APLD California Chapter
January 2009 Newsletter

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

By Maureen Decombe

 

"Where have I been? Who am I? Where am I going?" These are the questions we may ask ourselves as the rush of the holidays subsides and we turn our attention to plans for the New Year. As we prepare our 2009 educational programs, assemble our new board, and thank our 2008 board for their service, the APLD California Chapter is also looking at these questions.

 

I was recently asked by a chapter leader from another part of the country about the beginnings of our chapter. Telling the story I have heard from my predecessors, of early meetings held in members' living rooms I marvel that less than ten years later, one of those founding mothers now produces this newsletter, which is distributed not only to hundreds of members in California, but to hundreds more Green Industry colleagues throughout the state, further spreading the word about the important role of professional landscape designers.

 

Having come so far, before we gear up for next year's journey, I want to thank those individuals who did so much to get us here.

 

Colleen Hamilton, our outgoing President, is a model for enthusiastic, supportive, and generous leadership. She led us through some uncertain times and laid the groundwork to put us on solid footing for 2009 to be a transformative year for our Chapter. Janet Bell, our Past President, steps off the board for a well-deserved break, after serving as former editor of the newsletter, past President of the Peninsula District during a time of unprecedented growth, and as President of the California Chapter.

 

Joni Wilson, a past President of the Sacramento District, Secretary for two years, now steps into the role of Vice President. As she prepares to lead the Chapter in 2010, Joni continues to be a model for successful integration of her career as an interior designer as well as a licensed contractor, who, like Janet, has been active in CLCA, an important green industry allies and friends.

 

Departing the board after many years of service is Shelley Somersett, who not only was an East Bay District President and Chapter President, but returned this year as Membership Chair. Shelley's accomplishments lay the foundation for our new Membership Chair, Janet Enright, to hit the ground running in 2009, as we promote the benefits of membership to Landscape Designers throughout the state.

 

Susan Morrison is trading in her Treasurer's Reports for a new challenge worthy of her talents as a writer and marketing maven. Our Chapter will soon launch several exciting new venues for APLDCA designers to write and get published, bringing greater public recognition of the level of professionalism and wisdom within the ranks of our members. In doing so, Susan is delving into and bringing to fruition one tangible and important aspect of the preliminary PR and Marketing Plan laid out for us earlier in the year by Marcia Bloom, Peninsula District Past President. This effort by two "first career" marketing experts is a perfect example of APLD members in California reaping the benefits of the wealth of talent and know-how possessed by generous volunteers.

 

None of that work would be possible without the support of our Technology Chair, whose dedication and countless hours developing and updating our website are singularly responsible for differentiating our chapter internationally as a leading professional landscape design organization. When we meet other APLD Chapter leaders throughout the country, the website is invariably the subject they want to discuss. "Your website is so amazing and beautiful. How did you do it?" Two words: Sharon Gibson.

 

John Inglett has been a great supporter of APLD as the long-time treasurer of the Sacramento District. He has also played a key role in making the Sacramento Valley Landscape Expo a "don't miss" event for Landscape Designers from as far away as the Peninsula, by developing a compelling series of "Designer Track" classes. (See below for more information on the inspiring lineup for the 2009 Expo, and get inspired for the coming year.) In his role as Legislative Liaison, John will continue to be on hand to support us in our efforts to clarify and preserve our right to practice in the State of California.

 

The evolution of the newsletter continues under the leadership of our Communications Chair, Li Vellinga, one of those founding mothers I mentioned earlier. A supporter of APLD in countless roles, Li has also been key in enabling our five Districts to communicate directly with their members and keep everyone up to date on the latest educational programs and events.

