Minutes of the American Bamboo Society General Membership Meeting 30 September 2021

The Meeting was called to order by Vice President Ian Connor at 12:30pm at the Lewis Farm in Hawkinsville, GA, as well as a Zoom connection.

Recognition of Current Officers:

Luc Boeraeve, President, International Director

Ian Connor, Vice President, PNWC Director

David King. Secretary, NCC Director

Carole Meckes (TBSC) and Bill Hollenback (PNWC), Co-Treasurers

Quorum: With 299 voting ABS members, the quorum of >=30 was present.

President’s Address to the Membership: Written comments by Luc Boeraeve are attached.

Treasurer’s Report:
Year-To-Date: Income $17,366; Expenses $14,394. The bank balance is $23,914, plus $9227 in PayPal and $62,806 in the TDAmeritrade brokerage account, making the ABS net worth $95,947.
Grants: $5000 was transferred to the Ned Jaquith Foundation for use in bamboo-related project grants, and the same is budgeted for 2022. The NJF approves individual grants. 2022 Budget is attached.

Secretary’s Report: (David King)
At-Large #2 Director for 2021-2024 term: Bill Hollenback has been elected. At-Large #4 (new at-large position): Kristen Comstock has been elected. International Director for 2021-2024 term: Luc Boeraeve was re-elected.

Currently Recognized US Chapters (9 total):

Qualifying for a Director – FCC, LGCC, MSC, NCC, PNWC, SCC, SEC, TBSC

Not Qualifying for a Director (based on membership count) – HC

Directors Selected by their Chapters for 2021-2024 term:

LGCC: Judge Edwards, PNWC: Ian Connor, TBSC: Harry Simmons

Ned Jaquith Foundation Report: Nancy Oberschmidt reviewed the process and the grants approved in 2021.

Website Progress: Now includes membership software and online payment. Work continues on integrating the Species Source List into bamboo.org.

Bamboo of the Americas Report: See attached.

Arts/Crafts: (Shanti Pierce) The 2021 competition winners will be featured in BAMBOO Magazine.

Announcement of International Events:
2022 – The 4th World Bamboo Workshop will be held in Vietnam 16-20.Sep 2022. An Iberian Bamboo Association has been created, covering Spain and Portugal.

Future Annual ABS Meetings:
2022 – Florida Caribbean Chapter, Probably Sebastian, FL in early-mid October. 2023 – Louisiana Gulf Coast Chapter, Location and dates to be announced.

Comments/Questions from the Membership: None offered.

Adjournment: The 2021 ABS Annual Membership Meeting was adjourned at 1:30pm.

Respectfully submitted,

David King
Secretary of the American Bamboo Society secretary@bamboo.org

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ABS President’s report for the year 2020 – 2021

As during the previous year, the covid-19 pandemic continued to have a big impact on all aspects of our day-to-day life and hence as well on our bamboo activities. In 2020 the ABS board and officers started to meet on a regular basis via Zoom and this was continued in 2021. In total 8 virtual board meetings were held since the AGM of last year. In addition the Tech Committee held a number of virtual meetings to work on the website and a membership management system. As a result the board and officers worked closely together throughout the year and maintaining good contacts with the chapters.

In addition to the day to day running of the organization, a big effort went towards revising and updating the website, introducing an efficient membership management system and also supporting the SEC in their preparations of the annual conference.

The revamped technical committee came up with an affordable and efficient membership management system and proposed and introduced major changes to the bamboo.org website. The aMember subscription membership software was selected and integrated with our website. A lot of work went into transferring all membership data to aMember and moving the membership and magazines to the new bamboo.org under aMember. The current system greatly simplifies and facilitates following up membership, sending out emails, etc.

The arts and crafts committee prepared and launched the arts and craft competition with the deadline set in September. The winners are expected to be announced shortly.

In 2020 the South East Chapter (SEC) made an enormous effort in preparing the annual Conference which was then cancelled following the covid-19 pandemic. Lucky enough, after a long break, the SEC found the energy to start again preparing the annual conference taking place end of September in Georgia. The board followed up the preparations during the year and is now looking forward to a successful conference.

The above is a limited overview and much more work has been and is done by many ABS volunteers, such as producing and distributing the Bamboo magazine, the ABS Journal, Website content, Source and Species List, Grants (with NJF), Help line, BOTA, advertising, social media communication etc.

The strength of Bamboo permeates the ABS and thanks to all of you, board members, job holders and ABS members, Bamboo and the ABS is growing stronger.

Respectfully submitted.

Luc Boeraeve Krombeekseweg 44 8970 Poperinge Belgium 

September 2021

Please note: Attachments mentioned above may be requested from the Secretary if desired