As the NASC becomes more defined as an actual business entity I hope that more chances will present themselves. I think it goes without saying that all CP should be rescued, but would urge any collection efforts to have written signed permissions in place and on file.
A pinned thread is a good idea for the selection of operatives for the NASC. A general meeting would be called for to determine those interested in active participation with the Project on a level other than as recipients of plants.
You must know that the NASC will be made up of two sorts: the officers who will do all the work, and the assembly who will wait to do as they are told to do.
Once the NASC is an actual entity, the President should speak for the NASC. It is much more effective to be able to state "We ARE the NASC" vs "We are working at being...". Casper, you need a list of workers you can assign projects to. In this example, a clever worker would ask "How many other sites are there like this being developed? Who are the developers? How can one learn which areas are slated for development? Approaches could be sensitive letters to the Chamber of Commerce in these respective "CP Hotbed" areas to see if consciousness could be raised in *advance* of the actual need for collection, by establishing friendly connections in local areas that could alert the NASC as to upcoming development (man I hate that word). This is a major Committee project. Broken into parts it requires:
1. That such hot bed areas are defined by those that know where they are, like Brooks, Bug, Jay, Barry.... MAke a list of Counties and send it to someone appointed to the committee. Pick someone from the roster of willing hands and let them compile the lists sent to them: a committee secretary. These are appointable positions needing only the appointment by the President.
2. Actual mailing addresses for such Counties need to be compiled. This means getting to the phone books of the relavent areas to obtain the addresses. I think the phone books are all on line. Split the list of such Counties into parts and give them to a few willing workers to work on over time. Have them all send the results to the Committee Secretary.
3. Contact be made with Chamber of Commerce, Co-operative Extensions and Biology Dept's., of the nearest Universities to these areas in a professional manner, explaining the goals of the NASC. Consider an article written and send to the local press, both from the recent successful collection and also to solicit future consideration. Let the locals know that there is a concerned group willing to do the work of collection and preservation IF they are made aware of the planned development.
Remember, one successful collection has already been made, with hundreds of plants conserved and distributed. Use PR to play it up big. Write the story and share it with the local press. Let Nature Conservancy know about the success: for it was a success! Write and article for the ICPS!! Toot the durn HORN! Make each contact letter as personal as possible, not form letters. Try in advance to get the name of whatever Department Head, or responsible party that is being contacted and use it in the letter.
As I see it now, you need to get a list of those willing to do this sort of work, and make a pinned thread to discuss the election of true officers. I can state with assurance that should Casper, Bug and PAK elect to run, they would likely be unopposed. Once willing hands are ready to do some work, here is a project that is essential. Like all projects, this one will probably take forever to do, but it is something that can be begun now. Get those addresses, and once the NASC is incorporated, send the letters then. I will be happy to write some letters when the time comes for the President's approval, but names and addresses will be needed.
You could get a lot of passerby's to come to a meeting if you post the meeting as "NASC FREE PLANT GIVEAWAY AT 6:00 On the Trade Forum". Then post a note there directing everyone to the NASC meeting thread here!
"No Love Without Burden"