Those who were not at the FBM this year really missed something special. I have never seen the Board as energized as at this one. Not one person said that the workshop was not worthwhile. The event was organized and run by Robert Darling who with Edie Godfrey had put an enormous amount of work into ensuring that all ran smoothly. We all owe them a debt of gratitude. And it did not stop when we adjourned the meeting for social events like the dinner cruise. People were buzzing like proverbial bees that had just come across a field of daffodils in full bloom. Even on the way back to the airport after the meeting, people were still talking and interacting in positive ways. It was great!
I must admit that I approached the exercise which was “What will the ADS be like in the year 2020 and how do we get there?” with some trepidation. But there was nothing to be worried about, even those good people who are normally very quiet and sit passively on the sidelines, jumped in with great enthusiasm. We will all look back on this weekend with great fondness and talk about it for years to come. It shows what the ADS can do and become if we are only prepared to put a little effort into it.
Of course we did not accomplish everything we had wanted to do, but we made an excellent start and you will see some reorganization coming from this in the next six months and beyond.
One new event to look forward too. The ADS has agreed to an experiment. We are hoping for a judged autumn daffodil show next Autumn in Indiana at the FBM. Put it on your calendar and come and experience history in the making.
Harold
Kudos to Edie Godfrey for choice of hotel and for exceptionally fine planning for weekend activities outside the work session! A Saturday evening boat ride with dinner on Lake Minnetonka and a Sunday bus tour of the historic area with time spent at the beautiful Minnesota Landscape Arboretum.
Would you believe that the group meals at the hotel were absolutely delicious?
The Saturday work session led by Robert Darling was intense and uninterrupted – we worked from early morning through lunch without complaining. Such was the energy and enthusiasm we all developed.
Bob
The weekend was marvelous; thanks to Edie for planning such a wonderful time for us all; agree with Bob the food was excellent, the company excellent, even the weather seemed to be made for a beautiful weekend.
Thanks again to all who had a part in making it so wonderful.