Re: GWA Membership

**l*@juno.com**

OK Daryl, you've got me going on this one and apolgies in advance, if
someone thinks this post is too long. But you asked.
I have had it up to here with people who don't get "enough" out of GWA
membership. The person who recruited me, sold me on the idea of getting
free trial plants. Every year, I get at least $100 worth of plants for
field trials, more than repaying my dues.
At the conference (we can't go every year), I have received free
(expensive) tools and plants, gloves that sell for $40/pair, and met
members from my region that have given me important leads on gardens to
scout.
I touch base, in person, with editors that I would have to pay hundreds
of dollars in airfare to visit (face time is always important).
I get to have conversations with some of my favorite authors and
photographers.
I usually learn SOMETHING from the seminar sessions, tho perhaps people
who have been in the business longer already know everything there is to
know.
What garden tour addict can resist the symposium's garden tours?
I "met" Kathy Purdy on the internet through Mary Ann Newcomer (I know
you're "lurking" MA). Kathy helped me a lot when I was first launching my
blog.
Anyone who attended the GWA Conference in Pennsylvania can't possibly
believe that the hospitality put on by Longwood Gardens and Chanticleer
(or any other sponsor) was included in the $300 per person registration!
Food is good. Sure, there are glitches (I was stuck in the dark for hours
in the hotel basement at Valley Forgeand and suffer from claustrophobia).
But I have also been on the organizing end of other events when things
have gone terribly wrong. Let's, instead, applaud the heroic work of the
volunteers who soldiered on to get the conference back on track.
Marianne Binetti, who taught a class at my first conference in Long
Island, has promptly responded to every question I've e-mailed her. I
don't even know whether she would remember who I am.
Kirk Brown is a fabulous, funny, and interesting resource who introduced
me to Nan Ondra, Stephanie Cohen, and Rob Cardillo with whom I have
subsequently worked (and earned money). 
Thanks to Saxon Holt, Betty Mackey, Art Wolk and others who sent me free
(expensive) books to review.
There's lots more, but I'll end with this one:
I never would have known about the GWListserv unless GWA member Mary Ann
Newcomer had told me about it. And I thank you Doreen for hosting it; it
is a tremendous resource.
To anyone who says they aren't getting their money's worth out of the
GWA, I say it's your own darn fault!

Regards,
Lois
Visit http://loisdevries.blogspot.com

On Sat, 3 May 2008 10:18:06 -0400 "Daryl" <dp2413@comcast.net> writes:
> A writer of my acquaintance, who chose not to renew membership in 
> GWA, was 
> curious to know how many people on this list were GWA members, and 
> if any 
> were former GWA members. She didn't feel she was getting value for 
> the dues.
> 
> Daryl
> 
> 
> 

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