Questions for Youngish Orchid Growers

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by DiskDePhragmentor

In any case time is an issue, and being able to join meetings remotely when I can't make it in person would be really helpful. Many people my age work odd hours at low paying jobs so recordings could help too. Unfortunately, I don't want to be the only person in my age group at these meetings, it would make me really uncomfortable.

A change if venue would be helpful, the location of my LOS is rather age specific. I think if the venue were moved from a library to on or near a college campus it would help, provided parking is free.
.[/B]

I"m not "youngish"... actually, rather an old poop... but here's one you should check out...

With orchid societies going virtual if they do anything at all, I have enjoyed broadening my horizons a bit. In particular, I really, really enjoy the San Francisco Orchid Society. I will never make it to a meeting in person (it would be an 8 hour drive each way) but I find the group very dynamic (a lot of younger members too), and with some fantastic speakers. And they do record meetings (YouTube channel San Francisco Orchid Society - YouTube) I do think that they will keep the virtual component even when they are able to meet again in person, since they have picked up quite a few new members who don't live anywhere near San Francisco. The "hybrid" should be interesting.

[DirtyCoconuts]

That’s awesome, Roberta. Thanks

And you may have a lot of years under your belt but you are no poop

[Roberta]

And just to make it more interesting... unfortunately, San Diego County Orchid Society meets the same night as San Francisco (I'm a member there too). I was more interested in the San Diego speaker, but they weren't doing show-and-tell and I had plants, so I wanted to participate in San Francisco OS show-and-tell. So... on 2 computers, I attended both, there was some time separation for the various parts of the meetings, I could pay attention to what I wanted to pay attention to... So I attended two OS meetings 500 miles apart (neither close to where I live) simultaneously. Such is the wonder of the Internet. Some things are harder, but some things are easier. And the impossible becomes possible.

[The Orchidomaniac]

How old are you? 13
How long have you been growing orchids? 2 years
Are you in school or working? In school
Are you a member of your LOS? Not yet
If your nearest LOS...
had a monthly e-Newsletter would you subscribe to it? No
had orchid how-to videos on youtube would you watch them? Yes
had a facebook page would you become a fan of it? No
had a flickr group would you join it? No
had a twitter account would you follow them? No
had their own forum would you participate on it? ya
had an RSS feed of orchid articles would you subscribe to it?
sold orchids on craigslist would you buy them? yes
Would you be more inclined to join/rejoin your nearest LOS if they...
offered free membership for students? yes
offered free membership for anyone under 30? yes
received a 10% discount at local orchid nurseries? yes
received a 20% discount at local orchid nurseries? yes
received a 30% discount at local orchid nurseries? yes
offered tours of their members' greenhouses/gardens? members have already offered me tours, but covid got in the way.
On a scale of 1 (least important) to 10 (most important) how would you rate the following items...
a good selection of reasonably priced orchids for sale at every meeting 8
a good selection of raffle orchids7
weekend meetings 4
more young members 3
knowledgeable members 5
friendly members 9
interesting presentations 6
an extensive orchid library 10
Please feel free to offer any specific reasons why you haven't joined your LOS or why you continue to be a member of your LOS. I can't join cause of covid
__________________
Epiphytes and Economics!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by The Orchidomaniac

Please feel free to offer any specific reasons why you haven't joined your LOS or why you continue to be a member of your LOS. I can't join cause of covid
__________________
Epiphytes and Economics!

Hey, COVID closed some doors but opened others. I joined the San Francisco Orchid Society, totally enjoy the meetings, contribute to Show and Tell... and have won a couple of raffle gift certificates (a perk of membership... redeemable online...) I will never get to a physical meeting, since I live about 400 miles away. But the Zoom meetings are great, it is a terrific group. They have other "remote" members who joined because of the availability of virtual meetings, so I think that when physical meetings resume, they'll keep up the Zoom access as well. I sure hope so!

[neophyte]

Hey, you live in Redwood City! That's not too far from where I am.