Voices of Prominent AIFD Members: Why AIFD?

029:  Vonda reached out to a few AIFD members, and asked, "Why is AIFD membership important to you?" or "Why should someone become an accredited member of AIFD?" Join in to hear the answers of Sharon McGukin AIFD, PFCI, Renee Tucci AIFD, PFCI, Tim Farrell AIFD PFCI, Bill McKinley AIFD, Dr. Jim DelPrince PHD, AIFD, PFCI, Hitomi Gilliam AIFD, Chris Norwood, AIFD, PFCI, and Joyce Mason Monheim AIFD PFCI. Their answers are heartfelt and very encouraging to anyone in the business of flowers!
Don't miss this session!

Learn more about each designer:
Sharon McGukin AIFD PFCI
https://www.youtube.com/user/sharonmcgukin
Renee Tucci AIFD, PFCI,
https://www.reneetucci.com/about
Tim Farrell AIFD PFCI
https://www.farrellsflorist.com/
Bill McKinley AIFD
https://hortsciences.tamu.edu/people/faculty-2/bill-mckinley/
Dr. Jim DelPrince PHD, AIFD, PFCI
http://extension.msstate.edu/coastal-research-extension-center/dr-james-m-delprince
Hitomi Gilliam AIFD
https://www.hitomigilliam.com/
Chris Norwood, AIFD, PFCI,
https://www.tiptonhurst.com/chris-norwood/
Joyce Mason Monheim AIFD PFCI
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOYD_Vg3tirojoGqi6EPjIA

Sponsored by:
Flower Clique
Flower Clique Prep School
Real Life Retail Florist

Transcript

speaker 0:04

AIFD provides the opportunity to become a part of a unique community of professional designers who respect the creativity and art of floral design

Vonda 0:24

Welcon to The Business and pleasure of flowers. We're your hosts , Vonda LaFever.

Lori 0:27

and Lori Wilson . And we believe that business and fun are a perfect combination, kinda like us, Vonda.

Vonda 0:41

I'm really excited about this session. We're going to call it AIFD voices because it has some pretty amazing voices. Many of you, these are familiar names. You've attended floral functions, or perhaps you follow these designers on social media. So you've heard or seen one or more of these voices. These designers give up themselves. And sometimes it seems like there are no limits to their generosity each and every voice you hear shares a heartfelt message for you. Listen, as if they're speaking to you, which I can tell you, they are. The question I asked was why is AIFD membership important to you? Or why should someone become an accredited member of AIFD today? We're starting with Ms. Sharon McGukin. Sharon is an AIFD past president and fellow of the Institute. She's a Smithers Oasis design director, and Sharon was actually a podcast guests here on the business and pleasure of flowers, episode 21 on what's next selling flowers in 2021. Sharon's internationally known for teaching others to celebrate life with flowers.

Sharon 2:02

Why is AIFD important to me? I often say that while I don't have the answer to all floral design questions, someone knowledgeable in the AIFD contacts lists on my phone probably does. Hi. I'm Sharon McGukin, past president of AIFD. And I believe one of the greatest perks of AIFD is the ability to connect with its members. If flowers are your passion, I would encourage you to join this worldwide resource of talented and knowledgeable floral professionals. Many people applying for membership. Think the goal is to achieve AIFD status. I disagree. I think earning those initials, it's just the door that opens for you to an industry network of the most prestigious designers, savvy business people and floral artists from around the globe, successful people who are willing to share their passion, knowledge and skill with their peers. Just for the sake of creating a stronger industry. It's often said that we're as successful as the people we surround ourselves with. If you seek success in your floral career, I think becoming an active energetic member of AIFD can be a great first step in that direction. Once you're a member, choose an area of interest and volunteer from working in the workroom to presenting on the AIFD stage, the learning curve goes to those who invest their time and energy working with others. Why is AIFD important to me? Because it enables me to connect with other floral professionals like you.

Vonda 3:48

so eloquently spoken. And as you can hear , it's from her heart. So now let's hear from Renee Tucci , floral enthusiast, educator, and consultant, she's a Teleflora education specialist. And on Renee's website, she said a proud member of AIFD and PFCI.

