Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => General Forum => Topic started by: Regelian on January 26, 2011, 04:29:57 PM
-
I just received The Rock Garden 126, which is just great, by the way, and in an accompaniing letter from our Prez. Liz Mills, possibly changing the name of the group has been considered. The reason apparently being to get more young people involved. The current name may not be enticing or current enough, I gather.
Well, I must admit the name didn't exactly excite me, when I first heard of the group, but, in retrospect, I think that was more because I am not a dyed in the wool rocker. I am more of a general gardener with specific plant interests, many of which fall under rock garden techniques. Of course, I have never regretted joining and this forum is truly the main reason (plus the amazing seed-ex, but we all know that!). Plus, the publications have to be seen to be truly understood and appreciated.
Specifically what I found off-putting on the name was 'club'. This always sounds so private and exclusive to me and not really welcoming. As if one had to pass an acceptance test before being included, which couldn't be farther from the truth. OK, then what do we replace this with? Do we even need to. The name is kinda cool, once you get over the sterotype. Society seems very official, Consortium almost threatening, Group a bit amatuer. I really don't know.
Also, although based largely in Scottland, it is really an international gathering of plant lovers. Should European be in the name? Brittania? International? Planet Earth!
What ever.
In the case of a name change, there should be a good reason to do it. Names hang about and imprint any undertaking. Do we NEED a name change? Maybe, maybe not. I'm not sure if it will atract more attention or even the right attention. The suggested Scottish Rock didn't sit with me. Too easily confused with music and won't Google well. Scottish Mountain Plant Society seems limiting, as many rock garden plants are not from the mountains, rather from pretty flat deserts. Alpine would have the same limitations.
Just thout I would open up a discussion on the topic.
-
My opinion is to leave the name alone, I can't imagine too many people would want to change it. In fact I would think some long term members could get somewhat upset at the very idea.
I love the little SRGC flower logo, it is instantly recognizable.
I also received my Journal today plus my membership card which I must confess I enjoy seeing in my wallet whenever I am fishing around for something.
-
The official name of the club must have been discussed 'ad infinitum' at pre-formation meetings and every conceivable alternative assessed and rejected, apart, of course, from Scottish Rock, unless it proved confusing for the geologists (and not groovy musicians), at that time.
We all joined this wonderful society irrespective of the name and most of us use just the initials or 'Scottish Rock' when in the company of the converted. I cannot imagine anyone with the slightest interest in our incredible hobby being put off by a name ... it expresses so much and so succinctly.
We already attract alpine growers from around the globe and not one of these valued members was dissuaded by the name. We will never know how many didn't join, their loss must be hard for them to bear?
-
Memberships of horticultural societies around the world are falling & the membership that remains is increasingly ageing.
It is, of course, important to attract new members or a society can become 'stale' & eventually cease to exist. But an important question is whether SRGC wants to be a relatively small society with an active membership, or a big society (such as the RHS) where the membership is largely passive i.e. they pay their subscriptions, receive the magazine & that's about the sum total of their involvement.
And I think Scottish Rock is a totally duff name.
-
May I just reiterate that I am not advocating Scottish Rock as an alternative name, it has become an accepted pet name when alpine growers congregate, but should never replace Scottish Rock Garden Club in wider horticultural circles.
-
May I just reiterate that I am not advocating Scottish Rock as an alternative name, it has become an accepted pet name when alpine growers congregate, but should never replace Scottish Rock Garden Club in wider horticultural circles.
That's true, Cliff, it's a nickname and from the time someone, I think it was Michael Almond, first appeared in a t-shirt with Scottish Rocker printed on it we have all enjoyed the wee joke. Hence the fun Forum T-shirts we had printed.
-
Jamie's take on "club" sounding too exclusive is interesting because most of the SRGC folk I know like that we are a "club" because to us that suggests informality and inclusivness.... just shows you how perceptions can differ!
