Thrifty ideas

Re: Charity or Society

Digger — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:55:27 GMT

I agree that expansion or growth at this particular time is not the best policy,at the moment things like that should perhaps be put on hold until the financial climate is more stable, however the Boss doesn't want to discuss that sort of thing with me?

Re: Charity or Society

Aging Misery — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 21:45:10 GMT

Digger, I am sure you have the odd valid point in that rather extended monologue but perhaps the RHS should be looking to maintain current (o r even previous) standards within its gardens and sphere of influence rather than continuing this relentless and unsustainable pursuit of 'growth'

Re: Charity or Society

Digger — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 20:50:50 GMT

I have had exchanges with the RHS about this very subject, I even broached the idea about them asking members to make regular small monthly contributions to help out, they weren't too receptive to that idea even though it's an excellent one. They did say the redundancies were absoloutley neccessary to save money, and they went on to say that they regularily ask members to contribute finacially at certain times. But with this in mind maybe they write and say "Ooooooooh digger, we're building a new alpine house can you give us seventy five or a hundred quid please?" okay they need the money and I have been fortunate to be able to spare cash for the glasshouse the alpine house and so on, but not everyone (even RHS members) is always in a good position to be able to fork over a hundred or even fifty quid at any particular time, but lots and lots of people could afford to follow David's excellent idea and let the society have a fiver each month, if they wrote and asked me to donate a few quid each month regularily I would do so because such a small amount won't have much impact on my finances, i am lucky enough to be in that position but many others could just send two quid a month or something, that way we could save some jobs both on this website and at the prestigious gardens, why don't the society want us all to give a small regular amount? rather than ask for fifty quid every twelve months, just ask for five quid a month, they surely would get a positive response and we could all be safe in the knowledge, that the website and the gardens will be kept in Bristol fashion, Once we lose the online editor from the website who knows what kind of chavish posts we will get then that Ventnor chap will have a real thrombo, ha ha ha that would be quite funny, but we as a society could lose the jewels in the crown, at the same time the society has modernised and embraced the future in a proper manner and that's a good positive thing . The society did used to be viewed by some folk as a rather exclusive establishment only for serious or proffessional horticulturalists belonging to middle England, nowadays it's a society for everyone to join and I know some old moaners don't like that much but they are dinosaurs the society has eveolved and for the moment is much better for it.

Re: Charity or Society

David — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 17:48:57 GMT

I did note from the report of the 2009 AGM that the outgoings for the RHS are " not acceptable" and that the expenditure on "editorial and online" increased from 2.8 million quid to 3.1. Accountants! get your Felco's out and save the Jobs that matter to the Society and contributing members!

Re: Charity or Society

Aging Misery — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:49:49 GMT

Hi Boggy - didn't mean to offend.

Are you really sure you don't concur with the odd sentiment expressed earlier????

A few rhetorical comments needed here -

Guessing by your comments you may be quite happy with the action plan / sackings / reappointments / reallignments proposed by the directors of the RHS - or are people generally too afraid or institutionalised to question them?

Remember - your final salary pension is safe - or is it?

Re: Charity or Society

Aging Misery — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 21:33:41 GMT

I was delighted to read that John Humphris, President of the Professional Gardeners’ Guild, has been awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour (VMH). Only 63 horticulturalists hold the VMH at any one time: to mark the length of Queen Victoria’s reign. Perhaps he would be dismayed to learn that all professional gardeners within the RHS are being rebranded as ‘Horticultural Technicians’ and that the RHS intends sacking 10% of them. If this were not bad enough those highly experienced gardeners that are unsuccessful in gaining one of these new posts will be required to vacate their tied accommodation pretty smartly. Lord Aberconway is I’m sure, turning in his grave

Re: Charity or Society

Kesira — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:43:52 GMT

Obviously I can't speak for everyone who is not a full member of the RHS but I can speak for myself. I simply can not afford the membership prices. I worked for my husbands company which closed this year. This has left me without a wage and without references for a new job as employers simply do not want references from relatives. The positive side is that i am able to spend more time gardening! The negative though is that I simply do not have the cash flow to afford RHS membership.

Now, I'm aware that members benefit from many things, and, I do not begrudge that, and, if circumstances were different I would b more than pleased to pay the fee and enjoy those benefits myself. BUT, in light of the economy at the moment and the fact that people simply do not have as much 'spare' money as in previous years, surely a review of membership prices could benefit the society overall?

I'm sure there are numerous ways in which to achieve this, different levels of membership, lower membership fees, monthly, quaterly memberships, direct debit monthly payments, and so on. Basically, i'm thinking that the lower the price the more members and the more money coming in.

