Top Row: Serving as chairmen of SAF’s segment Councils are as follows Growers Council Mike Mooney of Dramm & Echter, Inc. in Encinitas, California; Wholesalers Council Laura D. Shinall of Syndicate Sales, Inc., in Charleston, South Carolina; and Retailers Council Skip Paal, AAF, of the Rutland Beard Floral Group in Catonsville, Maryland. Bottom Row: Chairing SAF’s Joint Councils are as follows: Consumer Joint Council Jo Buttram, AAF, of Shirley’s Flowers & Gifts, Inc., in Rogers, Arkansas; Member Joint Council Gustavo Gilchrist of Kennicott Brothers – Chicago in Chicago; and Government Joint Council Marvin N. Miller, Ph.D., AAF, Ball Horticultural Company in West Chicago, Illinois.
The Society of American Florists appointed six members from its Board of Directors to serve as chairmen on its segment Councils and Joint Councils, which make recommendations on how the national trade association can develop programs and services to meet the needs of its members.
“The council chairmen serve vital roles for SAF and the entire floral industry,” said SAF President Bill LaFever, PFCI, of the Bill Doran Company in Rockford, Illinois. “They report to the SAF Board of Directors about trends among growers, wholesalers and retailers as well as advise the association in its government relations, floral promotion and member services activities.”
SAF’s segment Councils identify specific issues affecting their industry segment, recommend how SAF can address the issues and identify candidates for the Board of Directors and Councils.
SAF’s Joint Councils are a cross-pollination of individuals from all three segment Councils and provide more specific direction in their respective areas. SAF’s Consumer Joint Council provides input and guidance in the development of consumer and industry-based marketing, education and information processes to increase the consumption of flowers and plants. The Member Joint Council makes recommendations for SAF’s member benefits programs and services. The Government Joint Council provides input and recommendations on regulations and legislation which affect the floral industry and develops policies favorable to the success and growth of the industry.
SAF’s segment and Joint Council members convene twice annually at the SAF Spring Meetings in March in advance of Congressional Action Days and at the SAF Fall Meetings in September in advance of the association’s Annual Convention.
To see who is serving on SAF’s Board of Directors, Councils, Joint Councils and Committees, go to safnow.org/leaders.
