North American Fruit Explorers mailing list at ibiblio

["tanis cuff" <tanistanis@hotmail.com>]

An comment about on-line newsletters: make sure they are the plainest & most 
simple version so that older computers & softwares can handle them!  I use 
library computers, and friends' & families'-- a range of softwares and only 
1/2 handle graphics well.  I want THE INFO in the newsletter; I don't need 
lots of pictures, except the necessary "this is what the disease or insect 
looks like"-- and even that is usually more technically efficient by linking 
to a useful URL.  I don't need pretty backgrounds or borders or decorative 
texts.  I've tried subscribing to on-line newsletters, and the more 
attractive the editors tried to make them, the worse the newsletters were 
for downloading.  I cancelled the worst ones after explaining this to the 
editors and still getting "oh that's too bad your computer is junk" as 
reply.  Keep the on-line newsletter simple and those who can't afford a new 
computer every 3 years can accept it.

For those who don't use computers at all, I don't have an answer except keep 
them connected to the best of the on-line stuff like has been compiled in 
the Pomonas of late.  And I can only hope at least one computer-savvy person 
is learning from these non-computer people and distributing the info on-line 
& in the Pomona.

On the topic of young people feeling excluded from NAFEX: I've seen almost 
100% willingness to help "newbies", no matter who or what age they are.  In 
fact, I've run into the attitude more of "A younger person growing fruit?!  
Let me shower you with info!!"  The worst negative thing I've seen is the 
idea that if you don't own enough land to have at least 100 trees, you have 
no right to give or receive info.  Fortunately a rare idea in NAFEX!


----Original Message Follows----
From: Spidra Webster <>
To: North American Fruit Explorers <>
Subject: [NAFEX] Getting the word out WAS Re:  NNGA membership declines
Date: Sun, 1 Jul 2007 20:59:58 -0700

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...)

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