Tools to succeed

America in Bloom is all about engaging and inspiring, so we make sure you have the resources you need in your community to make your hometown the best it can be.

Perhaps you’ve already decided to take the plunge and enter your town, neighborhood, business district or college campus in the 2015 awards program. What’s next? America in Bloom offers a wide range of free resources to walk you through the process. Or you might be an AIB “alumnus” and want to stay on top of best practices.

You can start with the free America in Bloom Startup Kit which includes everything you need: a participation guide, a CD with customizable presentations, a sample evaluation form, ideas for involving the entire community and even customizable posters and postcards. There’s even a special version of the kit for nurseries, growers and garden centers that want to get their town involved.

The America in Bloom website has many free tools to use. If you need to make presentations to local groups, customizable PowerPoint presentations, that include speaker’s notes, are available online for you at bit.ly/1pXcQZQ. Many towns decorate their gateways and main streets with signs and banners, so America in Bloom offers attractive, professionally designed banner artwork that each participant can customize for their own needs.

For guidance on how to participate in the program and other information related to the evaluated criteria, free on-line, on-demand webinars are available on the America in Bloom website. Each month, more than 14,000 people enjoy receiving AIB’s free e-newsletter. It includes gardening and community beautification news, information about current and past participating communities and articles on a multitude of resources including grants, fundraising ideas, and community projects. You can request it at bit.ly/1sfjk96.

The AIB website also has information on grant opportunities and articles related to all the evaluated criteria. These articles have been recommended by our judges and board, saving readers the time of doing their own searches on these topics.

The annual America in Bloom National Awards and Symposium offers attendees a unique opportunity to gain insight into what makes the host city special, and to meet extraordinary people who are making a difference in their communities. They also hear presentations by inspirational and knowledgeable speakers offering their insights into what it takes to “plant price” in our communities. In addition, there are often walking tours or bus tours to a variety of sites. Everyone is invited to attend – past, present and future participants.

Perhaps the most unique resource offered by America in Bloom is their “Ten Years of Best Ideas” book. In full color, its 218 pages contain nearly 2000 best practices and photographs from more than 200 America in Bloom participants.The book includes the best and brightest examples of what various communities are actively doing to develop and improve their communities. Sections are organized by the AIB’s evaluated criteria and observations are listed from every population category.

From fundraising activities and easy beautification actions to increasing volunteer presence, caring for the environment and securing historic preservation, there’s something for every participant. The book has been nominated for an American Horticultural Society book award and is a gift to participants who register before Dec. 31. It can also be ordered from the AIB site http://bit.ly/1vnHjov. The price is $25 plus $5 for shipping.

The author is an America in Bloom board member and international judge. She is the author of the “Fleurs du Jour” series.