Annual Report Planting Pride in Our Communities.

Transcription

1 Annual Report 2010 Planting Pride in Our Communities

2 America in Bloom, an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. America in Bloom by the Numbers Since our start in 2002 we have grown to: 180 cities participating; 38 states represented; 22 million people engaged; more than 500,000 media impressions Annual Symposium & Awards Program Features classroom and learning tours that provide takehome ideas. National awards are earned for outstanding efforts in the eight AIB criteria. Connecting People to Great Ideas Best Ideas Already in its fifth printing, this 240-page full color resource offers more than 2,000 easyto-implement projects and best practices of participating towns. The book was nominated for the prestigious American Horticultural Society national book award and is available for sale on the AIB web site. A trusted source for researching the AIB evaluation criteria, best practices, benefits of plants, and grant opportunities. E-newsletter Monthly communication that reaches more than 13,000 people with beautification tips, resources, and success stories. Webinars Learn from experts how to harness the America in Bloom spirit in your community. Celebrating Community Leadership: The John R. Holmes III Community Champion Award People who make a difference in their communities and exemplify the AIB mission through their leadership are eligible for nomination for this award. Created in memory of John R. Holmes, the late CEO of OFA - an Association of Horticulture Professionals and an AIB board member since the organization s inception, the award honors city beautification advocates who believe in the power of flowers and plants to change lives. The first-ever award recipient was Rick Webb (on right, receiving award from AIB president Marvin Miller), a community beautification champion from Logan, Ohio. Social Media AIB uses blogs, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to connect people to the benefits of plants and community beautification.

3 Our Biggest Little Secret By America in Bloom President Dr. Marvin Miller, Ball Horticultural Company America in Bloom has had a busy year. Since our last annual report we ve completed the 2009 awards and are fully engaged in our 2010 program. We added webinars to our educational offerings. We completely revamped our web site and began using social media to share, even more, the benefits of plants with the public. We published our first book, and it has been very well received. We are working harder than ever to get our message out to more people. America in Bloom continues to support great accomplishments in municipalities all across America. In all of our participating cities (and even in some of the neighboring towns), AIB has had a miracle effect of bringing people together in ways never before imagined. By working within the AIB framework and with AIB guidance, citizens have coalesced into communities of volunteers working toward the common goal to plant pride and to harvest the results of their actions. These actions have led to more beautiful entrances to cities, to more welcoming avenues, to more attractive shopping districts, and to cleaner and more beautiful neighborhoods. These activities have fostered more focused students in our schools, lower crime rates, and a better quality of life. At the same time, the greater use of plant materials more flowers, trees, shrubs, turf, and groundcovers has returned more oxygen, more privacy, more productivity, more stress reduction, and more carbon sequestration. Concerns about the environment, about tidiness, and about heritage preservation, coupled with community involvement, have generated real attitude changes in each community, instilling and ensuring permanence for the program s ideals. We have found these criteria also often provide the path into the program for new communities to learn about horticultural beautification. Many cities believe in the power of plants, and many more are starting to understand it as well. A number of these cities have participated in the contest, while others have benefitted from their association with AIB s other educational and outreach activities. As we enter our tenth year, we stand on the threshold of an even greater opportunity, not just to tell the story about the power of plants, but to realize those benefits. The secret of accomplishment is not greater spending by cities. Instead, Coaching for Communities Through its national awards and mentoring program, AIB provides a holistic framework for grassroots urban development. AIB helps towns harness untapped energy, talent, and resources, creating synergy among all demographics to champion greening, enhance environmental awareness, promote economic development, and improve quality of life. AIB is the only program of its kind that coaches towns to help them be more livable and sustainable. Participation in the AIB program brings residents from every demographic together to create meaningful, visible, constructive projects, combining efforts of residents, businesses, and local government. These groups work on common goals in eight areas: floral displays, landscaped areas, urban forestry, turf and groundcover areas, environmental awareness, tidiness, heritage preservation, and community involvement. Once towns have participated in the program, they continue with these efforts and build on them, having been impressed by its overall impact. With coaching from the judges, attitudes often change from we can t to we can, and we ll keep getting better. Our best idea this year was to participate in America in Bloom. So many groups have united under this common goal. Church groups, citizens, and businesses are already thinking about how they can pitch in and beautify their plots and beyond. Our community looks forward to meeting with the judges and hopes that their evaluations can help us improve the appearance of our community, the first impressions we create, and be a catalyst for change that keeps us moving forward for years to come. Submitted by Coshocton, Ohio

