Vance Wood

I think seminars are a good idea where particular ideas, concepts and techniques can be explored completely without the duplicity of having dead material at the end. However my point still remains, and so far has not been addressed. This problem is not the fault of the traveling bonsai master but the clubs and organizations the contract them, hire them, and then proceede to over book the program in an attempt to recoup the fee. What is needed is for the clubs to tell the "Master" up front exactly what it is they are looking to have happen and council with the "Master" to make sure this is what happens.

Sadly that is not what takes place. A Master is brought in for a demonstration, the club usually supplies the material (which in most cases is pretty bad) and an instant bonsai is expected, mostly because the club is looking to raffle or sell the tree off to make money on the project, the tree is totally brutalized in order to fill the contract and consequently dies. So yes, there is a problem here, but the problem is with the clubs that seek to have one of these one day events take place. You can't blame the "Master" (in most cases) for the results of this kind of thinking.

What is the solution?? The clubs and organizations have to change their way of thinking. Most clubs don't have a clue as to how important a sound educational program is to the life and longevity of a club, they just look at a twelve month agenda and try to fill the calendar. There is very little discussion as to what is expected, except cost and profit, and almost none as to the effects on the membership outside of the entertainment quality of the event. To top that off, there is very little comunications with the "Master" prior to the event outside of cost and guarantees that he/she will show up. All most no attention is payed to details and agenda with a goal in mind that does not involve money.

Part of that problem lies in the lack of knowledge of those who schedule such events. Most of the time, getting a commitment from a "Master" and conecting all the dots as to material, transportation and fees are arranged, the individual in charge of the event is seldom required to pay attention to much more than that. Being satisfied with fullfilling the above commitment the rest is left in the hands of the suspecting and the suspect, we have done our part so there is nothing left to do. It is in this paucity that the fault lies.

I have been very fortunate over the years to have done work with a couple of clubs that have had the mental maturity to understand that good and lasting results cannot be acheived in one encounter, and that no matter what, an instant bonsai is not going to be the result of our first encounter. I have also been fortunate to have these clubs call me back to finish the job. Most clubs will not make a long term commitment with one individual and one concept to follow to completion. My criticizim of some of the traveling Masters, and one in prticular that will go un-named, is that some of them are more than willing to take the money (as much as they can negotiate) and run, knowing that they will probably not be asked back for an encoure.

It is starting to change but it has to be done at the club/organization level where the concept of an instant bonsai is abandoned.