Re: AIS Dues, Finances, and Membership

In a message dated 09/03/97  14:52:17, Clarence says:

<< How can AIS members on the list help increase
 membership?  >>


Whilst increasing membership is a task that existing rank-and-file members
can undertake very effectively, the main drive for this *must* come from
national and regional officers.
May I suggest that you (Clarence) or Dave Niswonger contact Pam Adams
(administrator) or Jane Sterndale-Bennett (chairman) of the Hardy Plant
Society to compare notes - a similar sized organisation that had similar
problems. Pam and Jane are very helpful. Tell them I sent you! If you need
contact info, e-mail me privately.
All that Clarence says of AIS holds true for HPS also - I see many parallels.
Also, to calm Harry's fears, although membership has grown by fifty percent,
HPS remains friendly and personal - these characteristics are the result of
continued personal touch thru the newsletter and journal and also active and
friendly regional and specialist groups. Only if the AIS grew to 50000
members or more could it ever possibly become impersonal, and I can't see
that happening unless irises suddenly become even more popular (I'm joining
Tom under the computer desk!).
I endorse the suggestions for improving membership given by Clarence, Ellen
and Scott.
I would add to Clarence's list of ways to increase membership - PUBLICITY.
This need not be expensive. I do a lot of press release work for the various
organisations that I am involved with. If you have a modem and a list of fax
numbers for newspapers, magazines, TV shows and journalists, then you can
prepare a press release and set your computer and modem to fax it to all
those people overnight whilst you are sleeping and whilst the phone cost is
low. This is very inexpensive and may lead to  a feature in a magazine or on
TV - that is worth hundreds of paid-for advertisements, and has a miniscule
cost. Directories of press and media contacts should be available in your
library (they are here).

We could always try Dolly-the-AIS-member ((-;

Graham Spencer, UK
croftway@aol.com
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