 

Those district programs are without a doubt the reason for our Chapter's growth and success. Every month there are at least five APLD events throughout the state, where members gather to hear the latest on an enormous range of relevant topics. This wealth of offerings is the result of incredibly creative and innovative work done by our District and Regional volunteers. A tip of the hat and huge bouquet of thanks to our outgoing District Presidents: Sharon Petersen, East Bay District; Gail Fanning, North Bay District, Laura Schaub, Peninsula District, Alma Hecht, San Francisco District, and Deb McGinty, Sacramento District. Ramie Allard and Stephanie Bartron are building a team of incredible volunteers who are delivering programs in Southern California, and as potential District leaders emerge, we hope to welcome at least one new Southern California District this year.

 

None of these programs would be possible were it not for the dedicated team of volunteers led by Karen Hunt, our Sponsorship Chair. Because of her amazing work, and the generosity of our Sponsors, we are today well positioned to look around and ask the next important question­--"Where are we going?" We've begun to explore these ideas, and the previous several years have been about building capacity to take on the next challenge. This is a conversation that we want to share with all of our members.

 

What's next? We will soon seek your input and help to lay the groundwork for a new page in our Chapter's history. Would you like to see us offer a regional conference? Launch an improved members-only discussion forum? Sponsor a series of classes to empower members to become leaders in a sustainable landscaping response to the serious water and environmental challenges of our time? We want you at the table to carry us forward into this new day.

 

I am so grateful to be able to stand on the shoulders to those who have come before us, excited at the opportunities before us, and optimistic about our future (not to say we don't have some challenges) --more on that next month! I invite you to join the team as we roll up our sleeves and get to work to make this a great year for APLD in California. Where are we going? I'm not sure yet, but I am honored to be going there with you.

 

Maureen Decombe

President

APLD California Chapter

 Members' Section

 

Design classes at the Sacramento Valley Landscape & Nursery Expo

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

www.sacvalexpo.com 

By Lisa Scarr and Michelle Helzer

 

The APLD Sacramento Chapter is sponsoring the Landscape Design Track with five amazing classes to start the new business year off energized.  We are so excited about the level of our speakers and relevance of the content that we wanted to invite all California APLD members to attend this event. Admission to the trade show is free.  The full day of seminars is only $25. with pre-registration or $35. at the door.

 

The day starts off with Anne Chilcott of GardenSoft, an APLD California Gold Sponsor, who will show us ways to energize your presentations.  You can be more organized and set your business apart with quality software programs.  Next, we have The Entrepreneurial Artist, Jenifer Novak, who will share her secrets to building a successful design and artistic based business.  Learn how to express your creativity AND build your business!   Howard Formby of Nancy Goslee Powers & Associates will inspire us to design in balance with nature and personal aesthetics.  He will discuss the six steps necessary to accomplish these goals.  Finally, we will end the day with two classes by former Sunset Publishing contributor, Rene Klein, who will help you find your market niche and create an identity for your business.  He will also discuss ways to get your work published.   In his second seminar, Rene will explain the right ways to communicate effectively to create successful client relationships and maintain a positive environment throughout the completion of your projects.

 

The Expo is held at the Sacramento Community Convention Center in beautiful and historic downtown Sacramento at 14^th and J Street.  Amtrak has a station a few blocks from the convention center with connections in many bay area cities.  Please stop by the APLD booth on the tradeshow floor.  We hope to see you there! 

 

For Registration and additional information please visit the Sacramento Valley Landscape and Nursery Expo website.  www.sacvalexpo.com

 

Also, at the Expo, APLD Sacramento and the green industry are hosting the 5th Annual Green Industry Blood Drive.  We are asking for your assistance in helping those in need of emergency blood supplies. You can schedule an appointment in advance or just show up the day of the event.  We need 2 donors every 15 minutes from 8am until noon to reach our goal.  starting at 8 am to 12 noon. It is easy to give and should take about 30 minutes on the table to give a pint of blood.

 

Please call John Inglett @ (916) 223-8172 for an appointment or for more information.

 

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Editor's Note: The article below was published in the May 2008 issue of the APLDCA newsletter. However, many members still haven't had a chance to visit the site or don't know about the YahooGroup, so it was suggested we'd publish it again. Enjoy!

