Aroideana and the Newsletter.

From: "Ron Iles" roniles at eircom.net> on 2001.05.15 at 03:37:01(6454) If I'm allowed, here are my latest two PENNIES. Aroid L is open to all people whether or not they are IAS Members. If the talk on Aroid L is readable, informative, helpful, welcoming, friendly fun as it has been for me, maybe EVERYBODY who talks or listens can become sufficiently inspired to join us in the IAS? Should not Aroideana, a MORE FORMAL(?) publication and the (MORE INFORMAL) Newsletter together be interesting, informative and readable to attract and impress ALL Members? Aroid L although it needn't be either is often both. The three Arenas are surely not exclusive to each other? but educationally and for the purposes of promotion of their e but partly interdependent in enhancing readership? Aroideana is a JOURNAL for the publication of key "Scientific Papers". Individual "Papers" may or may not be relevant to their PRESENT interests but as one learns, they may become useful later. I am a Chartered Member of the Institute of Biology. Its Members range from Associates to Fellows with a huge range of interests and abilities. The "Papers", specialised, technical and general are all of very high Scientific quality. There are discussions, "Letters via the Editor" stimulated by the "Papers" as well as peripheral advertisements etc. In the Publication there is always something for everyone but most is NOT for everyone! Obviously Technical Treatises have to be definitive and their is limit to how "popular" they can be. The Status of Aroideana depends on Scientific accuracy and unambiguity, the excellence of its Papers. The IAS Newsletter seems presently to be a nebulous jack of all trades and a servant for too few. Does it need new specifications to help frustrated long suffering Editors? I would suggest that the Newsletter should contain peripheral and on-going information not as suitable for Aroideana. In "attachments" who's who, their interests, collection lists of genera and species, Members' Births!, Marriages, Deaths, Life Changes, Lists of Wants, Surplus & Exchanges, Reports of developments in Horticulture, of Journeys into the Forest if they come back, advice on growing, Sources, good and plants, Public Botanic Garden specialisms and whether they are commercial accessible to Specialist Collectors, Warnings, Group Trips, Group Strategies. etc It might also re-structure the best of what sometimes is otherwise "lost" in the PUBLIC Aroid LEnthusiast "Advertising" Site and information which is more for or ONLY for Members NOT the World, his Wife and Big Brother? Surely Aroid L ought increasingly to attract new and lapsed old Members to Membership Support of the IAS. It works so hard to promote the Plants and enthusiasm by talking about them on the net. I do notice that some of the many contributors to Aroid L, previously me too were or still are NOT Members. Maybe for some it's a shopping site for just rarities for which they could surely be IAS members? (The IAS Membership List may not be up to date? Please EVERYBODY join and we CAN get the things which mostly suit everyone happening FOR EVERYBODY. It would be a mistake to popularise down? It would be discouraging to me if found that the occasional Papers in Aroideana were not definitive. Maybe more fine pictures, diagrams, details of habitat etc etc would make the most technical MORE definitive yet more appealling and readable? Should not content quality, relevance, and readability be RAISED for all three arenas? I apologise for lowering the tone of Aroid L with too many chuckles. I'll do better with your help and suggestions in the Newsletter and try to raise the tone of everything you need me to! It's now after midnight again. This is addictive! All you quiet spectators out there! Please! Identify yourself! Speak! Big Brothers and Sisters become IAS Members and we'll help you with YOUR problems too! Please! How about putting the Newsletter on a Membership only site structured and synergised strategically to attract more and more Members? Let's keep improving everything and making it easy to find wot's wot, when, how, why and where? I'm serious this time. Got any Spaths for the Ark? I'm shopping and I'm a Member! Ron +More ----- Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list AROID-L" Sent: Monday, May 14, 2001 9:11 PM Subject: Re: Neil Carroll's last IAS Newsletter It was my impression that Aroideana was to be scientific and the Newletter to be the flip side of the coin. I would like to see some growing in Aroideana, but to clutter it with amateur 'stuff' might take away from its professional approach. In fact, years ago, it was held to that strict standard. What has changed in the big world to alter this? I will be the first to say, that I read very little of the scientific stuff, but it does have its place. I like | the folksy, friendly, plant growing, collecting, human aspects that come through in the Newsletters of the past. When the Newsletter becomes just a more timely addenda to Aroideana, then I think we have left out the backbone of this organization, the little guy who just loves his Aroids. We need to have a place for growing questions and answers, observations of plant people, just talk of plants and the fun of the comraderie of such communication. The | Newsletter needs to be an extension of Aroid L banter. David Leedy ever so many years ago, did such a great job of putting the human side of plants onto paper. Now, I know this was before Email, but I looked forward to getting the Newsletter and to reading it. I look at the photos in Aroideana and if something catches my eye, I read further. I want to read the Newsletter, not a two minute Oh, and done. | | I guess what I am saying is it is the grower, little guy who is the backbone of this organization, the guy or gal who just loves plants, and that is not what is being honored with its publications. Now, I know some of you enjoy the scientific stuff and that is great, but many of us just want down to earth dirty plant stuff so it is my hope that the Newletter will become some new form of meeting that desire to communicate the growing stuff, the little guy | fun stuff. Let's put the fun in the Newsletter and the scientific stuff in the Aroideana and then all the needs get met. Just don't forget the desires of the guy who pays the bills in general. Some Aroid L stuff could be incorporated into the Newletter to get material for print. If its good, it is worth seeing again. And let's get some FUN into the Newsletter! | | There are many who do the day to day drudgery work of this organization and I would like to see them get credit for what they do and then remember the ones who just have the steady hand in growing and getting this stuff out there. Dewey is the one who comes to mind and we could make it where when things are available, they could be mentioned so all could have a chance. Not all have computers and they are at a distinct disadvantage because they do not get | Aroid L. It might be that those that do have computers could get their Newsletter that way and the others get it via snail mail. That could cut down on the printing and mailing costs. | | I don't know how others might like things, but I think now that we are going to have a new person doing the Newsletter, now is the time to put our ideas on the table. Neal's first Newsletter was fantastic with all of the pictures. I know it is one heck of a lot of work but whoever does it, I would rather see it regularly with a bit less than to see it so rarely. We need to get back as an organization that fulfills what it says it does. If it is four times | a year, then it should be four times a year. If it is two pages, once a month, then it should come out once a month. We need to get our act together. | | Now, others please chip in and give your two cents worth of ideas so that we can get things moving. | | Thanks, | Betsy | | StellrJ@aol.com wrote: | | > In a message dated Fri, 11 May 2001 11:38:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time, "Peter Boyce" writes: | > | > << I am getting very | > concerned that Aroidaean is becoming completely science-based | > and that it will turn folks off.>> | > | > Well, if it makes you feel better, the science is what keeps me subscribed. Were it not for the science articles, I would more likely switch to Biotropica or one of the other, bigger journals. But, since IAS is for ALL aroid enthusiasts, I agree that horticultural writing belongs here, too. So all you expert (or at least comptent) growers (that lets me out!) write up your stuff! (That reminds me -- I've got to work more on that S. kotoensis piece.) | > | > Jason Hernandez | > Naturalist-at-Large | |

