There's a joke that has made it's way around internet bonsai forums in the past.  The joke is in response to some of the old guard that are opposed to new ideas, because they've done it all and have nothing left to learn.  It reads, "he has one year of experience, repeated 40 times."

I've had a lot of frustration lately with my home club, the Greater Louisville Bonsai Society.  There are a number of xenophobic individuals that shoot down new ideas.  It's often these same individuals who state that they want to grow the club and retain new members.  What they don't realize is that when every new idea is opposed it has quite the negative effect on those trying to make a difference.  The result is that the same old guys make the same old decisions.  Nothing changes.  Nothing is accomplished.

Two years ago I had scheduled a repotting workshop with the club.  It turned out to be more of a lecture, as very few people brought trees to work on.  During the lecture one of the senior members actually heckled me from the back of the room.  He proceeded to tell the attendees that "... it was a shame I just killed such a nice tree as a result of removing too many roots."  What this gentleman was not aware of was that I was rather conservative with regard to root removal.  Had this been in my teacher's care he would have removed twice as many roots.  That's what is possible when you have the knowledge and experience.  As I had expected, the tree responded well and will be placed in an even more shallow pot next year.

What has frustrated me recently is the continued refusal to try something new.  The club calendar is unbelievably sparse this year, with more cancellations planned.  As a board member I have tried to influence the schedule of events and suggest new and different ideas for events.  It was my goal to promote bonsai and the club to the city of Louisville.  Unfortunately I haven't had much success.  I'm hoping this isn't a sign of what's to come as we continue plans for the ABS/BCI 2011 Bonsai in the Bluegrass Conference and Learning Seminar.

Thomas Edison has been credited with saying that he discovered 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb.  Imagine if he tried only once, then abandoned his efforts because he was not successful on his first attempt.

We should all strive to improve ourselves, our bonsai skills, and our trees.  Don't listen to the nay sayers.  Embrace new ideas.  Promote pluralism.  Remain open minded to those with a different point of view.