When it comes to name changes I think it's dangerous territory.... I remember that fuss and expense that has gone into changing the names of business.... almost never works! And choclate bars.... half the people who speak about a Snickers bar say, it used to be a Marathon, y'know! Think of the changing of the name of the Royal Mail to Consignia.... what a farce that turned out to be.
( http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/2002480.stm )
We're a gathering of plant lovers; there seem to be plenty finding us as the Scottish Rock Garden Club.... I can't think the name makes a big difference. Vitality and enthusiasm for sharing our interest, and letting people know it, seems a key feature to me.
Malcolm's point that all organisations, not just of a horticultural type, are experiencing downturns in membership now, have been for some time.....it seems a feature of modern life that folks are not much into "joining" thing these days. Against that, see the rise of the internet and the phenomenon that is the "social networking site"..... clues there to both bring in more and younger members, I think.
Perhaps that is why five in six of new SRGC members come via the internet?
Though of course, that's not a surprise to Forumists, is it?
-
Scottish has to stay, since that's where the thing is based and most active members live, most of the shows are held, and the club should in any case be bloody proud to be Scottish.
Rock Garden sounds more accessible, less specialist and generally more down-to-earth than Alpine. The alternative would have to be some long-winded mish-mash like miniature plants, bulbs and shrubs enthusiasts' club.
Club to me sounds cosier and more welcoming than Society or Association.
I'd stick with what we have. Organisations like this have increasingly ageing memberships for various reasons, not least because we live in an ageing society with more and more older people in proportion to younger people. Changing the name of something seldom seems to achieve much and can seem silly in hindsight. If there are reasons the organisation atrracts few younger members, it's unlikely a name change will make much diference.
-
May I just reiterate that I am not advocating Scottish Rock as an alternative name, it has become an accepted pet name when alpine growers congregate, but should never replace Scottish Rock Garden Club in wider horticultural circles.
and I was looking foreward to putting out our first single and charting big time! 8) 8) 8)
-
I too like the name Scottish Rock Garden Club, sounds friendly enough. Were there any actual names suggested to entice the younger set, like Alpine Twitter?
In 1995 the ARGS (American Rock Garden Society) changed its named to NARGS (North American Rock Garden Society), to be more inclusive of our friends up north. Although, when there is a name change, and one references older bulletins and such, we have to repeatedly explain the early name and acronym, which is a nuisance.
Maggi, you wrote "Perhaps that is why five in six of new SRGC members come via the internet?" Is that a fairly accurate count? The reason I ask, as you know I've been a big proponent of NARGS Forum open registration, and it shall become a reality this weekend (expect a formal announcement soon). The sort of numbers you report inspire hope that NARGS can reverse the trend of slowly shrinking membership.
-
I'm all for staying with what we have. It's of Scottish origin and Scottish organization so stay Scottish, rock garden rather than alpine garden because that often implies ONLY alpine plants and while the membership's tastes are entirely catholic, it is rock garden plants that bound us all together in the first place but the Forum especially, caters for us all. Club is fine, and "cosy" compared with e.g. society which implies a requirement for a more learned membership. No, to Scottish Rock or Rockers. That's the joke Maggi mentioned and that's fine but we aren't all of that mind.
We see it all the time, in businesses for example, when names, especially well known names are changed, the public perception of that business becomes blurred and we don't know who they are or what they do or who we're dealing with. Change just for the SAKE of change, is never a good idea so let's leave well alone.
It's true that younger people don't want to join things much. They're too busy with work, families, school sports etc so they do their "hobby" things on the internet. That's fine to my mind and SRGC has taken the best possible steps and is at a great advantage, in nurturing and encouraging their (our) Forum to the degree they (we) do.
