atlanta Flower show. Frank Linton and Karen Vohman were to coordinate the exact date of the February meeting.

4. March 2002 Anderson workday:

The 2002 Anderson Moso cleanup workday is to be set by Mike Turner based on his schedule next March.

5. August 2002

It was decided to return to Wakoola Gardens for a meeting in August of 2002. Cla Allgood in consultation with Robby, Mike and Robert will set the exact date.

It was decided to postpone any discussion of the Bylaws until a later meeting.

A motion by Robby Russell with proper second was passed authorizing $500.00 to help with the expenses of Mary Ann Silverman, our ABS representative, at the ABS Annual Meeting to be held in Portland this September.

A motion by Hale Booth with proper second was passed authorizing a $500.00 grant to Gale Goldberg to assist with the expenses of publishing the book, Bamboo Style.

After a discussion of the Bamboo of the Americas (BOTA) project it was decided to withhold any financial support until more information could be presented to the chapter to explain the project and how it will work.

The following motion by Bert Silverman with proper second was passed: The Southeast Chapter of the American Bamboo Society gives it approval to Bert and Mary Ann Silverman to maintain a web page devoted to the SEC on their site. This is not a replacement for the Chapter's section on the ABS site, but an addition which will include more detailed information about the chapter and its activities. A link to this site will be provided on the ABS site. Any officer, director or member of the SEC can submit information to be included on the site but the final decision will be made by Bert and Mary Ann Silverman. Any officer or director will have the authority to have any material removed from the site if they feel it is inappropriate.

There was a discussion on SEC membership and the problems that have existed in coordinating members who join locally with Lester and those who join through the national ABS. There was no consensus on the problem as Robby explained it would require the national membership chairman, local treasurer, national treasurer, local and national newsletter editors and possibly others to discuss and find a solution.

The SEC decided to include our membership list on the web site mentioned above.

Bert Silverman informed the members he was working on a software program to help maintain the membership list. He asked for input any member had on the information to be included in the database.

There was a discussion on ways to welcome new members to the chapter instead of waiting until the next newsletter is mailed. It was suggested a welcome letter with at least the last newsletter be sent as soon as the members join. No action was taken; however, Bert Silverman said he would talk with Mike Turner and Lester Agnew about how we might be able to possibly accomplish this.

Mary Ann Silverman reported that the information on the SEC page on the ABS web site had been updated.

Karen Vohman, was unable to attend but sent a report on the Atlanta flower show by Robby. Karen said she had made contact with the Chairman of the event and will receive the application some time this summer. She requests that any member interested in helping with the 4-day event (manning the booth, helping design and decorate the booth, etc.) contact her at 404 355 8558 or kvohman@bellsouth.net.

Mary Ann Silverman reported that the library material had been picked up on Tuesday and she had been on the road since so she had not had the opportunity to review the contents of the box of materials.

By proper motion and second the chapter authorized $400.00 for additional library material this calendar year and $200.00 per year there after.

It was decided to allow members to borrow the materials and only pay the return postage with the Chapter providing packaging and postage to the member. Mary Ann Silverman was to establish rules for non-members.

The material is to be cataloged and added to the web site with the rules for borrowing the material.

Bert Silverman reported a chapter tape recorder had been purchased and given to Mike Hotchkiss for recording the proceedings when Bert was not present.

Mike had a hand out with the link to the Growing Bamboo in Georgia web site.

Richard Waldron, National Director, worked the door passing out membership applications to every guest who entered. The Chapter was pleased to welcome Kevin Young and Larry Waldrep as new members.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.

Robby Russell, President