Down here, the AOS has formed the South Florida Leadership Council for
Society Reps. The Reps who go seem to think that their input is of value.
Not to denigrate their service, because I value the time these volunteers
put in, but I don't think AOS is listening. IMO, it's a feel good effort.
AOS brass who attend these meetings do not even want to entertain the idea
that dues might be a problem, even though it's so obvious. Lee Cooke seemed
to be trying, but he's *out*. Maybe because he seemed to be trying? Or maybe
it was only part of the overall effort to woo the Societies.

A number of years ago, there was a thread in this group about the AOS. I
opined that, having interacted with non-profits in the past, I found them to
be largely self perpetuating for the sake of just being there. IOW, after a
while the entrenched principals and employees find ways to justify their own
existence at the expense of whatever the mission was in the beginning. At
that time, a couple of people wrote to tell me how np's work (I already
knew) and why big salaries are required, etc.

Vindication is sweet.

Diana


"Ray B" wrote in message
news:1f3dh.926$R_1.286@trndny08...
Yeah Kenni, I agree.

Despite some advertising investment, the only business benefit I have
realized was due to Charles Rhodes' recent article.

I have AOS Bulletins dating back to the late '70's, but find the newer
ones far less interesting and worthy of saving.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"Kenni Judd" wrote in message
...
Ray: I think the dues increase is the biggest factor, but I agree there
are probably others as well. You can chalk up at least 50, probably
closer to 100, non-renewals to south Florida nursery owners due to (1)
AOS behavior when it moved its HQ down here and (2) the increased cost of
advertising in the re-formatted version of the mag. I realize that's
only a drop in the bucket -- but it ties in with other issues that
negatively affect local orchid societies, or at least the ones in this
area (IMO).

The number will go down by one more when my current membership expires.
Not only can I no longer afford to advertise in the mag, I haven't read
past the Table of Contents of the last several issues I've received. Nor
do I keep them on file any longer; I donate them to anyone who will take
them off my hands at every opportunity. I know that the majority of the
content (besides ads) needs to be directed to newbies, but back when it
was the AOSB, I used to find at least one or two interesting articles in
most issues.

Kenni



"Ray B" wrote in message
news:7tUch.710$4p2.353@trndny07...
Do you know for sure that it's a direct cause-and-effect relationship,
or are there other factors that could have affected the numbers?

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
If you go to the Pacific Central web page
(http://www.aospacificcentral.org) and look at the plant index page you
can see what the increase in award fees did at the Pac Central in terms
of number of awards. In 2002 and 2003 we gave out a greater # of
awards, and since the fee increase the # of plants shown and # of
awards has dropped significantly, IMHO. Just look at how long the
column inches are for those 2 years as compared to more recent years.

Maybe the AOS doesn't care.

K Barrett

"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
...
Never mind, I found it. Pg. 942, for anyone else who wants to look.

Taking this a step further, the figure of 20,863 is the *average* net
press run for the past 12 months. The net press run for the *month
closest* to the reporting date is 19,072. That would indicate a
dramatic reduction over the past year.

Next, look at the copies listed as paid subscriptions or *requested*.
Those numbers are 17,531 average vs. 15,899 latest month. The balance
of the printing run would then go to individual sales in one form or
another, or complimentary copies. I guess I could go look at last
year's December issue to compare the numbers, but quite honestly it
hurt my eyes to do this much!

Seems to me that raising the dues has had a substantial impact.

Diana

"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
...
Ray, where did you *find* that number? I'm looking on pg. 878 where
you'd think it would be, but can't find it.

Diana

"Ray B" wrote in message
news:vArch.275$bW2.147@trndny04...
It's printed in AWFULLY small font size, but I think it says 20863

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"unknown" wrote in message
...
John wrote several months ago, about "Orchids" magazine's
circulation:

This information appears in minute print in each December issue of
Orchid.
Average total distribution per issue during preceding 12 months
(including
free copies) of Orchid:
2004 = 24312
2005 = 22574
So in one year the distribution has fallen by 1738 (about 7%) and
this is
before the increase in price.
Cheers
John


anyone gotten their new one yet and willing to post the stats?
thanks
in advance.

--j_a