-
I've just read Mark's comments and one thing I'd like to say regarding that. To my mind the Forum here is so successful because of the extremely high friendly tolerance factor that the admins allow. There is NO formality at all so we all feel we can say anything about anything, so long as we stay within the bounds of common sense (no, forget that one) and courtesy to all. Is this just because it's an "open" Forum such as you describe Mark? I don't know about the AGS Forum. I suspect we have to be an AGS member and log in each time. It should be an outstanding Forum, given the quality of the leadership of the Society over many years, the quality of the Bulletins and the seedlists. Yet I almost never check in there unless in response to a link on this Forum. Why is that? I really don't know, except to say I feel absolutely at home here in every way. Even when I do occasionally get my fingers smacked - deservedly - I never feel I want to leave or back away.
What is wonderful of course is that Liz Mills is asking members through the Journal, for their opinions (mine arrived yesterday). In so many other situations members or constituents or whatever, are handed a fait accompli with no chance to change it or take part in the original decision making. Thanks for that Liz, and thanks Jamie for introducing the discussion here, tho' you don't seem to be getting many wanting to change things much. :)
-
The name is good.
It is not the name we must changed. A 'Club' or 'Society' lives from the activities of the members.
And it will cost a lot to change the name. New paper, new logo with new lettering, new membership cards etc.
-
IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT
SRGC is apt; recognised; fits; friendly; informative;
Names, whatever they are will not bring in new members. Attitudes, have a chance!!
-
What a great response - just what I was hoping would happen. Please keep posting your thoughts on this and the Club in general for every post will be read and treated as of equal value.
-
I've just read Mark's comments...
Is this just because it's an "open" Forum such as you describe Mark?
Lesley, we call the change being made to NARGS Forum starting this weekend; "open registration". It means that posting on the NARGS Forum is no longer restricted to just NARGS members, soon anyone who wants to register (free) can register with NARGS Forum and participate. We look to our Big Sister (SRGC), and Maggi and SRGC Webmaster Fred, who have been very helpful resources to call upon and generously share their experience managing things over here. It is certainly our hope that NARGS Forum will be a friendly destination as well..
-
SRGC sounds good to me I go with David If it ain't broke don't fix it. ;D sometimes I am proud to be Scottish ;D
Angie :)
-
"The Hebridean Wee Plants Gang"?? ;D
Being over 40 I could say my dislike of a name change is simply that - a dislike of change!
But I can say that changing the name is unlikely to attract younger members because it's not the name that would really put them off joining. The under 25's want entertainment in the main - not a "boring meeting, sitting around with a bunch of people as old as their parents or grand-parents" - at least that would be my impression. I have to admit there are the odd few who would enjoy our meetings (I know I did when I joined my first "plant Group" at 19 but I never said I wasn't odd!). The next age-bracket are the young marrieds or single working age folk who seem too busy to join any thing these days other than health clubs (why do I suddenly feel like I'm doing the voice-over for an episode of "The Grumpy guide to..."!)
Enough griping for now!
cheers
fermi
-
"The Hebridean Wee Plants Gang"?? ;D
fermi
Fermi, the acronym for your suggestion is HWPG, hard to remember. ;D
The way a lot of these names occur these days is to start with the acronym right up front, like SNAG, that's a good name, then flesh it out... it could be something like... Scottish National Alpine Group.
-
Maggi, you wrote "Perhaps that is why five in six of new SRGC members come via the internet?" Is that a fairly accurate count? The reason I ask, as you know I've been a big proponent of NARGS Forum open registration, and it shall become a reality this weekend (expect a formal announcement soon). The sort of numbers you report inspire hope that NARGS can reverse the trend of slowly shrinking membership.
Yes, Mark, the last time Ian discussed this with our hardworking membership Secretary, Graham Bunkall, he reported that five out of every six new memberships were online.
-
No change of name needed for my sake ! SRGC simply fits the bill !! ;)
I agree with most of what has been said earlier in this thread... another name will NOT bring new members - new initiatives WILL ! This forum, although not all that new any more... :-\ is the perfect example !
This club should (an will) never loose it's soul ! (although rock is being advocated... ;)... pun may very well be intended here.. ;D)
-
SRGC sounds good to me I go with David If it ain't broke don't fix it. ;D sometimes I am proud to be Scottish ;D
Angie :)
SOMETIMES???!!! You should ALWAYS be proud to be Scottish! I only lived there from the age of two to fourteen but I still feel proud to think of myself as an honorary Scot, having spent most of my childhood there.
