International Asclepiad Society closing.

[topsy]

26.12.2020

Hi All,

I too am sorry that this is the situation, i.e. there are very few articles forthcoming, no Editor to prepare the editions, etc. etc. The IAS has been limping along for the last 5 years and this last three issues which in years gone by would have taken one year to publish will have taken finally some 3 years to publish which leaves the membership wondering what is happening in any case.

So before Christmas a letter was drafted by the Chairman, Alan Butler and added to by Suzanne Mace, Treasurer, outlining the problems and proposing a way forward unless volunteers happend to step forward on receipt of the letter which Suzanne and Alan agreed would be mailed after Christmas which is why the members have not received it.

It is likely that a merger of sorts will occur between the IAS and FgaS which produces the excellent quarterly journal - Avonia.

it is unfortunate that news of the IAS demise was broadcast before the letter was mailed, it was not intended that it should be.

Suzanne Mace
IAS Treasurer

[esp]

For those (like me) who had no idea, FgaS is the german society for other succulents https://www.fgas-sukkulenten.de/

[Colin Walker]

26.12.2020

Hi All,

I too am sorry that this is the situation, i.e. there are very few articles forthcoming, no Editor to prepare the editions, etc. etc. The IAS has been limping along for the last 5 years and this last three issues which in years gone by would have taken one year to publish will have taken finally some 3 years to publish which leaves the membership wondering what is happening in any case.

So before Christmas a letter was drafted by the Chairman, Alan Butler and added to by Suzanne Mace, Treasurer, outlining the problems and proposing a way forward unless volunteers happend to step forward on receipt of the letter which Suzanne and Alan agreed would be mailed after Christmas which is why the members have not received it.

It is likely that a merger of sorts will occur between the IAS and FgaS which produces the excellent quarterly journal - Avonia.

it is unfortunate that news of the IAS demise was broadcast before the letter was mailed, it was not intended that it should be.

Suzanne Mace
IAS Treasurer

Alan is the editor according to the latest issue received.

I've already said above that from my perspective as an author shortage of articles is not the main issue here. Alan has had my ms. for over a year

Why are you being reliant on snail mail to communicate with IAS members? Really. This is the 21st century and especially with the failing PO that we have in this country this is not a time for sending out letters. Please communicate with the few remaining IAS members digitally.

This lack of engagement with the 21st century digital world is a contributing factor to the demise of the IAS.

[Pattock]

it is unfortunate that news of the IAS demise was broadcast before the letter was mailed, it was not intended that it should be.

Suzanne Mace
IAS Treasurer

So sorry, Suzanne. Alan told me "you may have already received a letter".

[topsy]

Hi Colin,

Unfortunately we do not have that many email addresses for the membership, and so some will have to be sent by snail mail and of course it would be cheaper to simply email to all.

I am aware that Alan is Chairman at least for the issue of Asklepios under preparation, but he is seeking a replacement and only took back the Chairmanship because someone had to.

You may well have had an article with Alan for a year, but one article does not a journal make. I believe that issue 127 in which your article will appear is nearing completion.

Suzanne

[Colin Walker]

Hi Colin,

Unfortunately we do not have that many email addresses for the membership, and so some will have to be sent by snail mail and of course it would be cheaper to simply email to all.

I am aware that Alan is Chairman at least for the issue of Asklepios under preparation, but he is seeking a replacement and only took back the Chairmanship because someone had to.

Suzanne

So, it's hardly surprising that the IAS is on its last legs. Time to call it a day me thinks.

[Phil_SK]

Would it be possible to set up an IAS Memorial Forum here that soon-to-be ex-members could use to keep the connectivity? I have only just found out that they have a Facebook page and it is not hectic with conversation. The BCSS has always had close associations with the IAS since its birth, of course.

There shouldn't be any problem setting up a forum area for asclepiads along the lines of those we already have for Aloes, Gasteria, Haworthia and for small opuntias. Back in May 2018 the BoT agreed to support small groups in this way (I assume 'Facebook' is a mis-minuting of 'Forum') and the groups were set up soon afterwards:

Mr Hildyard reported that some active related societies would like to run Facebook pages but have not got the technological skills to do so. eg Tephrocactus Study Group, Mammillaria and Haworthia Societies. The view was that this would not fragment our own Facebook offering and would in fact enhance it. The Societies involved were happy to provide assistance with the additional workload if needed. The Board agreed this proposal.

It does rely on Bill being able to set something up when he gets a chance.

Whatever the reasons behind the closure of specialist societies, it's good that the BCSS is willing to help those groups still going and provide a home for enthusiasts from others that have folded. I don't think we're doing it very well at the moment, though, if I'm honest but that's a slightly different matter.

[Phil_SK]

I hope the IAS will give some consideration to archiving it's back numbers, perhaps at https://cactuspro.com/biblio/en:accueil It's would be so much easier now, while there are editions sat on someone's computer.

[Colin Walker]

I hope the IAS will give some consideration to archiving it's back numbers, perhaps at https://cactuspro.com/biblio/en:accueil It's would be so much easier now, while there are editions sat on someone's computer.

Phil,
I'm no longer a member of the IAS committee so technically this has nowt to do with me gov.

In any case, as far as I'm aware, the IAS still exists.

However, as a past editor of Asklepios I'll say this: you've no idea how much work you're expecting someone to do. The journals go back 46 years, most of which aren't available in any digital format. So Phil, who has time to do this, and is there any reason to do this anyway? Much of the info is way out of date.

[Kees]

The thread on Apteranthes joannis shows there is a certain interest in the contents of earlier Asklepios issues. Whether that is enough to justify the effort of digitalisation I don't know.
The cactuspro people might be willing to lend a hand if the Asklepios copyright owners allow cactuspro to publish its contents.