Meeting Rules, Procedures and Etiquette

Rules

  • Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of each month, September through May,
  • Meetings are currently being held at the Melbourne Public Library at 540 E. Fee Avenue, Melbourne, FL
  • Meetings begin promptly at 1:00 PM and adjourned at 3:00 PM.
  • New potential members are invited to attend one monthly meeting, with no commitment,.
  • Dues are $70.00 per year and must be paid in full by the May meeting.  Members wishing to join mid year will pay $30.00.  Members of other Ikebana Chapters wishing to join Chapter # 216 also, will pay $10.00 for chapter dues.
  • Each member attending the monthly meeting must bring the flowers and greenery needed to make an arrangement that complies with the lesson  for that month.
  • Members must supply their own equipment which includes:  clippers, a container (vase), water bowl, water proof table covering, Kenzan (if needed), a small trash bag and plant materials.
  • Each member is required to completely remove all debris from their workspace and clean off their table and chairs before leaving.


Procedures

  • The meeting is called to order by the President at 1:00 PM.
  • The President will lead  the group in the "Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag".
  • An inspirational message is read and any new business that needs to be presented to the membership is discussed.
  • The meeting is turned over to the presenter for that month.
  • The presenter gives a description and the parameters for the lesson and constructs examples.  Handouts are often given to the members to facilitate the lesson. 
  • Once the presenter has completed the lesson the membership may begin creating their own design following the parameters of the lesson. 
  • At least 45 minutes before the meeting is to end everyone must end construction and get their space ready for the critique segment of the session.  Every arrangement is discussed and often suggestions for improvements are given.


Etiquette

  • Do not begin working on your arrangement until the presenter has finished speaking.
  • When your arrangement is completed, clean up your area and put all of your tools away except your clippers.
  • Face your arrangement towards the front of the room with your clippers on the table to the right of your arrangement.
  • Stay with the group as each arrangement is discussed, this is often the most important learning session of the day.
  • Do not talk while each person describes their arrangement,  your may add to the discussion about each arrangement once the creator of that arrangement and the Presenter  have finished speaking.
  • Once all of the arrangements have been critiqued you may pack-up and clean-up your work area.
  • If someone needs something to work on their arrangement be the first to offer what ever you have that might help, you might just make a new friend!

Ikebana International Melbourne Chapter # 216

Meetings & Classes

All of these images are from a beginners Sogetsu class.

Ikebana Sogetsu Classes & Instructors

​Sogetsu Classes

Have you ever wanted to be able to make beautiful flower arrangements for your own home, or to share with friends and family?  Introductory and Advanced classes in the Sogetsu School of Ikebana are offered  here in Melbourne,  that include hands-on instruction in design and technique, together with reflections on the history and philosophy of Ikebana.  Ikebana is a creative expression, in three dimensions, composed of plant material, usually arranged in a vase.


















The Sogetsu School is one of the most established schools of Ikebana. It was first established in Japan in 1927 and is now practiced by enthusiasts around the world.  With the belief that Ikebana should be both enjoyable and creative, the founder, Sofu Teshigahara, developed a new School of Ikebana that was rooted in the traditional rules of design yet embraced a more modern age with the materials and ideas that are now available.  


The philosophy of the Sogetsu School is "Anyone can enjoy Sogetsu Ikebana anytime, anywhere, using any material".  You can have a Sogetsu arrangement at your front door, in your living room or on your kitchen table.  Sogetsu is appropriate for hotel lobbies, banquet rooms, shop windows, large public spaces and anywhere that can benefit by adding color and creativity to the modern world.


The Sogetsu School offers the opportunity for all individuals to bring their own aesthetic and personality to the practice of flower arranging.  Just as each person is diverse from another, the students of Sogetsu are encouraged to create sculptural designs that are individualistic and imaginative.  Beautiful arrangements can come out materials found in your own back yard or from cuttings you may find along the roadside.


For Information about upcoming classes and locations call our local Sogetsu Sensei (Instructors). New classes will be listed on the Events & Outreach  page when they become available.


For more details, please contact:
Inge Holland 321-779-5225
Midge Dunn 321-549-3522


Inge Holland,  Sogetsu Sensei,  4th Grade - Yonkyu Shihan, Flower Name is  "So In" @ 321-779-5225

Midge Dunn, Sogetsu Sensei,  4th Grade - Yonkyu Shihan,  Flower Name is "So Sho"  @ 321-549-3522

Betty Allison, Sogetsu Sensei,  4th Grade - Yonkyu Shihan,  Flower Name is "Sobi"

Elaine Sigler, Sogetsu Sensei, 2nd Grade - Sanyo,

Flower Name is "Seiki"

Rena Foley, Sogetsu Sensei, 4th Grade - Yonkyu Shihan,