JOURNAL

Many thanks
by Mike Roussel
Well, this is it – my last president’s message. In some ways I am relieved and in others, saddened. Trying to come up with a topic each
month and then finding the time to write was always a challenge; but in the end I must say that I enjoyed the process and it was a great
opportunity to improve my writing skills. I also enjoyed the time spent thinking in depth about the club, bonsai and how it all fit into my
life. I hope that you found my messages interesting and inspiring or at the very least, not dull. I would like to thank Greg Quinn, our
TBS Journal editor, who helped me extensively in polishing up each message.
It has been a great two years running the club. I can say that I grew as a person quite a bit during that time, learning what it means to
be in a leadership position. Being an IT project manager in real life, I tried to run the club as a project and was constantly intrigued at
the differences between projects in the corporate and the bonsai club worlds. It certainly is different running a project with a diverse
group of volunteers than with employees. The tasks are different and the power of persuasion is much more important than when
someone is motivated by a salary!
I would like to thank those people who gave of themselves over the past two years. Without you there would be no club. Thanks to all
the people who lectured in the beginner sessions and main meetings, instructed in workshops and mentored new members, had
backyard visits, and made other contributions.
Of course the biggest contributors are always the members of the TBS executive, and I couldn’t have asked to work with a finer set of
people. Their hard work and support really made the difference. I apologize in advance for the long Oscar thank yous here, but I have
always thought it was important to recognize people individually for a job well done.
Being part of the executive is work but not a thankless job:
Mike McCallion: thanks for helping guide me through my presidency and providing your political insights, business sense and
enthusiasm for bonsai.
Otmar Sauer: thanks for all the support and assistance. I couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks for running with the beginner’s
sessions (they were a real hit) and your many other contributions...
Jean Charing: thanks for your many great ideas and sound financial management. Also, thanks for helping Keith in getting the
magazines bound for the library.
Dierk Neugebauer: thanks for your encouragement, insights and your entertaining rants I appreciate your long service to the club.
Also, thanks to you and Sandy again for putting together the full set of journals. That is a great legacy to leave the club!
Barbara Pope: thanks for just being the sweet person you are. You are the best note taker I have ever seen. Want a job?
Karen Brankley: thanks for always being so steady and measured. You are one of the pillars on the TBS executive.
Jorge Pereira: the young upstart. Thanks for your enthusiasm and taking over the web master role. Your contribution to the club is just
beginning and off to a great start.
Lilly Tsrulnikov: thanks for stepping up and joining the executive. Like Jorge, I am sure we can expect great things from you in the
future.
Linda Chevrier and Cheryl Johnson: thanks for all your hard work taking care of the membership and all the other things that you did
to help out, especially organizing the Sean Smith visit.
Robert Dubuc: thanks for being our tool and wire vendor – an invaluable service. I know it has been a challenge with your early
morning starts.
Greg Quinn: thanks for being the hardest working person of all the executive. Your enthusiasm for the club and your giving, kind nature
has been an inspiration for me.
Keith Oliver: thanks for taking your job as librarian so seriously. The library has definitely benefited from your care. And most of all,
thanks for stepping up to be president! I know you are a little nervous about it but you will do a fine job and like me, you will have a
fantastic executive to rely on.
So, that’s it! One term ends and another begins. Thanks again everyone for your support and enthusiasm. I look forward to many years
of enjoyment with the Toronto Bonsai Society.
… Oh yes, and please consider stepping up and joining the executive or making other contributions to the club – “Grow to the
Challenge”! The club is nothing without you!!
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