-
Don't change it. I've only just learned how to spell SRGC ;D
-
Out of interest, how much emphasis is the "normal" club regarding "Rock Gardens". Without this forum I certainly never would have joined, because I don't have a rock garden? To be honest, I'm not entirely sure the definition of "Rock Garden" (no jokes intended!! ::)). My mental image of a rock garden is generally for an older generation, not something for the young, but that is my impression only. I joined because I found a community of wonderful people with a miriad of different interests, not just rock gardening. If they'd only been rock gardening I wouldn't have stayed. I then joined the club itself (rather than just the forum) as a way of saying "Thank You" to the club for providing this wonderful forum for friends. I've still never taken part in the seed exchange, despite that probably being why many of the people actually join the club as a paying member. Maybe I'm just strange!!!? (OK David, Martin, Lesley etc..... be nice!! :o)
Horticultural clubs/societies do need to change their images to some degree, if they don't wish to die out, but changing from Scottish Rock Garden Club to Scottish Rock just sounds ridiculous to me. Is that really "seriously" being considered? ??? Oh look, I see a boat heading away in the distance. ;)
I'm really not sure whether a name change will make any difference at all. This forum is probably the biggest drawer of younger clientele, given that it is freely available on the internet. I don't think a name change will make any difference to that in the slightest. 8)
Just my tuppence worth. ;D
-
The SRGC has a very long and distinguished history. Let's not forget or toss out the name for a new catchy one as is the trend these days. This club seems from here to be as alive and vibrant as when I first joined years ago. Now if the The Rock Garden were to come out in gaelic.... :o
johnw - another storm barrelling up the east coast, 15mm of rain expected here. We've dodged alot of snow this winter, the burbs have 15cm but here only 1cm that arrived last night.
-
I agree with others that the current name is as good as any! In terms of modernising, the initials SRGC are in line with what many companies have used to 'update' names which may have lost some relevance.
As far as attracting younger members, I'm not sure how much that can be pursued? I can envision a series of ads (no idea where such ads might appear--online somewhere? leaflets at garden centres?) with the initials SRGC displayed, followed by several different possibilities for each letter (I'm just giving examples off the top of my head, so I'm sure something better could be imagined):
SRGC
Serious Radical Gardening Club
accompanying photo(s): members hanging off a cliff to photograph plants
SRGC
Socially Responsible Garden Club
accompanying photo(s): edimental garden (think StephenB)
SRGC
Scottish Rockers Gone Crazy
accompanying photos: I'll leave this one to the Scots ;D
etc
etc-- with a final slogan for each --The Scottish Rock Garden Club- What Could We Mean To You??
-
Excellent Cohan, three serious radical names, I love them all, but so hard to choose! I'm in a toss-up over Serious Radical Gardening Club, with a photo of Cliff attempting EPPM (Extreme Photographic Positioning Mode), or Scottish Rockers Gone Crazy, the latter one sure to bring in lots of young rockers. ;D
-
McMark,
I'm not sure the young rockers would be seen dead with the senior rockers, not matter how crazy the senior rockers had gone. :P
Howabout the 'Socially Reprehensible Gardeners Club'?? That would attract some young members I'm sure. :o Or perhaps the 'Socially Reprehensible Grandparents Club', or the "Society for Growing Rare Clematis"? (or Cactus, Catfish, whatever other C you would like to insert ;)) I can think of a few other really off key ones that I'm sure would attract a lot of new members, but not entirely the membership that I think we'd be wanting here. ;D ;D ;D ;D
I'll stop now. I'm sure Cliff will provide a few more uses for the acryonym. ;)
-
Thanks McMark and Paul-- I knew there was rich ore in that vein ;D
-
Cohan,
If we blew the vein wide open there would be very rich ore indeed. You've started me on a whole bunch of possibilities.... the 'Society for Grooming Rancid Cats', for example. :o I think I need a good lie down now. :-\
-
Cohan,
If we blew the vein wide open there would be very rich ore indeed. You've started me on a whole bunch of possibilities.... the 'Society for Grooming Rancid Cats', for example. :o I think I need a good lie down now. :-\
!! Fascinating indeed, Paul! But I think it might be more useful to have just a little relevance to the actual business of the Club ;)
-
Gosh. Everyone wants relevance these days. ::)
;D
P.S. I'm betting these last posts will not be being treated as of equal value...... and with good reason too. No more joking in here from me, unless provoked. ;)
-
SRGC sounds good to me I go with David If it ain't broke don't fix it. ;D sometimes I am proud to be Scottish ;D
Angie :)
SOMETIMES???!!! You should ALWAYS be proud to be Scottish! I only lived there from the age of two to fourteen but I still feel proud to think of myself as an honorary Scot, having spent most of my childhood there.
