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President's Report
As president I presided over all but two general meetings, presided over eleven board
meetings, and was an ex-officio member of all committees. I also participated as
an active member in the show committee and the '97 orchid festival committee and
served as content editor for the newsletter for issues January through May. As president
I have no budget line items to report on.
It was once again rewarding to serve the Ann Arbor Orchid Society as president and
will look back on my term as one served with a very capable and talented board. This
year's board can tout the following accomplishments: an amendment successfully accepted
by the membership making a member-approved budget part of our constitution and guidelines
for expenditures that is in excess of the member approved budget, the creation of
an additional amendment defining three types of honorary memberships and putting
this new amendment to good use by voting Helen McCullough as our first honorary member,
officially starting an AAOS supply store, the creation of a rotating librarian group,
an AAOS web page, a study group up and running, our first potting workshop, and another
successful Orchid Festival! As well as these accomplishments the board successfully
stayed on track with the running of the society, creating a superb newsletter and
providing a stimulating itinerary of programs. Everyone on the board or working with
the board can be very proud of a successful year.
Respectfully Submitted by Connie Bailie
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Vice-President s Report
During my term as Vice-president, I attended all board meetings and all regular meetings
of the society except two (Oct., Nov., 1996). I assisted the President in planning
and distributing agendas for board meetings, and assisted in the conduct of regular
meetings. I presided at regular meetings in January & March, 1997. I am presently
serving as chairman of the audit committee and the ways & means (formerly memorabalia)
committee. I also served on the 1997 Ann Arbor Orchid Festival committee. I am also
primarily responsible for the Society s virus testing program. Reports of these committees
are attached. As Vice-president, my office generated no income, nor was any expenses
incurred.
Respectfully Submitted by Harry C. Winter
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Secretary's Report
The general meeting in May completes my responsibilities as secretary for AAOS. I
have enjoyed filling this role over the last three years. Thanks to all of you that
took minutes for me at meetings that I was not able to attend. I hope that I can
return the favor some day.
Respectfully Submitted by Barb Larime
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Publicity Report
Monthly meeting publicity typically involves sending (usually by fax) announcements
of meetings and, when available, details such as speaker's specialty interest to
the Ann Arbor Observer, Ann Arbor News., local public radio stations, and occasionally
public access cable TV. Sometimes I hand-delivered press releases with accompanying
photographs to the Ann Arbor News garden section editor. A new bimonthly has been
added to our meeting press release distribution list: The Michigan Gardener. (I have
not actually seen this. Neil Foster proposed adding it to our publicity list and
it seemed to reach a number of people who called for information about our Festival.)
Orchid Festival Publicity involved consulting with donor graphic artist Jeffrey Rutzky
to update graphics for posters and flyers, production of flyer, and assuring that
flyers got delivered and distributed at other show (GLOS, MOS) and meetings. Press
releases announcing the Orchid Festival were sent to the Ann Arbor News and Observer
early as January. Later, publicity efforts were expanded to include Detroit and Lansing-area
newspapers, area radio stations, and public access television.
I have enjoyed assisting our society with publicity for the past two years, but would
like to turn this job over to a new volunteer before our Fall season begins.
Respectfully submitted by Wendy Frisch
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Store Report
The AAOS Store has been operating as a service to provide our members and other orchids
growers with needed orchid growing supplies, not otherwise easily obtainable. We
now maintain a basic level of supplies, including orchid mixes, media and pots, which
are available at our regular meetings.
Respectfully submitted by Glenn Lehr
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Audit Committee Report
A mid-year audit was conducted in June, 1996, at the time of transferring the treasury
from outgoing treasurer Jim Rasmussen to Nick Plummer. The results of that audit
follows. Because separate accounting was not kept, it was not possible to assign
sources for all of the income. Possibly, some expenses via cash reimbursements were
not recorded.
Treasurer Nick Plummer and I are attempting to organize the records for the rest
of the fiscal year 1996, prior to calling together the full audit committee (H. Winter,
N. Plummer, C. Bailie, G. Mies, W. Neuroth) for a complete audit of 1996. It is apparent,
however, that because of inadequate records presented to the treasurer, and the change
of treasurers in midyear, with a change in record-keeping techniques, that a complete
and accurate detailing of income and expenditures according to the itemized budget
will not be possible. Preliminary figures show a total income for 1996 as approximately
$6,412 (including dues perceived for 1997), and total expenditures of approx. $5,108
(Excluding a considerable amount for newsletter expenses which were not submitted
before 12/31/96). A complete (as much as possible) audit of 1996 will be done and
presented to the members soon.
Since our accounts will no doubt be under scrutiny at some future date, in connection
with our tax-exempt status (which at the present time is provisional), we must maintain
accurate and complete records of our financial transactions. All persons involved
in receipt and expenditure of club funds (this means almost all officers and committee
chairs) must provide, and the treasurer must insist upon receiving, accurate and
timely accounting of monies received, cash reimbursements taken, and expenditures
submitted for reimbursement. Wherever possible and appropriate, dated receipts or
copies thereof must be provided for disbursement of funds. The audit committee will
develop, with the advise and consent of the full board, appropriate procedures to
be followed.
Respectfully submitted by Harry C. Winter
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Virus Testing Report
The virus testing program commenced in January 1996 with the purchase of a virus
test kit from Critter Creek Laboratory. To date, 62 samples have been tested for
members (of a total kit capacity of 88). Expenses so far are: test kit, $130; income:
$150. Another 26 samples are available. Because of the slow response to virus testing,
we do not plan to purchase more testing supplies, unless there are a number of requests.
Respectfully submitted by Harry C. Winter, Ph.D.
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Ways & Means Committee Report
The former Memorabilia committee was expanded to include all standing money-raising
activities, including raffles, silent auction, supply sales, and memorabilia. Supply
sales is autonomously handled by Glenn Lehr & Alex Challis, with a separate report
to be filed.
The raffle & silent auction continue to be raise significant amount of money.
Raffle material has at times been sparse, with concomitant decrease in sale of tickets,
but an appeal in the newsletter has resulted in improved quality of raffle items
donated, and improved ticket sales the last couple of meetings. Lynn O Shaugenessy
ably manages the silent auction, which generally nets $100-150 per meeting.
Memorabilia (thus far, only society pins, and the 1996 Festival souvenir mugs) are
not good sellers. About 150 pins and 24 mugs (12 each size) remain in inventory,
a total retail worth of approximately $500. A few other items (T-shirts, aprons)
are planned, but have not yet been obtained. Interest in such items seems to be lukewarm
to moderate, and it has been noted that other societies are having trouble selling
such items. Greatest interest appears to be in supplies, plants, and books, the distribution
of which is most in keeping with the purpose of the society in promoting culture,
conservation, and knowledge of orchids.
Respectfully submitted Harry C. Winter
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Program Report
We again tried to have a good mix of topics for our meetings. This past season we
heard talks on Ecuadorian orchids, the Catisetiinae, Mini-Cats, Dendrobiums, Orchids
in use, and how some of our members grow orchids, both in the house, and outside
in the summer. Our meetings are regularly attended by70 or more people.
Respectfully submitted by Alex Challis
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Newsletter Report
The newsletter has grown to ten to twelve pages per issue, and we have received many
good articles from some of our members. We continue to ask for your input, so that
we can continue to produce a quality newsletter. Our web site is also available to
the orchid world thanks to Dennis Moser.
Respectfully submitted by Alex Challis
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