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In many ways the 'problem' about the role and the future of the IAS outside of the continental USA has always existed. Until the advent of the internet, with no better means of communication the originally monthly (later quarterly) Newsletters and quarterly (later yearly) arrival of Aroideana functioned well enough to create a cohesive society and concomitant feeling of belonging. The emergence of Aroid-in some ways sounded the death-knell of the IAS as a membership-based Society since it was possible to 'join' Aroid-L without being a member. The advent of FB (which bought about the demise of Aroid-L, and the never-really-off-the-ground IAS Forum) served to bring into focus the role (in some peoples views dare I say need - compare IAS membership the IAS FB Group membership) of a fee-demanding Society to 'connect' aroid enthusiasts and provide a means to disseminate information in the form of Newsletters and journal
I do wonder is there is indeed a problem with 'overseas' members feeling that the IAS is little more than a provincial society with a small percentage of overseas membership - I don't have the membership figures to hand (I will ask Albert to get a break-down on membership by country) although I am pretty be certain that membership is 75% US-based - in short what can the IAS do to persuade the almost 2500 members of the FB IAS public group to part with a few dollars per annum - and for that matter is it that these non-member participants to the FB forum don't see the point of joining - for example how many are lapsed members - how many have never been members?
Greg, can I turn your question around - what do you want to see happen that would go some way to reducing your frustration?
Pete
On 23 January 2016 at 12:57, Jason Hernandez wrote:
Greg did not say he was not getting the annual Aroideana; he was commenting on the fact that Aroideana will no longer be a print journal.
In light of the disappearance of printed Ariodeana, I, too, have had to consider Greg's question carefully, since the printed Aroideana was my main reason for keeping up my membership. Here is the conclusion I came to:
1- Given that many journals archived or published online are not freely available (e.g. Google Scholar finds mostly articles that expect me to pay to read them, and JSTOR requires a subscription), receiving access to the online Aroideana is still useful to those of us interested in Aroid research.
2- The annual Symposium (it does still occur, right?) is announced within IAS, and is the major venue for Aroid researchers from many different countries to network and keep abreast of each others' work.
3- The Newsletter contains articles of interest to the international Aroid community, from narratives of Professor Croat's expeditions to tips on propagation and culture. Just this week, I was sorting through my back issues, and rediscovered the "Cooking With Aroids" column that the late Julius Boos used to contribute in the1990s, and also the "Buy, Sell, Swap" column, also from the 1990s. If someone currently in our community has ideas for a regular column of this type, I would recommend discussing it with the editors -- they have in the past had to send out solicitations for articles and columns.
Jason Hernandez
Date: Thu, 21 Jan 2016 03:45:11 +0000 (UTC)
From: DAVID LEEDY
Subject: Re: [Aroid-l] Non USA membership
To: Discussion of aroids
Message-ID:
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"
Greg,
I
was not aware that you were not getting the annual Aroideana.? I don't disagree with your questioning the value of membership in the IAS.
I was totally out of Aroids from 1995 to about 2005, but continued paying my annual dues because (1) I wanted to show my support for Aroid scientist and their research, (2) because I have so many close friends developed since I joined the International Aroid Society in 1977, )3) because due to the efforts of IAS there?are a lot more resources for learning about Aroids now, )4) because I applaud the efforts to bring in
members from countries less developed than the USA (and Australia, for that matter), (4) because I want to show my support for many innovations
that the IAS is presently undertaking and has undertaken, (5 - to??) etc.
Please do as you wish, I will miss you if you don't continue, but I for sure will not criticize you.
David Ledy
On Wednesday, January 20, 2016 7:08 PM, Greg Ruckert wrote:
I have thought long and hard before posting this in view of the attacks
I have received to previous posts.
The last two years has seen my membership of the International Aroid
Society rise from $Au28 to $Au45.
As we no longer get a printed annual I am wondering what other members
think is the benefit, to foreign members, of belonging.
What should be promoted to non-USA residents to encourage them to join
the IAS?
Greg Ruckert
Nairne
South Australia
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