Re: Re: AIS: AIS/TBIS

Gerry Snyder writes:

> >Why were they turned down?
> >
> I know there were multiple issues in the AIS declining Cooperating
> Society status for TBIS.

> One had to do with by-laws,

By-laws of the AIS or By-laws as written for TBIS or some of both?  This is
an area where creative, cooperative minds could work changes out that should
be acceptable to both entities.

> and another was a
> concern about competing spring treks. Competing either by meeting over
> the same dates in a different city,

Ah, competition.  I think this may be the crux of the matter.  Turf wars.
It could be a valid position, too, I think.  As part of their by-laws, TBIS
could specifically state that their purpose and intent is to avoid
conflicting their meetings and treks by attempting to locate their meetings
in an earlier or later region of the country than those set for the AIS.  As
the more recent organization, I think it would be reasonable for TBIS to
make that clear if they are seriously wanting to be accepted as a
cooperating society.  I think AIS might have valid fears on this since the
treks of gardens might conflict, but also because both groups share the same
members.  Really active members willing and able (this last is important) to
participate in the work involved in these things are likely always to be in
short supply.

>or by "previewing" AIS trek gardens
> the year before the AIS trek there.

This is not valid, I think.  It presumes that having seen them once, people
wouldn't be willing to go again.  Anyone who has grown irises, and TBs
specifically, know that peak blooms for different cultivars vary year to
year depending on weather.  A week can make a huge difference in catching
any one cultivar at its best.  I doubt there are many irisarians who would
forego the chance to trek a second time.  When the convention was in Dallas
I helped weed the display bed at the arboretum in Dallas about a week and
half before, and that didn't make the second viewing less interesting.  In
fact, it was edifying to observe the difference.  ARCTIC EXPRESS comes to
mind.  It was in full, magnificent bloom during the weeding week.  PENNY
LANE was lagging at the time.  By the week of the convention, AE was well
past its prime, but PL was in full display mode.  The votes at the
convention reflected that.  There were others that fell in the same
categories.  Plus, for me, the chance to see clumps developing over a period
of time would be useful.

So I'd guess I'd ask this group the question:  If you trekked as a preview,
would it prevent you from wanting to tour the same garden again the
following year?

As a member of AIS, I have found it has served my needs quite
satisfactorily.  My own interests have veered into the arilbred irises as a
primary focus, but I have attempted to grow most of the other classes (with
varying degrees of success).  TBs are still at the core of the irises I
grow.  There are good reasons for that in my growing conditions.  With those
conditions, it's not likely to change either.  Though not a member of TBIS,
it seems reasonable that they have their own group, whether it be as a
Section or Cooperating Society.  It is neither in their interest nor in the
interest of AIS to continue in conflict.  AIS has the registrar, after all.
That office needs to work as well as it possibly can.

Donald Eaves
donald@eastland.net
Texas Zone 7b, USA

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