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Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
On Sun, 1 Feb 2004 17:06:11 +0000, Jane Ransom wrote:
We are in the process of bringing our local 'Horticultural Society' into the twenty first century and are looking for ideas for activities that might attract the younger inhabitants of our village. Without being rude, please, does anyone have any brilliant brain waves that might help us out? We have much the same problem here with our local rock gardening club. Our membership is graying and slowly dwindling in number -- and it's hard to think what might reverse this trend. Certainly there's no quick fix. It might help to understand the social forces that lead to this kind of thing. I can think of a few: 1. There are many more leisure time activities these days than there used to be, and they compete with gardening for leisure hours. 2. People have ~fewer~ leisure hours than they used to, and work is much more stressful. Modern life is far more complex and demanding than life fifty years ago (say). By the time a working stiff gets home, he (or she) is so exhausted that the last thing he wants to do is go outside and dig around in the soil. (Even though it might relieve the stress and exhaustion.) 3. A well-established group can become too satisfied with itself or too tightly knit a social group and thus not very welcoming to new members. 4. Gardens are smaller these days so the tried-and-true ways of gardening don't work as well as they used to. I've thought that staging small one-day displays at local shopping malls *might* attract potential new members, but with something as specialized as rock gardening, perhaps one person in a thousand would turn out to be a keener. It's a nasty problem and I look forward with interest to other replies. (Incidentally, the Vancouver Island Rock and Alpine Garden Society is the oldest rock garden club in the world, predating the AGS by almost ten years! There's an older Swiss group that maintains a true alpine garden up on an alp somewhere, but they aren't the same kind of outfit and Don't Count.) -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada [change "atlantic" to "pacific" and "invalid" to "net" to reply by email] |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
3. A well-established group can become too satisfied with itself or too tightly knit a social group and thus not very welcoming to new members. This may very well be the problem and it takes a very serious look at yourself to see this and admit it. And it has to come from the top. How long have the people on the committee been in office? Do they regard it as 'Their Society'? How are ideas received by the committee? "Oh we tried that once and it didn't work" and then when you look back to when it was tried, it clashed with the Coronation in 1953!!!!!!!!!! Mike |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
lid (Rodger Whitlock) wrote in
: I've thought that staging small one-day displays at local shopping malls *might* attract potential new members, but with something as specialized as rock gardening, perhaps one person in a thousand would turn out to be a keener. That sounds like a good idea to me. Speaking as someone who keeps failing to get round to joining the local gardening group, I would be encouraged to do so if I came across it doing something at a place where I already had to be. Maybe also leafleting, or doing something in conjunction with a local school or in a B&Q or garden centre carpark at a weekend/bank holiday or something? I think I've seen them advertise midweek daytime meetings, which is impossible for me, (and also shrieks ' we are all retired!'). But one reason I haven't joined yet is that when I go to the one shop where they post their regular meetings notice, I never have a pen or any paper with me! If they had a website, I'd probably be a member by now. (Website: this need not be complicated or cost anything. A templated freeby gadget such as those provided by http://www.blogspot.com/ would be ample, and very easy to manage.) To address the gender balance, I suggest you also post details of events at the local pub ;-). HTH! Victoria |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 10:29:39 +0000, Victoria Clare wrote:
To address the gender balance, I suggest you also post details of events at the local pub ;-). Gender balance is another BIG issue that I didn't mention in my earlier contributions to this thread. I believe it's unhealthy for a gardening group to become predominately one sex or the other unless it's deliberately intended to be a single-sex affair. When either men or women predominate, there's a tendency for the group to become more sociable in a way that lessens the focus on gardening. The women start doing female-competition thingies, the men start doing golf thingies or something of the sort. Neither is beneficial. Also, the two sexes tend to have different styles, very broadly speaking, and once the balance tips too far in one direction or the other, the other side finds the situation repellent and stays away. The situation becomes self-perpetuating and nearly impossible to correct. Yes, this may make me sound like some kind of horrible sexual chauvinist, but I think it's a serious issue that one's group ignores at their peril. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada [change "atlantic" to "pacific" and "invalid" to "net" to reply by email] |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 10:29:39 +0000, Victoria Clare wrote:
To address the gender balance, I suggest you also post details of events at the local pub ;-). Gender balance is another BIG issue that I didn't mention in my earlier contributions to this thread. I believe it's unhealthy for a gardening group to become predominately one sex or the other unless it's deliberately intended to be a single-sex affair. When either men or women predominate, there's a tendency for the group to become more sociable in a way that lessens the focus on gardening. The women start doing female-competition thingies, the men start doing golf thingies or something of the sort. Neither is beneficial. Also, the two sexes tend to have different styles, very broadly speaking, and once the balance tips too far in one direction or the other, the other side finds the situation repellent and stays away. The situation becomes self-perpetuating and nearly impossible to correct. Yes, this may make me sound like some kind of horrible sexual chauvinist, but I think it's a serious issue that one's group ignores at their peril. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada [change "atlantic" to "pacific" and "invalid" to "net" to reply by email] |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