Yes Martin I am proud to be Scottish, it's a beautiful place. Where did you spend your childhood.
Angie :)
-
No name will have the impact or make the same impression on people that the SRGC members do. You can have any name you want - if the name is to attract more members/interest the general public - but it is the people in the SRGC who make the difference, set the tone, show the welcome, open the doors and make such a wide range of strangers as post here feel at home. No name can do that.
Don't fret over the name, it's largely irrelevant, just a tag for identification; continue to support the people who make it the wonderful club it is.
Paddy
-
Just looked up one of the acronym databases on the net and this is the list for SRGC:
http://www.acronymattic.com/SRGC.html (these are the alternative definitions, Scottish Rock Garden Club is the main one on a different page).
There is one that fits extremely closely with the discussions herein (as one of the commonest topics) and it is:
Secrets of Really Good Chocolate
A random browser could well be fooled to believe that that was what it was all about...
Now, if you had that as an alternative definition, membership would be bound to swell...
-
This proposal is suspiciously close to what the corporate world (the root of all evil) would call a 'rebranding'. In their case it is simply an excuse for exectives to pay themselves more, simply for designing a new letterhead. ;)
Please leave the name alone. In my opinion the SRGC gets everything right, which is a rarity these days. Paddy's response above sums it up nicely.
-
There is one that fits extremely closely with the discussions herein
Secrets of Really Good Chocolate
I just misread this as There is one that fits extremely closely with the discussion's heroine
Secrets of Really Good Chocolate
-
SRGC sounds good to me I go with David If it ain't broke don't fix it. ;D sometimes I am proud to be Scottish ;D
Angie :)
SOMETIMES???!!! You should ALWAYS be proud to be Scottish! I only lived there from the age of two to fourteen but I still feel proud to think of myself as an honorary Scot, having spent most of my childhood there.
Yes Martin I am proud to be Scottish, it's a beautiful place. Where did you spend your childhood.
Angie :)
Broughty Ferry. We moved there from Lancashire in the 1950s because my dad was writing and drawing cartoons for the Beano and other comics published by D.C. Thomson in Dundee, for whom he invented strips including The Bash Street Kids, Minnie The Minx, Little Plum and The Three Bears (for those who might remember these from their childhood). My wife keeps nagging me to take her on a tour of Scotland to show her where I was raised - when we have the time!
-
Excellent Cohan, three serious radical names, I love them all, but so hard to choose! I'm in a toss-up over Serious Radical Gardening Club, with a photo of Cliff attempting EPPM (Extreme Photographic Positioning Mode) ;D
There are a number of these in collections across the country, Mark ... hopefully under lock and key! LOL.
-
Hi Martin
Tell your wife to keep the nagging up. It would be nice to show you wife Broughty Ferry and the surrounding area and whilst you are there it's only a short distance to see bonnie Deeside. I live on the way to the Deeside so there is always a room here.