Renee 4:09

scariest part about it is that you have to say, yes, you have to say yes to the desire to reach that goal. And then once you reach it, you have to say yes, when people invite you to participate in things. And before you know it, you're surrounded by wonderful people, supportive folks and opportunities like you've never dreamed. AIFD Has been the best decision of my life.

Vonda 4:34

Inducted in 2016, when Renee talks about opportunities and setting goals, she knows what she's talking about and certainly has said yes to many projects, and we all love her enthusiasm and talent up next, Tim Farrell , past president of AIFD also served on the national board. As the treasurer, Tim has been awarded distinguished service to the floral industry. He's also the owner of Feral's florist in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania, and Teleflora education specialists . Tim was also our podcast guest on episode 12, which was entitled challenges and opportunities in case you want to go back and listen, let's listen to Tim.

Tim 5:16

People often ask me, why they should become an accredited member of AIFD? There are so many reasons I really can't count them all, but the top ones that come to mind include the following. First of all, just the process of becoming a member is something that will make you a better designer. I know that in my experience, just going through learning about taking the evaluation and studying up on all the elements and principles of design so that I knew them inside and out for that test or that evaluation was something that helped me greatly as a designer. The second reason that I would say to become a member is just for the comradery of all of the members and AIFD. It is an incredible group of floral artists that become like this think tank, where you can share ideas and bounce ideas off each other constantly to figure out how to achieve a project that you're working on, or to find a new way to create something brand new and just the different individuals that are part of our group, or just the best that I've ever met. And a wonderful resource to have. When thinking about how to do something new, the other advantage is the networking opportunities through the AIFD national symposium. I've found ways to meet people from all different parts of the world, in all different facets of our industry. And those resources often come in handy when I have to find a new source for something, or even find help on how to achieve a project. So there are the big reasons for me on why to become a member of AIFD. I'm sure there's many others that you can think of yourselves, but again, it's definitely been a very worthwhile thing for me in my career, and I would recommend it to anybody.

Vonda 6:59

And now a personal message on why AIFD membership is important to Tim.

Tim 7:04

The first and foremost reason that comes to mind is the AIFD national symposium. This happens annually at a different location around the United States, and it's just the best place to go and see some incredible programming and learn so much about the art of floral design. The next is the opportunity to be with likeminded artists and floral artists. I find that sharing your passion with people that love flowers as well is a great way to just speak with others and learn more about our craft. And the last would definitely be the opportunities of ongoing learning that are made possible through AIFD, through online workshops and in-person happenings. You can become a better designer through many of the AIFD experiences. You can also learn some new design techniques, and I do find that it's the best way that I found to get some real good insight on international trends happening in floral design for these and many other reasons AIFD is a very important part of my professional career.

Vonda 8:08

Tim hits on some of the real benefits of AIFD. Now let's hear from Bill McKinley. He Is the director of the Ben school of floral design and senior lecture for floral design at the Texas a and M university. He's the advisor for the foresight chapter of the student chapter of AIFD. He is a national board member and has received the distinguished service to the floral industry, as well as the distinguished service to AIFD awards. Let's listen to Bill.

Bill 8:41

Vonda, thank you for allowing me the opportunity to respond to your questions. Actually, I think I can answer both with one answer. Several key words came to mind when I was thinking about these questions. First, AIFD can provide the opportunity to become involved with shaping a regional and or national organization that heavily influences trends and future design concepts. For me as a student advisor , this is especially true. Since I'm privileged to be able to educate many students who will hopefully eventually become the leaders in our industry. AIFD also provides many opportunities to network with other like-minded floral artists, and then to collaborate with him on projects and design ideas to continually learn from the vast creativity of these collaborations. And AIFD provides the opportunity to become a part of a unique community of professional designers who respect the creativity and art of floral design. This community can easily, and most assuredly will become your floral family. People you can count on for whatever might come your way, design projects, design shows, or just a quick hope you're doing well email. AIFD is a great organization that has done all of the previously mentioned comments for me, and I hope it will for you as well.

