AOS Affiliated Societies

Virginia Beach Auction

2010-09-22T10:00:00.003-04:00

Dear fellow Orchid collectable enthusiasts,

Sometimes an item we have collected yesterday is less precious today, or perhaps we just need to weed our collections.

Please put those items to good use! The AOS Members Meeting, held October 17-22, 2010 at Virginia Beach, VA. includes an Auction to benefit the American Orchid Society operating fund. Clean out the excess, less to dust and help the AOS.

Any items…art, jewelry, dishes ,etc. are needed.

Please just contact Mary Beth Clarke mcrna2go@aol.com and I’ll arrange to get them from you. Thank you for caring!

DO NOT LOSE YOUR TAX-EXEMPT STATUS!

2010-09-09T14:58:00.003-04:00

The Pension Relief Act of 2006 made two important changes affecting tax-exempt organizations, effective the beginning of 2007. First, it mandates that virtually all tax-exempt organizations, other than churches and church-related organizations must file an annual return or submit an electronic notice with the IRS. This is a significant change to prior law where many small not-for-profits, including most local orchid societies, were exempt from filing requirements. Second, the law also requires that any tax-exempt organization that fails to file for three consecutive years automatically loses its federal tax-exempt status.

Even after an extensive outreach effort on the part of the IRS many small not-for-profits are on the verge of losing their tax exemption for failure to comply with reporting requirements. Don’t let your organization be one of them. The deadline to comply is October 15, 2010. You can find important information on one-time filing relief for small tax exempt organizations that failed to file for three consecutive years at www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225702,00.html
If you are unsure whether an organization to which you belong is at risk, the IRS maintains a list of those non-compliant organizations, arranged by State, at www.irs.gov/charities/article/0,,id=225889,00.html

There isn’t much time left.
DON’T LET YOUR ORGANIZATION LOSE ITS VERY IMPORTANT TAX-EXEMPTION.

A Letter From Chris Rehman

2010-07-30T12:10:00.001-04:00

Read This

Innovative Societies Report

2010-07-28T15:30:00.000-04:00

In Fall 2009, the Orchid Society of Western Pennsylvania and the American Orchid Society, through its Affiliated Societies, decided to
ask you to share some of the most innovative, fun-filled and challenging things that local affiliates were doing across the nation. Read this report to learn how you can supercharge your local orchid society to add value and fun activities for your members.

Click here...

PDF, 512kb

Innovative Society?

2010-01-10T20:45:00.002-05:00

Are you an "Innovative Society"? If you have some new methods or ideas which are helping to make your orchid society successful, please share them with us. The American Orchid Society Affiliated Society Committee is gathering these ideas to be distributed at the Affiliated Society Committee Breakfast on April 30 -- during the Oklahoma Orchid Society Spring AOS Members Meeting. You are all invited to attend and hear about these innovative societies or you can receive the information from this blog, our Facebook page, by email or telephone.
Orchid Societies are facing a multitude of challenges including the economy, changing demographics and changing communication methods. Our greatest asset is volunteers who have come up with solutions to these and are willing to share their ideas. Send us your best ideas and come to the breakfast.
You can find information on the meeting at the AOS web site under "Events" and "Members Meetings".

Happy Holdiays!

2009-11-30T13:48:00.002-05:00

Happy Holidays from the American Orchid Society!

We really appreciate the support we have been receiving both from orchid societies and individuals! Thank you so much. We appreciate our orchid friends all year, but especially in these tough times - if you would like to make a donation, either as a gift or in honor of someone, you can mail it to American Orchid Society % Susan Wayman 16700 AOS Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33446 or call 561-404-2031. You will receive a thank you letter for your tax records and your donation will be listed in the magazine.

AND, please consider an AOS gift membership for your orchid lover (or yourself) they will love getting the wonderful Orchids magazine each month. To give a membership contact Terri Rivera, Dir. of Membership, trivera@aos.org Terri can put a postcard in the new member packet.

Happy Holidays everyone!

And check out the American Orchid Society Facebook page!

AOS is on Facebook!

2009-11-18T21:31:00.004-05:00

AOS is on Facebook! If you are an avid user of Facebook or a newbie, just getting started, be sure to join the American Orchid Society's Facebook Membership Page. It was set up to create a forum for discussion, questions and news all about the national headquarters and affiliate organizations of AOS. People from New Hampshire to Florida are already members, sharing their orchid-related news.

Just log-on to your Facebook account (or create one at http://www.facebook.com/ it's free and easy!), then in the Search box, type in "American Orchid Society..." Click on the icon with two, blue people on it, indicating a Membership page. Once you're in, become a Member and join the conversation.

