Re: July Bulletin

["K. Loberg" <iris.loberg@comcast.net>]

Terry, I don't think this has anything to do with what was discussed 15 
years ago.  It doesn't matter what was discussed 15 years ago.
The bulletin has gone through some very nice changes and is better today 
than 30 years ago.

The question is, can we do even better?   Are we being competitive in what 
society expects from a magazine today, and are we reaching all the iris 
lovers that we possibly can? Is it affordable for the many gardeners who 
love irises, or are we missing opportunities to reach even a larger 
audience?

Observing what other successful plant organizations are doing isn't a bad 
thing.  The Hermerocallis Society has achieved one of the most beautiful and 
extensive website in the garden community, and we're now hopeful that our 
new AIS website design will soon be implemented.   If the Daylily society 
has gone to the larger size for their bulletin, they must feel an 
opportunity is there.

I was very much impressed at our spring convention when Carole Buchheim 
introduced me to the Reblooming Iris Society's Biannual Bulletin.  It was so 
beautiful with it's larger size, it's color photography on every page, that 
it made me want to join the Reblooming Society... and I did, right on the 
spot!  And I'm not really into reblooming irises that much.  Their 
'magazine' sold itself!   I couldn't resist missing a chance to have this 
beautiful 8 1/2 x 11 bulletin come to my door!  Carole and I were on the 
same bus... she had a portfolio she carried around with the Reblooming Iris 
Recorder, and she showed people and said "you can have one if you join". 
She was selling them left and right.   The magazine sold itself.

I don't have a hard time imagining what the AIS bulletin would look like in 
the larger format.   I see it in my minds eye.   Envision what it would look 
like... an exact same bulletin with the exact same content of a recent 
issue... rearranged to use the larger format, add a little more content 
because space would naturally allow more to be included.  Imagine the photos 
being larger.  Then, with your mind, put it in a lineup of magazines on a 
promotional table.   AIS bulletin, LARGE size, AIS bulletin, small size. 
Also on the table would be the Reblooming Iris Society's larger color 
bulletin, the Median Iris Society's larger color bulletin, the Daylily's 
color bulletin in large size, and other horticultural bulletins, large, or 
small (if they still exist)...  and then ask yourself, which ones do you 
think people walking by the table are going to be drawn to first?    And 
pretend you are telling people, you can have a free one, you have to choose 
between the Large AIS or small AIS bulletin, but you can take only one with 
you.  Which one do you think they're going to choose to take?

Kitty




----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Terry Aitken" <terry@flowerfantasy.net>
To: <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 12:50 PM
Subject: RE: [AISdiscuss] July Bulletin


Hi All
I love these comments! Been there, done that, but we could do it again?
"Wrong size". This was brought up 15 years ago when I first became editor.
At that time, it would have allowed us to add pages to the bulletin
(content) without adding the cost of PERFECT BIND (It is more expensive).
The idea was not well received - then. We went to perfect bind which does
make a nicer book with the edge binding issue info. And offers unlimited
pages. We were at the limit with "staple stitching". So we went to perfect
bind and increased the page count to 128 from about 96.
>From another perspective, I also belong to the Orchid Society ($60.00 per
year). They went to the "coffee table" magazine size (8 1/2 x 11") several
years ago. This was during the early stages of serious membership drop. The
magazine is very impressive but it did not stop the membership drop - which
is still more severe than ours. This just speaks to the motivation for
"change". We need a better reason.

"Month" versus "season". Since the beginning of (my) time, there have always
been people out there who live by the stopwatch and complain bitterly when
our magazine does not arrive on day one of the month of issue. I might
defend our position by saying that commercial magazines have a full time
paid staff - unlike some other "volunteer" organizations. I did suggest
"seasons" as a way out of this dilemma. Again, not a positive response -
back then. ""Winter", "Spring", "Summer", "Fall" works fine with me.
I do remember Ron Mullin defending the Bulletin delivery time by saying that
it was the "month of assembly and delivery". I like that one and have lived
by it. Occasionally, we get lucky and have an "early issue". This particular
issue had a time line that had nothing to do with AIS. Erica was going on
vacation (some civilized people do that!!!)on the 4th of July so, for me, it
was a do or die situation. We made it with an hour to spare. (I love
stress!!) I'm not sure that Erica did!

