Re: AIS: Symposium/soap box

In a message dated 7/13/2002 1:24:52 PM Central Daylight Time, 
gerrysnyder@attbi.com writes:


> Bill,
> 
> I see this sort of comment with some frequency.

My comments are not meant as criticism of specific individuals. Generally 
speaking any interface I've had with those holding specific offices has been 
favorable. Anner, for instance, was quite helpful when our club needed her 
intervention in an issue where we felt slighted and the issue was resolved to 
our satisfaction.

> 
> Now that I am part of the problem, I feel a need to ask--what needs have
> you communicated to your RVP (if she-he was going to attend an AIS board
> meeting) or to some other board member?
>  

My perceptions of the AIS organization as whole are different. I often see 
the above question asked (and have ask similar ones myself) in order to 
deflect criticism or responsibility for failures or to simply force 
individual introspection. I start with the assumption that is not the case 
here.

A portion of our organization failures appear to be from bottom up. At least 
on occasion clubs (I suspect often) elect officers based on qualities other 
than leadership, vision, knowledge, commitment, dedication, selflessness, 
understanding, honor or other essential traits. RVP's are sometimes similarly 
elected and I suspect AIS officers. One entrenched failure is our propensity 
to move people up the ladder not because the they produced desirable results 
but because they worked hard and/or were politically astute. The net result 
is a management group somewhat devoid or creativity/inovation and resistant 
to change. Essentially we become personification of the Peter Principle.

Arguments sometimes set forth suggesting positions are voluntary and we 
should appreciate what we get are superfluous. Certainly, I genuinely 
appreciate an individuals willingness to serve. But, I also expect results 
measured by improvements over the previous year. When improvements fail to 
materialize, I expect credible analysis of why they did not. Individuals 
tapped and agreeing to serve know the positions they fill are voluntary when 
they accept them. The key word here is serve. In general, management's 
obligation is to serve the membership, not vice versa. I expect a lot.

I expect to be informed concerning what objectives/quantitative goals they 
seek to accomplish. I expect updates on progress/failures. I expect course 
corrections. This is the essence of leadership.

I expect any having vested interests in votes being taken on specific 
proposals to recuse themselves from votes and avoid attempts to influence 
those votes. I expect the knowledge of those recusing themselves to be 
public.

I expect the honoring and recognition of those who serve, not for agreeing to 
serve, but for serving exceeding well.

On the contrary Gerry, I do not see you as part of the problem. I see you as 
an integral part of the solution. New blood is generally more apt to be 
receptive to addressing problems and is not shackled by preconceived 
attitudes or actions taken in the past. The following are proposals I've made 
to AIS, RVP's, retired RVP's, AIS Officers, AIS volunteers, other AIS 
members, regional officers. While they were not made in a formal format (that 
being a failure on my part), they were nonetheless made or suggested with my 
usual opinionated passion.

Proposal #1: AIS should offer, and do so immediately, in each publication and 
on it's web sight gift certificates for AIS membership. AIS should promote 
the sale of these certificates through AIS affiliated clubs.

Proposal #2: AIS should offer, at it's expense, a coordinated/polished 
package promoting the specific benefits of membership. Essentially it is the 
duty of AIS management to provide leadership in selling the AIS organization 
and provide the tools for doing so.

Proposal #3: AIS should dramatically expand funding of iris disease research. 
Particularly in the area of soft rot control where often conflicting lore 
exists. Arguably, this is the major disease facing iris growers. Such funding 
should be directed to geographical areas where the malady is most pervasive.

Proposal #4: AIS leadership should provide a central point for data 
collection identifying and correcting published, general catalog and web 
misinformation relative to irises and generate official responses to aid 
purveyors of same in correcting same.

Proposal #5: AIS check list information, relative to rebloom, should 
contain/require the following information from hybridizers. A two digit 
character should follow the rebloom designation (RE) designating the number 
of months or weeks after initial bloom the iris initiates rebloom.

Proposal #6: AIS affiliated clubs should be allowed to reproduce for 
promotional purposes any slide included in AIS slide programs provided such 
reproduction is not for the personal gain of an individual affiliated club 
member.

Proposal #7: Youth membership efforts should be targeted first at the 20 to 
40 age groups and secondly toward teens and under. Existing youth 
organizations (Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, etc.) and young adults (JC's, Chamber 
of Commerces, Junior Auxiliary, etc.) remain a largely untapped resource for 
plant/iris promotion and future membership. National AIS coordination of 
distribution/sale of excess member garden irises has great potential for both 
fund and membership increases regardless of age group. This is a win, win 
deal/approach for all groups including the AIS.

Proposal #8: The positions of the TBIS and AIS concerning cooperating status 
should be reconciled relative to tall bearded iris. Doing so should be a high 
priority, ongoing agenda item until an agreement acceptable to their 
respective memberships is reached.

Proposal #9: From a practical standpoint, the AIS checklist should be viewed 
as the Symposium of tall bearded irises. The number of irises an individual 
is allowed to vote should be reduced to 5 or 10 max and all votes should be 
write in votes. Similar ballots should be provided for each cooperating 
society.

Proposal #10: AIS Sanctioned flower shows should not require 
divisions/awards/ribbions for sections local affiliates do not reasonably 
expect entries.

> 
> When I look at the AIS board I see a bunch of unpaid hardworking
> volunteers who would like nothing more than to put into place your
> suggestions for improvement.

Gerry, I see nothing less.

> 
> I know your heart is in the right place. I like to think mine is too. 

I start with the assumption most people have their hearts in the right place 
with them believing the actions they take to be both morally right and in the 
best interest of all concerned. The real problem with both me and them is 
getting our brains in the right place. <big grin>

> 
> It will take me a while to set up a new Hall of Fame of older iris which
> could be removed from the Symposium ballot. (As I remember, the old
> criterion was 10 years on the Symposium or 3 in the top ten.)

I look forward to seeing the final results of your effort. Kindly take a hard 
look at what produces the most meaningful results, best reflects the title of 
the pole being taken, and accords each cultivar its proper place in history 
without too much emphasis on how things used to be before taking action. You 
mold the future.

Thinking, smiling and firmly committed to the principle that one needs only a 
modicum of knowledge on a given subject to express opinions. Your invitation 
to step onto a soap box is appreciated.

Bill Burleson 7a/b
Old South Iris Society
Nobody is bored when he is trying to make something that is beautiful or to 
discover something that is true.-  William Inge




[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor ---------------------~-->
Save on REALTOR Fees
http://us.click.yahoo.com/Xw80LD/h1ZEAA/Ey.GAA/2gGylB/TM
---------------------------------------------------------------------~->

 

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
Other Mailing lists | Author Index | Date Index | Subject Index | Thread Index