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  Re: IAS Membership
From: Betsy Feuerstein ecuador at midsouth.rr.com> on 2001.05.17 at 04:51:06(6484)
"Ask not what IAS can do for you, ask what you can do for IAS." WHY?

I can see how a give and take is wise, but a one sided, do for the Aroid
Society just because it is there, to me, is a bit far fetched. Let's get
to reality, there has to be a give and a take in the deal. It might be
wise certainly to give but to give there has to be a receive if the
thing is going to work. You can refer to Kennedy's comment as one sided,
but remember, we receive much from the Being of our country that was not
detailed in that statement. I can see giving without direct correlaton
to the specific that you get, but in general, I think if you want people
to join, you best be aware, they will not join unless there is a benefit
to them. WE can keep our heads in the clouds and accept by giving of
ourselves both financially and in other ways begets the receipt of the
joy of doing and it does, but I don't think you will have many members
unless they perceive they are receiving something, some information or
some benefit that they desire.

Now, incorporating the comments about the Newsletter vs. Aroideana, they
have been interesting and indicate that perhaps a change in philosophy
is coming about. As I said before, it used to be that the bulletin was
botanical and the newsletter the amateur realm. On one level, if it is
not kept that way, why have two publications? Why not just have one that
includes both aspects, the botanical and the newsy timely information,
or perhaps a very simple newsletter with only the timely information of
meetings and happenings and if necessary, listing of current
publications. That certainly would make the newsletter a much easier
publication to do for the editor of it. I might guess that many do not
have a clue how difficult it is to get the information together and then
to edit it, then to get it ready for print and then to get it sent out
on a time schedule. It can be and usually is a very big load on one's
shoulders to bear. As the due date approaches, the burden gets heavier.
Most of us have lives separate from such projects and with it all, such
responsibility is indeed oppressive at times. Anyone who takes such a
task on should deserve sainthood or access to the nearest mental
facility for reward/relief. Often such tasks are taken on by those who
are unaware of the difficult task they have undertaken. I can see that
there will be change in our formats and I see nothing but good in that
approach. To some extent, I might think it good we give our opinions and
then accept what the two editors come up with, unless we are very
willing to lend a fortified hand in the doing of the issues.

As to the benefits of membership that has come across this page
recently, I think a lot of it has been the comraderie of Aroid L, but
then, that can be without membership. The Newsletter and Aroideana are
certainly in the big picture have great informative benefit. Access to
books and publications in the field from past issues to current
publications is helpful since such can be difficult to know about and
more difficult t find. I think you will find that many are willing to
give information and resource to what you are looking for and to aiding
the process of obtaining plants and ideas and information. We certainly
have been a loosely held together organization with Miami being the
center of attention and Missouri Botanic being the US botanical center.
Others throughout the world have their expertise and their desire to
investigate and publish through Aroideana. IAS has struggled to
financially beable to meet the desires of the botanical world for an
appropriate publication to keep the information in the specific field
rather than more general areas to publish. I think membership and its
financial help fosters bigger Aroideana issues with more articles and
more opportunity to keep the information about aroids in one place.
Without IAS it would be much more difficult to find out information on
our subject field. I also think one has to decide for oneself if they
are in a financial situation to participate in this effort or if they
desire to be a part of the picture. I know I love the photos in the
publications and they are costly. The quality of the publication is
directly related to the financial backing that is available. The number
of issues is directly related to fianncial backing. If one does not feel
able to join, then perhaps a small donation would be appropriate, just
as a gift knowing that it will be used wisely.

Three cents worth....... Betsy

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