 

 

DO YOU YAHOO?

Getting the most from the APLD CA Yahoo Group

By Laura Schaub, 2008 Peninsula District President

 

 

When we first start to practice landscape design, we are nothing but questions...where, what, who, how, when, why, huh??? And one of the great things about this profession, and those who practice it in California, is the wonderful sense of camaraderie and willingness to share knowledge and resources.

 

One of the resources I most value these days is the APLD Yahoo Group we set up four years ago. On any given day I learn something new from my colleagues, or have an opportunity to share my own experience with others...and unlike an over-the-fence conversation, all of this knowledge is captured, for us to revisit, research and refer to. It is a living archive and a great resource...thanks to all of you who have made it so.

 

For those of you who are not members, or new members, or even experienced members, let me introduce myself as one of the moderators for the APLD CA Yahoo group. We have been discussing Yahoo Group issues and processes and have agreed that there are a few things that we would like to communicate to the group regarding proper usage of the site, etiquette etc. So, in no particular order:

 

MEMBERS & SPONSORS ONLY PLEASE: Please don't invite non-APLD members to join this great group...it is one of the benefits of membership, and those requests will be respectfully denied. We are in the process of purging the yahoo list at this time to remove names of non-renewing members, and will be doing so this time each year as renewals are completed.

 

BEFORE YOU BEGIN: Please take some time to familiarize yourself with the group. Check out the website, see what files and pictures are available, and peruse the archives.

http://finance.groups.yahoo.com/group/APLDCalifornia/

 

Most importantly, please fill out your profile with your first and last name, and for location, put your APLD district. A user name of "fluffykitty" and an email "iluvfluffykitties@hotmail.com" fails to identify you to the group! Consider a username and email that identifies either you or your business. And while on that topic...make sure the email address you use for your business identifies you properly in your client's inbox...a professional proposal that appears to be sent by your spouse loses a bit of its edge.

 

BEFORE YOU START A NEW TOPIC: Please search the archive to see if it has already been discussed (because sometimes it has been, at great length!) Simply go to the message page and enter a keyword or two in the search box ("acer griseum" or "metal edging" or "wrought iron contractor" etc.)

 

BEFORE YOU REPLY TO AN EMAIL: Take a moment to review the responses that may have already come in. If you reply to the latest one you will be adding to the chain in sequence, and may avoid repeating what someone else has already said.

 

BEFORE YOU THANK SOMEONE FOR THEIR ANSWER: Gratitude is great, but please consider switching to that person's email directly... rather than sending another email to the whole group. Or better yet, wait until you ask your next question, and say something like "thanks to everyone who answered my question about no-mow lawns...today's question is...

 

BEFORE YOU CHANGE THE SUBJECT: If you reply to an existing post, but wish to change the topic, please take a moment to update the subject line to reflect the new topic. And speaking of subject lines...keep them short and specific "source for pennisetum spathiolatum in the bay area" tells much more than "grass question" and helps us keep our communications clear.

 

BEFORE YOU EXPRESS AN OPINION: Please read the "terms of use statement" at the group home page... Although we are a members-only group, we are not private. Your words can be forwarded to anyone. Remember that this group is statewide and includes designers, contractors, allied members and sponsors. We want our group to represent the highest level of professional communications at all times.

 

Thoughts? Suggestions? Tips? Tricks? We plan to send out a monthly communication to group members with these guidelines and anything new that comes up...so please feel free to contact me (laura@schaubdesigns.com) with any thoughts you might have about the group and its management. At some point the Yahoo Group will be integrated with our website...but for now, please help us keep this a great resource for the benefit of all of us.

 

 

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A warm welcome to new APLD California Chapter member:

 

First Name	Last Name	City	Joined APLD	Mbr_Category
Jeannie	Fitch	Orinda	12/03/2008	Associate

 

 

Awards & Recognition

 

APLD California Chapter Upcoming Events