perhaps I have written far too much on this subject especially with my
(admittedly pretty controversial) track record, but here goes...
> Everyone's comments are excellent and I have found very little that I
> disagree with (and that is petty!). But the one thing that I feel we must
> keep in mind is that we already have an excellent organization in place
> that can do all that we have been discussing ... the INTERNATIONAL
> Carnivorous Plant Society.
Yes, I know that. I am hoping to become a member in 1997. I just
haven't managed yet!!
However, I question [maybe wrongly] whether the comittee (great as they
are) would be willing to take on the task of being responsible for
mapping CP's, tracking locations, amalgamating info on what is happening
at each site, connecting people who are trying to protect sites and
people who /want/ to protect sites, both locally and internationally,
and holding forums on protection and destruction of wild CP areas. I am
aware the ICPS does some of this at present, but what I believe we need
to do is have a /specialist/ society that is devoted to this cause. The
ICPS is absolutely excellent for exchanging information on cultivated
CP's but I think that as wild CP's are so much more specialised and only
_really_ appealing to a few CPers the majority who are excellent at
growing plants and love seeing wild cp but don't want to form a pressure
group should not be (and of course will/could not be) forced to
participate in this. Also, the ICPS' excellent worldwide image could be
put at risk by being associated with some sort of splinter
'action/pressure' group, especially if it all goes horribly wrong.
>
> Because it is international in scope, it has many opportunities that many
> smaller organizations do not. It is my understanding that many of it's
> members are members of the scientific community with recognized standing.
> This gives the society a considerable amount of "punch."
Yes, but maybe not many of the members have dedicated themselves to
protecting wild CP sites (however of course I realise no-one wants them
to disappear), and the main appeal of the society is its excellent
cultivated CP facilities/understanding.
>
> Rick, the current President (and up for re-election), has some outstanding
> ideas and, it seems to me, the deep desire to get them accomplished. His
> concept of ICPS becoming a recognized Non-Profit Organization is a huge
> step for ICPS ... but a step that will definitely increase the recognition
> and potential support of the organization. With this, and his many other
> suggested projects, I believe the potential for this organization is
> outstanding.
Well there is certainly nothing which I could be arguementative (maybe even
polemial?) about there!!
>
> I belong to many other organizations & societies, based upon my interests &
> profession. Many of them act as a parental "umbrella" organization that
> promotes, encourages & helps to develop local "chapters." It is in these
> local chapters that the real power of the organization is centered. When a
> national spokesperson for the organization speaks, others listen. Why?
> Because he/she is speaking for a vast network of like-minded individuals -
> something not to be ignored. This is the type of organization I would like
> to see ICPS develop into.
Is it not rather like this already?
> But it will take much more than just dialogue, although that has been
> extremely interesting and helpful in letting all of us see where our common
> ground is.
> If you are a member of ICPS, than get involved. We are now in the process
> of electing a new Board. Please vote ... show your support!
>
> If you are not a member of ICPS than you should be! The membership fee is
> inexpensive enough to be afforded by almost anyone, but the benefits are
> solid enough to be needed by anyone interested in CP (just the newsletter
> alone is worth more than the dues!).
Well you've convinced me already :-) Anyway, that is not what me mail
was about so...
Kind Regards,
Toby BTW, why are so few people responding to this conserving CP thread?
My last mail along these lines (CP mapping??) whipped up a frenzy of
controversy. Just what I like :-) Anyone else have an opinion on this?
Pleeeeease ;-) ??