Sad. It was really a treasure.

Wonder if it is another FaceBook casualty? I have heard that many forums are suffering from a loss of traffic due to people using FB instead. Never got into FB myself. Keep telling myself I may have to cave and check FB out, but still have yet to do so.

Terrilou, could you invite everyone there to come over here?

I occasionally participated at Violet Voice.

There was good information and discussion there.

I checked back a few times during 2017, but very little was going on ...

Yes, Paul, I expect FaceBook lured most people away. In fact, that is where I learned that VV was closing. I expect the Brat Pack will be next at some point. There is still activity there but not the volume of a few years ago.

Terri

Terrilou, I do not spend much time on FB, but where on FB did you hear, if there is a big violet group I'd like to check it out.

Lucille, There are many violet groups on FB; I belong to about eight and also a couple of gesneriad groups. I read it on one or the other. Put in a search for African Violet Addicts. Thats a large group & will lead you to others.

I just sent a request to Violet Buddies, 140 posts in one day. Will take a look at Violet Addicts as well, thank you.

Update, I was just approved at African Violet Buddies, I have a feeling that after many years of ignoring FB except for checking on my son's accounts occasionally I am about to become a FB person.

Paul, why not join us? If it is not your cup of tea you can always just shut it down, but the thought of a nice big group of people to give me advice and to talk violets to, makes me very happy.

Welcome to Buddies! I'm a member also. Another large public group is African Violet Nerds. There are special interest groups, usually with smaller membership, including Buckeye, Cajun's, vintage, species, wasps and unusual, Mac's, round robins, swap sites, beginners and more. Check out African Violets for Sale. Members sell at reasonable rates.

Terri

Thank you for the info Terri! Sounds wonderful!

There is a place under the sun for discussions and serious exchange of information - forums - and there is a place to post photos and discuss them- this is FB. If you belong to the forum - you can search - and find some serious info. On Facebook - It is all about today,

Violet Voice was a baby of Mrs. John - and she carried it on her shoulders for many years - but at some point - we all need to pass the burden to a next generation. And not always there is another set of shoulders to pick it.

I was just accepted by the African Violet Addicts and the first thing I see is a discussion about wicking. Then, I did a search on wicking there and all sorts of valuable information came up.

Irina,

Thanks for the info about Mrs. John. I really like the format of this forum. I learned so much here in a very personal way, and from a couple of grower friends in my life that I did not feel a need to join a club. I also joined a few of the other on-line groups. They are great alternatives to joining a local club because so much info is immediately available from a huge variety of sources. It is possible to learn what hybridizers are doing, tune into shows around the country, and buy from hybridizers and growers.

Paul, as for FB, it is easy enough to join. It is not intrusive. You never have to read a post if you don't want to.

As for the older non-FB e-group style forums, in recent years, there was a lot of loss and redundancy. Many prominent people, the "rock stars," want to be part of something exciting and have brought much creativity to the hobby. But if no one else is reciprocating, they outgrow the hobby

Many others exhaust the potential of the hobby for themselves and either leave the field, or retire, or move on, or lose interest because the topics are no longer stimulating. Or their growing circumstances change.

Others became ill, got busy with life changes, or, sadly, passed on.

Some started their own groups.

Clubs ebb and flow. The numbers are dwindling. There is only so much to say that hasn't been said. Many in clubs were around in the 1970's and have great stories to tell of exciting competitions and hybridizders they new. But that's history, when 100's went to clubs. Now it's more like 10's. Except for sales. Many people love sales, they are too busy for a club

Also, if things get political, because a club is dying, that can hasten the demise of a club.

Anyway, I am glad you all are here.

Joanne

Sad but true.

Clubs do have their advantages over the internet. One such is, as Irina mentioned, is the pleasure of physically being in the company of others who share your interest. Internet interactions don't provide this. There is also internet limitation of trying to get advice on a sickly plant, repotting, et cetera. True, one can post photos and there are YouTube vids one can access, but there are times being there "in the flesh" with those needing or giving advice is more useful.

I have another great reason: food! Our local AV club has different volunteers bring goodies each month so we enjoy a nice lunch break while circulating and chatting with each other. Plus, you can buy a raffle ticket (3 for $1) for a chance to win leaves or plants brought in by members, a good way to build your collection or share babies.

I do love going to club meetings when I have some free time. The people are fun. Sharing tips is great. It motivates me to try to keep my collection groomed. Joanne

There are some people like me who don't have a use for face book. For years all I had was the internet for information and this forum for my violet "club".

