Diablo View Orchid Society

In her talk, Chaunie will tell us about Barkerias and Comparettias,Two Twig Epiphytes Well Worth Growing.

Barkerias and Comparettias are both native to the Americas and are not widely grown. Both have long-lasting, beautifully colored flowers that grow on arching inflorescences (for the most part) and are best grown mounted. Chaunie will talk about what they are, how to find them, and how to grow them.

Chaunie has been a hobbyist orchid grower for more than 30 years, is a long time active Peninsula Orchid Society member, an inactive member of both the San Francisco Orchid Society and Santa Clara Valley Orchid Society, and is an accredited judge with the Pacific Central Judging Center (PCJC) of the AOS. She takes award photos for PCJC, which are published in the Orchid Pro database and in Orchids magazine. Chaunie mainly grows a variety of orchids from Latin America, with a few Asian, Australian, and African orchids in a modest greenhouse as well as outdoors in her backyard in Fremont. She can't grow or display orchids in her home due to the presence of a determined orchid-batting and -nibbling cat!

If you would like to watch the talk remotely, please send a request for the Zoom link to dvosshowandtell@gmail.com before noon on Thursday Oct. 9th! We will respond with the link.

Members of DVOS are invited to a no-host, pre-meeting dinner with our speaker. We will meet for dinner at 5:00pm on Thursday, October 9th at:

Aung Burma

2151 Salvio St Suite E

Concord, CA 94520

This restaurant is a 5-minute drive from the meeting venue. If you wish to attend, please RSVP to dvosshowandtell@gmail.com by noon on Thursday October 9th so we can make a reservation for the appropriate number of attendees.

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, August 6, 2025. He’ll make sure to have it ready for you at the next meeting.

Curious about repotting, watering, or why your orchid isn’t blooming? You’re not alone—and we’re here to help! Each month, we’ll feature tips and tricks from fellow members on everything from pest control to the best growing conditions.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned grower, no question is too small. Bring your questions to the next meeting or email them beforehand—your question might even be featured in an upcoming newsletter!

Dear Orchid Society Members,

As many of you are aware, our society relies heavily on the dedication and passion of volunteers. Today, I’m reaching out with an important and exciting opportunity — we are seeking a new President to lead our organization into its next chapter.

Why a New President?

Our current President, George Su, has served with distinction but will be stepping down at the end of their first year due to personal reasons. We are incredibly grateful for their leadership and commitment. To maintain our momentum, we need someone who can bring energy, vision, and a willingness to collaborate with our board, committees, and membership.

What the Role Entails

Here’s a snapshot of what the position typically involves (but we’re open to working with your strengths):

• Facilitating and presiding over board and general meetings

• Providing leadership and guidance on strategic initiatives

• Representing the society to external organizations (e.g., orchid clubs, botanical gardens)

• Overseeing or delegating projects or programs (shows, educational outreach, workshops)

• Helping recruit and mentor future board members

• Serving as an ambassador to members and prospective members

We anticipate a time commitment of approximately 8 hours/month, with more during show or event seasons. You won’t be doing this alone — the board and committee chairs will continue to support you.

Why Step Forward?

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I’d like to give back to the orchid community”

• “I have ideas I’d like to see implemented”

• “I’d like to help shape the future of our society”

… this is your chance. You don’t have to be a seasoned leader — what matters most is enthusiasm, commitment, and willingness to learn and collaborate.

What We’re Looking For

We especially welcome candidates who:

• Have been active in orchid events or society activities

• Bring good communication and organizational skills

• Are comfortable working with a diverse volunteer team

• Are willing to attend board Zoom meetings and occasional external functions

• Are passionate about our mission

Of course, if your strengths lie in other areas (e.g. digital outreach, workshops, membership growth), that viewpoint is also valuable.

How to Volunteer or Nominate

If you’re interested in becoming President (or co-president), or would like to nominate someone you think would be great in the role, please send an email to [contact address] by [deadline date]. In your message, feel free to include:

• Why you (or your nominee) are interested

• Relevant experience or skills

• Any ideas or vision you have for the society’s future

Once we have nominees, we’ll share short bios and let the membership vote (or approve, depending on our bylaws).

Final Thoughts

This is a pivotal moment for our society. The next President has the chance to leave a meaningful legacy — to shape new programs, foster community, and expand our impact. Please consider stepping forward or encouraging someone with the heart, skills, and passion to lead.

Thank you for your ongoing support and enthusiasm for orchids. Together, we can help our society flourish for many years to come.

Warm regards,

George Su
President
Diablo View Orchid Society

Our auction and picnic was enjoyed by all. We had:

• almost 200 donations ranging from a flask of seedlings to signed Orchids magazine to a greenhouse!
• 39 different genera (catalog only- we didn't keep track of all of the other wonderful plants!)
• 4 auctioneers.
• 2 record keepers.
• 2 treasurers.
• Runners, managers, bidders all doing their parts.
• a beautiful picnic lunch.

The Auctioneers

Master auctioneer- Dennis Olivas

Greg Scown, auction runner extraordinaire

Some pre auction shopping from a wonderful collection of donations. Thank you Miki for your organized collection of submissions.

Record keepers Henry and Mara keeping us honest

The Mistress of Finance, Maggie Woo