I appreciate the time and commitment that you are doing to see this project through. The digitization of the Bulletin and Orchids is a big undertaking, but will be a great service to current and future AOS members and the orchid community at large. How does a non-profit institution make a profit? I think that when people object about the AOS and use the word "profit", they are referring to a bailing out of the AOS and its financial woes. Their objection is to financing of a lavish headquarters that few of the membership will ever be able to make full use of or see. Yes maybe the AOS got off track and lost focus of things that really mattered to its membership, but the membership has to remember who is the AOS. Ultimately we will have to pay for both the good and the missteps. I for one have no problem with the AOS making a "profit" on the digitization of Orchids Magazine. Making a "profit" will help the AOS leadership focus on what its membership feels is important, and hopefully chalk up the cost of missteps to a learning experience. It takes time to turn a ship, and it takes time to turn public opinion. The fact that there are plenty of people at the AOS like Joe and Helga Gray that are will to donate time, and knowledge to the organization that we are part of should give hope and optimism about its future. I think that with the amount of time and knowledge that volunteers give organizations like the AOS, your local orchid society, and the OGD (Kenneth and contributors) make these institutions well worth the money they ask for or cost, even when they go through rough patches. While I think criticism and a variety of opinions are a good thing, volunteering also helps to change the course of an organization. The active membership is the organization. The "profits" overall go to you.
Mark Sullivan
_______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [email protected] http://orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids_orchidguide.com
