How Can Non-Members Attend Washington Koi & Water Garden Society Events?

Updated

Non-members can attend Washington Koi & Water Garden Society (WK & WGS) events by calling Nancy Moore, the club's Program Chair, at 206-949-2402. The club's own event notice states that if you aren't a member but would like to come to a gathering, you should call that number to let her know. The same notice asks members to RSVP so the hosts can plan food quantities, which tells you that non-members should also give advance notice rather than simply showing up.

The example the club gives: "Sundaes on Sunday"

WK & WGS publicizes its meetings through its website and newsletter. One documented upcoming event is "Sundaes on Sunday," held August 23 at 2 p.m. at Barb and Lee Sundgren's pond and garden.

The program combines a social gathering with an educational talk:

  • Speaker: Derek Boucher of Play It Koi
  • Topic: RDFs — Rotary Drum Filters
  • Questions covered: What they are, how they work, and why a koi keeper might want one

Derek Boucher had previously joined the club for Zoom programs, so this was also a chance for members to meet him in person. The club notes that members should check the August newsletter for directions to the Sundgren property — a detail worth remembering if you're a non-member, since you won't receive the newsletter and will need to ask for directions when you call.

What to do if you want to attend

  1. Call 206-949-2402 and ask for Nancy Moore, Program Chair.
  2. Say you are not a member but would like to attend the event.
  3. Ask for the address and directions, since the newsletter that carries them goes to members.
  4. Confirm your attendance so the hosts can plan food and supplies — the club explicitly asks members to RSVP for exactly this reason.
  5. Ask what to expect if the event is at a private pond and garden, so you know about parking, timing, or anything else specific to the property.

Expected result: you get confirmation that you're welcome, the location details, and a realistic sense of how much food and seating the hosts are planning for.

Why the club is open to non-members

WK & WGS describes itself as a non-profit hobbyist organization and a koi community. Its stated position is that you don't need koi to enjoy ponds — well-planted ponds, goldfish ponds, or even pondless waterfalls are all part of what members appreciate, even though koi (the club's "living jewels") are the main focus.

The club also gives a direct recommendation to anyone considering a koi pond: join a club like theirs and gather as much information as possible before "taking that first shovelful of dirt." Attending an event as a non-member is a low-commitment way to do that.

What else the club offers

Beyond in-person gatherings, WK & WGS activities include:

  • Zoom meetings, pond tours, field trips, and summer outdoor meetings
  • A monthly newsletter with articles for members
  • Educational programs at membership meetings on koi health, pond construction, koi varieties, aquatic plants, nutrition, filtration, and water quality
  • Affiliations with the Pacific Northwest Koi Clubs Association and Koi Organisation International
  • A history of koi shows — the club ran them for 28 years before the Covid outbreak

Note that the newsletter and some member benefits are described as being for members, so treat the phone call as your entry point for event details rather than assuming you'll receive member communications.

Common sticking points

  • No directions without asking. The club routes directions through the member newsletter, so non-members should request them by phone.
  • RSVP matters. Food planning is the stated reason for the RSVP request; calling ahead keeps you from being an unplanned guest.
  • Membership isn't required to attend, but it is required for member communications. If you want the newsletter and ongoing program access, ask about joining when you call.
  • The club's event schedule changes. The August 23 "Sundaes on Sunday" is a documented example, not a standing schedule — call to ask what's coming up next.