Then I found (thanks to AnneCecilia, a member of this forum!!!!) right under my nose twice a year was an AV Sale a little less than an hour from me. THEY welcomed me with information on 2 real people clubs I could join! I joined one closest to me, still a ways but doable.

You just cannot beat real people!!! And the camaraderie of real people. And sitting in a room, bringing in violet leaves etc and the real back and forth conversation from real people that you can't get from typing.

I do feel for those who have no access to a "live group". Before I got mine, there was always something missing. I was happy with gardenwebforum, but I always was on the lookout for that "real group". And finally found it.

And as if another longing wish were granted,,,,again by accident,,,,,I also found a needlework group just down the street from me!!! At a public library! We meet like the AV group, once a month!

Now if I could only find a group that loves dolls,,,,,,,!!!!! (happy) Rosie

I feel the decision to reach out to Facebook depends upon whether or not forum groups like this fulfill your violet needs. For me, I wanted more. I joined Facebook for only one reason. . . to expand my violet and gesneriad world. And it has done so! Without FB, I would never have found violet lovers near to me. . . close enough that we now have a club. There's nothing like actually being in a room with other AV lovers. Rosie found her group in a different manner, but without FB, I would still be withering away.

While I scan the large public groups each day, its the speciality groups that hold my interest. . . mostly those dedicated to vintage varieties and species. In the latter, we are treated to the knowledge of Dr. Jeff Smith, Francine Pilon and others. If I were a Mac lover, I'd be with that group or the Buckeye, wasp, Storytella, Cajun, etc. And I don't want to forget the RR group which actually originated here. . . a great group of very generous individuals.

A note to Rosie. . . bet you can find a doll group or several on FB!

Terri

No,,,I can't. I have a dumb phone, not a smart phone. Get a call/text, make a call/text. Nothing more. I don't use my phone like most people do. I don't like to talk on it, I don't text (except for the occasional "honey do we need milk also?"). Half the time I forget it.

Nah,,,,,I will find a real group for dolls. I already tried gwf for dolls etc., but it is dead. Makes me appreciate the AV forum! Rosie

I LOVE the FB violet groups, my first real foray into FB. For me, the online groups are much more rewarding than actually getting together with a group because I am and have been for many years, severely hearing impaired. In a large room with other people talking in the background, I maybe hear 30% of what is being said, online, I can read and understand 100%.

That is why clubs need to get back to following "Robert's Rules" in the sense of having a greeting time, then during the meeting time proper, having an agenda, taking turns, only one person speaking at a time so everyone can listen and all who wish may speak.

Perhaps many long standing clubs have members who have known each other for decades and are friendly and informal.

Having a clear structure helps members to be on time. Some board members have already been setting up the meeting for an hour beforehand. And meeting in between to plan programs. When meetings are interrupted by late arrivals, it can throw the schedule off track. Out of respect, I try to be extra early.

I get to only a very few meetings each year, due to distance and time. So I am grateful for all that the committed people do who are there.

However, I am really grateful for this forum in particular.

I would say that our Chairperson has good control. She has no trouble at all reining in the meeting if necessary. She get's the stuff said, keeps order and we still have time to toss around various ideas. But everyone seems considerate of other people talking. I love my AV meeting!!!!

Roberts Rules are also known as "consideration" in my book. I said MY book, lol, because I don't want anyone to think I am demeaning Robert or his formal rules. I like to hear every person's voice but only one at a time.

Lucille, I understand what you mean about hearing. While I do have superb hearing,,,,,I want to have only one person talking so they can explain their view or method and then move on to the next person in an orderly fashion. Noise (no matter what the source ex: too many talking at one time) gets too loud cause everyone wants to be heard and then my ears actually hurt from the loudness! Needless to say, I hate places that are loud. (restaurants, sports bars, loud music or TV) My husband is somewhat hard of hearing and we fight about the volume on the TV! lol

Joanne, I agree with you,,,,everyone should be on time. We have a couple people that come from a farther distance than I do, but they come from work. And the library sets our time so we can't accommodate them to start later. But I must say, they are respectful and quiet when they come in. It is not a constant "restart to catch several late people up" by any means.

I belong to a great group of people and a great AV Club. I was fortunate to find them! Rosie

Rosie, I went to a convention related go my work in MI last year. I love everything about your part of the country. Joanne

Geeze Joanne,,thanks! What part of the country were you in? Rosie

I just join the Russian and Ukraine african violet group at FB. Oh my god, a lot, a lot of pretty pictures. @@

Rosie, central and north. Elsa, I know!

Ahhhhh, darn Joanne!!!! I am in south east Michigan. Too bad,,,,we could have met for coffee!