Diana, I've always said you were a sweet lady, and you know I respect you as
a grower. But I think you missed the main points on this one:

1. The stuff that goes on at AOS HQ, including classes, is of no
interest/benefit to the vast majority of members who get nothing more than
the magazine, in exchange for their dues. The mag (if not the whole
organization) has to be supported by advertiser $$, and it's been priced out
of reach for small and even mid-sized growers. I don't know whether there's
been an effect on revenue, possibly the big growers who can afford it are
taking up the "slack." But they won't keep doing that if readership
continues to dwindle. I would like to think that the absence of more
diverse advertising, including the smaller growers, is a contributing factor
to the decline in reader interest ...

2. Of course no one is forced to teach AOS classes (altho I've heard of
some judges being pressured pretty hard). But relying on charity is a
chancy way to obtain quality speakers to teach classes. Generous souls
willing to work for free, and esp. those like yourself who actually know
what they're talking about, are not all that commonly available. Kenni


"Diana Kulaga" wrote in message
...
SNIP
Kenni, I can see your point of view when it comes to instructing classes.
But nobody is forced to do that at all. Recently, I led a Cattleya class
for the AOS South Florida Leadership Council during an orchid fair held at
Mounts Botanical Garden in WPB. I volunteered, and did it for nothing.

Next month I'm speaking to a local garden club. No fee. Obviously, if I
did that sort of thing on a more frequent basis my attitude would be
different, but I look at these sessions as gifts that will be returned in
one form or another.

Diana