Call to order: 10:00 PDT [via Zoom]

(1) Quorum (= 8 voting Directors minimum, out of 13 total):

Directors present (9): Edwards, Connor, Banks, Rogers, Meckes, Boeraeve, Clever, King, Ramsay

Directors absent (4): Sanders, Pierce, Fox, Kohler

Others present:

John and Michelle Tkach

 

(2) ABS 2025 Conference (Connor, Clever) –

– Buses are at capacity, carpools suggested, additional rental vans possible.

– The T-shirts are finished.

– Clever: attendees planning to bring items for the silent auction need to let Michelle know, to plan space.

– Clever: consider a Zoom or phone connection for Directors not present at the Board meeting.

 

(3) ABS 2026 Conference (Meckes) –

– Probably will be in mid-October 2026.

– Ramsay: consider whether the planning committee makeup will change for 2026, and if this will be an ABS-organized event solely or ABS plus the Texas Chapter. Add to the annual Board meeting agenda.

 

(4) Membership and Web (Meckes) – 

– Current membership = 386.

– Bamboo.org: A new full update has been made. Ramsay will help standardize date formats to facilitate sorting aMember data.

 

(5) Nominations (Ramsay) –

– Incumbent Ramsay and Dain Sansome are the two nominees for the two expiring At-Large positions, with nominations closing 12 September. Therefore no election needs to take place.

– Chapter Directors for 2025-2028: Florida has not responded; Boeraeve will contact Shanti Pierce to inquire.

 

(6) Privacy and Cookie Statements (Ramsay) –

– Membership data needs to be more uniform before work on these statements resumes.

 

(7) ABS Director Job Descriptions (Boeraeve) –

– Probably needs a meeting attendance requirement. Placed on ABS2025 Board agenda.

 

(8) Advertising (Edwards) –

– Meckes keeps a spreadsheet of commercial members.

– Edwards noted the improved quality of BAMBOO Magazine; recommended placing in libraries; Sanders should be consulted.

– The Magazine and advertising will be on the ABS2025 Board agenda.

 

(9) Arts/Crafts Competition (Pierce absent) –

– Boeraeve contacted Shanti Pierce via WhatsApp about the video for the ABS page on the World Bamboo website, set to be completed “soon”.

 

(10) Chapter Activities –

– LGCC: Planning to meet at Sean Farr’s (formerly Alain Flexer’s) nursery which has a large inventory of plants.

– TBSC: The 31st Texas Bamboo Festival will be held the weekend before Thanksgiving.

– PNWC: This year’s Ned’s Bash fundraiser for the Ned Jaquith Foundation was attended by fewer but well-motivated people; the auction was a good one, and a feast featured fresh-caught tuna. On 13 Sep there will be a work party near Astoria, OR.

– SEC: Working on signage in a NC grove. Daphne Lewis continues her research. Acquired some new members who grow bamboo.

 

(11) International Activities (Boeraeve) – 

– ABS sponsorship of the World Bamboo Organization at the $1000 level is due soon.

– A reciprocal exchange of information between the Bamboo Society of Australia and the ABS has been arranged. Contact with the New Zealand, French and German Societies is planned.

– Ramsay: Asked about INBAR reciprocity. Unfortunately, INBAR is governmental and no small nonprofits are accepted as members.

– World Bamboo Day is 18 September; fewer worldwide activities are planned.

 

Next Meetings –

ABS Board: 29 October 2025 in-person, at ABS2025 in Greenville, SC.

 

Adjournment: 12:05 PDT.