2026 Election Results November 7, 2025 Dearest Members, Moving forward, all TRUE AND REAL correspondence from the Carolinas Dahlia Society will be sent by our VERIFIED email (Verified.CarolinasDahliaSociety@gmail.com). Please add this email to your personal email contacts list to ensure you are receiving official correspondence and be alert for communication from imposters. As one example of misinformation, the meeting announced for Saturday November 8th at the Grove Park Inn is not a sanctioned meeting of the Carolinas Dahlia Society, rather it appears to be an organizational meeting by a new dahlia society. Recently, our CDS Board secured the help of The Dalton Law Group to assist us in combating the misinformation being spread by the group calling themselves “at least 10% members”. That group has unlawfully used the official CDS Gmail and Facebook accounts that are the property and brand of CDS. The CDS Attorney, Mr. Dalton presented former CDS President Debbie McElreath, former CDS Communications Coordinator, April Morley, 10% Presidential Candidate Erin Williams and other parties involved with the 10% group a cease and desist letter on behalf of the Carolinas Dahlia Society. Those parties ignored that cease and desist request and issued additional correspondence such as the meeting notice discussed above. To avoid further confusion and misrepresentations, the duly authorized CDS Board has taken immediate emergency action and approved a slate of officers for 2026 and ratified their election to facilitate the goals and proper functioning of our Society. The Verified 2026 CDS Officers are: President, Elise Fournier Vice President, Ivor Mitchell Treasurer, Bob Goehring Secretary, Ilana Williams Membership Chair, Janet Koconis Importantly, the duly authorized CDS Board does not acknowledge the election held by the 10% group as it was not conducted under the supervision and consent of the CDS Board of Directors in a manner consistent with our Bylaws nor Roberts Rules of Order. We have also consulted with a Certified Parliamentarian and confirmed that our interpretation of the Bylaws and of Roberts Rules is correct. Your Board of Directors are confident we are acting in an impartial manner using proper procedures in an effort to serve the valued members of the Carolinas Dahlia Society. It is our desire that everyone find joy in growing dahlias wherever they feel most welcome and comfortable. To that end, your CDS Board of Directors wishes to extend each of you the opportunity for a full refund of your current dues if you desire to leave the CDS before year end and join the 10% group under a new name and charter. Please know we are doing what we must to protect the heritage and brand of CDS as it has been since the 1980’s. I can assure you that in 2026 we will be focused on dahlias and providing great educational programming that unites and celebrates our community. Most importantly, let’s get the D in the Carolinas Dahlia Society back to Dahlias and step away from the Drama. If you have questions or comments regarding this correspondence, please send them to verified.carolinasdahliasociety@gmail.com and we will make every effort to answer them to the best of our ability. With an open heart and an optimistic attitude wanting to serve you, Elise Fournier, 2026 CDS President |