Re: DISASTER PLAN (One Giant Leap For....)

[Robert Pries <robertpries@embarqmail.com>]

Jim; points out that an irrational dues structure almost caused a collapse in
the 70bs of AIS. Considering our budget is again getting out of balance,
perhaps we need to make some choices. We can do one of three things; raise our
dues, reduce our services, or bring in more money in other ways. While I think
we should always be considering each of these I prefer the last.

I was surprised to discover yesterday yet another new plant society, the New
Ornamentals Society. Apparently this is only 2+ years old. It is totally
online, no printed bulletin. The cost of membership for an individual is $45 a
year. I suspect we undervalue our current services.  It appears our membership
does also, because I can not imagine them paying more than $25. It begs the
question, is what we are presently delivering appreciated by most of our
membership? Can we do better? Could we produce virtual services that were
worth as much or more than our present services?

Presently we have had some difficulty just making our present structures work.
The new world of technology promises to make many of our present systems work
better if we embrace it. It offers opportunities for new services. Several
plant societies are having the same discussions we have been having about
electronic membership, members only e-benefits, etc. Of course, if they do it
first, we can not be leaders but followers. If we wish to reclaim our status
as a progressive plant society, we must act quickly or again those against
change will argue once more, that we are just being followers. But even if we
do it after someone else did it, doing the right thing is important even if it
means following those groups that have presently become more innovative than
we are.

----- Original Message -----
From: MORRISJE1@aol.com
To: aisdiscuss@aisboard.org
Sent: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:59:41 PM GMT -05:00 US/Canada Eastern
Subject: Re: [AISdiscuss] DISASTER PLAN (One Giant Leap For....)

In a message dated 9/16/2009 6:50:14 A.M. Central Standard Time,
cemahan@aol.com writes:

The  disaster was many years ago and involved the paid? secretary position
in the  permanent office set up in MO. I was not a member of AIS then, but I
have  heard many horror stories from "old-timers" over the years. If AIS is
not  managing its finances well--an assertion that I have not heard
before--a new  paid office will not correct the problem created by decisions
of the
Board.  Perhaps the problem is inadquate income. Perhaps the dues should be
raised.

Clarence Mahan






All,

The AIS Executive Secretary position was held by Cliff Benson from 1957
through 1977 with free office space at Missouri Botanical Garden in St.
Louis.  The position was a full-time paid position.  Even though the
membership
was extensive at over 8,000 members, the expenses of a salary for  this
position together with publishing the AIS Bulletin for a membership dues
structure of only $7.50 annually (compare to our $25 of 2009, some 32 years
later) were way too much outgo for the amount of income.  A review of the
Treasurer's reports for 1970 on showed that AIS was going bankrupt and had to
terminate something.  That something became the Executive Secretary.   With
less than average cooperation from the sacked Benson, Carol Ramsey became  the
volunteer Secretary, dues were eventually raised and the ship was  righted.
Ups and downs are inevitable in organizations, especially  volunteer ones.
History teaches valuable lessons and change is  inevitable. .

Jim M.

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