What is it that creates the fear some local clubs seem to have of actually being discovered in existence? Whence the fear of published photos of public exhibitions? Why is it that a certain unnamed local club cannot be dragged kicking and screaming into the 20th century (I know what the current century is) in the matter of information on the web?

When everything the club does is geared toward rank beginners, doesn't it make sense to try to have as many of them as possible? And why all the discussions and hand-wringing about falling revenues, when the best cure for that is to increase one's numbers?

How does one shake up an old, set-in-their ways club?

Chris

First (in the part I didn't quote), some folks are sensitive about publication of their trees because of a perceived security risk.

As for the rest, if they do not recruit new members, what is the purpose of the club? Many clubs say that they are about learning more about bonsai.

One our more energetic members is on a crusade to get our membership to expand their horizons, to develop their bonsai skills, and to upgrade the quality of their bonsai. I applaud this, and last year's club show was quite outstanding, showing considerable progress.

As for shaking up an old, set-in-their ways club, the only solution may be to start a new club in their back yard. If the new club has a higher energy level, it will draw the new members needed to thrive. At least this may give the old club a much-needed message.

I wonder sometimes if the "security" issue is just a smokescreen. If the trees are shown in a public place without identifying the owner, and the photos are published without identifying the owner, how could that cause a problem? We have a hysteria problem, I think.

Perhaps it's the fear that longtime members will lose their "special" status. And actually that's not too far off, as it seems that some of them are actually the recipients of some disrespect.

I don't have a lot of experience with other clubs but I see what they do. I know if I weren't working 50 hours a week, I could get more things going, but this year that isn't going to happen. Any suggestions anyone has would be greatly appreciated.

Chris

chris,
speaking from personal experience..
when i first became interested in bonsai a couple of years ago i contacted my local club and began attending regularly. i really enjoyed the experience and advice at the meetings but something always felt off. at the time i was about 20 yrs old, and i always did my best to be polite and respectful but i still felt uncomfortable at times. the average age in the club seemed to be about 60, and often times i got the feeling that certain people might be happier without an inexperienced upstart around. i gained a lot of valuable knowledge but still lost interest in attending because i felt like i was disrupting the other people just by being there. 3 yrs later, i'm ready to try again and plan to go to the next meeting because i would really like to improve my skills. fortunately i found someone who is near my age and also begining to train bonsai in my area to attend with, hopefully i will have a better experience this time around.

conversely, i also don't see why more clubs don't actively recruit new members. sadly, some members actually passed away while i was involved and if that kind of thing continues [as it inevitably will] you will soon be left with no club at all.

Xtal, I think that in our culture, it's really hard to get intergenerational things going. Maybe it's because the public schools have replaced the extended family as the place where people learn "the rules of the game" and who they should hang around with and who they shouldn't, maybe it's something else. I don't know. But, I do feel like I know exactly what you're talking about.

And, it's tragic.

I am really lucky. Every Sunday night, I play Dungeons and Dragons for 3 hours at my house with a group of abot 10 people ranging in age from 9 (my daughter) to 67 (me), with about 4 generations represented. We have a terrific time. Which indicates to me that such a thing, though difficult, is possible.

The way things are, communication and trust are difficult between older and younger people. Yet, such friendships can be incredibly rewarding.

Might I suggest that you go to a couple of the people in the club and tell them about your discomfort? I wonder if the club might consider some sort of "sponsorship", formal or informal to help bring younger people like yourself in. I don't know who is missing out more, you or the club members, with the situation as it is but, myself, i think the potential rewards of making an effort to change the situation are well worth the risk.

Fred

Any club that does not actively seek new members is doomed to sooner or latter become extinct. Why some can't see this is beyond me.
Sad to say that even some of our federations, societies and organizations are more or less on the same track.
It is not often that one sees a beginner article in one of the bonsai magazines. Occasionally one will see a beginners class at one of the bonsai conventions but not often.
Don't think I have ever seen a beginners article in any of the magazines .
I go to many clubs in my travels but so far have only seen one that has a meeting specifically geared to teaching the new members a thing or two. Not saying the others don't have it just that I haven't seen it.
How can we expect bonsai to become a mainstream activity in the US without bringing new people into bonsai. And how can we expect them to be interested enough to join without us showing the way , so to speak.
I guess I can't complain too much though. I have made a good living teaching a lot of beginners classes. Heavens forbid the clubs , societies and magazines decide to compete with me. As it stands there isn't really a lot of competition. Maybe that is why I have been somewhat successful ;o)

well, it's been about 3 years, and i am sure i have matured considerably since. also i no longer have the purple mohawk i was once sporting. [unfortunately no matter how well mannered you are there is always someone that will discriminate based on looks]. i'm bringing an acomplice this time [whom i actually met thru a message board like this one] and i am determined not to let other people's attitudes bring me down. i will be going to learn, and no one can argue with that
the way i feel is if i go in with a positive attitude, i can't go wrong.

Xtal, Purple Mohawk!? Wow! I gotta admit, that's a stretch. Yeesss, I'd say a more conventional hair treatment might indeed smooth your way into the club!

But, I'm delighted that you're going to give it a go. Let us know how it turns out.

Fred

i never had it styled, it was in a ponytail! and i'm a girl so a ponytail isn't all that bad

Here's a question for you: how do you search for clubs when there doesn't seem to be any in your area? Here in CT its a pretty urban environment so it doesn't seem likely that there are any 'hidden' clubs. Perhaps they're just an urban legend here.
Maybe I'll have to start one. Ghetto Bonsai!!!