Skip to Content.
Sympa Menu

nafex - [NAFEX] Getting the word out WAS Re: NNGA membership declines

nafex@lists.ibiblio.org

Subject: North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

List archive

Chronological Thread  
  • From: Spidra Webster <spidra@speakeasy.net>
  • To: North American Fruit Explorers <nafex@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: [NAFEX] Getting the word out WAS Re: NNGA membership declines
  • Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2007 20:59:58 -0700

On Jul 1, 2007, at 8:18 AM, Michael Nave wrote:

I've been an NNGA member for about 16 years. My
impression is that the older folks are dying off, and
more importantly, not being replaced by younger folks.

We are having that problem in our local chapter of CRFG and I know that a number of other garden specialty groups are having similar problems. At 41, I am one of the youngest members of our chapter. I think some of it is that the generation gap has been accentuated by a technology gap. Our older members insist on a paper newsletter although an online one would cost the chapter less. Those who have the most knowledge to share are less likely to participate in email lists. I think some compromises will need to be made and groups are going to have to look at it as a "marketing challenge" although non- profit garden groups of this size are loath to think of outreach as marketing (and god knows I have no love of marketing...)

ON THAT SUBJECT, I approached the University of California, Berkeley's Botanical Garden with an idea for an event and they liked it enough to go with it. I didn't ask anyone from NAFEX because all indications I had were that NAFEX had no chapters near the SF Bay Area. However, if anyone would like to represent NAFEX or NNGA or another horticultural group, we would welcome you.

Here's what we sent out a month or so ago:

My name is Deepa and I am the program coordinator for the UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley. I have been collaborating with Megan Lynch who is a member of the California Rare Fruit Growers and we would like to host an event for all of our local garden clubs to get together and share information. We are looking at a date of Sunday, September 23rd from 10am - 3pm

Please let me know if you would be interested in attending this event as a representative of your respective organization. We will be setting up tables in the conference center so that each group will have table space.

Here is a working description of the event-open to suggestion!

Cross-Pollination: A Garden Club Fair

There are various Flower & Garden shows in the Bay Area, but how often do gardeners get the chance to network with other gardeners? The Bay Area is a hotbed of gardening and as such plays host to a- well- host of garden clubs, community gardens, plant societies, urban farms, and organizations that use gardening as a means to improve the lives of others. Instead of being a large showcase of demonstration landscapes, Cross-Pollination brings gardeners and garden clubs together. Even folks who already belong to one society may find they have an interest in another society. Clubs, community gardens and plant societies can talk about their missions in the lush surroundings of the UC Botanical Garden. The plant-loving public can find out about various special interest and general gardening organizations, community gardens and volunteer opportunities as well as become better acquainted with all that UCBG has to offer. What user group fairs are to computer users, Cross-Pollination will be to gardeners and plant-lovers.

If you're interested in participating, please email me at spidra at gmail dot com Let me know if you'd be willing to do a demo of a skill or something else likely to rivet the audience.

Megan Lynch
Berkeley, CA




Archive powered by MHonArc 2.6.24.

Top of Page