Now as for the Beano that brings back some wonderful memories. Fun times, maybe if I had got my nose out of comics and read things like Look and Learn I might have been a bit or should I say more clever than I am now. Still those Bash Street Kids were the best. When I was 16 my mum decided to cancel our comics and I can still remember my dad saying no no just leave it for a bit. I can't remember when they were cancelled but I do no that I had left home and he was still reading them.
You must have got your talents from your dad. I bet you have some lovely drawings that your dad did. Well worth treasuring.
Angie :)
-
This proposal is suspiciously close to what the corporate world (the root of all evil) would call a 'rebranding'. In their case it is simply an excuse for exectives to pay themselves more, simply for designing a new letterhead. ;)
Please leave the name alone. In my opinion the SRGC gets everything right, which is a rarity these days. Paddy's response above sums it up nicely.
Yep - I agree!
How many of us bemoan taxonomists for changing the names of our favourite plants?
-
I agree with others that the current name is as good as any! In terms of modernising, the initials SRGC are in line with what many companies have used to 'update' names which may have lost some relevance.
As far as attracting younger members, I'm not sure how much that can be pursued? I can envision a series of ads (no idea where such ads might appear--online somewhere? leaflets at garden centres?) with the initials SRGC displayed, followed by several different possibilities for each letter (I'm just giving examples off the top of my head, so I'm sure something better could be imagined):
SRGC
Serious Radical Gardening Club
accompanying photo(s): members hanging off a cliff to photograph plants
SRGC
Socially Responsible Garden Club
accompanying photo(s): edimental garden (think StephenB)
SRGC
Scottish Rockers Gone Crazy
accompanying photos: I'll leave this one to the Scots ;D
etc
etc-- with a final slogan for each --The Scottish Rock Garden Club- What Could We Mean To You??
Cohan, I think we will need to incorporate kilts into the fotos, don't you?
-
Thinking about it, taxonomy and corporate culture are quite similar in that respect Tony - one is not considered to be earning one's keep unless changing things just for the sake of it.
Anyone stressed or disrupted by illogical corporate changes are sent on 'resilience training' - which is treating the symptoms and not the disease. Maybe 'resilience training' for gardeners would be useful each time a species gets meddled with? ;D
-
The SRGC consistently comes up towards the top of the Google results list when I am searching botanical questions, so that that is probably a good reason to keep the name.
I know this is a bit off-subject, but it would be interesting to know how many Forum members, (or reading-only lurkers) are not SRGC members yet. And also how many of the many new members who joined via the web were encouraged by being a Forumist first? Maybe a survey of what new members think of the name would be interesting, but then if they became members then they were obviously not put off much !!
-
It seems pretty clear that none of us really see a need to change the name. As I take it, the reason it was even considered was to attract more young people. Always a good thought, as they will be the future of any gardening club.
How about, instead of changing the name, creating a membership campaign with 'Scottish Rockers' as a theme. I like the idea of kilted gardeners hanging from cliffs taking notes on some obscure crevice inhabitant. 'Scottisch Rockers-Not just another plant club.' Where the action is.
Or, how about paragliders floating down the face of a ravine photographing hard to reach botanical treasures. Still in kilts, of course. ;D
Let's face it, plant people are not typical inhabitants of planet earth. Young people do seek that bit o' andrenalin.
Jamie
PS: I'm glad to hear we all like our name. Once you're through the door, there is no getting away.
-
'Scottisch Rockers-Not just another plant club.' Where the action is.
Great idea!
johnw - rain, +3c
-
The SRGC consistently comes up towards the top of the Google results list when I am searching botanical questions, so that that is probably a good reason to keep the name.
I know this is a bit off-subject, but it would be interesting to know how many Forum members, (or reading-only lurkers) are not SRGC members yet. And also how many of the many new members who joined via the web were encouraged by being a Forumist first? Maybe a survey of what new members think of the name would be interesting, but then if they became members then they were obviously not put off much !!
I first found the Bulb Log, that lead me to the Forum and that lead me to join.
