FW: Re: FW: CAPS #3

[Sue <18a5a7981@rewrite.aisboard.org>]

Sue Ann Barnes

Another response from Region 7, David Cupps one of our club presidents.

Sue Ann Barnes, RVP 7
205 Westwood Ave
Jackson, TN 38301
731-422-5253
731-499-1396
barnes-s@charter.net
"Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the
other helps you make a life."
---Eleanor Roosevelt (PBK, Radcliffe College, 1941)

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Subject: Re: FW: [AISdiscuss] CAPS #3
Date: 7/30/14 9:33:20 AM
From: "David Cupps"

As a relative newcomer, and as president of an affiliate that's growing
(BGIS), I have a few thoughts to share on these reports:

    b" On membership :B  While we have many long-time members
         who are focused on hybridizing and growing acres of iris, I
         think we should recognize that the vast majority of potential
         new members are gardeners . These are not people who
         aspire to create the next Dykes medalist, but rather people who
         love growing exceptional flowers in their gardens, and hanging
         out with others who feel the same way. I believe that we should
         be orienting our programs toward these people, and making sure
         that we always consider the novice iris grower in our general
         communications.
    b" On communication : as an adjunct to membership, we
          should be spreading our communications as far and wide as we
          can. In the Bluegrass, we have 150 people on our email list,
and
          they get something from me at least once a month, and I always
          include something that first-timers can use or be involved
          with.B  No, not all 150 are members - but when they hear of a
          program they're interested in, they come to the meeting, and
          they join! And once they meet nice fellow gardeners who talk
to
         them, they want to come back.
    b" On planned giving : We must recognize that our aging
          members have assets that they won't use when they pass on. And
          even if they gave just 5% of their estate to AIS or their
local
          society, that would be a windfall for us. This doesn't have to
          be a difficult conversation. We can remind people regularly,
          "have you included the iris society in your will?" We can ask
          older members with big plant collections, "what do you want to
          happen to your irises when you pass? how can we help?"
    b" On partnering : This is a must. How many of our
          potential members grow irises AND daylilies? AND roses? AND
          daffodils?B  Membership gains are not zero-sum; a gain for us
is
          not a loss for them. Some simple starter ideas:
cross-promotion
          of events through mailing/email lists; joint events with a
          special speaker; combined public sales. At a minimum, leaders
of
          iris societies need to be talking with their counterparts and
          keeping lines of communication open.

I don't mean to sound like I have all the answers. I don't - by far!B 
But I've learned a few things, and I hope my ideas are helpful. Feel
free to respond to the group and keep the conversation going!B  David

On 7/29/2014 12:36 PM, Sue wrote:

A third part of the report. I will also send the second, which is on
fundraising, but more on the AIS level than the Region level. Sue

Sue Ann Barnes
205 Westwood Ave
Jackson, TN 38301
731-422-5253
731-499-1396 barnes-s@charter.net
<javascript:parent.wgMail.openComposeWindow('barnes-s@charter.net')>
"Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living, the
other helps you make a life."
---Eleanor Roosevelt (PBK, Radcliffe College, 1941)

-------- Begin forwarded message --------
Subject: [AISdiscuss] CAPS #3
Date: 7/28/14 12:17:04 PM
From: "Robert Pries " <101p@rewrite.aisboard.org>
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To: "AISdiscuss" <aisdiscuss@aisboard.org>
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Report #3; Partnering.

First, I am not sure I should be sending these now considering I have
had no response that anyone has read them. Maybe I should be sending
them later when we are done planting.

Another topic that was discussed at CAPS was Partnering. This is an in
word right now in corporate America and Non-profits. Essentially it
refers to the fact that sometimes two or more groups can help each other
by working together.

This is nothing new. In 1993 I put on an Iris symposium (note a real
symposium with 12 speakers) not a popularity poll in partnership with
the Missouri Botanical Gardens, the American Rock Garden Society, SIGNA,
and the local St. Louis Affiliate. The Budget was over 60,000 probably
equivalent to $90,000 in todays money. It was a phenomenal success for
everyone involved. This shows how things can be done with enough
partners.

It was suggested at the meeting that conventions which are costly and
have been flagging in attendance, might be a potential area for
partnering. Several years ago we had a convention in Wisconsin.
Coincidentally the Peony Society had their convention at exactly the
same time with some overlapping venues. If we had only known we could
have partnered ensuring better numbers for the convention hotel, etc.
The Rose society suggested it might be possible to partner with us since
in some parts of the country the seasons are overlapping.

Whether it be with other societies, botanical gardens, or some other
entity we should keep our eyes open for partnering possibilities.


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