The 2008 Fall Members Meeting at Longwood Gardens was a great experience. The Board met on three days to finalize the organization’s strategic plan. This plan will be presented to the membership once the Board has had a chance to look it over and staff has had the opportunity to complete the accompanying financials. This plan was built around the Mission of the AOS, which is to promote and support the passion for orchids through education, conservation and research, and the Vision, which is to provide leadership in orchids.

I had the good fortune to be invited to speak at Cali's national show this year and to experience the hospitality of the Asociación Vallecaucana de Orquidelogía, a terrific group of orchid growers and some truly great people.

Now Showing! Sophronitis cernua (Lindl.) W. J. Hook, delights us every year with its brilliant red flowers. Just the thing to get us into the holiday spirit! Generally easy to grow for most, read on to find out more about this Brazilian miniature.

If you love orchids, and love the outdoors, the Native Orchid Conference may be just for you. This group of 500 or so enthusiasts was begun in 2002 to foster the study, conservation and appreciation of the orchids of the United States and Canada.

Within a couple weeks in October, I met two kids who were really interested in orchids. I was reminded of just a few or our well-known orchid personalities who began the hobby young...

During the AOS October business meetings at Longwood Gardens, three new organizations were approved for AOS affiliation. Benefits to societies include show judging by AOS accredited judges, the AOS Speakers List, slide programs, educational material such as culture sheets...

On Sunday November 23rd 2008, in conjunction with the show at AOS Headquarters, the South and Central Florida Region of The International Phalaenopsis Alliance will host a workshop featuring talks by Jose Exposito, Carlos Fighetti and Frank Smith. Also featured will be an auction...

As I have told the membership in previous columns, the Board of Trustees has met often this year in a series of Board Retreats with the purpose of redefining the AOS and preparing a strategic plan that will carry us on a new course for the next several years.