"Aroideana" vs. Newsletter vs. Aroidl

From: Betsy Feuerstein ecuador at midsouth.rr.com> on 2001.05.18 at 14:40:52(6514) This is a message David Leedy has tried to post on Aroid l and has not succeeded. I could not get it to go as an attachment so here goes retyped. Just remember, it is from David. "Aroidaena" vs. Newsletter vs. Aroidl A little history may be in order. "Aroideana" was a quarterly publication, which was usually late. Sometimes it was several years late. So it was determined to consolidate it into an annual publication. The newsletter was a means to communicate with members of the IAS in the United States. It was primarily devoted to the comings and goings in Miami, but it did contain some good "how to's." As with any volunteer organization, the newsletter fell on hard times because no one had the time to put it together. In the 1980's, before Aroidl, I thought it was important for members who did not llive within driving distance of miami (for the monthly meetings) to have a regular form of communication. So I took over the editorshp. The newsletter I put out had little original material, but included a lot of "how to's." I plagiarized and copied everything I could get hold of including the Newsletter written by David Burnett for the Australian Aroid Society. I remember a great article he wrote (or copied) regarding the various types of fungus, which could cause rot in aroid tuers and how to fight these. I generally included an article or two(copied or plagiarized), correspondence, a list of recent aroid publications and how to obtain them, horticultural events at teh variouis botanical gardens in the United States, which might be of interest to IAS members, and reviews of aroid publications or events, which were not to be covered in "Aroideana" (e.g. the anthurium hybridization programs at the University of Hawaii or the A. titanium meristem experiments at the Palmgarten in Frankfurt). An important factor in the 1980's ws member's dues. This, along with the plant sale at teh annual meeting, was the primary financing used for the publication of "Aroideana." The newsletter was a means of soliciting new members ("Give an IAS Membership for Your Mom for Mother's Day") as well as keeping old members, who felt that receipt of "Aroideana," sometimes two years late, was not really worth the amount of the dues. Maybe this is no longer true. I have forgotten what happened next, but when Su Thompson took over editorship of the newsletter it really stepped up in class. She included much more material regarding recent publications and current events of interest to aroid folx. Neal Caroll's newsletter was also great. However, if there is to be a newsletter, I think punctuality is at least as important as content (this is not necessarily teh credo of "Aroideana") Perhaps Aroidl has taken over the need for communications with IAS members, but I an not so sure. Not everyone is comfortable with a computer or wants to spend a lot of time looking at the CRT. "Aroideana" has now become an annual journal. for those who don't participate in Aroidl or live within the Miami area, the newsletter was teh only regular contact with fellow aroid enthusiasts in the United States. aroidl is generally a question/comment and then a response type of thing versus a page or tow on how to do something relative to aroids. The newsletter was a place to get ideas and compare notes, but it need not be original material, which couldh have a place in " Aroideana." Also, articles in the newsletter can and very basic (like plastic containers versus clay containers or use of screen wire to cover teh holes in pots), which may be beneath "Aroideana." I understand Messrs. Boyce or Hetterscheid pleas for original material for "Aroideana," but there is a lot of other material, some not so original; material which has a time element that will not be met by an annual publication, even if it is timely published; and origianl material, which will not be published in "Aroideana." Should this material be presented in a regularly published newsletter? I don't know. I don't believe either of these gentlemen is qualified to make such a judgement for teh layman collector and the IAS officers will hae to make the judgement as to the benefit to the organization. David Leedy +More PS: typing errors are my responsibility/Betsy

From: Durightmm at aol.com on 2001.05.20 at 03:21:08(6522) Davids informative letter should set the tone for Ron and give him a path for the next issue. I agree that regularity in delivery is paramount. Like a seed it needs a start then let it grow accordingly. Members will share their opinions and you can be optimisticaly hopeful they will contribute. Content should vary according to availabilty and needs at the time. Good luck and a beginning. Joe