From: Paul Tyerman ptyerman at ozemail.com.au> on 2001.05.15 at 15:20:45(6459) A few weeks ago I posted the following message to the Arisaema list after someone "advertised" the Aroid Society (mistakenly actually.... thought they were on aroid-l). Anyway, this discussion about newletters etc reminded me to send the query to aroid-l...... maybe I can actually get an answer now. I'm after a list of exactly what benefits you get for joining. Given the Australian Dollar is pretty useless at the moment it is rather costly to join overseas societies.... so I want to know what I get before I join. So have a read of the message below and hopefully someone can provide me with the answers. Thanks in anticipation People. Paul Tyerman +More (Canberra, Australia) ****************** ORIGINAL MESSAGE to ARISEMA-L *************************** >How many of you are members of the International Aroid Society? Come on >folks, Please Join. Support the Society, which helps to maintain out >List.Receive your own copies of the Newsletters and the Journal. MJ, Out of interest what ARE the benefits of being a member. The site lists the benefits as "the annual, AROIDEANA, quarterly newsletters, and other benefits". What ARE these other benefits? Is it written anywhere? I just had a quick look and couldn't find anything stating what you get. These are honest questions. I am in Australia so the cost of joining, by the time I get charged $3 for the privilege of using a card will come out to something like $70 a year, which means I'd like to know exactly what I'd get for joining. I currently partake of the Aroid-L (which I think is wonderful, but I don't need to be a member to use that) but what else of benefit to international members. Many of the Horticultural societies are geared to their country of origin and have less use for their international members. That's why I'm asking.

