Beverly Dodson – Tracing a new member’s path to OSWP leadership

​

By: Norma Raiff

​

A chicken, a dog, and a husband comprise the household of today’s featured OSWP member, Beverly Dodson. In my view, it is an unusual family combination, but as you learn more about our newest “Gem,” Beverly’s OSWP career illustrates one member’s unique and flexible path to hobby orchid growing and to chairing a vital 2025 Show Committee. 

​

Being a Committee Chair involves commitment, being willing to learn and grow, and a lot of hard work staffing OSWP’s most important public event. And when you consider that Beverly is a “newbie” – new to our society and new to growing orchids -- her willingness to chair our “Helpers” committee is amazing. Beverly’s precisely what we are looking for to sustain our mission and to help our Society to adapt to rapidly changing times.

​

Beverly is a long-time Pittsburgh resident who grew up Bethel Park but who now has resided in Churchill for 30 years. She did have a one-year break, having taught first grade in West Virginia, where she became aware of the profound effect of extreme Appalachian poverty on families and children. And then she returned home during an era of a restricted economy and limited job opportunities. Her subsequent occupational journey included substitute teaching at the elementary level (primarily in Mt. Lebanon & Bethel Park), working at McDonald's, and ten years employment at Respironics, a medical supply company where she took on various management functions. And yes, her ability to take on new and challenging tasks has probably made her comfortable with moving into an unfamiliar OSWP role. She refers to herself as an “idea girl.” 

​

Bev’s orchid involvement was piqued by attending our 2022 OSWP show. She thought the flowers and the displays “were so beautiful.” But the dealmaker came when she learned that OSWP was involved with Phipps – a place she had long hungered to volunteer at, and so she initially joined OSWP to take advantage of being able to sign up for Pfun at Phipps.

​

And the rest follows a more or less predictable route. Working at Pfun provided Beverly with firsthand knowledge of orchid repotting and grooming protocols while being supported by an interpersonal network that included OSWP’s long time member Demetria Marsh, Phipps’ horticulturalists Giovanny Giraldo and Thathmini Kularatna, and other OSWP “Pfunsters. “I’ve loved being with the orchids, and I’ve learned so much, everyone is so helpful, and it’s been a wonderful experience.”

​

So today, Beverly is enjoying a “minimalist” approach to growing her own orchids. Her collection consists of 10 orchids, including phalaenopsis, dendrobiums, a cattleya (gifted to her by an OSWP member) and oncidiums – and her “jungle like setting” is supplemented by other plants gifted as cuttings by Phipps. And she admits that the process has been frustrating at times. Although her orchids were healthy, many of them “refused” to bloom and so Bev relied on other OSWP members’ hints, e.g., using filtered water taken from a dehumidifier. And I am happy to report that Bev has finally achieved success. 

​

And now, for a final insight into Beverly’s role as Helpers Committee chair -- and a charming peek into OSWP’s culture of helping. For those who might not know what Helpers do, the Helpers are a standing Show Committee that makes the Spring Show experience less stressful (and more “friendly”) by providing volunteers who assist vendors and general visitors. The job description is flexible, but the Helpers’ main job is to transport things to and from places. For example, the committee helps to unload and to take the vendors’ orchids, staging props and other bulky items into the hotel and the vendor space during setup, and offers return assistance at show closure. This is obviously a significant benefit since many vendors drive considerable distances and would otherwise have a much longer workday. Helpers also offer a “Plant parking” service to the public. Here the society provides a monitored secure space where visitors can drop off and later retrieve their purchases at their convenience. This allows visitors to return to the display and sales areas or attend classes. And Helpers fill in where other Committees need them as required.

​

So, how did Beverly move into Committee management? Well, the background is that Beverly did volunteer with the Helper’s Committee during her first two years after joining. And when Lori Beth Bloom, the Committee Chair, was unable to continue, Lori Beth’s husband Mike (at his wife’s urging) generously showed up as a full-time 2025 helper and a continuous support. So that is our tradition…do not be afraid and we will be there to help.

​

And Beverly’s final words of advice to other newbies, “be patient and things will eventually bloom.”  And “go to mini classes because I have found them so helpful.”