Vonda 10:11

In the AIFD code of ethics and professional practice. There's a part that's to the student, which says members of the Institute will give assistance supervision and encouragement to novices wishing to acquire knowledge to the functions, duties, and responsibilities of a professional designer. I know it's Bill's job, but knowing him personally, he certainly goes beyond his job requirements to reach out to students as does our next voice , Dr. Jim Del Prince PhD. He's a professor at Mississippi state university. He's a horticulture specialist for extension service. He's the recipient of the distinguished service to the floral industry award. Jim is a professor of floral design who teaches entertains and creates things of beauty and great meaning.

Jim 11:07

AIFD membership is important to me because over the years, I've made so many wonderful friends. You too can make friends and fly like birds of a feather. If you get involved with AIFD and its various committees and regional programs, I've taken those opportunities and made them my own, which led to great projects that we did within AIFD, such as our AIFD guide to floral design. It has also led to opportunities for other publications. I found work outside of my university faculty position, and also very importantly, I've developed further education in the floral industry at all levels, which has made me become a better floral designer and also more knowledgeable and in touch with the floral industry worldwide as a new AIFD member, I challenge you to get involved with the organization and feel challenged by it, join various committees and do different things that build the organization. Don't worry so much about yourself and your reputation and finding the pathway to being what you think is the best florist out there. If you do hard work, the good things will come to you and believe you me, the organization needs you. We need your talent. We need your expertise, and we need you to grow welcome to the world of the American Institute of floral designers and best wishes on everything that your career can lead you to today.

Vonda 12:57

Thank you, Jim, for your great input and those encouraging words to not only the new inductees, but to all AIFD accredited members. Our next voice is Hitomi Gilliam. She's a floral artist and educator. She is also a Teleflora education specialist and recipient of many awards, but most notably here Hitomi is the recipient of the AIFD prestigious design influence award, which at this time has only nine recipients. Let's listen to Hitomi.

Hitomi 13:31

As I reflect on almost 35 years as an AIFD member. I think AIFD and a membership to this association helped define my career path early in my career as a self-starting retail florist in a small town in Canada, I felt very alone in pursuing my goal to become not your ordinary florist. That was a way I frame myself in my own personal quest to become better. It was not easy at that time to make friends with other florists in our area, the community was very tightly knit and territorial. It was based on who you knew and how big your shop was. It was not an inclusive atmosphere being that I was extremely shy and had very little social skills. Didn't help at all. The only way that I can hope to be included within the local flower community was to prove that I can design, that I was indeed a florist and not just a wannabe. I started quietly to compete. This is about when I also discovered AIFD. I was introduced to its existence at the local design show, which featured an AIFD designer. I was thrilled to learn that if I work hard, that it was possible to work towards acceptance within the greater flower community AIFD membership became my goal to achieve the standard of excellence in floristry. It was an opportunity for me to hopefully become part of this chosen industry. It drove me to work hard and shoot high, to develop strong design skills and learn to push myself to be more creative AIFD. As an association provided me with initiative to develop friendship with my fellow florists . That was no longer dependent on who I knew, but was dependent on where I belong professionally. I was inducted into AIFD in 1986. I became friends immediately with my fellow inductees. We tested and shared valuable experiences together. Such is the beginning of AIFD friendship. It grows over the years, participating in programs, being a membership committee, education committee. So many opportunities to be involved with people who talk flowers. It's a dream come true for anyone who has chosen this profession. My floral industry, friends many are my AIFD friends. This circle of friends, some of these are people I may only see in person once a year at symposium, but they're like family, closer friends than my neighbors next door at home. They're the people I have shared laughter with. I have shed tears with them, share deep emotions that we have in common through flowers. I don't have to ever fear boring these friends with flower talk. I feel a real sense of freedom when talking to these awesome AIFD friends, as I get older, I find that age is also not a barrier amongst friends who love flowers as AIFD reach out globally to include florists from many other countries. We are all together as one sharing the love of flowers and designs, flowers, bridge generations, and cultures. I love this so much about being a member of AIFD it's pure friendship and growth together through flowers.

Vonda 16:36

Wow. What a beautiful journey Hitomi. Thank you for sharing that with us up next, Chris Norwood. Chris is an AIFD fellow and past president of AIFD. Also past CEO of the AIFD foundation. He's the vice president at Tipton Hurst florist, and he's received the award of distinguished service to AIFD. He's also a Facebook star online with Tipton and Hurst daily happy design sessions.

