Jolene Adams, Rose Champion

July 9, 2013February 1, 2019 Gaga

“Recognition is the Breakfast of Champions”

 

If this saying is true, then the American Rose Society (ARS) has been fortunate to have had its fair share of Champions!  Now the latest person to assume the difficult and demanding role of Chief Executive Officer and President is Jolene Adams of Hayward, California. Here she is shown from left to right with American Rose Society Past Presidents Dr. Tommy Cairns, Jim Hering, Jeff Wyckoff, Steve Jones, Marilyn Welan (only the 2nd woman ever to be elected an ARS president, Jolene is the 3rd) and Vincent Gioia.

 

Roses By The Bay

 

Saturday, June 29^th, I had the pleasure of meeting Jolene Adams for the very first time in person. She kindly invited me to the “Roses By The Bay” ARS North Central District Convention & Rose Show in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where little did I know I was to receive an “ARS Presidential Citation” for my work in promoting roses and encouraging membership through use of various social media.  Upon meeting Jolene for the very first time one’s impressions are of her laser-like piercing blue eyes and the charismatic power of her spirit.  Jolene Adams is undoubtedly a force for good!  She is the perfect role model for the world of roses!  She possesses a passion for roses in her heart, style in conversation, the compelling force of true conviction and a comfortable manner of delivery that people are naturally drawn to.

 

Jolene Adams, Computer Resources Manager, UC Berkeley

 

Jolene is all about education – education – education. It’s in her blood.  She was a manager and teacher by profession having served as the Computer Resources Manager for the College of Chemistry, University of California at Berkeley.  In 2012 she was elected President of the American Rose Society, an 8000-member nationwide organization.   Jolene was also the inaugural Web Master for the American Rose Society initiating the site in 1995 and taking the ARS all the way into the ever-expanding world of social networking until 2009 when the site was “taken in-house.”

Believing that education is the road to growing good roses, she is an indefatigable force in lecturing and writing about roses! Inviting her audience to kneel down and get their fingers in the dirt are very successful techniques to motivate new growers.  After all – people come to her lectures to learn and become part of the total gardening experience. They love it and they adore Jolene Adams.

 

American Rose Magazine

 

She also believes that the award winning bimonthly American Rose magazine that reaches more than 8000 members is the most powerful forum to continue to educate and win hearts and minds to the enjoyment of growing roses.

 

Early in her term of office, Jolene appointed chairs for several ARS committees to help her in creating a themed editorial calendar that is cohesive with real content.  She has added columnists and writers who share their passion and rose knowledge, and Clippings, which is the best of the best from local society newsletters. One of the most exciting features in American Rose is the author from all over the world who contribute articles exclusively dedicated to roses.  This past issue guest author Prof. Akira Ogawa of the Japan Rose Society crafted a beautiful article on the devastating Tsunami and the loss of the Futaba Rose Gardens.

 

The ARS & You, Her Greatest Achievement

 

The ARS & You is perhaps one of her finest achievements.  Jolene appointed an editor & chair, Mary Hext and Sue Tiffany, to produce a topical 12-page electronic newsletter aimed at our local society members and consisting of coming attractions, news from ARS, reminders about ARS contests like the children’s essays and poetry, newsletter and bulletin competitions, photography competition and horticulture events to be held at the Shreveport headquarters of ARS. This outstanding publication is available to members and non-members alike and is a treasure trove of information.

 

It’s All About What YOU Do with Roses

 

Jolene believes knowledge through education and sharing are both the heart and soul of building the American Rose Society offering a myriad of activities to please all tastes such as:

How to Grow Beautiful Roses

Photographing Roses

Cooking with Roses

Landscaping With Roses

Accessorizing with Roses

Arrangements with Roses

Collecting Roses

 

Jolene, Rose Champion

 

What the rose world needs are many more champions like Jolene Adams.  You can sense her empathy right away.  With Jolene it’s not so much about her, its all about roses and helping people to do what they love better through education.  A riveting speaker, Jolene gave a wonderful presentation on her recent trip to South Africa for the Triennial World Rose Convention.  The audience was enthralled.  I want to be more like Jolene Adams and wish there were more people doing what she does; teaching people how easy it is to grow beautiful roses. I believe most everyone wants a rose garden and Jolene teaches as many people as possible that they can have one.  That’s why she’s a perfect role model and Champion of the Rose.