Letter to AOS

[shakkai]

Being a member of several different plant societies, I can vouch for what Phantasm says. Each society has struggled with membership numbers. Each society has very few younger members. One society has recognised that the way forward - and the best chance of increasing membership numbers - is to try to attract younger people. The internet is seen as the key way to do this at present. Only time will tell if this will prove successful. The problem is most certainly not with orchids only.

Organisations like the AOS are much more than just social gatherings - they have a responsibility to sponsor research as well as organising judging and awards to recognise superior plants that will further the genus. If these activities are not attractive to younger members and plant societies abandon them for more 'popular' activities - who will fill the gap?

Blondie, I think your letter is great - and your points are valid way beyond orchids and orchid societies.

[Ross]

Originally Posted by Phantasm

I have been following the discussion and find it interesting, especially since the thread was begun and for the most part extended by younger people. A proactive method such as writing the AOS President directly is to be commended, and I would be disappointed if you didn't get a response.

The AOS is a reflection of it's members and only determination to bring in new, vital blood will keep the organization evolving. In contradiction to some opinions, I think the magazine, Orchids, is a valuable resource to the orchid world. The quality has improved vastly over the last few years and there is usually something for everyone from beginners to experts. The present issue has a great article on Cattleya guttata and has photos of around 30 different color varities of this rarely grown species.

As an AOS Judge, I am well aware of the disconnect that appears between the AOS, Societies, Judges, and unattached orchidists. To just say someone is elitist or uninterested or doesn't want to be involved is dodging the issue. Many have been guilty of all of this; the AOS, local Societies and commercial Orchid companies all are struggling these days.

Is this a lack of interest in orchids? A lack of interest in social settings to learn about orchids? or perhaps a lack of understanding and an inability to venture outside the box?

Most hobby groups including garden groups have diminishing memberships even in the face of larger population growth. Perhaps it is a breakdown of society itself, community, neighborhoods and personal relationships.

I was just going to say my thing then let it lie, but I am sorry, there are a couple things here that reinforce what I think the problem is. Firstly, if the AOS truly wants new, younger blood, they have to culture it. My original point (I think) was that I plan to get my children (or grandchildren) involved their own way - not my way. Articles on the culture of some exotic orchid aren't going to interest very many main-stream children nowadays. I'm sorry, but that's the way it is. What will peak their interest, however, is how can they be involved? How can they care for or protect some orchid. Why should they?

What turned me away from AOS years ago (and still does today) is the elitist attitude that they know best. The articles are so super collegiate that even I don't get the point most of the time. Follow the threads of this board for a good cross section of world-wide orchid growers. What are the questions they ask? Which threads get the most responses? Which topics are discussed most often? Etc. I feel OrchidBoard represents the best cross-section of world-wide orchid interest. AOS might want to peruse this board for a while and learn something. A decent orchidphile magazine could be produced from articles on this board alone.

[CodiMN]

Phantasm has a great point. Our society as a whole is changing.

As a former teacher, I was astounded with the behavior of many of my students. I could go on, but this is a whole other bag of worms.

There are some nice discussions on myspace for younger orchid growers. But I think to reach out to even more "youth" the stigma of orchids being difficult needs to soften. Advertising wouldn't hurt either.

The younger generations want instant gratification (and are used to getting it). Orchids need to be presented in a way that appeals to this urge.

Great topic! Thanks Blondie!

[cb977]

: Now I have to jump back in...

we're getting off track here. The AOS, if they are willing to extend themselves, can only do so much to get younger people involved...and by younger, I mean younger than the majority of folks seen at most orchid society meetings...not a specific age group.

We can't expect Orchids magazine to totally reinvent itself...there are articles that are important and interesting each month. If somebody can't find one thing in the entire magazine that sparks a tiny light of interest, then in my opinion, they are not allowing themselves to broaden their horizons.

I hope the letter to the AOS does spark some attention there...and hopefully, somebody there will come to Orchidboard to get some feedback...but if it's going to be a lynch-mob, we won't accomplish a blessed thing

We, as orchid lovers, need to do whatever we can to get young minds interested, on a personal level. We can't just dump this whole thing in the laps of an organization and not take any personal responsibility. It must be an all-encompassing group effort. Take a child (of any age) to a big orchid show where they can see, touch, smell and listen...ask that child to bring a friend or two! While there, ask some questions...all the growers I have ever met are more than willing to enlighten you if you show them you're interested.

[shakkai]

Ross, there are all types of ways for organisations to reach out to children. And the most successful ones I know about involve giving them responsibility and putting them on an equal footing - how many societies do this? In many cases people view young = inexperienced = not a lot to contribute. That turns kids off, heck, it turns me off!! The success of forums like this is that everyone contributes. Make societies like that, and I think you'll see loads of people reconsidering joining.

