Hmmm....St. Louis is a large city. Is this the only rose society? Is its full name "The Rose Society of Greater St. Louis", which meets at the Missouri Botanical Gardens? If it is, I looked that one up, and it seems to be most interested in modern roses and lots of competitive "rose shows" (which I wickedly think of as "cut flower competitions"). Evidently many such old fashioned rose societies all over the world are fading away. Also, apparently, according to their web site, they just lost their long time newsletter editor. Making lemonade out of lemons, this might be a good time to see if you could stir up some interest in adding new people who might be interested in new/different things, like, just for example:

1) Old/heritage roses, especially ones which have historic ties locally.

2) NON COMPETITIVE "rose shows", where people just bring cut roses from their gardens, and they are arranged by type of rose, in groups, so the public can see how lovely some of the new and old types are. We have what they call "A Celebration of Old Roses" here, which meets in the Spring at a sort of county rec building. They have a table where people can bring "mystery" roses they have found (in their gardens or otherwhere) and experts try to ID them. They also have rose nurseries of all types selling potted roses to take home, food, and even a room with vendors selling rose related items.

3) The Missouri Botanical garden says it has 2 large rose gardens - maybe in the Spring, when there are visitors at those gardens, the Rose Society could attend, and hand out literature about the Rose Society.

I am sure you have lots of other ideas which might be held to be scary and bad and subversive, and not at all what the older members are interested in, but so what? New blood/ideas in addition to the comfy old ones are obviously needed for the society to survive.

Of course, in order to make any changes at all you will need to volunteer to be on the management committee, or whatever they call it. Maybe you could volunteer to lead a new sub committee which has the goal of increasing membership and participation, and then slowly introduce some new ideas.

Jackie

I think garden society meetings need to be held in gardens - that would be a huge draw for me.

Moses,

There I second it.

@jacqueline9CA yes the full name of the rose society is Rose Society of Greater St Louis. There is the Belleville, IL Rose Society, but that is an hour away from my house, maybe a little more. The St louis Rose society is the only rose society in actual St Louis, and it does meet in a building owned by the Missouri Botanical Garden. Some of the information on the website is out of date. The newsletter hasn't been happening for at least 2023 and 2024, and I am more or less in charge of the Facebook/Instagram/YouTube stuff.

You are correct in your conclusion that most of those people are interested in Modern Roses and showing roses. I personally think that the whole reason the VP of the society grows roses is to show them, and for no other reason. The secretary grows some old garden roses, but other than me, I believe she is the only person who does.

The Missouri Botanical Garden does have 2 labeled rose gardens, though recently, with in the past 12 months, it looks like they are trying to get rid of the one that has the David Austin/Old Garden/ species roses and are just trying to focus people on the modern bedding rose garden.

In 2023 we had a non competitive rose display, and most of the society members thought it disappointing. I thought it was fine. However, this past month when we did the competitive show, I entered something like 10 flowers over 4 classes and without all the primping and spraying and everything else that is a "must", all of my entries took either 1st, 2nd, or 3rd, with 2 of the being best in their class, so I am not sure how competitive it really is. They do hand out nice blue ribbons though:)

I have received excellent rose-growing advice from a local master gardener (by email). I have attended a couple rose shows at my local garden (Descanso Gardens in California). Here are my comments:

The most effective way to recruit volunteers is one-to-one. That is, you get asked by someone to come to a meeting. Ask active members to bring a friend to an event.

Are your non-attending members still able to drive? Perhaps they need a lift from another member? Do they need a hand with winter preparation or pruning for a couple hours or an afternoon to get back in the swing of things?

If you want to target newly retired people (people with time on their hands, looking for new challenges), put your publicity where people go. The public library branches may welcome a vase of roses with a pile of small handouts in the lobby. Same for mom-and-pop restaurants. Do your local nurseries and garden centers know about the rose society? Sometimes buyers of new roses are looking for help figuring out what they need to do, and staff could point them to your website.