Onc. Jiuhbao Gold 'Tainan' AM/AOS in 14K yellow gold

2009-10-09T13:55:00.000-04:00

Southland's Golden Anniversary

2009-10-09T12:47:00.002-04:00

Twice a year the American Orchid Society has a Members Meeting which is hosted by an affiliated orchid society. Next week we’ll have the Fall 2009 AOS Members’ Meeting in California outside of Los Angeles at the fabulous Huntington Library & Gardens from October 16 – 19th. The meeting is being hosted by both the Huntington and the Southland Orchid Growers Show – this is the 50th Anniversary for the Southland Orchid Show and in celebration of that they have a special poster and AOS has a special pendant. You can find the show information and the poster at www.aos.org under Events and Members Meetings. The Southland Orchid Show poster shows one flower of Oncidium Jiuhbao Gold ‘Tainan’ AM/AOS which has been reproduced in 14K yellow gold by award winning orchid artist Dawn Vertrees. Jeff Bradley, longtime AOS member, commissioned the gold oncidium pendant which will be auctioned off, along with exciting orchid trips, special orchids as well as other items at the AOS auction on Friday, October 16th at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Arcadia, California. Auction preview at 5:30 PM, bidding beings at 6:30 PM. Everyone is invited to attend the auction – registration is not necessary. If you want more information and would like to bid on this piece please contact Susan Wayman at 561-404-2031 or swayman@aos.org or Carol Holdren affiliated_societies@aos.org

Great Idea for Fun Meeting

2009-10-09T12:43:00.002-04:00

We all try to have fun as well as educational orchid society meetings so here's a great idea from the Boca Raton Orchid Society in Florida. Last night, at their regular monthly meeting, they had "movie night" complete with popcorn and the new Stig Dalstrom movie which discusses orchids in the wild and ecosystems. I heard it was a great hit!! Here is where you can order the DVD from:

http://www.wildorchidman.com/shop.htm

Tennessee Orchid Education Opportunity

2009-09-11T15:43:00.000-04:00

Come join the Orchid Society Middle TN to see the exhibits and vendors at the 50th Anniversary Mid-America Orchid Society Congress event that is scheduled the last weekend in October. It will be held at the Franklin Marriott Cool Springs on Saturday October 31st from 8amm until 6 pm and Sunday November 1st from 9 am to 5 pm. There will be a Saturday lecture series offered for a fee; however, the show is free to the public. For more information go to www.TNorchid.com.

California Meeting Speakers List

2009-09-05T20:48:00.002-04:00

Here is who is coming to the Southland Orchid Show in October. This is where the Fall 2009 AOS Members Meeting will be held. You can still register - look under "Events"
Friday: October 16th

Peter Tobias: Orchid Conservation Strategies and Opportunities Throughout the Orchid Conservation Alliance.

Tom Harper: Key Species Comprising Modern Pot-Plant Phalaenopsis.

Dr. Robert Lauri, Ph.D.: California Native Orchids.

Saturday: October 17th.

12:30 PM: James Rose: Laelia anceps and It’s Hybrids for the West.

2:00 PM: Fred Clarke: The Species of Catasetum, Cycnoches and Marmodes.

3:30 PM: Carol Seigel: The Sex Life of Orchids.

Sunday: October 18th.

12:30 PM: Paul Gripp: A Walk Through Orchid History in Words and Pictures.

2:00 PM: Doug Overstreet: Growing Orchids Outdoors in Los Angeles County.

AOS Members Meetings

2009-08-28T21:09:00.000-04:00

The AOS is an orchid society so when does it meet? Twice a year, spring and fall, often in conjunction with an orchid show or symposium. The AOS committees, which are listed in the front of the magazine, meet and make their plans at these orchid get togethers. These AOS Members Meetings are planned out years in advance and hosted by an orchid society, a group of societies or a horticultural organization. October 14-17 2009 we will be meeting at the Huntington Gardens in San Marino California. The invitation to the AOS came originally from the Huntington and then the Southland Show Committee. The AOS is very pleased to be the guest of these organizations and we hope many of our members and orchid lovers will be able to visit both the fabulous Huntington Library and Botanical Gardens and “The Golden Age of Orchids” celebrating 50 years of Southland Orchid Shows. For information on this and future meetings go to the AOS web site “Events” and “Members Meetings” We will be in Oklahoma City in the Spring of 2010, the guest of the Oklahoma Orchid Society and in Virginia Beach, VA at the Merritt Huntington Symposium for the Fall 2010, the guest of the Peninsula Orchid Society, the Richmond Orchid Alliance, the Tidewater Orchid Society and the Virginia Orchid Society. If your society is interested in hosting an AOS meeting contact: Carol Holdren, Affiliated Society Committee Chair affiliated_societies@aos.org

