How to get new members for a orchid society?

[Orchidnut]

I started an orchid society in Colorado. I was requested to do so by a few people so I did. I always put our Meetings in the 2 local papers and in a town away from us. I also post it on Craigslist. I have sent flyers to local florist shops/ greenhouses and we just put up a display at a local Orchid show. Many of our members are older and are new to growing orchids. I am going to put up flyers at our local university. Any other suggestions? Anyone? I really want this to be sucessful I am afraid that many people have been burned by buying at local box stores without the proper instructions and are afraid they cannot grow orchids. Buying at the box stores are not bad. How do I get more members?
Thanks,
Bonnie

[RJSquirrel]

I don't know.. I've tried myself getting family friends etc etc etc involved here. No luck. I've come to the conclusion that orchid people are not made, they just happen. It did with me with a bug ugly phal left me by a friend.Well It bloomed and there was such a small joy I had not known of before then. I think keep plugging the ads and being visible is about the best you can do.

You can offer a smallish free orchid plant for joining to get them started .You know they will return when it starts to croak. If they take the FREE plant they have no idea what they've done


I must add... I bought 24 small catts for the office ladies here to get some interest. Put them in little cute
clay thumb pots. All nicely done clean and pretty. Nada.
In retrospect it was just a novelty to them and no interest was shown after the fact..Oh well it hurt my feelings indeed. I wont say Ive given up, but the interest just has to be there to start with. You just cant make them interested.

[Pilot]

Where do you guys have your meetings and what time? I live in Parker.

[Val]

What I would do:

1- Make a small website (a blog with wordpress.com or blogspot.com is free). Post info abot your society, pictures etc.
2- Write small survival guides for the orchids that the florists in your area are selling and print them on a small format booklet (3" x 2"). For beginners the booklets can be really useful.
3- Ask the florists to include such an "Orchid survival guide" with each orchid they sell. In exchange, they will be listed on your website in the "Suppliers" section.
4- Print business cards and drop them in the mailbox wherever you see orchids in a window.
5- On both the survival guides and business cards, you can call to action: "Beginner with orchids? Come benefit from our collective experience! Advanced grower? Share your experience, show off your orchids!" (or something like this).

[Olivia]

You'll need permission for this but try using the big box stores. When I was out at lowes to get some light bulbs (and somehow found myself looking at the orchids) I noticed the local society had posted flyers for their upcoming show around the orchids.

This way you can get to people as they make that first fatal purchase

[Orchidnut]

All you you had suck great Ideas on the subject on getting new members! Thanks you gave me a breath of fresh air..



Ryan
We meet in Greeley! The Denver Orchid society would be a better fit for you.. With gas prices the way they are...

[silken]

You could see if your local horticultural society (assuming you have one) would make an announcement about it. Since members of it would already be plant people, you might get some interest from some.

[Call_Me_Bob]

why not register your society, or however you do it, using the club feature on OB. you can click on a map to see things in your area

[Orchidnut]

I think I already did that at least I thought it worked!!LOL
Thanks Bob

[Call_Me_Bob]

lol! maybe you could offer to do a presentation and talk about orchids to a local hort or garden club. and then hand out flyers and talk about the club after you give your presentation. i know our OS would never turn down a free speaker