Not sure if this is the place to ask this question but what do you think makes a good Society President.and what are some things you like that your President is or has done to make an interesting Society.Or what are some things you would like to see in your own society Thanks for any input you may have Ray

This will be interesting since I am the present society Pres in Nashville, TN.

One key thing is that they have lots of availability for meetings and functions (of which mine is drying up with changed job responsibilities).

In our society the Pres is there for more coordinating and guiding purposes than program development, which is generally the VP's job.

The Pres is often the point person for shows too (another reason for accessability).

I'd say that personal connections (and ability to connect personally) rather than orchid culture knowledge is more important for the pres.

I would say (and this is in my extrememly limited 6 month long experience as a society memebr) that a will to strongly encourage others to participate is an asset. It takes volunteers. A few months ago, our President shifted and the new one has made it her passion to get us more involved. We had several "committees" with only one member on them, and several memberless committees. In the last two months, all the vacant positions have been filled and our one-man or memberless committes are now committees of three (one of which I am on.) There wasn't a lot of pressure to help, but putting forth the fact that "it takes a community to have a society" and also being privy to reading a recent members survey has, I think, had a positive impact on our society.

the reason I ask this is because we are having election of officers in Jan. This Sat. we are suppose to name the people up for office. We desperatly need someone to lead the org. We have a Pres. now but he took the job because no one else wanted it. but the Society seems to plug along with the dedicated people who seem to just know what to do and pitch in and do the work but that will change I'm sure people get tired of always being the one to do the work. I was asked to step up for Pres. but I don't think I can give the Society what it needs This is a new Society I think going into our fifth year and we have held four sucessful shows so far . We have had a good speaking program I just thought the President would be responsible for making the club interesting so it's members are glad to come to meetings and Heather you are so right about getting people involved it's like pulling teeth to get someone to commit to a com. I appreciate the answers or opinion's people here have. Thanks Ray

Well, I was on the board of another organization and made myself step down before stepping up for this one. You have to be sure you can DO what needs to be done. As Rick indicated.

I'm a little worried I've OVER committed myself - as program committee person, author of a new newsletter column (thanks Rick for help on the first one!) and multiple show duties including member sales table, admissions, and clerking. :shock:

However! I think it is important for new blood (that's me!) to step up!