The GCOS Newsletter

October 2009 http://www.gardenersutopia.co= m/GCOS/

Board of Directors:

Presiden= t:

Alexa No= el

Program director:

Larry Sanford

Vice-pre= sident :

Ron Mill= er

Show Cha= ir:

Pat June=

Secretar= y:

Jeanne Rhinehart

Members-= at-large:

Dana Whi= te, Linda Knab

Treasure= r:

Margaret Cullen

&nb= sp;

Elaine Better

The next meeting of= the Greater Cincinnati Orchid Society will be on Tuesday, October 6, 2009<= /u>. Note that this is usually the fi= rst Tuesday of the month. The m= eeting will be held at the Civic Garden Center on Reading Road across from Bethe= sda Hospital. The meeting is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m. There will be time to socialize = from 7:00 to 7:30.

Progra= m

October’s program is by Darin Clapp on “Rupicolous Laelias”. Refreshmen= ts are by Ed and Mary Anne Foss and Kathleen Vacek.

GCOS Orchid Show, October 3 – 4, Krohn Conservatory

If you have plants for the show, bring them to Krohn by 7 p.m. on Friday. We realize that people have to w= ork and an earlier time can create a problem. You can also leave them at Steve Helbling’s. Be sure to have a list of plants and your name on the b= ox. You can leave them on the floor = of the porch if Steve is not at home. Please email your plant entries to Dana GCOSinfo@zoomtown.com= and Jan Yates jyates11@earthlink.net. Directions and forms for emailin= g your plant list can be found on our website    http://ww= w.gardenersutopia.com/GCOS/showdocuments.html

Hospitality food should be brought to Krohn on Friday too. As few people have signed up to = bring food, donations would be greatly appreciated. Help is always appreciated for s= etup Friday afternoon and tear down on Sunday afternoon.

If you want to clerk, come to the back entrance of Krohn Saturday at 7:15. Clerking is a great way to learn= more about orchids and is a lot of fun.

Photographers can come Sunday morning at 8:30 to get photos before the crowds arrive. Come to the back entrance for admittance.

Flash from our President

I received our letter of authorization yesterday 9/20. We are now a non-profit. The beginning date is May 19, 2009. I wanted you = all to know. Thanks to Pat and Margaret. Without your hard work, = it wouldn't have happened.

Orchid Conservation Coalition

A reminder to check the website http://www.orchidconservationcoalition.org/conservationorgs.html for possible conservation organizations for our society to support. If anyone has questions or inform= ation about which group we should consider, there will be time at our meeting f= or them. There are links and information about each group: Native Orchid Conservation Inc, Debwendon I= nc, Jardin Botanico Las Orquideas, Orchid Conservation Alliance, Denver Botan= ic Gardens, EcoMinga, PlantRestoration and Propagation Biotechnology Program, Tropical Research and Education Center, Orchid Conservation International, and Grande Ronde Overlook Wildflower Institute Serving Ecological Restoration.

Treasurer’s Message

We will be presenting a year-to-date accounting and reconciliation of our 20= 09 budget at the October and November meetings. We will also be presenting a pro= posed budget for 2010 and members will be asked to approve it at the November meeting. In addition, we wi= ll be asking the membership to authorize our expenditures for the remainder of 2009. This reconciliation p= iece of our proposed-to-actual budget is a new process for GCOS and is consistent with our recently adopted Regulations and Financial Management Policy in which we promised to come back to the membership about any variances.

We are a conservative and fiscally strong organization! Nonetheless, 2009 has been a yea= r of opportunities and challenges and our projections for the remainder of the year require explanation. We planned for a slight deficit this year all along due to expenses related = to our 501(c)(3) application. = We are asking the membership to accept the board’s recommendations to conc= lude the 2009 fiscal year with a larger than anticipated deficit. We certainly encourage a dialogue. Please contact me= , or any of the board members with questions or suggestions.

Our funds at August 31, 2009 included:

        = ;            &n= bsp;   General Funds      =             &nb= sp;     $11,903.60

        = ;            &n= bsp;   Restricted Funds

        = ;             <= /span>Gastright Trophy      = ;          2,642.49<= /span>

        = ;             <= /span>Forker Trophy      = ;              2,731.00=

        = ;            &n= bsp;   Total Funds      =             &nb= sp;          $17,277.09

Our challenge= s have included:

We exper= ienced a dramatic increase in our show insurance (coverage under a group liability policy purchased through the AOS) that protects GCOS offic= ers, directors, judges, vendors, clerks, and other participants. AOS contracts this coverage annually and rates are not known until February or so. We could only estimate our = cost of coverage this year based on what it was in 2008.

