| Newsletter and Website
The monthly newsletter is published electronically and includes information about upcoming programs and events, official business and announcements, and MBS contact information, along with stories and pictures from past events and articles about various bonsai topics. The newsletter is available to members only and is published online with each month’s URL sent out by e-mail. If you don’t have access to a computer we will mail a limited number of text-only versions of the newsletter. Indicate your preference on your membership application. We maintain a website at www.MinnesotaBonsai.com. The site is open to the public and includes maps and directions to club events and the annual calendar, as well as information about upcoming events, articles about bonsai, and pictures of past events. If you would like to submit articles or pictures to either the newsletter or website, please contact the webmaster through the website link. Bonsai Basics Class Every year the Society offers free entry level classes for members. We call it Bonsai Basics (formerly known as Class of [whatever year it was]). The class meets monthly, usually on the third Tuesday of the month, for about 9 months. Classes cover the basic concepts of bonsai, from wiring to wintering. These meetings are conducted by experienced club members who are happy to share their expertise. Attendance is voluntary; pick and choose the meetings of interest to you. We find most people new to bonsai will want to attend most meetings. At the end of the class year your group may want to form a study group to continue learning on its own. This is a wonderful way to form friendships within the Society. Shows and Exhibits We have two formal bonsai exhibits during the year. Our Mother’s Day show is held at the Marjorie McNeely Conservatory at Como Park on the Saturday and Sunday of Mother’s Day weekend. Any member may bring trees, and all skill levels are welcome. This show is not judged. Our biggest show is held at the State Fair, where we exhibit on the Friday and Saturday of Labor Day weekend. This is a Fair event and open to anyone wishing to exhibit, including nonmembers. The show is judged and critiqued by a visiting bonsai master hired by the club, and awards are given. A special Novice Class is open to members with fewer than three years’ experience. Written critiques are provided for all trees and let you benefit from the expertise of a professional bonsai artist. We encourage all members to exhibit and volunteer at shows. We can always use help with setup and teardown, and members also work at the shows to answer visitors’ questions about bonsai and MBS. This is a great way to share your enthusiasm and knowledge. Newer members are welcome—remember, even as a beginner you know more than most members of the public. Look for sign-up sheets at the general meetings. From time to time we are asked to participate at other events. These will be announced at meetings and in the newsletter. Auctions MBS sponsors a spring and fall auction every year as part of our program schedule. A wide variety of hard-to-find material is offered, including styled trees, raw plant material, tools, pots, books, and supplies, at both a live auction and a silent auction. Auctions are open to the public, but only members are allowed to offer items for sale. Sellers pay a 10% commission to MBS. Check the newsletter for complete seller instructions. Cash, checks, and Master Card, Visa, and Discover Card are accepted. Member Manual Continues |