From: StellrJ at aol.com on 2001.05.17 at 04:33:03(6476) In a message dated Mon, 14 May 2001 11:37:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "Ron Iles" writes: << Aroideana is a JOURNAL for the publication of key "Scientific Papers". The Status of Aroideana depends on Scientific accuracy and unambiguity, the excellence of its Papers. +More That pretty much sums up what my understanding was: Aroideana was/is a scientific journal, like Biotropica or Annals of Botany, but on a smaller scale. The IAS newsletter, as the name implies, is for news -- IAS and other aroid-related events and happenings. << who's who, their interests, collection lists of genera and species, Members' Births!, Marriages, Deaths, Life Changes, Lists of Wants, Surplus & Exchanges, Reports of developments in Horticulture, of Journeys into the Forest if they come back, advice on growing, Sources, good and plants, Public Botanic Garden specialisms and whether they are commercial accessible to Specialist Collectors, Warnings, Group Trips, Group Strategies. etc Indeed. My very first year in IAS, I saw an announcement for a symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops -- an organization not in any way affiliated with IAS. It was a valuable tip, for otherwise I would never have known about what turned out to be a very interesting symposium. I propose that, in addition to after-the-fact reports of collecting trips, such trips should be made known beforehand, in the planning stages, in case perchance a reader has a certain expertise that might help the expedition. << Maybe more fine pictures, diagrams, details of habitat etc etc would make the most technical MORE definitive yet more appealling and readable? Probably. Jason Hernandez Naturalist-at-Large

From: "Ron Iles" roniles at eircom.net> on 2001.05.17 at 15:34:28(6488) Dear Paul PLEASE join! I'll do my best with compiling Newletters which will enhance what's on Aroid L. I received a range of past information and the long and distinguished history of the IAS is mind-boggling. With the daily increasing needs of the Planet especially in tropic wilds, the "liveliest" and most challenging needs support. The "Scientists" who give the highest credibility to the IAS are extremely keen that their interests should be the cares and loves of as many others world-wide as possible. Understandably they use Aroideana as an efficient "Home" to publish their dedicated research. Aroideana alone cost $30 to us non-Yanks. But with the insight you get on actually becoming a Member, the whole picture of "Who's who", what's what, and why's why opens, and WE can ensure that the Newsletter channels enhance this greatly for the benefit of all Members. It is fairly young but old enough to have great weight. Be +More with us and know about it before it all happens. Please? I think we should have an newspaper based on much greater interaction flowering at least one a month. It is much easier to discover and share as a Member than as a Non-Member alone. The folks REALLY ARE GREAT! And I am a Life-time Billy the Kid! Please join! We need everybody who really cares! And can you write something brilliant please for the JULY Newsletter? We wait to welcome you and please all the others who are wavering thinking Aroid L is "it" and enjoying the interplay may feel thats "it". The pack you get is comprehensive and tells you things you need to know as an Aroider. All the very best EdyRon - ----- Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list AROID-L" Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2001 4:21 PM Subject: Re: Aroideana and the Newsletter. | | A few weeks ago I posted the following message to the Arisaema list after | someone "advertised" the Aroid Society (mistakenly actually.... thought | they were on aroid-l). | | Anyway, this discussion about newletters etc reminded me to send the query | to aroid-l...... maybe I can actually get an answer now. I'm after a list | of exactly what benefits you get for joining. Given the Australian Dollar | is pretty useless at the moment it is rather costly to join overseas | societies.... so I want to know what I get before I join. So have a read | of the message below and hopefully someone can provide me with the answers. | | Thanks in anticipation People. | | Paul Tyerman | (Canberra, Australia) | | ****************** ORIGINAL MESSAGE to ARISEMA-L *************************** | | >How many of you are members of the International Aroid Society? Come on | >folks, Please Join. Support the Society, which helps to maintain out | >List.Receive your own copies of the Newsletters and the Journal. | | MJ, | | Out of interest what ARE the benefits of being a member. The site lists | the benefits as "the annual, AROIDEANA, quarterly newsletters, and other | benefits". | | What ARE these other benefits? Is it written anywhere? I just had a quick | look and couldn't find anything stating what you get. | | These are honest questions. I am in Australia so the cost of joining, by | the time I get charged $3 for the privilege of using a card will come out | to something like $70 a year, which means I'd like to know exactly what I'd | get for joining. I currently partake of the Aroid-L (which I think is | wonderful, but I don't need to be a member to use that) but what else of | benefit to international members. Many of the Horticultural societies are | geared to their country of origin and have less use for their international | members. That's why I'm asking. | |