Our prop= osed budget for 2009 did not anticipate all the fees associated with our 501(c)(3) application. We were very early in the application process when our 2009 budget was approved. Very recentl= y, we learned of additional one-time fees due to the IRS based on our gross revenue. In short, we = got bumped into a different revenue category by the fact that we hold our shows at the Krohn Conservatory which has a significant in-kind valu= e.

We imple= mented a change in GCOS accounting systems in which we allocate expenses and revenues exactly to the fiscal year in which they occur. In the past, we allocated i= tems to the year in which they were “budgeted.” So for example, if we order= ed a two-year supply of ribbons for a show, in the past, it would have be= en estimated/allocated over two years.= Under our current system the full amount is an expense in the year we pay it. We will continue to be vulnerable to these swings going forward, but we are trying to implement controls to avoid it. The current year is signifi= cant because it’s the transition year.

We deter= mined that raffles were not permissible for us under Ohio law and we terminated them. We di= d not generate a lot of income from raffles but they were an integral part= of our meetings and they did provide some modest revenue. We haven’t yet establ= ished a regular replacement for the raffle but we will be working toward o= ther options like auctions or silent auctions (ideas welcome and appreciated).

We didn&= #8217;t provide any wiggle room in the budget to allow for the unexpected. The board intends to be accountable without having to come to back to the membership several times a year to address budget variances. Our proposed budget for 201= 0 will include a modest contingency amount for this purpose. This sort of latitude was t= aken for granted by the board in the past. We plan to be more transpar= ent going forward.

Our opportuni= ties have included:

We had an opportunity to have Glenn Decker and Norman Fang as speakers at our regular meetings. They= are accomplished and recognized growers from outside our local area. The board of directors was = happy to include them in our program and believed that bringing in knowledgeable speakers is part of our mission. We incurred additional unpl= anned expenses.

We have = an opportunity to place a group order for potting media and supplies wi= th Roberts Flower Supply. As part of this group order, the board would like to purchase media for= 2 to 4 Potting Bees. Pot= ting Bees are offered approximately 2 weeks after our shows at the Krohn. The public is i= nvited to come in and have a plant repotted and talk to members about culture. This is a pro= gram that is fundamental to our mission and in the past, media has often = been provided personally by the members rather than GCOS. The board would like to see= the society accept the burden for supplying media for this valuable event. Our new propose= d expenditure for fiscal year 2009 conservatively assumes the 2 potting bees in 2010.

Oh yeah, hopefully we will be a 501(c)(3) soon and able to accept tax-deducti= ble donations from members and the public. It’s a great opportun= ity, but our proposed budget is conservative and we have not projected any revenue from it in either the 2009 or 2010 budgets. When we receive our determi= nation from the IRS, we will need to look for ways to use the funds to furt= her orchid conservation, education, culture, and propagation.=

We will discuss all this at the October and November meetings but I apprecia= te your advance comments and questions. We are not proposing to increase membership fees for 2010. Please feel free to call or emai= l me with questions or comments. The board and I value your input.

Margaret Cullen, Treasurer

Margt.ann.elliott@gmail.com

(513) 731-8349

GCOS Group Order to Roberts Flower Supply

www.orchidmix.com

Order deadline Nov. 3

We are happy to offer an opportunity for members to participate in a group o= rder for plant media and supplies. Roberts Flower Supply offers a variety of potting media, pots, hangers, clips, chemicals, fertilizers, and other supplies. They particip= ate in the regional MAOC shows so you may have seen or purchased their suppli= es before. Roberts is located = in Northern Ohio and will deliver to us in their own truck for a flat rate of approximately $160 without regard to bulk or weight. This is a significant savings to members. See their catalogue online. A limited number of catalogues will be available at the October meeting. Anything in their catalogue is eligible for this order.

A hobby = bag is equivalent to a one gallon Ziploc.

A &frac1= 2; cubic foot bag is about 15 quarts or approximately12x12x6.

A 2 cubi= c foot bag is about 15 gallons or four ½ cubic foot bags.

Our group order will have reduced handling/packing costs (5% instead of the normal 10%). Orders are sub= ject to Ohio sales tax of 6.75%. Shipping costs will be shared proportionately among members who or= der and will be calculated based on total orders received by Nov 3. We p= lan to schedule delivery before the holidays so that everyone has materials in plenty of time for seasonal repotting.&n= bsp; However, the delivery will fall during our winter break and we hope that members will pick up their orders ASAP. We will work with folks as much = as possible on pickup and delivery. Details are being worked out.&nbs= p;

Please feel free to contact me with questions.&= nbsp; I will assist with tallying your order. You can bring your orders to the October or November meetings or email them to me.

