Toca Talk Winter 2011


	Home President's Column 2011 TOCA Meeting in Asheville Calendar of Events Member News GIS Reception Environmental Communicator of the Year TOCA Scholarship Program TOCA International Contest Professional Development for the Pros


	Turn Over a New Leaf for the New Year. By Jared Bodnar, President, TOCA Board of Directors Usually, I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. These idealistic promises we make to ourselves each year signifying changes we want to make in our lives are almost invariably abandoned soon after they’re made. It has almost become a cliché at this point how empty these promises actually are. However, this year I’m turning over a new leaf by making several New Year’s resolutions that I’m planning on sticking with, and they will be based on the SMART principle: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Time-based. read more



	2011 TOCA Meeting in Asheville: “Inspiration In the Air” By Den Gardner, Executive Director
	The 22nd Annual TOCA Meeting – "Inspiration In the Air” – is taking shape in Asheville, NC, May 3-5. We’re heading to one of the most fabulous resort getaways in the country, tucked inside the Smokey Mountains. The program is nearly complete, according to our program committee, made up of Lacy Ravencraft, Christina Schave, Tom Mentzer and Jared Bodnar (see agenda at end of article). Room rate is just $179 per night. And, you may have to make a connection somewhere before landing in Asheville. As noted in our last TOCA Talk, the quaint tiny airport won’t bring visions of O’Hare.


	Calendar Of Events Check out upcoming events in the turf and ornamental industry. read more .......................................... Member News Welcome all of TOCA's new members. read more .......................................... Environmental Communicator of the Year As always at this time of year, TOCA begins its search for the next Environmental Communicator of the Year. Nominations for the 2011 winner are now being accepted. read more .......................................... TOCA Scholarship Program Perhaps you know of some deserving students currently pursuing a career in Green Industry communications. A niece or nephew? The kid down the block who used to mow your lawn, but now studies marketing and landscape architecture at the University of Minnesota? read more .......................................... TOCA International Contest TOCA will again conduct a program for international entrants in the 2011 TOCA Communications Contest. E-mails were sent in early January to international corporate folks and international turf publications to encourage participation. read more .......................................... Professional Development for the Pros A recent article from the American Agricultural Editors’ Association (AAEA) newsletter on some tips for communicating. Thanks to AAEA for allowing us to use this article. read more ..........................................