From: "Ron Iles" roniles at eircom.net> on 2001.06.02 at 15:16:03(6679) Dear David, Thank you for the welcome & eloquent information. Thank you VERY much both and so many others for making me rant! As the present NewsEd this seems to be the present stage of IAS. I am glad that I have no other channel to present AGAIN quite unequivocally how I feel except in Public. For a little while it may be the best way!!!!! I am a true INDEPENDENT, a blowin from Mars via Venus, and have nothing to lose or gain in being positively forthright and unequivocal, and being sensitive I have a very thick skin! I do this for FREE and the sheer fun & hell of it all! For the 21st Century, the INTERNATIONAL Aroid Society needs to be as influential and respected as possible for arguably the finest froup of plants on Earth. This can only be achieved by having as many RESOURCES available as possible, people, plants and above all proper finance. I 've got SO MANY ideas to help you go ballistic. Provincial philosophies and holding on to old fashioned ways is fatal. Throughout evolution that was the way to extinction. As a brilliant gene pool of folks your potential for successful ADVANCE is great! +More I have started a dialogue with a fairly firm stand in my Editorial of the June Newsletter to MEMBERS. This is another strategic shake-up! As I see it Aroid-L and SAMPLES of the IAS Web Site should be sufficiently attractive to those "on-line" to stimulate them to join the IAS. First, it would be easy for Aroid-L folks to join if they could use their credit cards "on-line" or via FAX. International Snail (Snair) Mail is ridiculous. If we continue to give away seemingly a lot of what we have in a "SHOP WINDOW" on the Web Site and Aroid-L, FREE, the only reasons for non-Member Aroid-L people to join are: 1. Idealism, philanthropy, charity. 2. Aroideana (prestige & annual, more botanical than practical)... and it ought to BE ABLE to feel secure in keeping it that way for ALL MEMBERS PRIDES! 3. The "Newsletter" which WAS, before me, a praiseworthy quarterly but a monologue, not a DIALOGUE. 3. Provincial Meetings at intervals in the States, mostly Florida. Nothing for World Members? (Aside, please can I have the email addresses of Aroid Societies in other Countries please, e.g David Burnett in Australia, Hi, again David!) So, within a largely MEMBERS ONLY Web Site there needs to be DIALOGUE, uninterrupted. A dialogue cannot be quarterly. A Dialogue more than ten times a year needs to be "ON-LINE". Any one who still clings to traditional print can easily have it downloaded or printed out EVEN in COLOUR. The on site potential is Space Shuttle compared with the dying cart horse of a few sheets of paper quarterly. (At any rate I won't flog a dying horse!). A Members only Web Site with 95% of what is developing there, with dialogue central to its AROID KNOWLEDGE WISDOM & CULTURE is necessary. At the moment, the World has the superb daily improving Web Site FREE, it can exchange, get advice etc, etc, FREE on Aroid-L. Although they PAY, Members have NOWHERE to talk and say pretty blunt things just to the other 500 Members. The IAS is a WORLD Group no longer a local Society. We must meet the new needs. Thankfully through digital technology it is an easy metamorphosis, all it requires is the WILL and I am certain that the wonderful IAS Members have that. And also concentrate on making Aroid-L and SAMPLES of our WORLD SOCIETY Web Site with Video and Sound, REALLY BEGUILING to Aroid L folks so that they feel they MUST join IAS! First offer the pre-requisite on line facilities for people in Tibet or Timbuctoo to join with their flexible friends! Then I can end this rant to try get MORE & MORE people to BE ABLE to take part in REAL DAILY AROID NEWS for Members and to be able to incomparably more easily to get ALL the plants they read all about but presently have no ***** chance of seeing let alone GROW! With care ANYBODY can tissue culture in their kitchens! And that and all the other "how tos" can be put more on the IAS Member's Site. I joined expecting to join others to DO MY BIT for our little Planet! The IAS is an International Society with a MAJOR ROLE, not a local club just for for "nice plants"! Rant over! Now I hope to go quiet and watch the ACTION! Meanwhile I'll try to get on with trying to get a HISTORIC SPECIALIST COLLECTION of PEACE LILIES and, (as a "BIOLOGIST" whatever that is!!!) to continue in my HISTORIC WORLD WORK IN HARMONY and the way Man sings and speaks to Man. The following Haiku is apt: The Last of its kind Unutterably lonely Just like Greedy Man From "Footprints in the Sand" Ron Iles 2001 ----- Original Message -----

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