On Mon, 02 Feb 2004 10:29:39 +0000, Victoria Clare wrote:
To address the gender balance, I suggest you also post details of events at the local pub ;-). Gender balance is another BIG issue that I didn't mention in my earlier contributions to this thread. I believe it's unhealthy for a gardening group to become predominately one sex or the other unless it's deliberately intended to be a single-sex affair. When either men or women predominate, there's a tendency for the group to become more sociable in a way that lessens the focus on gardening. The women start doing female-competition thingies, the men start doing golf thingies or something of the sort. Neither is beneficial. Also, the two sexes tend to have different styles, very broadly speaking, and once the balance tips too far in one direction or the other, the other side finds the situation repellent and stays away. The situation becomes self-perpetuating and nearly impossible to correct. Yes, this may make me sound like some kind of horrible sexual chauvinist, but I think it's a serious issue that one's group ignores at their peril. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada [change "atlantic" to "pacific" and "invalid" to "net" to reply by email] |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 08:39:47 +0000 (UTC), Mike wrote:
3. A well-established group can become too satisfied with itself or too tightly knit a social group and thus not very welcoming to new members. This may very well be the problem and it takes a very serious look at yourself to see this and admit it. And it has to come from the top. How long have the people on the committee been in office? Do they regard it as 'Their Society'? Our local rock gardening group is fortunate in that its bylaws require committee members to step down after three years. As a result, nearly all members have been on the committee at some point. Moreover, because they've struggled in the kitchen themselves, they tend not to criticize the cooking of whoever's currently on the hook! A provision of this nature is recommended. Otherwise, one must resort to devious Machiavellian tactics to ease long-term incumbents off the committee, and such tactics are neither easy to devise nor easy to carry out. And can take a long time to bring to fruition. How are ideas received by the committee? "Oh we tried that once and it didn't work" and then when you look back to when it was tried, it clashed with the Coronation in 1953!!!!!!!!!! Ah, yes. Seen that too. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada [change "atlantic" to "pacific" and "invalid" to "net" to reply by email] |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 08:39:47 +0000 (UTC), Mike wrote:
3. A well-established group can become too satisfied with itself or too tightly knit a social group and thus not very welcoming to new members. This may very well be the problem and it takes a very serious look at yourself to see this and admit it. And it has to come from the top. How long have the people on the committee been in office? Do they regard it as 'Their Society'? Our local rock gardening group is fortunate in that its bylaws require committee members to step down after three years. As a result, nearly all members have been on the committee at some point. Moreover, because they've struggled in the kitchen themselves, they tend not to criticize the cooking of whoever's currently on the hook! A provision of this nature is recommended. Otherwise, one must resort to devious Machiavellian tactics to ease long-term incumbents off the committee, and such tactics are neither easy to devise nor easy to carry out. And can take a long time to bring to fruition. How are ideas received by the committee? "Oh we tried that once and it didn't work" and then when you look back to when it was tried, it clashed with the Coronation in 1953!!!!!!!!!! Ah, yes. Seen that too. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada [change "atlantic" to "pacific" and "invalid" to "net" to reply by email] |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
A provision of this nature is recommended. Otherwise, one must resort to devious Machiavellian tactics to ease long-term incumbents off the committee, and such tactics are neither easy to devise nor easy to carry out. And can take a long time to bring to fruition. The Constitution of an Association has been in force since the IGM in 1998. Various events and highlights have come to the fore and I have put various propositions to change certain elements at the next AGM. I have pointed out in no uncertain terms that these propositions will only be put forward at the members request. All the members are aware of the problems and I have received overwhelming support for the changes. There are a few modifications, but in general the proposals will be for the members benefit and will see a change of Committee members on a routine basis. Now completely Off Topic of Gardening, but perhaps someone could clarify something which has cropped up on another committee I am on. Can, or should, a Chairman express his/her objection to a proposal 'and I want nothing to do with it' because of his/her own feelings? The Sports and Recreation Ground we are fund raising for is to have dogs banned. "In that case it is not for ALL the residents, so I want nothing to do with it" Your comments please. Mike |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 08:39:47 +0000 (UTC), Mike wrote:
3. A well-established group can become too satisfied with itself or too tightly knit a social group and thus not very welcoming to new members. This may very well be the problem and it takes a very serious look at yourself to see this and admit it. And it has to come from the top. How long have the people on the committee been in office? Do they regard it as 'Their Society'? Our local rock gardening group is fortunate in that its bylaws require committee members to step down after three years. As a result, nearly all members have been on the committee at some point. Moreover, because they've struggled in the kitchen themselves, they tend not to criticize the cooking of whoever's currently on the hook! A provision of this nature is recommended. Otherwise, one must resort to devious Machiavellian tactics to ease long-term incumbents off the committee, and such tactics are neither easy to devise nor easy to carry out. And can take a long time to bring to fruition. How are ideas received by the committee? "Oh we tried that once and it didn't work" and then when you look back to when it was tried, it clashed with the Coronation in 1953!!!!!!!!!! Ah, yes. Seen that too. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada [change "atlantic" to "pacific" and "invalid" to "net" to reply by email] |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 08:39:47 +0000 (UTC), Mike wrote:
3. A well-established group can become too satisfied with itself or too tightly knit a social group and thus not very welcoming to new members. This may very well be the problem and it takes a very serious look at yourself to see this and admit it. And it has to come from the top. How long have the people on the committee been in office? Do they regard it as 'Their Society'? Our local rock gardening group is fortunate in that its bylaws require committee members to step down after three years. As a result, nearly all members have been on the committee at some point. Moreover, because they've struggled in the kitchen themselves, they tend not to criticize the cooking of whoever's currently on the hook! A provision of this nature is recommended. Otherwise, one must resort to devious Machiavellian tactics to ease long-term incumbents off the committee, and such tactics are neither easy to devise nor easy to carry out. And can take a long time to bring to fruition. How are ideas received by the committee? "Oh we tried that once and it didn't work" and then when you look back to when it was tried, it clashed with the Coronation in 1953!!!!!!!!!! Ah, yes. Seen that too. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada [change "atlantic" to "pacific" and "invalid" to "net" to reply by email] |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
On Mon, 2 Feb 2004 08:39:47 +0000 (UTC), Mike wrote:
3. A well-established group can become too satisfied with itself or too tightly knit a social group and thus not very welcoming to new members. This may very well be the problem and it takes a very serious look at yourself to see this and admit it. And it has to come from the top. How long have the people on the committee been in office? Do they regard it as 'Their Society'? Our local rock gardening group is fortunate in that its bylaws require committee members to step down after three years. As a result, nearly all members have been on the committee at some point. Moreover, because they've struggled in the kitchen themselves, they tend not to criticize the cooking of whoever's currently on the hook! A provision of this nature is recommended. Otherwise, one must resort to devious Machiavellian tactics to ease long-term incumbents off the committee, and such tactics are neither easy to devise nor easy to carry out. And can take a long time to bring to fruition. How are ideas received by the committee? "Oh we tried that once and it didn't work" and then when you look back to when it was tried, it clashed with the Coronation in 1953!!!!!!!!!! Ah, yes. Seen that too. -- Rodger Whitlock Victoria, British Columbia, Canada [change "atlantic" to "pacific" and "invalid" to "net" to reply by email] |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
A provision of this nature is recommended. Otherwise, one must resort to devious Machiavellian tactics to ease long-term incumbents off the committee, and such tactics are neither easy to devise nor easy to carry out. And can take a long time to bring to fruition. The Constitution of an Association has been in force since the IGM in 1998. Various events and highlights have come to the fore and I have put various propositions to change certain elements at the next AGM. I have pointed out in no uncertain terms that these propositions will only be put forward at the members request. All the members are aware of the problems and I have received overwhelming support for the changes. There are a few modifications, but in general the proposals will be for the members benefit and will see a change of Committee members on a routine basis. Now completely Off Topic of Gardening, but perhaps someone could clarify something which has cropped up on another committee I am on. Can, or should, a Chairman express his/her objection to a proposal 'and I want nothing to do with it' because of his/her own feelings? The Sports and Recreation Ground we are fund raising for is to have dogs banned. "In that case it is not for ALL the residents, so I want nothing to do with it" Your comments please. Mike |
Gardening club - activity ideas needed!!!
"Jane Ransom" wrote in message ... We are in the process of bringing our local 'Horticultural Society' into the twenty first century and are looking for ideas for activities that might attract the younger inhabitants of our village. Without being rude, please, does anyone have any brilliant brain waves that might help us out? -- Jane Ransom in Lancaster. How about an exchange of labour - The oldies go round to the newbies and give advice and demonstrate techniques. The newbies in return help the oldies with some digging/pruning or other 'heavy tasks' Try to get some younger speakers - someone who does not look or sound like Percy Thrower :~)) Maybe a talk on modern garden design ? Do you have immigrants in your vicinity ? They can be VERY keen gardeners ! Jenny |
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