North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

[Thomas Olenio <tolenio@sentex.net>]

Hi,

Having been a NAFEX member for only a few short years, and not attending
any of the annual meetings, I don't know the politics of NAFEX, or how/if
the "bunny" colored that history in his review.

I will only say that I don't expect the leadership of NAFEX to try and
keep everybody happy.  Leadership is not keeping everyone happy, but
leading individuals into doing what is best for the group.  Not an easy
task, or one that happens on its own.

We all know that things that do not grow and improve eventually die, or
are weeded out.  We all do it ourselves everyday with our plantings, so
you know it is true.  This particular truth carries through to all things.

If membership is dwindling, and there is a cash surplus, NOW is the time
to take action regarding the future of NAFEX.  If we wait till there is no
more cash, and only a handful of members, it will be too late for NAFEX.

Like I said to the "benny" in a private reply; Why bother?  Because I want
NAFEX to be around for my children, my grandchildren, and beyond.

Regards,
Tom

--
Thomas Olenio
Ontario, Hardiness Zone 6a

On Tue, 10 Jul 2001 fuwafuwausagi@muchomail.com wrote:

> Gang:
>
> After watching this thread on NAFEX and its membership, which warped
> into  some sort of imperitive to increase its membership I have to ask
> a very basic question.  What is the point?  True Nafex's membership
> has declined, but...so what?   What does it matter?
>
> Are you all aware that NAFEX has been running a surplus for years,
> primarily because as a group the board of directors has never been
> able to come to a equitable decision on what to do with the money.
> When I was on the board I made a few suggestions and was amazed at the
> result.  NAFEX is every citizen's dream of a government.  It is
> divided in so many factions that it essentailly is unable to "do
> anything".  If you move to left, someone says "hey these people want
> to move right".  If you suggest moving up, some faction says move
> down.  In general it seems the experienced members vote to stay in
> stasis as time has shown them this is where things will end up
> anyways.
>
> Two years ago I bought a bunch of old Pomonas.  I was shocked by what
> I read.   Essentially NAFEX has been worried about declining
> membership since the 70's, it has been dealing with a surplus for a
> long, long time, there have been all sorts of almost unbelievable
> "infighting" that fractured the "group" into a bunch of camps.
>
> Some of it colorful past includes moves to ban and censor organic
> growing articles, ban amatuers and make the group professional, get
> rid of nut growers, get rid of tomatoe growers etc, etc.
>
> Consider this, within NAFEX some people love heirlooms, others hate
> them.   Suggest creating a germplasm repository and about half of the
> members will scream bloody murder.
>
> So the question becomes why does anyone care what NAFEX's membership
> is?  What difference does it make?  Can any of you name a concrete
> thing NAFEX has accomplished in the past 5 years?   How would an
> increased membership have allowed it to accomplish more given the fact
> that the membership is so diverse?
>
> About two years ago, I was also on a "increase NAFEX's membership
> kick.  Now I think better of it, as I cannot see any point in it.
> What are more members going to do and empower?  Perhaps stroke some
> peoples egos.  Perhaps it will allow Dr. C to live his dream of a paid
> trip to the Americas from India at NAFEX's expense, perhaps it will
> allow some writer wannabes to sell some books, and maybe a few more
> sales to a fledgling nursery.  But all in all that is not much of an
> accomplishment.  So I leave you with this simple question: what is the
> point?  Why do you want the membership to increase?  And what are you
> going to do with an increased membership.  Oh I know the answer...you
> will all then decide that NAFEX needs to have fund raisers.  Those are
> always popular.
>
> Curious at what you guys are thinking,
>
> the rabbit
>
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>


 

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