4 it is the involvement of more people, and the synergy that happens when residents partner with government and businesses. Such synergy is important, not just for our participating cities, but for our organization as well, and we welcome the opportunity to partner with sponsors and other non-profit organizations to plant pride in our communities. We have seen the power of plants to change people s lives. We have also seen the benefit of having outstanding cities serve as mentors to others. We have witnessed some of the horticulture industry s best minds sharing information with thirsty listeners, only to realize that a bigger educational resource could enhance both communities and their citizens understanding of the power of plants, if only folks embrace this organization in greater numbers. So we invite you to examine the activities of our latest year, and we encourage you to help others appreciate what AIB can be moving forward. For together there is so much more pride yet to plant in our communities budgeted income of $192,695 Contributions/ Sponsorships 61% Symposium 24% Contest Registration 15% Cities pay big dollars for technical analysis and planning in many areas. The AIB program, for a much smaller investment, provides the community a comprehensive evaluation and a practical road map that directs and encourages volunteer efforts that add great value to the community. Vivian Lund, former Mayor, Warrenville, Illinois Rewarding Excellence Towns are motivated to continue improving by the potential of receiving a prestigious national award. Awards are presented to towns that perform the best in their population category, and also are presented for achievement in each of the eight evaluation criteria.

5 2010 budgeted expenses of $186,885 Administration 4% Fundraising 4% Using Resources Efficiently Through the generosity of our sponsors, raffle ticket buyers, and contest and symposium registration fees, AIB is able to conduct outreach, develop educational resources, host a national symposium, provide in-person community evaluations, and communicate the benefit of flowers, plants, trees, or other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. 92% of all contributions go directly to program costs. Education, Symposium & Awards, and Public Relations 56% Contest 36% The local campaign, Bloomington In Bloom, has been invaluable in both encouraging lasting aesthetic enhancements in the community and in bringing together Bloomington residents for a common cause. The time and energy so selflessly given by so many people is a true testament to the great commitment of our residents in ensuring that Bloomington remains the very distinct and livable place that it is. Mark Kruzan, Bloomington, Indiana Mayor AIB Wins National Award for Efforts America in Bloom was named to the 2010 Associations Advance America Honor Roll, a national awards program sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives & The Center for Association Leadership in Washington, D.C. The prestigious awards program recognizes associations that propel America forward with innovative projects in education, skills training, standards setting, business and social innovation, knowledge creation, citizenship, and community service. Volunteer Support H O U R S = 875 work days Annually, more than 7,000 hours are donated by AIB board members and judges to make the program possible. This number does not include the countless hours from community volunteers. Board of Directors America in Bloom is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of 11 volunteers: Evelyn Alemanni ALL EA Consulting Jonathan Bardzik American Nursery & Landscape Association Dr. Jack Clasen Doug Cole D.S. Cole Growers Michael Geary OFA an Association of Horticulture Professionals Dr. Charlie Hall Texas A & M University Dr. Marvin N. Miller Ball Horticultural Company Delilah Onofrey Meister Media Worldwide Ron Pierre Express Seed Company Stan Pohmer Pohmer Consulting Group Katy Moss Warner President Emeritus, American Horticultural Society Laura Kunkle Executive Director

6 Thank You! Our gratitude and admiration to everyone who played a part in this year s program. A special thanks to our national sponsors, symposium sponsors, and media partners. Our heartfelt appreciation to our judges who each donate nearly a month or more of their time to personally visit participating towns, meet with community leaders, write evaluations, and provide coaching. Thanks to the hundreds of people who buy raffle tickets in support of the program. Thanks to the hard-working, engaged residents, business, and municipal leaders in each of the participating towns, who know that their efforts result in a more vibrant place to live, economic development, safer public spaces, and higher property values. Thanks to our board, a working board that donates thousands of hours each year toward promoting and implementing the program. Platinum Platinum American Nursery & Landscape Association American Nurseryman Ball Horticultural Company Bell Nursery DS Cole Growers Garden Center GPN Green Circle Growers Green Profit Greenhouse Grower Greenhouse Management & Production GrowerTalks Lawn & Garden Retailer Myers Lawn & Garden Group (ITML, Dillen, Pro Cal, Listo, Akro-Mils, Planters Pride) OFA - an Association of Horticulture Professionals The Scotts Company Today s Garden Center Van Wingerden International Gold American Horticultural Society Daniels Plant Food Dummen USA East Jordan Plastics Griffin Greenhouse Supplies J Frank Schmidt & Son Missouri Botanical Garden Zaunscherb Marketing Inc. Silver American Floral Endowment Eason Horticultural Resources Kube-Pak Corp Masterpiece Flower Company Selecta First Class Walnut Springs Nursery Bronze AMA Plastics Ltd. BioWorks Inc. Chickity Doo Doo Fafard Inc. Kinney Bonded Warehouse Landmark Plastic Corporation Paul Ecke Ranch Plant Products Raker Syngenta Seeds Inc. Wallitsch Nursery & Garden Center WoJo s Greenhouse Friend Agrinomix Altman Plants Vis Seed Company Waldo & Associates Inc. Giving to America in Bloom Corporate Partnerships AIB is committed to working with corporate partners and strategic allies to improve the quality of life in American towns and cities. By partnering with America in Bloom, you join a group of well-respected companies and a network of committed citizens who are dedicated to planting pride in their communities. We look forward to working with you. Contact the AIB office for sponsorship details. Your contributions are tax deductible Stella Ct., Columbus, OH Tel: Fax: aib@ofa.org