A plant quiz is a great idea. We are very keen to have plants brought in for meetings so this would tie in well.
We also used to have a mini table show which stopped when the meetings were cancelled. This is something I am keen to start again.
Ideas for branch meetings
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For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.
Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
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- BCSS Member
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- https://www.behance.net/kuchnie-warszawa
- Joined: 04 Jun 2017
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Re: Ideas for branch meetings
There's one speaker who, to me, has always stood out way ahead of any other speakers. I think I'm right in saying he's the only speaker to have received a standing ovation at a UK Convention. I've had many conversations with him about speaking at Branch meetings and we both agree that the main priority should be entertainment followed by education. Even 'holiday slides' can be entertaining but without the entertainment factor, even the best habitat or greenhouse slides can be dull. I'm not suggesting that the speaker should burst into song or have a dance routine but just a few 'novelty' slides or comments like Ernie mentions can add the entertainment factor. It can make all the difference between a new member turning up a a branch meeting and then coming back for more.
Stuart
Stuart
- el48tel
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Re: Ideas for branch meetings
@Stuart
I could not agree more with the sentiments you express.
Anyone can slam together 100 pictures into a PowerPoint show, but only a real artist can give a memorable presentation.
It's... pace ... change in style ... variety ..... etc to give something for all. 30 people in the audience require 30 different expectations and outcomes.
The most boring show ..... monotone .... 100 nearly identical badly photographed pictures ..... even worse 300! .... textual content read out ... text filling the whole slide .... need I go on? There's plenty of good Internet and TV shows which give clues and examples about "artistic style".
I could not agree more with the sentiments you express.
Anyone can slam together 100 pictures into a PowerPoint show, but only a real artist can give a memorable presentation.
It's... pace ... change in style ... variety ..... etc to give something for all. 30 people in the audience require 30 different expectations and outcomes.
The most boring show ..... monotone .... 100 nearly identical badly photographed pictures ..... even worse 300! .... textual content read out ... text filling the whole slide .... need I go on? There's plenty of good Internet and TV shows which give clues and examples about "artistic style".
Endeavouring to grow Aylostera, Echinocereus, Echinopsis, Gymnocalycium, Matucana, Rebutia, and Sulcorebutia. Fallen out of love with Lithops and aggravated by Aeoniums.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs.
- Chris L
- BCSS Branch Websites Co-ordinator
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Re: Ideas for branch meetings
Not quite on topic but I can well remember the sinking feeling when speakers would get towards the end of the fourth or fifth magazine of slides and really be hoping they were wrapping up only for them to get another full tray of slides out. These days of course one doesn"t get that now as we don't know how many slides there are.el48tel wrote: ↑Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:21 pm @Stuart
I could not agree more with the sentiments you express.
Anyone can slam together 100 pictures into a PowerPoint show, but only a real artist can give a memorable presentation.
It's... pace ... change in style ... variety ..... etc to give something for all. 30 people in the audience require 30 different expectations and outcomes.
The most boring show ..... monotone .... 100 nearly identical badly photographed pictures ..... even worse 300! .... textual content read out ... text filling the whole slide .... need I go on? There's plenty of good Internet and TV shows which give clues and examples about "artistic style".
Joined 1991
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- el48tel
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Re: Ideas for branch meetings
Even so .... in the good old days when I did presentations for a living, we had customer evaluation forms. You did your presentation. You gave out the evaluation forms. You took them in. You analysed the results. You gave the results to the team leader. You prepared the next presentation accordingly. It focused the mind.Chris L wrote: ↑Sun Aug 14, 2022 5:09 pmNot quite on topic but I can well remember the sinking feeling when speakers would get towards the end of the fourth or fifth magazine of slides and really be hoping they were wrapping up only for them to get another full tray of slides out. These days of course one doesn"t get that now as we don't know how many slides there are.el48tel wrote: ↑Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:21 pm @Stuart
I could not agree more with the sentiments you express.
Anyone can slam together 100 pictures into a PowerPoint show, but only a real artist can give a memorable presentation.
It's... pace ... change in style ... variety ..... etc to give something for all. 30 people in the audience require 30 different expectations and outcomes.
The most boring show ..... monotone .... 100 nearly identical badly photographed pictures ..... even worse 300! .... textual content read out ... text filling the whole slide .... need I go on? There's plenty of good Internet and TV shows which give clues and examples about "artistic style".
Endeavouring to grow Aylostera, Echinocereus, Echinopsis, Gymnocalycium, Matucana, Rebutia, and Sulcorebutia. Fallen out of love with Lithops and aggravated by Aeoniums.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs.
Re: Ideas for branch meetings
Sadly, it's much easier to criticize meetings than it is to come up with anything new. There are some speakers I always look forward to seeing even if they're talking about a genus I don't particularly grow. The last time my voice-activated label writer came to a meeting with me the subject was 'A-Z of Lithops' It's so long ago that I can't remember who the speaker was but the meeting was a series of alphabetical close ups of Lithops leaves, just a picture and the name followed by another picture and name etc etc, nothing on cultivation. At the break I think it was up to L.Julii and after the break forms of Karasmontana and Lesliei seemed to go on forever. What a relief to get up to L.Werneri. That was the last meeting she attended.
Stuart
Stuart
- Chris L
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Re: Ideas for branch meetings
Thankfully for every speaker who we might not want to see again there are lots and lots more that give wonderful, informative and knowledgable talks about all manner of things.
A lot of speakers often travel miles and miles to give a talk, sometimes to quite small audiences, and usually for little reward other than the knowledge that they have entertained their audience for the evening.
Branch meetings are ephemeral and fleeting and should be cherished. Long may they continue.
A lot of speakers often travel miles and miles to give a talk, sometimes to quite small audiences, and usually for little reward other than the knowledge that they have entertained their audience for the evening.
Branch meetings are ephemeral and fleeting and should be cherished. Long may they continue.
Joined 1991
Lamb's Reference Plate Index http://www.cactus-corner.co.uk/referenc ... -guide.htm
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- juster
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Re: Ideas for branch meetings
Yes Chris, you have put that well.
Croydon Branch member, growing mainly cacti and Echeverias
- el48tel
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Re: Ideas for branch meetings
Chris ...
Endeavouring to grow Aylostera, Echinocereus, Echinopsis, Gymnocalycium, Matucana, Rebutia, and Sulcorebutia. Fallen out of love with Lithops and aggravated by Aeoniums.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs.
Currently being wooed by Haworthia, attempting hybridisation, and enticed by Mesembs.
- Chris L
- BCSS Branch Websites Co-ordinator
- Posts: 2609
- Joined: 11 Oct 2009
- Branch: MANCHESTER
- Country: England
- Role within the BCSS: Branch Websites Co-ordinator
- Location: Lancashire, England
- Contact:
Re: Ideas for branch meetings
Joined 1991
Lamb's Reference Plate Index http://www.cactus-corner.co.uk/referenc ... -guide.htm
FREE on Kindle Unlimited:
Anglesey Circular Walk https://amzn.to/34i18qF
Lytham-Arnside Walk https://amzn.to/3fpQPGf
My Redbubble Shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/cactuschris/shop
Lamb's Reference Plate Index http://www.cactus-corner.co.uk/referenc ... -guide.htm
FREE on Kindle Unlimited:
Anglesey Circular Walk https://amzn.to/34i18qF
Lytham-Arnside Walk https://amzn.to/3fpQPGf
My Redbubble Shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/cactuschris/shop