Here is a link to one very successful instance of kids getting involved at a school here in the UK:

Writhlington School - Business and Enterprise - More about the Orchids
Writhlington Orchid Project - Home

[Blondie]

I think all of the opinions are fascinating. I do want to clarify that I don't think Orchid magazine should flush itself. On the contrary, it fills its particular niche quite well. I actually meant to suggest that AOS create a sister mag that is more casual. Like Cosmo vs. Cosmo Girl and Time vs. Time for Kids. Except I don't mean to market to kids/teens with a magazine. I am still looking at 30s-40s to pull MORE people in and then they can share the love, like Ross, with the little ones.

Yes, the key to any successful blossoming of an organization is attention, outreach, and marketing. As I become more involved with orchids, I become MORE concerned with preservation, etc. At first, I just wanted a pretty plant. It was a "gateway drug" that led to wanting to eat up all things orchids. Heck, so many beginners come on here and say, "I got one. I'm ADDICTED!!" Soon that addiction will turn to preservation, donations, research, etc. Who knows which one of us will become the next great orchid genius? (It won't be me.)

But yes, this board is such a fantastic cross-section of our little orchid world. And AOS can totally be a part of that--if we all help and give it a try. The question remains... do they want our help, and are they willing to compromise?

[(..._...)]

Originally Posted by Blondie

I think all of the opinions are fascinating. I do want to clarify that I don't think Orchid magazine should flush itself. On the contrary, it fills its particular niche quite well. I actually meant to suggest that AOS create a sister mag that is more casual. Like Cosmo vs. Cosmo Girl and Time vs. Time for Kids. Except I don't mean to market to kids/teens with a magazine. I am still looking at 30s-40s to pull MORE people in and then they can share the love, like Ross, with the little ones.

Yes, the key to any successful blossoming of an organization is attention, outreach, and marketing. As I become more involved with orchids, I become MORE concerned with preservation, etc. At first, I just wanted a pretty plant. It was a "gateway drug" that led to wanting to eat up all things orchids. Heck, so many beginners come on here and say, "I got one. I'm ADDICTED!!" Soon that addiction will turn to preservation, donations, research, etc. Who knows which one of us will become the next great orchid genius? (It won't be me.)

But yes, this board is such a fantastic cross-section of our little orchid world. And AOS can totally be a part of that--if we all help and give it a try. The question remains... do they want our help, and are they willing to compromise?

I agree about the magazine thing! I think a "sister magazine" geared towards the 30- 40's range would be ideal for people starting off, and could change the common perception of an "stereotypical orchid grower", and let others try orchids for themselves. When people get really involved in orchid growing, the 'regular' magizine would then cater to them as well.

Great thread by the way

[lily99]

I am almost 34 years old and have loved orchids since I saw one in a public greenhouse as a small child.

I think if AOS wants to reach out to younger people, they need to keep up with updating their website and making it easier to navigate. I had trouble signing in last time after they updated it. I spend a lot more time at orchidboard because there is always new information to read.

I think reaching out to college kids is a good idea. My college had a ton of clubs one could belong to. An orchid growing club would have been great. They could focus on encouraging orchid conservation in the wild, and on teaching people that some orchids are easy to grow.

I guess I don't go the the Cleveland Orchid Society meetings is I have absolutely no idea when and where they are. Also, I have a busy job and sometimes work weird hours. I think I would be more likely to go if I got email reminders to go to the meetings. Maybe some local orchid societies do this. When I belonged to the Sierra Club, they were always emailing me to tell me about local events.

Blondie, I read your letter and I agree. I hope AOS responds to you.

[Blondie]

Thanks for all of the support. I wanted to throw in one last nugget before I let you all continue the conversation for a while:

As a new Iowan, I was happy to see Our Iowa Magazine at my aunt's house. It was brand new and cost $9.95 to subscribe, so I thought HECK why not? I enjoy the magazine and it's interesting. Not ALL of it appeals to me, but a lot of it does. They have sent out a total of like 4 magazines since launching and they have 30,000+ subscribers already. How are they doing this? By being super friendly, accessible, and printing articles by Iowans for Iowans. Simple, everyday folks. Experts and normal people combining together. Coming from Chicago, this was a great find.

Our Iowa Magazine

I also wanted to say that I like the net and all, but I also want things to read. Like newsletters. And magazines. Something for the bathtub or when I'm snuggled up in bed. And then I want to go to events and TALK and see people in real life. I think we all give the net a little too much power, but it's an excellent starting point. I too find the AOS web site hard to log into and navigate. That's why I wanted the magazine!

[slipperfreak]

Well I'm 17 and have been growing orchids since I was 10. I think attracting younger people to orchids is a great thing to do because the sooner you start, the more fun you can have with it! I also don't think any hobby should be limited to a particular age group, or any group for that matter and the more diversity the orchid community has, the more interesting it is. In my experience younger growers are pretty rare but we are certainly welcomed in my society.

I have found that many people think younger people can't be good at this sort of thing and they often expect people like me to be ignorant. However, I have to say if you are a dedicated grower age is not a factor. I have read obssessively on this topic for years and I have had great success.