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.