Re: [AISdiscuss] AIS eRobins

[Crh9999@aol.com]

The comments from Ann Violette about National Garden Clubs, Inc. garden clubs 
is very welcome. I am the National Affiliates/Plant Society Liaison for 
National Garden Clubs, Inc. and I promote NGC clubs to work with plant societies in 
every way possible.  Join, judge, hostess, write schedules, do designs--you 
name it and we hope they will help.    

Ann confirms that it works.  These NGC judges have experience in judging 
designs especially and that works very well when having a show in an area where 
there are NGC judges.  There is also AIS Judges' Training for helping AIS 
members understand and learn to judge when they are needed to fill in.

The Master Gardeners might be an interesting membership source.  Last year I 
talked them into having a flower show--a few knew what I was talking about but 
most did not.  I held a design workshop, brought the flowers, etc., and I did 
a program on grooming, showing the branches to cut, and how to stage them in 
bottles.  The show was a success and they are interested more than ever in 
design now. They were not involved in the problems of a show, staging, props, 
bottles, schedule, getting judges.  All they had to do was bring in horticulture 
and their designs. I did all the rest. They also took advantage of the event 
to host a table with handouts from the Extension Service and to take soil 
samples.  My budget came in at about $150 which they easily covered.  The Library 
show location was free.

This might be an idea to include this group in an iris show, give them iris 
to grow, do a program for them, etc.  I sold iris to them last year also.  Many 
were so excited when the flowers bloomed and even some rebloomed.  

The organization of an affiliate with the Master Gardeners can be up for 
discussion and how to do it effectively.  Are they possible candidates?  They 
could have a show at iris bloom time, with designs?  Baby steps might work 
bringing them into the fold slowly and in an educational and fun way.  They do love 
plants and growing.

Any comments?  Carolyn Hawkins

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