Re: What is it all about?

Dear Greg,

Aloha ("In the presence of the breath of life").

You have asked some very interesting questions.  There are others more qualified than I to answer most of them.  From what I understand, all of the people behind the scenes making the IAS function, are volunteers.  With that in mind, the question should be, "Ask what can I do for the IAS, not, what can the IAS do for me?"  Everyone is very busy these days and I cannot do all I wish for the IAS. What I can do is respond on Aroid-l, if I have an intelligent question or answer to contribute.  I also respond on the IAS Aroid Forum, when I have an opinion or just to welcome new people to the forum. If I meet other enthusiasts, I aways suggest joining the IAS.  Some do and some don't.  I am not on Facebook, so I do not know anything about that issue.  I would like to see more traffic on Aroid-l or the Aroid Forum, so if you have any ideas on how to attract people to post to those, that would be great.  Your post here seems to have attracted a lot of attention and that is a good thing. 

I would be interested in hearing more about your involvement with aroids.  Are you a scientist, educator, or professionally associated with Araceae?  I believe it would be great if we could learn a bit more about each other and our specific interests.  

My first love in plants are Hawaiian endemic and indigenous flora and their conservation.  I have a specific interest in Philodendron subgenus Meconostigma, which is a very narrow interest, but, I love to learn about a diverse range of natural history subjects.  My mentor in landscape design and other things was Roberto Burle Marx, who was an honorary life member of the IAS.  I met Dr. Simon Mayo at Roberto's sitio, before he left for Bahia and prior to his revision of Philodendron subgenus Meconostigma.   

I haven't addressed your questions specifically, but, I did want to respond in a way that introduces one member to another.  

Aloha,

Leland




From: Greg Ruckert <greg@alpacamanagement.com>
To: 'Discussion of aroids' <aroid-l@gizmoworks.com>
Sent: Tuesday, August 6, 2013 3:35 PM
Subject: [Aroid-l] What is it all about?

As a person who has beem a member of the IAS, on and off, over a long period of time, I am moved to wonder what is the purpose of the IAS.
 
I note that the term of five Board membership expires in September and would like to know what the Board members do? When and where does the Board meet?
When are nominations called for the vacant positions?
 
Does the IAS has a plan for the future and where might I find it?
 
We have a wonderful editorial team and, without wanting to cause any offence, what is the succession plan that the IAS has in place for these wonderful people?
 
As a non-American member, apart from the newsletter and Aroideana, what is the point of me being a member?
 
Does the IAS have a plan to increase its membership?
 
Why is the IAS Facebook page not monitored?  There is an increasing amount of spam being posted there (I am not the only one who is annoyed by this) and nothing is done about it.
The IAS has a financial membership of 365, including institutions.  The Facebook page has 850 members and is growing quickly. Why isn't the Facebook page used to promote the society and recruit new members?
I notice I don't necessarily get answers to questions I pose. Does the Board think this is a good look?
 
Why is there a high level of Society disinterest in the International Aroid Conference to be held in Hanoi? Is it because it is outside the USA?
I have asked on Facebook about the Society's involvement in the conference and have effectively been told that it really is nothing to do with the IAS.  This is despite the IAS being involved in selecting the site for the conference and the front page of the IAS website encouraging people to "Join us"
Nobody seems to know who is giving the IAS presentation at the conference! Why? Why will there be no IAS merchandise available?
 
I have asked thirteen questions and will be interested to see how many I get satisfactory answers to.
 
Greg Ruckert
Nairne
South Australia
Australia
 
 

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