-
I think changing the name would be a mistake as all previous work, articles etc would become divorced from a new name. Using a new name would mean starting over, creating a reputation, and becoming widely known.
-
The world changed. Fifty years ago, cultivation of exotic plants was an exciting
activity having the flavour of unreachable countries. Now students spend
holidays in all destinations you can imagine.
Furthermore, people, including me, resist to be formally organized.
Despite, SRGC is a precious capital, a trade mark known throughout
plant growers world, which should be guarded and respected.
-
Just looked up one of the acronym databases on the net and this is the list for SRGC:
http://www.acronymattic.com/SRGC.html (these are the alternative definitions, Scottish Rock Garden Club is the main one on a different page).
Secrets of Really Good Chocolate
Now, if you had that as an alternative definition, membership would be bound to swell...
Unfortunately, the membership is swelling already ??? :D
-
Scottish Rock Garden Club is an excellent name as far as I'm concerned :).
-
Cohan, I think we will need to incorporate kilts into the fotos, don't you?
;D
-
At my age I am already totally fed up with name changing in plants. There are already too many plants where I only know the synonyms straight away.
So please don’t change the good name of this wonderful SCOTTISH ROCK GARDEN CLUB.
-
You think you've got problems - we've been trying to drag the British Pteridological Society into the 20th century for a long, long time. You've never heard of us? My case rests.
I like the SRGC. I've only just managed to consistently get the letters in the right order.
-
How about, instead of changing the name, creating a membership campaign with 'Scottish Rockers' as a theme. I like the idea of kilted gardeners hanging from cliffs taking notes on some obscure crevice inhabitant. 'Scottisch Rockers-Not just another plant club.' Where the action is.
Or, how about paragliders floating down the face of a ravine photographing hard to reach botanical treasures. Still in kilts, of course. ;D
Jamie,
We're just going to have to be really careful of the angle we're photographing these kilted gardeners. Never know what we might be photographing otherwise. ;D Paragliding in a kilt could be very illuminating. :o
-
I joined SRGC after finding the seed list exchange and "count" that the cost of membership was less than the cost of seeds I can get from seeds suppliers.
After that, I received in bonus Twice yearly Journal and a lot of information from experts living all around the world.
Why would you change the name? You want attract Young gardeners? The SRGC is a club of maniacs gardeners.
The seeds exchange, the Journal, the forum and all other activities are all you need to attract maniacs gardeners.
And maniacs gardeners are always young.
Bernardtheyoungmaniacgardenerfrog
-
Had an idea - rename ourselves the Scottish Rockers. The AGS can rename themselves the English Mods. Have the next international conference in Brighton and we can have a 'rumble'....
Apologies to overseas forumists who think I'm talking even worse gibberish than usual.
-
How about, instead of changing the name, creating a membership campaign with 'Scottish Rockers' as a theme. I like the idea of kilted gardeners hanging from cliffs taking notes on some obscure crevice inhabitant. 'Scottisch Rockers-Not just another plant club.' Where the action is.
Or, how about paragliders floating down the face of a ravine photographing hard to reach botanical treasures. Still in kilts, of course. ;D
Jamie,
We're just going to have to be really careful of the angle we're photographing these kilted gardeners. Never know what we might be photographing otherwise. ;D Paragliding in a kilt could be very illuminating. :o
OK, OK, we break with tradition. Maggie, do you have a pair of knikkers with wee ladybugs on 'em. Then, again, we don't want to come across as prude and boring, now, do we? ;D ::) :-X
-
There is ample evidence here that some forumists are young... at least at heart, with their playful banter!
Jamie, I expect that it would be possible to source "knikkers" for this purpose... but I would venture to suggest that they be decorated with little thistles.... more Scottish, y'know! ;)
Darren, no one will agree to your idea..... there is no chance to get show plants on the back of a Vespa scooter :P
-
I'm not sure we should be using the words "wee" and "knikkers" in the same sentence in nice company either. :-[
;D :P
-
decorated with little thistles
Ouch!!!
