By Stephanie Smith
Membership services coordinator

It’s hard to believe that the summer is almost over and the fall is nearly here. It seems like just yesterday that it was June. Speaking with our members at all of our hugely successful events, we are all in agreement. Hopefully this month will not be another soggy one, so that we may enjoy more of the amazing events that LO chapters have scheduled.

September 23 is a free barbecue and Supplier Night Social with the Durham Chapter. Join the chapter for a free casual social night, when you can mix business with pleasure. There will be new products showcased and free food. And, let’s face it, who doesn’t love free food? Get to know what your chapter is all about, meet some fellow members and enjoy all of the great events that will take place this meeting season. We are always looking for more suppliers to join us, so give us a call. Find out all the details online at www.horttrades.com.
 

Golf tournaments wrapping up

I would personally like to thank everyone involved in organizing the events for all the amazing work that went into running these great tournaments. It took lots of personal time and effort to make these events so successful. The feedback has been extremely positive. Next year’s golf tournaments are already being planned to be bigger and better. Make sure you register early to avoid disappointment.

Thank you to all our sponsors and to all the participants. It was a pleasure to support the great charities this season. Proceeds go to Sick Kids, Ronald McDonald House and Gilda’s Club in Barrie. Landscape Ontario is receiving lots of good will and strengthening our brand through these initiatives.
 

Chicken Roast

September 11 is the date for the Golden Horseshoe Chicken Roast. Come out and join the chapter for a barbecue with a show by the Reptile Man. If you haven’t seen the show, you don’t know what you are missing. There will be lots of prizes and bouncy castles and games for the kids. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Please note that readers of online HR will receive this information prior to the date of the event, but if you are reading this in the print edition, sorry it has already happened and we hope to see you next year.
 

Membership dues increasing

Per our Provincial Board, LO membership dues will increase annually, determined by the Consumer Price Index. Per Stats Canada, the CPI increase from May 2007 to May 2008 is approx 2.2 per cent. Our dues for new members and renewals, effective Sept. 1, 2008, will be:  

Meeting season

The season is about to kick off and I hope to see everyone at the great meetings planned by each chapter. Stay tuned to this monthly column and the website to make sure you do not miss out. As always, I am here to help, so if you need anything or have any questions, contact me at ssmith@landscapeontario.com or 1-800-265-5656, ext. 354.

I look forward to great participation this season. The chapter meetings will be full of useful information to help your businesses prosper.
 

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Stephanie Smith can be reached by e-mail at ssmith@landscapeontario.com.