FWIW, I think this has been in the works for some time. The AOS has been
holding regular meetings of the S. FL Leadership Council for at least a
year; I think it might actually be closer to two years, but I can't remember
for sure. The SFLC is made up of AOS Reps, local society presidents and
other interested AOS members. For example, our show chairperson goes to
those meetings along with our AOS rep and president.

In the beginning, they were not terribly receptive to new ideas. They didn't
even want to discuss the dues increase. But as time passed, I think reality
sank in. The declining membership numbers finally hit home. At least they
appear to recognize that for at least some people, raising the dues was like
the final straw. And, as has been discussed here many times before,
information is so easy to come by these days that we hardly need to rely on
magazines to get what we need.

They really were in their own little world down in Delray Beach, on the way
to existing for the sake of their own existence. Mind you, I do not include
the judges in that description. Our judges are great.

So we'll see what happens. I support the concept of the AOS. It has to morph
into something that offers a real service to orchidists, new and experienced
alike. Magazine articles about old time members are nice enough, but what do
they contribute to our growing experience? I think what we mostly want is
relevance, relevance, relevance. Just my two cents.

Diana

"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
...
Double oops, Kath-it's *attitude*, LOL!

Diana

"K Barrett" wrote in message
...
Oops, thats 'frank appraisal' so much for my typing skills.

K

"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..
Kathy Fiegel posted this link on the OGD. If you have not yet received
your 'Orchids' magazine new president Carlos Fighetti has a letter to
the membership in this month's orchids. These letters are available
online at http://www.aos.org/aos/about/page04.aspx go to the page and
click on February.

Its a farnk appraisal of teh AOS and what they need to do to get their
membership back.

I was impressed.

K Barrett