-
decorated with little thistles
Ouch!!!
Or should that be Och.... given Scottish and all. ;D ;D
-
OK, OK, we break with tradition. Maggie, do you have a pair of knikkers with wee ladybugs on 'em. Then, again, we don't want to come across as prude and boring, now, do we? ;D ::) :-X
Prudish and boring no, we don't want to be. On the other hand, it's not DONE to ask a lady about her knickers. ;D
-
A big Thank You to Jamie for opening up this discussion and to each and every one of you for taking part. I've been delighted by the response from you all and it's obvious that you do not think we should change the Club name. One or two people who e-mailed me were in favour of a change but couldn't think of what the new name should be. But I did have a quiet smile to myself at some of your 'way out' suggestions, especially Secrets of Really Good Chocolate.
One or two members thought that we were actively proposing to change the Club name and I certainly did not intend to give this impression in my letter. The brainstorming group were asked to come up with ideas to address the problem of a gradually falling membership and they came up with lots of these. Many of them have been passed on to the local Groups for them to see if any of them might be useful at this level; others will be discussed by Council. And the suggestion from one young member was that a change of name might encourage people of his age to join. I felt that the only way to deal with this idea was to ask all of our members what they thought for the Club name belongs to you.
Quite a few of you think that the Club website and especially the Forum are the best way of attracting younger members and certainly the figures (5 out of 6 new members coming through the website) bear this out. So many many thanks to the Web Team and to all of you who contribute so much in so many ways.
-
I've had lots of chuckles reading this thread, and I can see that the general opinion is that the name should remain the same and I quite agree. But Liz has a point - it was a young, potential member who said we should look at the name..... I'm old in the tooth and I hate change, and I like our name a lot. So I'm with you on that subject.
But I think we all agree that the club needs to attract more members. I'm not sure what constitutes a YOUNG member, and perhaps more thought ought to be given to this. I doubt I would have joined any such club when I was busy bringing up a family and suchlike (and this has already been pointed out in this discussion), but I might easily have joined before I did, if I'd know about it. But I simply didn't.
So I think public awareness is quite important. Increasing that could be a factor in drawing in new members who want to join a good garden club. We all hate advertising, well I do at least, but sometimes this is only way to increase awareness. Advertising is expensive, and it depends on just how many more members we wish to attract, but it does often improve awareness and this in turn could lead to more members.
It works here on the internet, SRGC and the forum within is one of the top 'hits' on search engines now and that's how many people find their way to this forum. And through joining in the posts on the forum, many of us have decided to support this excellent club. It doesn't happen overnight, but it is something to think about...
-
Maybe school days could be organised where people could display some plants and give rooted cuttings out to students to take home and grow.
There are lots of things that root easily. Maybe a seedling or two ?
Maybe do this in primary school, get them while they're young ;D
-
YOUNG members are the ones called Ian and Maggi. Since the mould was broken after they joined, there's not much hope of gaining more like them. ;D
It is my feeling that the Club itself at party central level probably can't to a lot to attract new members, but the website can and certainly local groups can, where person to person relationships flourish and are more likely than within a large committee/council-type arrangement. I mean that at local level, members can get out and about among their friends and communities but that's not really part of the role of central council.
-
Maybe school days could be organised where people could display some plants and give rooted cuttings out to students to take home and grow.
There are lots of things that root easily. Maybe a seedling or two ?
Maybe do this in primary school, get them while they're young ;D
That's a good idea Helen. We have excellent "Gardening in Schools" programmes throughout New Zealand and some community gardens too, in poorer areas where mainly vegetables are grown for public use. Local nursery people or keen alpine gardeners could take along some young plants and/or seeds and offer them, perhaps give a bit of a talk about how to grow - nothing too technical - and I'm sure than with a little encouragement many children or older people wold be attracted by Dianthus, Campanula, Iris and so many other plants. With a few at least, there will be fostered the desire to know more and where better to learn it than here?