Fall Orchid Convention

2009-08-10T22:03:00.000-04:00

It is Fall Orchid Convention time – or at least time to plan to go the Fall Orchid Convention! The Southland Orchid Show Committee and the Huntington Botanical Gardens, outside Los Angeles, invite you to Arcadia, California on October 14 – 17, 2009. You can get the details from the AOS web site: www.aos.org under “Events” and then ‘Members Meetings” although you do not have to be an AOS member to attend. All orchid people are welcome! You can also call Simone Friend at 562-431-1247 for a registration packet. This is a great orchid show at a fabulous botanical garden where you will be able to listen to orchid lectures as well as tour the gardens. The Huntington has 150 acres with 12 specialized gardens so it is worth going for the gardens alone but even better when there is an orchid show. If you are an AOS member you will want to attend the AOS Town Hall Meeting on Saturday morning. You can wear your AOS pin to show your support – if you don’t have one they can be purchased for $25, postage included, from the AOS web site. If you are wishing for a fall orchid trip – consider California!

2009-07-29T16:11:00.000-04:00

Join An AOS Affilaited Society!
As a member of an AOS Affiliated Society your society receives a monthly copy of Orchids magazine. If you are not an AOS member, in which case you get your own Orchids magazine at home, then checking out the club copy is a good way to see what you’re missing. July’s issue has a great article by Ken Slump about orchid viruses as well as several other articles, information on orchid shows and ads for orchid related items. The information is for beginners as well as more advanced orchid growers. Think of it as a meeting that is in addition to your monthly club meeting – your local orchid society does the best job of helping you grow orchids in your particular area and the AOS is the organization that can help with orchid growing on a national level. To join go to www.aos.org
The AOS web site also has information on the upcoming AOS Members Meeting which is open to everyone – it is an orchid conference and they are always great fun as well as full of new and exciting orchids. The next meeting is outside Los Angeles, CA in October 2009 at the beautiful Huntington Botanical Gardens. http://www.orchidshow.org/ Check that out too!

2009-07-16T13:42:00.005-04:00

You search or shop...we make money. New AOS fundrasing program is as easy as pie.
Just stash Google and download the Goodsearch toolbar (Yahoo search) and we get a penny a click. Now that ain't bad for doing nothing!

You can also use the link on the AOS homepage to search or shop. Pass the word!!!
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2009-06-17T18:02:00.003-04:00

Speaker’s Day!

Saturday August 8, 2009

9AM to 5PM

Oddfellow’s Building - 1831 Howe Ave at Alta Arden

Sacramento, Ca. 95838

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Featuring

Roy Tokunaga - H & R Nurseries

Understanding Dendrobiums, Their Variety & Culture

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Ron McHatton - Director of Education for the American Orchid Society

Simplified Orchid Genetics for the General Grower

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Carlos Fighetti - President of the American Orchid Society

Fantastic Modern Phalaenopsis fromTaiwan

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Break out sessions with culture talks on Phalaenopsis,Dendrobiums, miniature orchids, Paphiopediums and Cattleyas. Silent Auction divisions of awarded plants - even FCC’s!

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Vendors are Orchidview & H.P. Norton- Phalaenopsis breeding (blues!)

H&R Nurseries, Hawaiian orchids of every variety

Gold Country Orchids minicatts that bloom 2-3 times a year

D&D Flowers - Dennis Olivas - Dennis will have whatever the others don't.

-=o=-

General admission - $15.00

Sponsoring Societies (to CSNJC) or AOS members - $5.00

-=o=-

Come Join Us !

2009-06-09T12:01:00.006-04:00

The South Florida Leadership Council's summer conference is just about a month away (July 11 & 12). The weekend will provide all the tools needed to bring your orchid society to the next level...and a splendid time is guaranteed for all! See the SFLC website for registration info.

We are pleased to announce that The Naples Orchid Society is presenting the marketing segment. If you don't think that they know a thing or two about running a profitable and vibrant club, ~~~~ read this!

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2009-06-03T18:56:00.001-04:00

Let's show folks a photo of this beauty!

See previous post for ordering details.

Support the AOS !!!

Show you are a part of the Orchid Community!

