Diablo View Orchid Society

Event Information

NO MEETING—DVOS Holiday Party (note different date)

When?

Thursday, Dec 18, 2025, 07:00 PM

Where?

Pleasant Hill Community Center, 320 Civic Drive, Pleasant Hill, CA

location_on Open maps

DVOS Annual Holiday Party NOTE NOT ON OUR USUSAL MEETING NIGHT!

It's that time of year again. Our annual holiday party is coming up:

Thursday, December 18, 2025

Set up 6:00PM, Dinner 7:00PM

PLEASANT HILL COMMUNITY CENTER

320 Civic Drive

Pleasant Hill, CA

We will have many of our favorite activities:

Drawing for a free plant from New Earth Orchids open to everyone who has paid their 2026 dues by December 18.
Potluck dinner
Gift exchange
We have a liquor license, so you can bring wine or beer if you would like.
If you're bringing something Vegan or Gluten-Free or Allergens, please be sure to bring a note card so people know what's in the dish.

Free for all for potluck, but if you'd like recommendations:

last name starts with A-G Hot Dish
last name starts with H-O Desserts
last name starts with P-Z Salads

Holiday Gift Exchange Rules

1. Bring a wrapped gift--a plant or an orchid-related item that you would like to receive.

2. Pick up a ticket (hold onto it!) and place your gift on the table in the middle of the room. Take a look at what people brought without undoing the wrapping.
3. Each person whose ticket number is called will select a gift without undoing the wrapping (guessing is part of the game!), then present the gift to the audience—read the label, describe the item, etc. The next number will be called after we’ve all had a chance to admire your gift.
4. Put the gift you chose on your table and keep it there where everyone can see it. No putting it down on the floor or otherwise hiding it.
5. The next person whose turn it is can either “steal” yours or any other available gift. If yours is stolen, it'll be your turn next to pick.
6. Each gift may be stolen up to twice. After the second time, the gift is considered “dead” and cannot be taken away from that person.

The Heart of Our Orchid Society — Volunteers Like You!

Dear Members and Friends,

As many of you know, our Orchid Society is powered entirely by volunteers. Every meeting we enjoy, every speaker we host, every show table we present, and every event we organize happens because members like you choose to share your time, skills, and enthusiasm. This is the true spirit of our nonprofit community—and it’s what allows our Society to thrive.

As we look ahead to the coming year, we need more helping hands and fresh voices. Volunteering isn’t just about filling a role; it’s about becoming part of the living heart of our organization. Whether it’s assisting with meetings, helping at shows, mentoring new growers, or lending administrative support, each contribution strengthens our Society in meaningful ways.

We are also seeking dedicated members who feel ready to take the next step and join the Board. Serving on the Board is an opportunity to help shape our future, bring new ideas forward, and ensure that our mission continues for generations of orchid lovers to come. You don’t need prior experience—just commitment, curiosity, and a willingness to participate.

If you’ve ever wondered how you can make a bigger impact, this is the moment. I encourage each of you to consider volunteering or stepping into a leadership role. Together, we can keep our Society vibrant, welcoming, and thriving.

Thank you for everything you do—and everything you may yet be inspired to do.

Warm regards,

George Su
President
Diablo View Orchid Society

We’re getting ready to reprint name tags! If you’ve lost yours or need a replacement, send a quick note to George at diablovieworchidsociety@gmail.com by Wednesday, December 17, 2025. He’ll make sure to have it ready for you at the next meeting.

It’s that time again. Please send in your dues for next year so we can continue to keep DVOS going. There are two easy ways to pay- electronic or good old snail mail. See the instructions below. Get those dues in so that DVOS can continue to be the society we all depend on.

We will have a drawing at the Holiday Party for a free plant from New Earth Orchids. Anyone who has paid their 2026 dues by December 18 is eligible for the drawing.

Pay your dues BEFORE the party—you get two tickets
Pay your dues at the party—you get one ticket
One plant per winner

Electronic submission of DVOS dues:

https://forms.gle/3FzHywMkM7o1hrSJ9

Electronic payments can be made at:

http://bit.ly/40tnpje

OR

Send a check with your contact information to:

DVOS

Attn: Maggie Woo

401 Woodbine Ln

Danville, CA 94526

Election of Officers, Board Members and Committee Members

It is ALSO the time of year that we elect our leaders

We need volunteers for the following positions:

Board Members
President
Vice President
Board Members
Membership Chair

Committee members

Show and sale
Auction
Greenhouse/garden tour

Our Society needs new board members, and the commitment is very small: just 1–2 hours a month for a Zoom meeting on the 3rd Thursday. We must have at least seven members present to conduct business, so your participation is essential.

Anyone can serve—no experience or special skills needed! We welcome all ages, backgrounds, and ideas. If you’d like to help support and shape our organization, please consider joining the board.

ELECTED POSITIONS

Section 1. President: The President shall preside at all meetings when present, shall exercise

general supervision over the affairs and activities of the Society, and shall be ex-officio a

member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President will only vote to

break a tie.

Section 2. Vice-President: The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President during

his or her absence. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the Program Chairperson,

scheduling speakers for the general meeting and securing plants for the opportunity table. They

will also act as hospitality chairperson for the guest speakers.

Section 3. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep a true record of all meetings of the Society and

the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall conduct all correspondence of the Society and keep

copies of it.

Section 4. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive and deposit the funds of the Society in the

name of the Society in such bank or banks as may be designated from time to time by the Board

of Directors. Such funds shall be paid out only on the check of the Society signed by the

President or Treasurer. The Treasurer shall be bonded at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Books and accounts shall at all reasonable times be open to the inspection of any member of the

Board of Directors and Auditor. A General Member may view accounts upon written request to

the Treasurer.

An audited Treasurer’s Report for the preceding fiscal year shall be presented at the Board of

Directors' meeting no later than the end of the first quarter of the succeeding year, and will be

made available upon written request to members of good standing. The proposed budget for the

current year will be approved at the January meeting of the Board.

Section 5. Directors at Large: Shall be available to assist whenever possible in the affairs and

activities of the society, or as seen fit by the President.

Section 6. Immediate Past President: Shall serve as advisor to the current Board of Directors. He or she shall be available to assist whenever possible in the affairs and activities of the society, or

as seen fit by the President.

OSC Fundraiser

Carol Klonowski is offering boxed sets of Orchid-gama orchid origami from the Smithsonian North American Orchid Project for sale. It is a fundraiser for the Orchid Society of California (OSC); they sell for $29.95. She will be bringing them to the December Christmas party.