Re: Convention: TBIS

In a message dated 3/28/2005 1:14:55 PM Central Standard Time, 
rpries@sbcglobal.net writes:


> I think the Iris world should know that TBIS scheduled their presentation 
> at the St Louis convention the same time as the AIS tall-bearded forum. As a 
> member of the convention committee I can tell you that we worked very hard to 
> create a schedule with few if any conflicts. We had a room reserved at 
> another time for their presentation even though they are not part of the 
> convention, they were invited by us to have their convention as an adjunct to ours. 
> Most people are members of both groups and would like to participate in both. 
> Their behavior is an affront to our hospitality. Despite many discussions the 
> TBIS insisted on being in conflict.. In Portland next year the 
> Siberian/Species convention immediately follows the AIS convention. No other group it seems 
> would purposely try to conflict and compete with AIS. Most but would see the 
> advantage of everyone winning by cooperating. But despite our protestations 
> TBIS has persisted, so now you must choose between their program, wi!
> th one
> hybridizer, and the AIS Tall-bearded forum with four internationally known, 
> award-winning hybridizers. It seems rude to me that a group would have to go 
> out of their way to be combative. But the iris world should be aware that it 
> was not St Louis that created this problem. The truth always emerges.
> 

I do not see TBIS/AIS thing as an either/or decision. Unfortunately, some of 
the powers that be, do!

For me these two organizations supply different products that meet different 
needs of individuals. I see little advantage/disadvantage to combining/not 
combining the two. The same functions/services must still be performed.

The other crap goin' on is just that, crap!

Irises and those involved with them will be better served if both 
organizations focus on what they can do effectively and work toward improving those 
things.

There is a life cycle associated with all things, even voluntary 
organizations. I do not wish to give up anything. I want all things I have, more, and more 
that's better. You need only to visit where I live to see this. Junk, junk 
and more junk layin' around. From old cars and trucks to nearly useless split 
garden hoses. The point here, if there is one, is that the vehicles will not get 
better unless someone works on them. If I work on one, I will likely cuss it 
some as I work. Regardless, the repair will be some short of perfection. No 
matter how hard I work on or cuss one of them it will not fix the other. When I 
need a car, I work on it. When I need a truck, I work on it. If I fix only one 
it will not adequately fill the intended function of the other.

Some see a new, bigger truck and accepting fewer miles per gallon as a 
solution. I've not reached that point.

The iris world you mention recognizes most of the grievances you intimate as 
conflict between egos of people in power and/or those in positions of 
influence. Not as a conflict among us, the iris world. You correctly identify the 
memberships collectively as the same people. We are.

I do not wish to get into the who did what to whom, whether my daddy can whip 
your daddy, or what faux pas by who failed to meet our needs. Certainly a 
meeting date/time nearer the midpoint of the convention better meets the needs of 
more people or at least provides them more flexibility. And certainly this 
should have been recognized as a need early in the planning stages.

Me personally? I cannot afford to attend a week of convention. I raise 
irises. So, I will attend at a time when I can reach a reasonable balance between 
irises, net friends I hope to meet in person, and irises I may never have seen. 
I'll shake the hands of a few, give overdue hugs to others, and attend to a 
few business matters. So, I opt to be there at the midpoint. Maybe catch some of 
all coming and going. To this end the TBIS chosen date better meets my 
needs.That's its duty.

I can see how it would cause you consternation as an organizer and find 
myself wondering why the reasoning I outline above was not addressed early in the 
process and convention organizers given more guidance from AIS in ways the 
needs of its members could be accomodated in the scheduling process. That's its 
duty.

Ultimately, how organizations adapt to meeting needs and the efficiency with 
which they do so has great influence on the length of their life cycle and 
their vitality during that cycle.

For example, I may argue with AIS operating its registration franchise as a 
profit center. I certainly do not want to be without such a service or destroy 
it. Nor would I want to be without the membership lists available from the 
TBIS, its set aside emergency fund, or the Tall Talk publication with its defined 
focus on tall bearded irises.

What if any of this would anyone wish to be without? I do not see economies 
of scale improving anything at this point much beyond political nests. Not the 
iris world. All (most anyway) work is being performed free by under 
appreciated volunteers. This would likely be true whether there were one, two, three or 
four hundred iris organizations. I remain willing to be convinced otherwise.

Perhaps you or another influential person would be willing to offer some 
clearly defined, specific advantages, improved efficiencies, or significant 
existing dual functions that can be eliminated beyond the cost of two stamps or 
accommodating meeting times?

We, the masses, have not been served well. Politicians for whatever reason, 
have failed to either understand or have chosen to ignore the value we place on 
successful collaboration in meeting our needs.

I'm thinkin' more folks than myself need to spend more time fixin' vehicles 
and growin' irises.

Those split garden hoses? Why someday I'll need a longer one!
Smiles,
Bill Burleson

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