President’s Message
The year is winding down as our plants seem to be doing as well. Time to take stock of 2008. The AFS has entered a brave new world with its use of Skype (free – internet phone over your computer) during our Board meetings. We have successfully used Skype for two meetings and will continue to use it during upcoming meetings. We use simple web cams and microphones so we can talk to and see the other participants. It’s almost like they are sitting in the room with us. I encourage everyone to take a look at Skype. com – especially if you want to have long conversations with friends and family who live a long distance from you. Then you can type in my name under Search for a Contact and join us for a Board meeting.
If you have ever thought you’d like to contribute more to the AFS, now’s your chance to become a member of the AFS Board. It’s easy. It doesn’t take too much time. And it is FUN! We have two members of the Board who live in Paradise, CA (yes – they survived the fire just fine) and two other Board members in Crescent City, CA. Paradise is 200 miles away and Crescent City is 400 miles away, but with Skype, they can be a part of our monthly meetings. Think about joining the Board. Contact a current Board member to find out what they do and how much time they spend each month on AFS duties. Then take a look at the open positions – there’s one that fits you, too.
I find the time I spend with other AFS members to be fun and rewarding. I’ve been fortunate to meet so many wonderful people who I wouldn’t have met without the AFS connection. Just think, you have this vast collection of great friends at your fingertips in the AFS and outside, in the various associated fuchsia societies. We’re in it for the flowers, but the people are our greatest resource. So expand your world to include the AFS at large – join the Board.
Judy Bligh, President