1st time orchid society Pres. and I want to rejuvenate my society. Recommendations? - Orchid Board

zygostates · #1 01-09-2010, 03:40 PM

Hello, I am going to be my orchid society's Pres. this year This will be the first time I have taken this office before. I have, in the past 10 years, held nearly every office except treasurer and newsletter editor. I am writing to ask for recommendations/ideas to rejuvenate my aging society. I know that everyone everywhere has felt the affects of 2009 and that memberships are down. But despite all of this, some societies are still flourishing and growing. I want to know how and why so I can try to make mine exciting and better again for everyone
Thank you and I look forward to your suggestions.

wgama · #2 01-09-2010, 09:45 PM

I once read on someones blog somewhere that their society did an anual bingo where people came and played bingo and the first twenty winners or so got to take home an orchid of their choice from a table of orchids. I thought it sounded pretty fun.

snakecharma · #3 01-09-2010, 10:27 PM

our soc has an annual Auction night, which is fun. Also they have lots of member-only bus trips to shows, nurseries etc.

PaphMadMan · #4 01-09-2010, 11:41 PM

In my experience the biggest problem with orchid societies (and most other clubs etc., perhaps civilization in general) is long term members who no longer contribute much but ruthlessly criticize all efforts by those who do. If no one is coming up with new ideas it is because they have already been shot down too often. Praise those who make an effort, and tell all others to shut up. That's really all most groups need to thrive.

orchids3 · #5 01-09-2010, 11:41 PM

Have traveled a lot around the USA and have belonged to several societies and been an officer in two. Societies which have the most knowledgeable members are not necessarily the most successful. In fact it helps that meetings are conducted in a buisness like way, and the experts keep quiet until asked. Often new and beginning societies do the best - because of enthuiasm. Find out what the membership wants and try to provide it for them. If they want more plants in the raffle then provide more plants for the raffle, or find the speakers they want, or provide the social atmosphere they want. Its hard to find the spark that promotes enthuiasm but it is the one thing that is contageous. Societies are full of critics and judges and short on workers - but enthuism makes it fashionable to contribute.

Matilda · #6 01-10-2010, 12:14 AM

Some ideas for fun:

Sharing divisions. Maybe people bring divisions to the meet and trade them around.

Mystery prize. Wrap up a mystery orchid and put it on a table to be raffled during the meeting.

T-shirts. Could have them printed with pics of your favorite orchid blooms. Purchased by members to help raise money?

I would like to join an orchid society myself. The only one I found near me does not appear to be doing much of anything at the moment. If your group has a web page, I would try to keep it updated so Internet visitors know you are still active.

isurus79 · #7 01-10-2010, 01:32 AM

Honestly, my favorite aspect of a good society is really good speakers. I mean, why do we go to these meetings? Its to meet other like minded people, see what other people are growing (show and tell) and listen to qualified people who have more knowledge about some topic than everyone else.

mojomick · #8 01-10-2010, 10:08 AM

I am a member of a society that has grown from about 10 members 5 years ago to over 25 at the present time. We have monthly meetings with speakers, a monthly newsletter which contains pictures of members bloomers, and articles written by members, a yearly show and sale (which has gained popularity by the general public). We have given classes at Adult Education and we send our newsletter to local Master Gardeners, the local newspaper, and others who express interest. We have a wonderful group with new members who are greeted by all with enthusiam and offers of help. I think the combination of helpful people and publicity always help a society.

cb977 · #9 01-10-2010, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

In my experience the biggest problem with orchid societies (and most other clubs etc., perhaps civilization in general) is long term members who no longer contribute much but ruthlessly criticize all efforts by those who do. If no one is coming up with new ideas it is because they have already been shot down too often. Praise those who make an effort, and tell all others to shut up. That's really all most groups need to thrive.

Except for telling them all to shut up, I'd have to agree.

It's very frustrating when the newer members make great suggestions to help the club move forward but nothing gets done because the "older" (and I don't mean age, I mean how long they've been in the club) folks say NO and it's done

I left one club because of my frustration with this but have much higher hopes for the club I joined a few months ago. I've spoken to lots of folks and it seems that this is a problem for any club, no matter the subject.

I've found that the things I'm impressed with in the new club are: the meetings are organized with an itinerary that is followed to the letter rather than one that is disorganized. When we went to the first meeting as a guest we were given a welcome packet explaining what to expect and what needs to be done as a member. There are wonderful speakers each month with an actual presentation from which we LEARN things and not just slide shows of pretty orchids.

Just try to enjoy the experience and not allow people and their quirks get you frustrated. Once you're not enjoying it anymore, it really sucks the life out of you

quiltergal · #10 01-10-2010, 12:13 PM

2 things come to my mind. I've only been a member of my local society for about a year. I attended 4 meetings as a guest before I decided to join. I almost didn't join because no one in the group was very welcoming. So be friendly to the new faces that show up to meetings!

The other thing that I would love to see happen at our meetings is great guest speakers (who also bring plants to sell!). This seems to bring everyone out of the woodwork! We have had good speakers in the past, but this last year one guy did all our programs. Granted he is very knowledgeable (used to be an AOS judge), and has good information, but I'm tired of the same powerpoint presentation.