BCSS seed distribution

[el48tel]

Should there be a separate thread made for discussing ways to increase the membership? This one used to be about Conophytum Foggy Dew, sorry Darren.

I put a post up on the ‘Society Discussion’ part but that was only trying to explain what I was doing on Reddit and asking for some content or ideas for it. Maybe a broader based discussion would be better?

This has been raised .... often ... ad nauseum .... in many threads .... as a consequence of many diverse themes ..... all to no avail .... no matter what is suggested it is shot down because .......
It would seem that we have no will to move from the 20th to the 21st Centuries. The technology solutions are too avant garde (at best) or too security dangerous ( at worst). Other radical suggestions involve spending members funds ... note members ... not society .... because funds belong to members for their use.
What is forgotten, is that at the current rate of progress the 37% senior members will possibly not be with us, and will probably not be replaced.

[Aiko]

Why are you so worried about junior members? Plant interest at young age probably hardly results in early memberships of all sorts of clubs and such. Plant interested kids just like to sow stuff, and continue on like that for a few years. When they are more adults, they might start to deepen their interest in plants and maybe specialise themselves. And that could be succulent plants. Once they know for sure they like what they like, they might be more inclined to become a member somewhere AND stay a member. You never know if any youngster really stays a member for more than a few years. I can imagine interest lingers away but maybe might come back at a later age.

I would be more worried if the memberships of 25-50 year olds start to become the smallest piece of the members pie chart. That is the age where you might expect one know what they like and will continue liking it, have the time or at least the will to spend their time on their hobby and usually can afford it as well.

[el48tel]

Why are you so worried about junior members? Plant interest at young age probably hardly results in early memberships of all sorts of clubs and such. Plant interested kids just like to sow stuff, and continue on like that for a few years. When they are more adults, they might start to deepen their interest in plants and maybe specialise themselves. And that could be succulent plants. Once they know for sure they like what they like, they might be more inclined to become a member somewhere AND stay a member. You never know if any youngster really stays a member for more than a few years. I can imagine interest lingers away but maybe might come back at a later age.

I would be more worried if the memberships of 25-50 year olds start to become the smallest piece of the members pie chart. That is the age where you might expect one know what they like and will continue liking it, have the time or at least the will to spend their time on their hobby and usually can afford it as well.

Giant oaks from acorns grow

[Aiko]

How many children have you seen at plant fairs through the years?
I have hardly seen them in the last 25 years, and probably they were just accompanying their father or mother.

[el48tel]

How many children have you seen at plant fairs through the years?
I have hardly seen them in the last 25 years, and probably they were just accompanying their father or mother.

My point precisely

[Aiko]

How many children have you seen at plant fairs through the years?
I have hardly seen them in the last 25 years, and probably they were just accompanying their father or mother.

My point precisely

No, it is my point. Stay off it!

I am sure if you look back for 40 years, the same would apply. Yet, the society is still there and many have joined since well after the late seventies while already an adult.

[Stuart]

There's hardly any children at ELK though at UK Cactus Marts, particularly Herne Bay with good local publicity there's a good proportion of children accompanied by their parents. They know what they're looking at and know what they want to buy and it gives good hopes for the future of the hobby. Herne Bay last time had an attendance of over 600 though no charge for children so no actual number wouldn't be known, sadly Covid has meant that the event won't take place this year. John Pilbeam's 'Happy Cactus' book for children is currently No.13 in Amazon's top gardening books and will ironically, probably be his best selling book. If ELK had local publicity, there would probably be a younger average age but I don't think the venue could cope with many more people.

Stuart

[el48tel]

Sorry guys. I mistook the Society for one which openly welcomed all, and as a registered charity had the responsibility for education which would be a prerequisite of charity status. I thought it was an enabler or facilitator, that like minded persons could meet and exchange ideas and plants. An individual with an interest in growing a single genus and exhibiting in antique ceramic bowls would be as welcome as a grower of Lithops hybrids on the conservatory window ledge. It would look to ensuring it welcomed the next generation of enthusiasts just as it looked to safely embracing their technology, whilst not dismissing the needs of its older skilled members. I may have joined the wrong society.

[HaoBao]

Remember when this post was about seed distribution? it needs splitting again

[el48tel]

Remember when this post was about seed distribution? it needs splitting again

Agreed .... but it is January ... we have the same gripes about unfairness .... same month same forum problem