From: "Peter Boyce" p.boyce at rbgkew.org.uk> on 2001.05.17 at 15:49:07(6497) << Maybe more fine pictures, diagrams, details of habitat etc etc would make the most technical MORE definitive yet more appealling and readable? Probably. I'd say definitely, but we need more members in order to bring in more money in order to do this. Pete +More Jason Hernandez Naturalist-at-Large ---------------------------- Peter Boyce Herbarium Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Richmond, Surrey TW9 3AE Tel. (+44) (0)20 8 332 5207 fax. (+44) (0)20 8 332 5278 email: p.boyce@rbgkew.org.uk (work) boyce@pothos.demon.co.uk (home)

From: "Ron Iles" roniles at eircom.net> on 2001.05.18 at 14:40:02(6512) Thank you Jason for your feedback. Maybe I'll somehow get through this change of Editor and be everything to all. They don't lynch people in Ireland. I won't repeat all I said about the Newsletter as maybe I've said enough already but it has got to be a proper Society synergy between public Aroid-L and prestigious reference Aroideana.. Ron +More ----- Original Message ----- To: "Multiple recipients of list AROID-L" Sent: Thursday, May 17, 2001 5:33 AM Subject: Re: Aroideana and the Newsletter. | In a message dated Mon, 14 May 2001 11:37:26 PM Eastern Daylight Time, "Ron Iles" writes: | | << Aroideana is a JOURNAL for | the publication of key "Scientific Papers". The Status of Aroideana | depends on Scientific accuracy and unambiguity, the excellence of its | Papers. | | That pretty much sums up what my understanding was: Aroideana was/is a scientific journal, like Biotropica or Annals of Botany, but on a smaller scale. The IAS newsletter, as the name implies, is for news -- IAS and other aroid-related events and happenings. | | << who's who, their interests, collection lists of | genera and species, Members' Births!, Marriages, Deaths, Life Changes, Lists | of Wants, Surplus & Exchanges, Reports of developments in Horticulture, of | Journeys into the Forest if they come back, advice on growing, Sources, | good and plants, Public Botanic Garden specialisms and whether they are | commercial accessible to Specialist Collectors, Warnings, Group Trips, Group | Strategies. etc | | Indeed. My very first year in IAS, I saw an announcement for a symposium of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops -- an organization not in any way affiliated with IAS. It was a valuable tip, for otherwise I would never have known about what turned out to be a very interesting symposium. I propose that, in addition to after-the-fact reports of collecting trips, such trips should be made known beforehand, in the planning stages, in case perchance a reader has a certain expertise that might help the expedition. | | << Maybe more fine pictures, diagrams, details | of habitat etc etc would make the most technical MORE definitive yet more | appealling and readable? | | Probably. | | Jason Hernandez | Naturalist-at-Large |

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