2009-06-02T18:10:00.003-04:00

What better way to show you are a part of the orchid community than by wearing the new AOS circle pin? Just now available on the AOS web site, under "shop" and "apparel" or by calling Susan Wayman at 561-404-2031, for $25 which includes shipping and handling. The $25 goes to the AOS General Fund to support the AOS mission of orchid education, conservation and research. This beautiful pin, designed by award winning orchid artist Dawn Vertrees, comes with a converter that turns it from a pin into a necklace. I'm wearing mine on a long chain but my friend Judy wears hers pinned to a button hole in her golf shirt. The pin is 1 1/2 inches across and will make a great gift. Buy a couple and support the AOS!

Report from Houston AOS Meeting

2009-04-29T18:47:00.005-04:00

If you went to the Houston Orchid Society Show, "Orchids, Texas Style", you know what a fabulous show it was. The AOS, along with several other orchid organizations, had their members meeting at the show. The Affiliated Society Committee met on Thursday, April 23, and the following is the short report which was given at the AOS meeting on Saturday.

Two new societies were approved for affiliation:
Puerto Rico Growers Assn.
Tampico Orchid Society
Welcome to all!

The Merritt Huntington Symposium has asked to host the Fall 2010 AOS meeting and that was approved. Fall 2009 is at the Huntington Botanical Garden just outside of L.A. California and Spring 2010 is at Oklahoma City, OK. You can find the information on these under "events" at the AOS home page. I heartily recommend attending - they make for a great orchid vacation.

Also the AOS Affiliated Society Committee will be doing a fund raiser with monies going to the AOS general fund. We will be asking orchid societies and AOS Reps to get the word out about an AOS pin that AOS will be sell for $20. This should be available about June 1 at the AOS web site. We had samples at the Houston show and everyone wanted one.

Carol Holdren, ASC Chair

Dynamic Orchid Society

2009-04-08T21:06:00.002-04:00

Last night, Greg was invited to speak at the St. Augustine Orchid Society. Since it was a 4 hour drive from W Palm Beach, I decided to take advantage of a change of scenery and accompany him on the long drive. I've been to many different society meetings. This one impresssed me. The St. Augustine OS is a young club. I believe they said it was only 6 or so years old. As with most clubs, there is a handful of people who are the movers and shakers of the society - but what a group they are! The meeting began with the usual announcements of coming events and society business. The president made a point to be not only very welcoming to new members but also novice members who are just beginning to learn about orchids. A number of the members were asked to stand up and were identified and novices were told that these people could be approached with any question regarding orchids. It was stressed that no question was too stupid and that every person in the room had been in their place at one time or another. The society has also formed a 'keiki club' which meets apart from the monthly meeting and is aimed towards helping the beginner.

When Greg asked how many members were also AOS members, at least 2/3 of those present raised their hands and a letter from AOS was read indicating that the society had received $75 from AOS for new member recruitment.

One of the members, a commercial grower, was very active in making the meeting not only a learning experience but also a fun evening. These people were having fun - it was much more than a dry exchange of orchid information that you can basically get on the internet - it was dynamic and filled with laughter. It sruck me that yes, people want to learn - but they also want to have a good time!

The society also had a rather unique approach to the plant table, which by the way was impressive. Many plants were brought in - from no name big box plants to beautifully grown specimens to educational examples. In order to make the beginner feel welcome and part of the society, instead of "judging" the plants which many societies do, all members were given a ballot on which they would write down their personal favorite orchid from those exhibited on the plant table. All fair and square and an opportunity for everyone to "win". The owner of the plant with the most votes was awarded a plant as a prize.

One of the members, who has been active in orchids for decades, brought in a couple of plants for educational purposes. C. nobilior and C. walkeriana, and described the differences between the two and how to grow them.

This young club impressed me with their enthusiasm and fresh approach and I thought some of their ideas might be useful for all of you!

WOC Book is In!

2009-04-07T16:44:00.001-04:00

WOC Book is In!
The Proceedings of the 19th World Orchid Conference is a 508-page, full-color record of the show and conference held in Miami in January of 2008. Every trophy-winning orchid, and all exhibits, are presented in full-page, full color photographs, and the volume also includes full coverage of all the Conference events (opening and closing ceremonies, the Tropical Night Gala and more). Every scientific paper and poster presented during the Conference is also published. The purchase price is $135.00, postpaid anywhere in the U.S. The book may be ordered from the Conference website (www.19woc.com), or by calling 305-245-4570 (9am - 5pm, US Eastern Time, Tuesday-Sunday).

There are a limited number of books printed so if you haven't ordered yours yet consider doing it soon!

Advertising Tip for Society Projects

2009-03-16T10:17:00.003-04:00

When your AOS-affiliated society plans to sell ads -- roster, show program, newsletter and the like -- make it easier for potential advertisers to come on board by providing details of the publication in your solicitation material. Seems like a no-brainer, but many societies don't include some vital information in their request!