Anyway, keep those cards and letters coming. I am enjoying the conversation.
Terry

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-aisdiscuss@aisboard.org [mailto:owner-aisdiscuss@aisboard.org]
On Behalf Of cheryl deaton
Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 10:26 AM
To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
Subject: RE: [AISdiscuss] July Bulletin

Kitty, Bob and everyone,



I also think the Bulletin is the wrong size, and to stir the pot further, I
think it is time we stop with the "month" name and transition to the
'season'
name - Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall.  We could still aim for the month,
but
this way we would stop the "Where's my ____ (insert month) Bulletin?"
(((That is NOT what they usually "insert"!!)))  Terry.)))



This issue is beautiful!



Cheryl

> From: iris.loberg@comcast.net
> To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
> Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] July Bulletin
> Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:54:53 -0700
>
> Bob,
> I am so glad you said this... "except it is the wrong size". I have
> wondered for years whether AIS is doing it's members the greatest service
by
> retaining the small 5 1/2 by 8 1/2 size. All of my professional magazines
> which come to my office, using 'perfect binding', are all in 8 1/2 by 11
> inch size. The font can be a little larger for easier reading, they are
> just more eye appealing
> The only "real" magazine I get that is small, is Reader's Digest. All
> the other magazines are large. Anyone receive the magazine "Country
> Magazine"? The purpose of that magazine I believe is to show off color...
> in photography, about America and the shear beauty of the countryside. I
> have always felt and continue to feel that A.I.S. would be well served to
> produce their bulletin in the larger size. I love photography, so you'll
> understand when I say I'd love to see the AIS bulletin in a larger size
> where more color photography can be exhibited, and where pictures can be
> larger.
> Sincerely,
> Kitty Loberg
> AIS Photo Contest Chair
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robert Pries" <robertpries@embarqmail.com>
> To: <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
> Sent: Thursday, July 30, 2009 4:40 AM
> Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] July Bulletin
>
>
> Bob; You assume that just because we receive the bulletin we actually read
> it. Mine came today and it struck that it was incredibly well organized
> especially the flow of pictures in the middle. It almost seemed like a
real
> magazine except it is the wrong size.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Bob Plank" <bobplankmail@aol.com>
> To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
> Sent: Wednesday, July 29, 2009 10:22:14 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
> Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] July Bulletin
>
> To all you folks commenting on the timeliness of receipt, how about
throwing
> in a little something on the merits of the issue.
>
> I was at the national too, and was absolutely amazed at the quality and
> artfulness of the full colored depictions and descriptions of the blossoms
> and garden landscapes in our BULLETIN. (Try writing that on a BlackBerry.)
>
> That' my input.
>
> Let's also hear it, one way or another, for the subject matter too.
>
> Your humble tax exemption coordinator,
>
> Bob
> ------Original Message------
> From: MORRISJE1@aol.com
> Sender: owner-aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
> To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
> ReplyTo: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
> Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] July Bulletin
> Sent: Jul 29, 2009 6:49 PM
>
> In a message dated 7/29/2009 6:39:54 P.M. Central Standard Time,
> pwgossett@juno.com writes:
>
> Believe this or not Mr. Morris but, I received my bulletin
> today.......WOW! What can I say....I am usually one of the last ones to
> receive the bulletin......Paul
>
>
>
> Amazing! Still nothing here in Missouri.
>
> Jim
> **************Hot Deals at Dell on Popular Laptops perfect for Back to
> School
>
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>
> Bob Plank - man on the move.
>
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