Houstonherp
Send in the Clones
Hey all -
I see the heat is dying down on this thread, so I'll throw in my two cents...after all, it won't even buy a piece of gum any more...
I have served in many non-profit board positions, including president of the local herpetological society at one time. And I can tell you how frustrating it is! In fact, that's why I wouldn't personally consider being a board member (not that I have the CP experience necessary anyway). I would much rather prefer growing plants than dealing with the headaches of administration. No matter what you do, you're bound to irritate someone. And those are the people you always hear from; NOT the ones who think you're doing a great job. Those who have been trying to get the NASC up and running: I take my hat off to you!
Quite frankly, one of the reasons I am enjoying being part of the CP community SOOOOO very much is that most CPers share my goals: share what information you have, whether that's in the form of educational programs, plants, expertise, WHATEVER. Believe me when I say that as a group, CPers are FAR superior than herpers. Most of them just want to go out and catch another snake so they can stick it in a cage and sell its offspring. But I digress...
It takes a great deal of commitment to take on a board position for a non-profit organization. Couple that with the fact that this is a brand NEW organization, and you might as well just quit your day job!
I think I would steer toward keeping this as a loose-knit group of Sarracenia enthusiasts, rather than a formal non-profit. That way everyone's energies can be used for the matter at hand: conservation of Sarracenia! Otherwise there will be a huge amount of man hours used in the pursuit/maintenance of said non-profit org. It sounds like Bugweed has figured that out...LOL!
As for Casper, this needs to be dealt with, and fast. Since I was not directly involved in this issue, that's all I feel I have a right to say.
As for the 2005 auction proceeds, this one I DID have an interest in, both as a buyer and seller. I would agree that it might be prudent to donate this money to a good cause now, rather than have it sitting around for someone to try to grab in a lawsuit. I would much rather have this money donated to Botanique than The Nature Conservancy. TNC gets loads of money already, and there would be no guarantee that our auction money would be used for CP habitat conservation. For all intents and purposes, Rob already HAS the North American Sarracenia Conservancy. Why not let our money help his efforts?
I was contacted a long time ago and asked how I wished to help the NASC. I said I wanted to grow plants, and that I have a greenhouse to do so. I've been waiting ever since. How long does the board expect 'ME' (meaning all of us that want to help in ways OTHER than on the board) to continue waiting? Let's just be a nice friendly group please.
Mike
I see the heat is dying down on this thread, so I'll throw in my two cents...after all, it won't even buy a piece of gum any more...
I have served in many non-profit board positions, including president of the local herpetological society at one time. And I can tell you how frustrating it is! In fact, that's why I wouldn't personally consider being a board member (not that I have the CP experience necessary anyway). I would much rather prefer growing plants than dealing with the headaches of administration. No matter what you do, you're bound to irritate someone. And those are the people you always hear from; NOT the ones who think you're doing a great job. Those who have been trying to get the NASC up and running: I take my hat off to you!
Quite frankly, one of the reasons I am enjoying being part of the CP community SOOOOO very much is that most CPers share my goals: share what information you have, whether that's in the form of educational programs, plants, expertise, WHATEVER. Believe me when I say that as a group, CPers are FAR superior than herpers. Most of them just want to go out and catch another snake so they can stick it in a cage and sell its offspring. But I digress...
It takes a great deal of commitment to take on a board position for a non-profit organization. Couple that with the fact that this is a brand NEW organization, and you might as well just quit your day job!
I think I would steer toward keeping this as a loose-knit group of Sarracenia enthusiasts, rather than a formal non-profit. That way everyone's energies can be used for the matter at hand: conservation of Sarracenia! Otherwise there will be a huge amount of man hours used in the pursuit/maintenance of said non-profit org. It sounds like Bugweed has figured that out...LOL!
As for Casper, this needs to be dealt with, and fast. Since I was not directly involved in this issue, that's all I feel I have a right to say.
As for the 2005 auction proceeds, this one I DID have an interest in, both as a buyer and seller. I would agree that it might be prudent to donate this money to a good cause now, rather than have it sitting around for someone to try to grab in a lawsuit. I would much rather have this money donated to Botanique than The Nature Conservancy. TNC gets loads of money already, and there would be no guarantee that our auction money would be used for CP habitat conservation. For all intents and purposes, Rob already HAS the North American Sarracenia Conservancy. Why not let our money help his efforts?
I was contacted a long time ago and asked how I wished to help the NASC. I said I wanted to grow plants, and that I have a greenhouse to do so. I've been waiting ever since. How long does the board expect 'ME' (meaning all of us that want to help in ways OTHER than on the board) to continue waiting? Let's just be a nice friendly group please.
Mike