Margaret Cullen. <= /p>
Margt.ann.elliott@gmail.com

(513) 731-8349.

MidAmerica Orchid Congress hosted by the Orchid Society of Middle Tennessee October 30 – November 1

Reminder to consider attending. It i= s a great learning experience. = The MidAmerican is on our website= front page with information about it and registration forms.<= /p>

GC= OS Refreshments – 2009

October

Ed and Mary Anne Foss

Kathleen Vacek

November

Dan and Ann Tsui

Margaret Cullen

=

Near= by Shows/Events

October 3 - 4<= /o:p>

GCOS Fall Show

Krohn Conservatory

October 11

Potting Bee

Krohn Conservatory

October 24 - 25

Kentucky Orchid Society Show

Fern Valley Hotel & Conference Center, Louisville KY I 65 Exit 128

October 30 – November 1

MidAmerica Orchid Congress hosted by the Orchid Society of Middle Tennessee

Franklin Marriott Cool Springs

700 Cool Springs Blvd.

Franklin, TN 37067

Next Meetings

* Speaker brings pl= ants for sale. No silent auction plant

October 6, 2009

Darin Clapp

November 3, 2009

Jordan Hawley<= /o:p>

December 4, 2009

Christmas Party Jan= Yates

Growing the Best

Share the magic and joy of growing orchids with a g= ift of the AOS 2010Calendar. The 12 superbly grown orchids pictured show the diversity in color, size, shape and fragrance found in the orchid family. Join author Ken Slump as he shares secrets for growing the best orchids a= nd then offers advice for successfully cultivating and flowering a dozen cho= ices suitable for the greenhouse, home and under lights.

<= span style=3D'font-size:9.0pt;font-family:"BaskervilleBT-Italic","serif";mso-b= idi-font-family: BaskervilleBT-Italic'>=

$2 from each calendar sold benefits orchid conservation

$12.95 plus shipping and handling

Order No. CL919M

ORCHIDEMPORIUM

To Order Call 561-404-2062 or 561-404-2060

E-mailTheAOS@aos.o= rg

Gift Shop 561-404-2026

Fax561-404-2100

Web Site www.aos.org

Boar= d of Directors Meeting

The next Board of Directors meeting will be held October 21 at 7:00 = p.m. at the Panera on Winton Road. Officers for 2009 should attend:= Alexa Noel, Pat June, Jeanne Rhinehart, Larry Sanford, Toni Doty, Ron Miller, Alexa Noel, Linda Knab, Dana White and Marga= ret Cullen. November 18 will be the date for the following meeting.

Plant Judging

<= span style=3D'font-size:11.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>AOS Judging of plan= ts is done at the shows listed under Nearby Shows as well as at the regularly scheduled judging sessions listed immediately at right. These sessions begin at 1:00 p.m= . at the Civic Garden Center. Yo= u are welcome to bring a plant to be judged or just to observe the judging. Be a little early; plant registr= ation is from Noon to 1:00 p.m.

October 11, 2009

November 8, 2009

December 13, 2009

Internet The GCOS web site is http://www.gardenersutopia.= com/GCOS/.

The MidAmerica Orchid Congress Website:   http://www.midamericanorchids= .org/

Newsletter Circulation Policy=

The newsletter is sent to all members whose membership is current and to other orchid societies by reciprocal agreement. Non-members who request a newsle= tter will receive a maximum of three issues.&= nbsp; Questions about the newsletter may be directed to Jeanne Rhinehart, 513-232-6097 (evening). Em= ail: jsanders1@fuse.net

= ;

*Presiden= t:*	*Alexa No= el*	*Program director:*	*Larry Sanford*
*Vice-pre= sident :*	*Ron Mill= er*	*Show Cha= ir:*	*Pat June=*
*Secretar= y:*	*Jeanne Rhinehart*	*Members-= at-large:*	*Dana Whi= te, Linda Knab*
*Treasure= r:*	*Margaret Cullen*	*&nb= sp;*	*Elaine Better*

Near= by Shows/Events
October 3 - 4<= /o:p>	GCOS Fall Show	Krohn Conservatory
October 11	Potting Bee	Krohn Conservatory
October 24 - 25	Kentucky Orchid Society Show	Fern Valley Hotel & Conference Center, Louisville KY I 65 Exit 128
October 30 – November 1	MidAmerica Orchid Congress hosted by the Orchid Society of Middle Tennessee	Franklin Marriott Cool Springs 700 Cool Springs Blvd. Franklin, TN 37067

Next Meetings
* Speaker brings pl= ants for sale. No silent auction plant
October 6, 2009	Darin Clapp
November 3, 2009	Jordan Hawley<= /o:p>
December 4, 2009	Christmas Party Jan= Yates