Re: AIS: Membership Structure
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: AIS: Membership Structure
- From: E* G* <e*@moose.ncia.net>
- Date: Thu, 29 May 1997 20:05:17 -0600 (MDT)
Jim Schroetter wrote:
From a recent posting by Libby Cross:
>
>>LOOK FOR SOME CHANGES AFTER THE BOARD MEETS IN JUNE!
> Last fall, I asked fellow club members how we are to sell prospective
>members on joining with no provision for the pro-ration of dues. Not one
>person could answer the question. The further into the year we go, the worse
>the problem gets. As Tom Tadfor Little wrote:
>
>>One could also argue that the current system devalues the first year of
>>membership for those who join late. They don't get to vote the symposium,
>>don't get a chance to attend the convention, don't get timely news of shows,
>>etc. I think we'd all agree that there's more to AIS than the Bulletin;
>>there's also opportunities for participation in various iris activities.
I belong to three other plant societies and they are very different
in 'welcoming' new members. NALS, North American Lily Society, is
very much like AIS in that you get lots of information right off
the bat. This includes the last Quarterly Bulletin and info on the
National Convention, a lily disease book, a NALS library brochure,
etc. Everyone gets a copy of the NALS seed exchange yearly booklet in
the winter. Just lots of info and advice. Very user-friendly group.
NALS membership dues are $12.75 per annum. You also get a free copy
of the NALS membership roster organized by region.
AIS and NALS have one flaw that I think would help keep members.
I think they both should give your name & address to the local
or regional club so you would be contacted by someone in your
region or someone in your geographical area. (I had to search out
the nearest club which is the Maine Iris Society and track down the
Pres. at the MASS Medley last June.) I am in the process of doing
the same thing for the New England Lily Society.
It is true that people can write to their local or regional club
but it is more welcoming if you are asked to go to a meeting or
join a club or at least receive a letter.
I think if people feel isolated in a big organization, the local
contact makes one feel more comfortable.
I am not going to talk about dues because most other societies
are going on a yearly schedule, too and I personally think it
makes more sense. Jim's quarterly rates sounded ok *but* I think
it is important to send one issue of the Bulletin.
Cheers,
Ellen
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ellen Gallagher \ e_galla@moose.ncia.net \ Lancaster, New Hampshire,USA
USDA Zone 3a \ Northern White Mountains\ AIS Region 1 {New England}
