the membership thing:

It has been a huge drop off. However, I'm willing to venture that things will turn around. I can't speak for any region except my own, but our local experience is very good.

Events are more inclusive, and there is a great deal of contact between AOS and the Societies. I get regular emails addressing a variety of subjects, and we have wonderful support from judges (one in particular) and other volunteers. The classes offered at AOS headquarters are pertinent and span a range that has appeal to newbies and seasoned growers.

In short, while many of us felt out of the loop in the past, that has changed dramatically. That's a great first step. I'd be interested to hear how the regional changes are working. Being in FL is not the same as living in, say Chicago, I'm sure.

It's a big ship, and it will take time to turn it. IMO, they are really trying, so we'll see.

Diana: The issues about AOS HQ affect only a very small percentage of AOS members. It is good that they are starting to communicate with the local OS's, to avoid debacles like holding major sales at HQ during the annual show of a nearby OS, as they have done a couple times in recent years. Paying class teachers actual money rather than via "free" advertising in Orchids Magazine (something useless to many of us) is also a good move, but so far the amount is pretty paltry (less than most local OS pay their monthly meeting speaker). But truly, those things are only good for the local area. They don't do anything for the members around the country, and indeed the world, who far outnumber those of us in AOS' backyard.

The membership (which pretty much equates to magazine subscriber for those outside south Florida, since AFAIK that's all they get) dropoff indicates that readers as well as advertisers have been less than pleased with the format changes ... or at least not pleased enough to pay the dues increase.

I hope you are right that the whole big ship is turning, I think there is a need for a large organization (preferably truly global, rather than just US-centric). But I ain't holdin' my breath. Kenni

Speaking as one who lives in Australia and has been a member since 1976, I have been happy with the membership fees which basically mean Bulletin (Orchids) subscription as I can very rarely avail myself of anything else on offer from the AOS. (I have in the past few years been able to use my Membership to get free entry to a couple of Botanic Gardens in the US.)

However, I am seriously considering whether I will renew my membership as I am now not enamoured with the current format of Orchids. I would much rather have more articles illustrated with relevant smaller colour photographs than waste space on full page colour photos of 1 orchid. I can get that on my computer screen. I want something that I can take to bed or sit on my couch and read and be informed. Glancing at large full page colour photos in a magazine doesn't do it for me.

How long have we been waiting to get a searchable index of the journal something which would be of value to all members? Seems the focus has been far too narrow and parochial for too long.

I am hoping that the new direction mentioned by Diana and Kenni leads to some major changes in the Orchids bulletin and, as Kenni says, a global focus. Obviously, over the past few years, many members have felt that there are better things on which to spend their money than a subscription to the AOS.

John

John, as one living outside of the US, you make good points, and I understand your feelings. But here in the States, regional centers are or will be forming to service areas other than south Florida. As far as communication with local societies, it is more than just starting; it has been intense and positive.

Of course, I have heard of some local societies that are not impressed. IMO, they tend to be groups that don't put a lot of effort into it themselves. Some doth protest too much, methinks.

Kenni, I can see your point of view when it comes to instructing classes. But nobody is forced to do that at all. Recently, I led a Cattleya class for the AOS South Florida Leadership Council during an orchid fair held at Mounts Botanical Garden in WPB. I volunteered, and did it for nothing.

Next month I'm speaking to a local garden club. No fee. Obviously, if I did that sort of thing on a more frequent basis my attitude would be different, but I look at these sessions as gifts that will be returned in one form or another.

Diana

Diana, I've always said you were a sweet lady, and you know I respect you as a grower. But I think you missed the main points on this one:

1. The stuff that goes on at AOS HQ, including classes, is of no interest/benefit to the vast majority of members who get nothing more than the magazine, in exchange for their dues. The mag (if not the whole organization) has to be supported by advertiser $$, and it's been priced out of reach for small and even mid-sized growers. I don't know whether there's been an effect on revenue, possibly the big growers who can afford it are taking up the "slack." But they won't keep doing that if readership continues to dwindle. I would like to think that the absence of more diverse advertising, including the smaller growers, is a contributing factor to the decline in reader interest ...

1. Of course no one is forced to teach AOS classes (altho I've heard of some judges being pressured pretty hard). But relying on charity is a chancy way to obtain quality speakers to teach classes. Generous souls willing to work for free, and esp. those like yourself who actually know what they're talking about, are not all that commonly available. Kenni

Kenni-

Wow, *sweet*......Don't remember when anyone used that adjective to describe me, LOL! Prickly, maybe, opinionated, definitely, but sweet?

Anyway, perhaps we've been talking past each other. I absolutely see your points. But one of the things that AOS is trying to do is to reach out to other regions via reps in those regions. I can't say for sure, but it would seem a way to do that is through the regional judging centers. I hope that effort works, because if it does it will eliminate the gap in services between 'us' and 'them'.

As far as service is concerned, I can tell you that one of the most time effective marketing tools I had when in business was free and fair advice. If I were a commercial grower, I would consider it a bonus to be able to get in front of a group for a talk, providing the drive distance was reasonable and kept me in my physical service area. Nothing like a personal relationship with a customer to cement loyalty.

Diana

Too little too late; when something's dead, it's dead. It took a lot to chase me away but I finally dropped my AOS membership 3 years ago, and won't be going back. A 'last straw' kind of thing.

And as for the judging centers, our regional judging center is held in such low esteem due to the nasty, selfish, self-important personalities and critically poor judging performance the chances of anyone wanting to be involved with those prima donnas is remote at best.

It is unfortunate that the AOS decided to virtually become a fabulous taj mahal orchid center for southeast FL (with everybody else's money too), because that's pretty much what it is now and the rest of us are quite aware we don't count. The numbers seem to be in agreement with me.

I wouldn't mind it folding altogether; might give a boost to more worthwhile organizations like the OD, and perhaps remind other organizations to mind their p's and q's. Do we really need AOS judging? I'm no longer convinced we do.

As another non American and one who edits a couple of on line orchid newsletters, I would like to point out that most (If not all) orchid publications these days, cannot afford to pay for articles that they publish. The result of this is that they (We) grasp at any free offer that comes our way. And these are few and far between. If you want to improve the quality of the magazine/newsletter that you usually get, then have a little input instead of carping from the sidelines. When was the last time you wrote something that was published?

I am not trying to be an apologist for the AOS or any other organisation but if you don't like the output, try a little input.

Tony Watkinson Perth Western Australia

Agree with you on this one, Tony. That's why I am now the editor of our local society newsletter - its time for me to put in. Reminds me. I must send you a copy.

John