I'm not an expert on these things, so please forgive any offense or obvious blunders i've made in this suggestion, but to me it just seems simple. Lower the prices and more people will join thus increased income.

Oh and before anyone wonders, yes i'm happy to donate monthly what i can afford.

Re: Charity or Society

David — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:10:51 GMT

Well Digger, I would have thought that if the Society was interested to boost funds this way there should be some announcement by them as to how members can go about donating.

In my case I was contacted by the Developement Office. Their official telephone number is one of those 0845's which, on my Vodafone system is an expensive way to call them. I always use 0207 821 3000. Ask for Membership and they will put you through.

Re: Charity or Society

Digger — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:56:43 GMT

That's a good idea David, I think I can afford to give some monthly subscriptions, if as many members as possible could afford to give a little donation each month, including the rhs directors (if they are allowed) maybe if it's only £2 or £3 each month it's not a lot of money but add everyones contributions together and we can perhaps halt the dastardly plans that are afoot, who do we contact to set up a monthly contribution to them?

Re: Charity or Society

David — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 07:08:20 GMT

It is reported that the Head of Communications at the RHS has stated that, although the Society is not in financial difficulties, savings are having to be made. It is also reported that gardens such as Wisley may lose section heads as a result so it seems certain that the Society's jewels will be tarnished. A very bad think for an organisation that prides itself in excellence.

A few years ago the RHS was somewhat short of funds and I received a telephone call from them asking whether I would consider making a small regular financial contribution to assist. I agreed and have since increased the level.

If just one percent of the Society's members made a contribution of £5 per month which I am informed equates less than one cigarette a day for smokers it would provide more than £2 million per annum. More than twice than amount provided by the now departed Chelsea sponsor and surely more than enough to cover the expense of the 80 threatened professionals.

Don't lets turn the Nations premier gardening society into a "bean counters" football match!

Re: Charity or Society

Digger — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 18:34:44 GMT

Hi all, I have it on good authority that it's all dreadfully true the chap Beetle is right about the job losses, They are going to probably be at all four gardens and have a really negative impact on the quality of the gardens, I am also told that our society is not as financially well off as it needs to be, we need to get some money into the society quickly maybe the property sale was a good idea after all?

Re: Charity or Society

David — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:33:13 GMT

Is there any substance in the report on page 3 of today's issue of "Horticulture Week"?

If so Mr Beetle must have been very well informed!

Re: Charity or Society

David — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:44:18 GMT

Hello Digger.

I am sure you have sussed things out correctly. It must be someone who is a little brassed off with the Soc's esteemed helmspeople.

I do not think it could be a possible property developer as I have been informed that the property market is in a poorer state than my recently tipped out potatoes!

What I find somewhat concerning is that no one has refuted the allegations made by this Wogweasel chap..

There is no disputing the outstanding achievements of the Society in in recent years by Sir Robert and Dr Andrew Colquohon (sorry about the spelling if I am wrong), Glasshouse, education etc.etc

But although being severely myopic I cannot see too much on the horizon. I do hope I have misunderstood the true situation

Re: Charity or Society

Digger — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:31:04 GMT

Right maybe I've sussed it, are you a disgruntled employee who is now in fear for your job? maybe that's it eh. It's not nice to lose your job through economic circumstances this has happened to me in the distant past old fruit, the pattern I see is every time we have a labour government things inevitably go pear shaped eventually, Today I am going to vote for "the garden party" but they don't exist yet. maybe you could find out for sure if your job is really under threat or not? but selling off a property to pay a wages bill for a few years isn't always a good idea because the situation will be the same once the money's gone except the property will be no longer an asset, I thought the RHS was being run rather well which is why I give my to the chair or president each year, just look at all the good stuff we've had just recently, the new glasshouse the new alpine house and now the new learning centre plus the new format of the website which is a great tool, I know sometimes we can be tempted to think that people who are not fee paying members can get loads of free information from the website etc.. but go on we are a charity and so we can let them into some areas of the site, but if a non member complains then they haven't really got the right to do that, or were you going to buy the property in London and make a killing?

Re: Charity or Society

Digger — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:10:46 GMT

Returning to it's niche?????????? wtf the RHS is a prestigious society and charity. The job the RHS is doing promoting horticulture should be applauded, they are sowing the seeds for future members by engaging our young people in horticultural activity, and whilst we're on it, you should think of your own name not try using boggy's he has enough trouble without you trying to be clever. Of cours all RHS members are entitled to their own opinion etc... but I think more people should be appreciating not complaining, what's your real beef?