Hey Kim, You're absolutely right, the AOS works hard to produce such a great quality magazine. I haven't been fair about the many aspects of the way they touch all of us orchid lovers. You make a strong point and I have to say that all these comments have opened my eyes a great deal. Thanks all! :)

With all the talk about the updated web site, I went to take a look around. Some definite changes have been made and I enjoyed perusing the site. Found a section where the names of orchids are pronounced! Way cool!
I've always gone in to read all the newsletters and when I was working on our local club's newsletter, I did find very helpful information there.

I see an improvement...it will be wonderful if our OB conversation and Blondie's letter makes a difference in the future. :clap:

I can speak to GMMolly's inquiry about the HQ. It is actually working very hard to be self sustaining.

One of the myths out there is the HQ cost a great deal of money to build--that is nonsense. The land was donated to AOS and the money we made when the Vaughn estate was sold covered that expense of building. The day-to-day expenses are electic, taxes, insurance, etc.

The think about the HQ is that it houses our many historical treasures. That is an amazing amount of material. In addition, we've been given a priceless library of orchid books that is awaiting a location to be housed. The Library committee is raising money to build such a dedicated building. There is priceless, orginial scientific art that is held in a controled environment. There are hundreds (maybe thousands) of priceless out-of-print books.

There are volumes of reference material. With the new website, the plan as I understand it, is to create digital files so it is available to everyone in the country. The old website could not handle the magnitude of information. It all has to be stored someplace.

What most people don't know is that we have a THRIVING event rental out of the HQ that covers a great burden of the expenses to have the building. That includes weddings, meetings, etc. The gardens have significantly bounced back from the hurricane damage and the greenhouse is becoming more phenomenal with time. People are lining up to get hitched in the greenhouse. It does provide a beautiful wedding backdrop--I will say that when I see the weddings getting set up on the 4th Saturday of the month (every single month) I've seen some damn ugly taffeta bridesmaids dresses...but I digress.

The retail area is always available and people go in there to buy books, etc. I believe that is self-sustaining, it's not making tons of $$, but it is holding it's own.

Bottom line, even if we sold the HQ (it is broght up from time to time,) we'd still have to pay rent to house all of our 'stuff.' Financially, we all know it is better to own than rent. If I was doing it again, I'd have picked a more central place. On the other hand, free land is free land. The location is beautiful.

Well written Blondie. You brought up many good idea's.

There are so many good points brought up on this thread also, and it is impossible to cover them all in one response.
I joined AOS last fall and also receive my $60 magazine. A lot of it is over my head, but I still read it and try to understand it. (I loved the special edition this month!) The new web site is much better than the last, but could use a forum like this on it.

I joined the Michigan Orchid Society last summer and have been quite pleased with them. I have been able to make it to only one meeting so far because of my busy life, but I enjoyed the meeting very much. At 50, I was probably the median age, with a few folks in their 30's and even a couple in their 20's at the meeting. (There were appx. 50 people in attendance) Everyone was friendly and helpful, and I wish I could attend more. I think if they advertised at garden centers, etc., they would have even more attending.

I love the passion of this board, and this thread!

Rhonda, your points are well made as usual. I don't want to appear to be a one trick pony and blame all AOS issues on the HQ building. It is elaborate and everyone can be proud of it. I also realize it serves some useful purposes...very useful. I approve of renting it out to help pay for it, but this is a symptom of what I call the "country club problem". We have a nice clubhouse, but really can't afford it so let's invite everyone to help pay for it. Enough on that...that really isn't the main problem.

AOS is really struggling to convert itself from a society of the super rich to a society of the regular people. It must do so because the industry barons of the early 20th century with riches to burn just don't exist in significant numbers. Let's hope those of us in the middle don't cease to exist also.!!

This is not negative...but the snootiness attitude just won't go away easily. Whether it's true or not, the perception of the AOS as a closed society versus the Hemerocallis or Hosta counterparts exists. Part of it is the lack of member contact. The president deserves tremendous credit for his ideas and progress. I can not praise him enough. The south FL people also deserve a lot of credit.

I hope the regional concept advances and quickly.

Everyone is allowed their opinion on this board, and it is as valid as anyone else's.
Criticizing anothers opinion or name calling isn't acceptable.
:nono:

Thank you, Chris :)

I missed that one!

We will NOT do the name-calling thing, under any circumstances, here on OB...EVER!

I thought that was a friendly jab, not name calling.

Whatever it was, it doesn't belong in a public forum.
I don't want this to become a big deal so we can all just let it drop now, please :)

I developed an interest in growing plants at a very young age , so I tend to think that plant people are just born that way Oh and by the way you 30 year old folk, you know how quickly it seems to be that you got to be 30 it takes the same time to get to be 60 :shock: