About Us

Website of the North Island Rhododendron Society

About our Society

The North Island Rhododendron Society, a Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society,
was founded in 1984 with the society's charter received on October 20, 1984.
There were 13 founding memberships, including our current members Harry & Gwen Wright,
Judith Walker, and Richard & Pauline Bonney. Membership interest grew
almost as fast as the plants, and by the summer of 1985
there were 26 regular memberships and 4 associate memberships.
In recent years, our annual membership has averaged about 60 regular with 5 associate members.

With funds raised through plant sales and garden tours, in 1996 the members decided to enter into a major project by building and maintaining a community rhododendron garden. On April 11, 1996, the North Island Rhododendron Society joined with the City of Courtenay, in the "Partners In Parks" program which allowed the club to begin work on the garden.

Located along the walking path between the visitor information centre and the Courtenay Airpark, the garden is ideally situated for maximum public enjoyment. The garden consists of six beds, containing over 130 varieties of rhododendrons. Our first bed was completed in April 1996. Through hard work and donated plants the sixth bed, known as the "BOVI" bed (Born On Vancouver Island), was built in October 2006 and officially opened in May 2007 (see photos on our Gallery page.) This specialized bed contains only those rhododendrons which have been hybridized here on Vancouver Island

Although the garden is an ongoing maintenance project, our members enjoy the spring and fall work parties which have become somewhat of a social gathering.

SPRING 2006 THE GARDEN'S 10TH ANNIVERSARY

OCTOBER 2006 THE NEW "BOVI" BED

MEMBERSHIP AND CONTACT INFORMATION:

Regular annual membership (which includes couples) is currently $35 CDN,
while an associate membership is only $10 CDN. Application forms are
available and accepted at our monthly meetings.

At our AGM held each May, some director's terms expire and elections are held to fill those positions.
Terms are for two (2) years, and commence on July 1st each year.
Below are the directors for this term.

2010 - 2011 Board of Directors:

President:	Diana Scott	(250) 338-0208
Vice President:	Paul Wurz	(250) 287-4301
Past President:	Harry Wright	(250) 338-8345
Secretary:	Pauline Thompson	(250) 339-3423
Treasurer:	Dave Godfrey	(250) 335-0717
Director - Ways & Means:	Nadine Boudreau	(250) 339-0909
Director - Library/Newsletter:	Noni Godfrey	(250) 335-0717
Director - Membership:	Brian Staton	(250) 337-5228
Director - Revenue Table:	Christine Aldred	(250) 335-3221

POSTAL ADDRESS:

North Island Rhododendron Society
P.O. Box 3183, Courtenay, BC V9N 5N4

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