Help PLANET Meet the Challenge
Professional Landcare Network Academic Excellence Foundation (PLANET AEF) Founding Ambassador Ron Damgaard proposed a challenge to our PLANET membership. If $25,000 can be raised by Dec. 31, from accumulated donations, other than Ambassador level donations, Ron will make an additional scholarship donation of $25,000. Damgaard’s challenge gift would place him at the Platinum Ambassador level, with personal donations totaling $50,000.
PLANET is asking for help to take advantage of the opportunity to increase scholarship funding.
Whether through involvement with mentoring, safety and legislative committees, or PLANET AEF fundraising, Damgaard has been a passionate leader of PLANET and ALCA for over 17 years. His life-long dedication to the industry earned him the 2004 PLANET Lifetime Leadership Award. Damgaard’s goal of sharing the benefits of the green industry with as many students as possible led him to create this challenge.
Making a donation helps YOU because…
- It’s tax deductible
- It gives back to the our profession by supporting green industry college scholarships
- Through your cumulative donations over time, you can become an AEF Ambassador with a named scholarship when your lifetime donations reach $25,000
Meeting this challenge helps the industry because…
- Every $25,000 in donations allows PLANET AEF to award a self-renewing additional scholarship each spring
- Hard-working students will be able to continue their education by earning these scholarships
There are four easy ways to pledge your contribution:
- Donate/pledge online now
- Click here to download a printable pledge form that can be faxed to
703/736-9668 - E-mail your pledge to cherylclaborn@landcarenetwork.org
- Call Cheryl Claborn at 800/395-2522
Summer Leadership Meeting
Rod Bailey, CCLP, of Alder Springs Enterprises, Inc., probably spoke for many attendees when he summarized his experience at this year’s PLANET Summer Leadership Meeting in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada. “Like all PLANET events, coming to leadership gives me a chance to connect with friends and stay on top of key issues in the industry,” Bailey says. “It’s amazing, though, how many new attendees I met, and how many new faces I saw in the meetings.”
“This is one of my favorite events, because it gives me a chance to interact with industry leaders,” says Bill Horn, CLP, CLT, of American Civil Constructors. “I attended several meetings and contributed when I could, but I always seem to walk away with more than I give.”
As part of the Summer Leadership agenda, participants met for a Town Hall Meeting to address issues and ask questions on topics of importance to PLANET and the industry. Bruce Moore Sr., CLP, of Eastern Land Management, liked the format of the Town Hall Meeting. “It gave membership an opportunity to speak up on a variety of issues, and it demonstrated that you can go to an event like this and be heard and make a difference,” Moore says.
Even though much of the time at Summer Leadership was devoted to meetings, there was still time to relax and take in the local sights. “Niagara Falls is spectacular. I enjoyed the scenery and the views are awesome,” says Gerry McCarthy, Mac’s Landscaping.
Specialty Symposium Features Keynote on Hispanic Culture
PLANET's Specialty Symposium is scheduled for Aug. 24-26 in Indianapolis. Discover ways for your company to be more Hispanic ready and friendly with Symposium’s keynote address on improved understanding of Hispanic culture in the workplace.
Seth Dechtman — a business leadership and marketing expert well versed in Hispanic culture — has more than 15 years of international business experience and is passionate about de-mystifying cultural stereotypes, and bringing communities and cultures together through business. Hear him speak at PLANET’s 2007 Specialty Symposium.
"It is very important for employers to understand the Hispanic culture. Cultural differences lead to misunderstandings and miscommunication. It is as important to understand the culture as it is to learn the language," says Bob Grover, CLP, CLT, Pacific Landscape Management.
Specialty Symposium Schedule-at-a-Glance
Friday, Aug. 24
8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Certification Exam
1:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Facility Tour
6:30 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
Reception
Saturday, Aug. 25
7:30 a.m.–8:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Keynote
9:45 a.m.–11:15 a.m.
Joint Session
11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
Power Lunch
12:45 p.m.–2:15 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
2:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
Concurrent Sessions
4:30 p.m.–6:00 p.m.
Networking Happy Hour
Sunday, Aug. 26
7:30 a.m.–8:00 a.m.
Continental Breakfast
8:00 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
10:00 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
Concurrent Sessions
Hotel information:
Indianapolis Marriott Downtown
350 West Maryland Street
Indianapolis, IN 46225
877/640-7666
317/822-3500
Ask for the “PLANET Specialty Rate”; OR go to www.indymarriott.com and insert Group Code: PLALAA. $133.00 single/double plus tax at 15 percent. Limited availability for group rate. Hotel Discount Cut-Off Date: July 31
Contact Betsy Demoret at 800/395-2522 or betsydemoret@landcarenetwork.org or visit www.LandcareNetwork.org for more information about PLANET’s Specialty Symposium.