Chris 17:07

For me, being a member of AIFD has been a very important part of my career. It gave me a couple of different things to look at. For one thing, it keeps me constantly on top of what's new in the design world from Europe to Asia and of course, United States as well. So we're constantly being able to know what's going on out there. The second thing is it actually opened my eyes to other paths of careers that involve not just being in a flower shop, but also product development, doing things for showrooms, for displays. AIFD always brings all those career paths to the forefront. People don't look at that last but not least. The most important thing is that being a member of AIFD has made me make lifetime relationships with friends who all have the same passion. That's where I learned the most from is when we all get together at symposium or we're at regional meetings and just share, it's a constant sharing of knowledge. And it's also a constant sharing of what I call war stories. So my best friends are AIFD members that I've known forever. And I wouldn't have had those friendships had not been a member of AIFD. So for me, it's multifaceted. It's like, I've always said, I can't imagine where I would be had I not become a member of AIFD. I'm very passionate about AIFD and not just whenever I want to always have that same opportunity that I've had. That's been for me.

Vonda 18:31

Thank you, Chris. I couldn't agree more with your statement about keeping us on top of what's going on in the design world. So true. We're going to finish up our voices episode with Joyce Mason Monheim. Joyce is a past president of AIFD past membership chair, also a past national symposium chairperson . She's the recipient of the award of distinguished service to the floral industry. Joyce is the floral director for accent decor as well as a Teleflora education specialist.

Joyce 19:05

Being a member of AIFD is important to me because it's helped develop me into the floral designer, floral artist that I am today. Preparing to test for the American Institute of floral designers, definitely increased my knowledge of floral design and improved my design skill level. I cannot tell you how important it is to understand the fundamentals of designing. This is what the testing process teaches you. Once I was accepted, it was up to me to use AIFD, to my advantage. Being surrounded by talented designers enhances and heightens your creativity. Doors of opportunity open by engaging with floral minds and acting upon instinct and your desire for betterment. I've also been privileged to work side by side with such incredible minds on AIFD committees and projects that have benefited the floral industry. They say to surround yourself with successful people and you too will be successful. AIFD is that opportunity to make it come true for you. Anyone interested in being a floral artist to meet other creative minds that understand you and get you. You need to be a part of this incredibly talented family. It has been one of the greatest accomplishments I have ever done.

Vonda 20:29

Joyce. I have to admit when I listened to your words, they actually gave me goosebumps. I think because not only do I agree, 110%, but it was such heartfelt encouragement. And I could hear the listeners say, I want that. Okay, we're going to wrap it up here today with a few takeaways from this episode. And these of course are in the words of my floral friends. Number one, AIFD is family. There's a real bond between members. Number two, sharing with likeminded people it's priceless. It's just not like minded it's at that professional level of like-mindedness. Number three, continually learning, education is key to growth. Number four, a floral design is a piece of art. It's the art of floral design. And another thought comes to mind the saying it's often more blessed to give than to receive, and it couldn't be more true. These are only a few voices of AIFD members who share how blessed they are in their careers because of the involvement in AIFD. We have two more episodes to feature AIFD there'll be another voice episode with a few surprises. Then I'll talk a bit about the flower shop of the future, which was my AIFD Mainstage program in 2018 in just two short years. So many of those futuristic things have happened. So we're going to cover those and see what's still to come. And without Lori being here, I could easily skip, What's given me life to share, but you know what? I really want to share something because what's giving me life right now is the continual love and support of my AIFD family. It's been a really different month of July without symposium, but the virtual induction ceremony was fabulous. I mean, wow. It had me clapping for the new inductees and giving virtual hugs to those who shared those personal messages. Thank you, AIFD from the support staff of Kristen and Rachel at the home office to Jackie and the board of directors. Thank you.

Lori 22:54

We have certainly enjoyed our time together today and we look forward to being with you guys again, if you have any questions, concerns, comments, anything we would love to hear from you. You can always email lori@flowerclique.com. Also, if you enjoy our little podcast , go ahead and click that subscribe button. That's very helpful for us and you can even leave a review and we hope you join us next week.

Vonda 23:20

Yes. So please come back and join us and discover how a bit of knowledge and one small change in your mindset will take you to new levels in your life and business.