If you're selling ads in a publication, don't just list "full page" or "half page", include the page size and the ad size! Give the dimensions of the page, and the dimensions of the ad (always list the width first, then the "depth", or height; this is an ad industry standard). Your newsletter may be printed on letter size paper (US dimensions are 8.5 inches x 11 inches for a full page), but your roster may be half that size (same paper, folded down to 5.5 inches x 8.5 inches). A "full page" size ad would be different for each. Generally an ad will be a little smaller than the physical size of the paper... if you're not sure on this, check with your printer or designer for the ad dimensions.

Also, be sure to include other specifications -- will you accept color ads, or is the publication strictly one color (typically black ink on white or colored paper)? Can the advertiser send the ad ("Materials" in the ad and printing business) in electronic format, such as PDF, directly to the printer? Be sure to provide the contact information!

Including these details in your ad solicitation will help the potential advertiser, and cut down on the calls and emails to you with questions about these issues.

Puddle Plants

2009-03-06T16:50:00.003-05:00

Judy and Ken Russ entered this Brassavola martiana 'Puddle Delight' and received an AM of 81 points and a CCM of 87 points at the recent Martin County Orchid Society Show.

It bloomed symmetrically in a 12 cm natural tree fern pot with 42 flowers and seven buds. It has a fimbriated lip with an overlaid yellow throat and is delightfully night fragrant.

Just in Time for Show Season!

2009-03-01T10:36:00.003-05:00

If you are just getting started on doing your first orchid exhibit, or are looking to refine your exhibit skills, these web pages will be of interest. What has always been a folk art handed down from generation to generation is now documented! I have republished the "Online Guide to Exhibiting Orchids". Learn how to groom orchids for exhibition and plan an exhibit. Color flow, point scale, material guides and checklist, and idea books are all included !

see - www.orchidworks.com

GA

What Happened to the AOS Forum?

2009-02-25T19:31:00.002-05:00

I asked Brian Swanson, AOS IT guy, that question today and he told me that the forum software is 6 years old and there is some data corruption problems in it. He has been trying to figure it out, along with the host, and they keep thinking it will be fixed and then it isn't. He expects it to be fixed soon.

Great Idea from Venice

2009-02-25T08:28:00.004-05:00

Venice, Florida that is, not Italy ;-)
Throughout the year, a group of Venice Area Orchid Society members hits yard sales and thrift shops as they pass them in their travels and buy up small glass or decorative ceramic containers for fifty cents or a dollar. When show time rolls around the "orchid arrangement committee" gets busy soliciting orchid inflorescences from show vendors and crafting them into cute little take-home arrangements that they sell at a tidy profit. The showgoers snap them up like corndogs. Think of all the non-growers who come to a show just to see the pretty flowers. This is a perfect way for those folks to take home a part of the show. This is a big money maker for VAOS.

Marketing Your Society

2009-02-24T21:09:00.001-05:00

This blog is a section of the AOS web site where societies can ask AOS questions and exchange ideas with each other. A great marketing idea for orchid societies was sent in By Keith & Dixie Davis. They suggest you make an orchid arrangement out of your blooming plants and place it in a public location along with literature about you society. I do something similar, I leave a plant at my yoga class, and it does get a lot of attention so I know it works. Thanks to Keith & Dixie!

Mmmm mmmm good!

2009-02-23T20:12:00.002-05:00

Judy and Jack Campbell have been hobby orchid growers for 18 years. Along the way, they have collected 7 AOS awards, many ribbons and Best of Shows. When they spotted this particular orchid at a vendor’s booth, they knew it would some day be a winner. Blc. Mahina Yahiro x Lc. Shellie Compton ‘Touch of Class’ bloomed in time for a local show a few years ago but it did not receive the recognition they felt it could. Encouraged to bring it back to the judging table by friends and judges alike, the Campbells were delighted this January when their orchid presented beautiful blooms superior to previous years. The judges at West Palm Beach agreed and the orchid received an AM/AOS. Since it was an un-named cross, Judy and Jack submitted the proper papers to RHS and were able to register this orchid as Rhynchosophrocattleya (Blc.) Top Choice ‘Jack’s Winter Dream’ AM/AOS.
Congratulations to Judy & Jack !!!

A New Tool for AOS Affiliated Societies

2009-02-23T16:15:00.002-05:00

Welcome to the AOS Affiliated Societies blog...a place for AOS Reps, Newsletter Editors and committee members to exchange ideas. Anonymous posts are not allowed, but anyone with a verified Google or other accepted account will be able to comment or create posts. Play nice.