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At the end of this month the Central Iowa Water Garden Association will be officially two years old. We are still in our infancy and our organization has grown to over 250 members -- this includes all the members of the three chapters. Of course, we are going to have a turnover in membership but we have lost some charter members that I felt would have belonged "forever." Times change for some of us and I am resigned that we will lose some members due to circumstances. I still think that we can be doing a better job of servicing our membership. Just what can we do that is better? Please let us know -- I promise that we will be sensitive to all concerns and ideas.
Even though I have some concerns, we can be very proud of a very exciting organization that has done so much and will do even more. With the volunteers that we have, our future is very rosy. I can see in the not to distant future a guest lecturer that will be well known and exciting to learn from. I can also see a "build-a-pond-day" that will be done with one of our member's future ponds. It is also easy to visualize a closer relationship with our sister pond organizations. Maybe we can do an all day long symposium together. The Northern Iowa group and the Eastern Iowa group did one of these a few years ago that was very successful. Again, our future is very rosy with the enthusiasm and desire of our members.
For our upcoming December "meeting" I have lined up a couple of unique agenda items. Our program will be a short one -- say 15 to 30 minutes on a subject most of you have not heard about -- Rain Gardens. I am just now learning about the potential of these things becoming very popular. Just what does your mind think of when you think of a Rain Garden? It's a pretty catchy phrase and our organization has the potential of being on the group that "started it all"!! Have I tweaked your interest? Well, please come to the meeting and find out more.
We will NOT have a business meeting. Whew -- my Christmas present to you. It is tough for me not to have a Treasurers, Secretary and Membership report. But we will survive for one month without these items along with the rest of the business of our organization.
This get-together of our membership is going to be more of social one. This gathering will be a chance to get to know each other. There will be gifts given but only by the CIWGA to some in our membership. So, you could be getting an early Christmas. Area retailers have been very generous in their donations for our Christmas. I can let you know that Linda Grieve (our presenter last month) has donated a Consultation or $40 worth of plants -- whichever the receiver of the gift wants. This is just one of the presents that will be given. Lots more to give.
I have also arranged for a caterer to bring in warm homemade cinnamon rolls along with hot cider. We will have napkins so that the caramel doesn't run down your arm. Yummmmmmm!!!!!!!!
As you can see I am really looking forward to this meeting and I hope you are to. Please come with a $5 bill in your pocket to possibly have Christmas donation to a worthy cause that we will choose that night. This is instead of a gift exchange. This is only for those that want to participate. You remember our donations last year was for Bethany Manor. What a success that was.
See you at the Christmas get-together.
The Big Toad, Jamie