Peter K. wrote:
I belong to a local bonsai club. Just wondering if anyone has any good
ideas to boost the clubs funds. We never have any new speakers, only club
members. I would like to find some ways to make money for the club (aside
from raising dues) so we could do more and get some new speakers in. Any
suggestions welcome.

Hi Peter - yours is surely not the only club in such straits! IBC
members will come up with lots of great ideas for you. Here's some for
starters:

-have members bring in small bonsai-related stuff to raffle at
meetings, this also makes a nice "milling around" coffe hour

-have a club auction (and picnic!) once a year, to auction donated
larger items and trees. Invite neighboring bonsai or garden clubs.

-have club (or individual member) do demo or display at local garden
club or arboretum. Ask for a modest honorarium to be donated to the club

-swap speakers with another club if some not too far away - one of
their folks comes to you, one of yours goes to them, no money need
exchange hands

-consider non-bonsai speakers with relevant topics, i.e. a talk on
diseases and pests by local cooperative extension person

-rather than one "speaker", do a "round-table" amongst members on how
each approaches one topic: winter storage, cutting propagation,
display stands, whatever

-increase membership! same dues x more people = more money

-someone with undeveloped land locally might let the club collect
without charge, but you could ask for a small ($5/tree, $20/person?)
donation from those wishing to dig.

Get BCI's "Handbook of Program and Activity Ideas for Bonsai Clubs"
(just $10+$2 s&h, even the most parsimonious treasurer must agree to
order!) for both fundraising and activity ideas:
http://www.bonsai-bci.com/products.html#anchor1295228

Anita
--
Northern Harford County, Maryland, USDA zone 6
Go forth under the open sky, and list
To Nature's teachings.
- William Cullen Bryant

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