My area (southern California, now zone 10a) has a long tradition of roses in front yards. Does St. Louis have that tradition, too? Visibility is good publicity.

I second the idea of holding meetings in gardens, either public or people's homes. One of my goals in joining the rose society was to see what did well in people's gardens so I could select good roses.

I can't say how to revive a rose society but can share why we didn't stay with the Denver Rose Society. When we first started growing roses we were very eager to learn more about how to do it. We bought the book, Growing Roses in Colorado, joined the society, attended some meetings and attended the rose show.

The people were nice enough if we talked to them first but I don't think anyone really talked to us first. We never managed to see even one rose society member's garden. They do hold a meeting once a year at someone's yard but unfortunately we had plans on the day of the actual meeting so we asked if we could come for a short visit the day before or the day after (so as not to cause them to have to prep separately). We got a no or no answer. We talked to people who lived near us and asked about their gardens. No invitation was forthcoming. We had better success striking up conversations with random rose shoppers at High Country Roses greenhouse. People there were very eager to show off their garden and talk roses. We got to see some beautiful rose gardens that way. So we stopped attending rose society events.

The rose society didn't seem like they were interested in talking to other rose gardeners and exchanging knowledge. They were about something else. Not sure what. I guess if we had connected with people one on one we probably would have stayed but that didn't happen. So maybe that is the ticket, that you can't just hold in person meetings where people come and sit in an audience but people only talk to the people they already know. You need to have some sort of out reach where the existing members try to connect with and include new members.

There are some great ideas:

Reviving a dying rose society requires a mix of community engagement, modern communication strategies, and revitalized activities that appeal to both current members and potential newcomers. Here are some suggestions:

1. Reconnect with Current Members

• Survey Existing Members: Conduct a survey to understand why current members are less engaged. Ask for their input on what activities, meetings, or initiatives they’d like to see.
• Encourage Participation: Reach out personally to dormant members and invite them to specific roles or tasks, making them feel valued and involved.
• Create a Mentor Program: Pair experienced rose growers with new or less experienced members to share knowledge and build connections.

2. Attract New Members

• Social Media Presence: Establish or boost your presence on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Share photos, videos, and tips about rose care, and promote events.
• Engage Younger Audiences: Appeal to younger gardeners by showcasing more modern rose varieties or trends like sustainable gardening, urban gardening, and environmentally friendly practices.
• Offer Incentives: Organize "Bring a Friend" events or offer membership discounts to people who join through a referral.

3. Modernize Events & Activities

• Virtual Meetings & Webinars: Some members may prefer online interactions. Host webinars on rose care, rose diseases, or specific rose varieties.
• Workshops & Hands-on Learning: Host in-person workshops on pruning, hybridizing, or bouquet-making, which might draw in both hobbyists and more advanced gardeners.
• Field Trips & Garden Tours: Organize trips to public gardens, rose nurseries, or private rose gardens. These can be a draw for people interested in seeing different varieties in bloom.

4. Collaborate with Other Groups

• Partnerships with Garden Centers: Work with local garden centers or rose nurseries to host joint events, like “Rose Care 101” days, where society members can provide expertise and attract potential new members.
• Collaborate with Flower Shows: Partner with local flower shows or broader gardening societies to increase visibility.
• Schools & Community Programs: Reach out to schools, retirement communities, or botanical gardens to offer rose-growing workshops or sponsor a community rose garden.

5. Host Competitions

• Annual Rose Show: If your society isn’t already hosting one, organize an annual rose show or competition. This could rekindle interest and give members a platform to showcase their gardens.
• Photography Contest: A rose photography competition on social media can engage tech-savvy members and encourage people to share their love of roses in creative ways.

6. Diversify Content

• Newsletters & Blogs: Regular newsletters, blogs, or a YouTube channel can offer content like rose care tips, member stories, profiles of different rose varieties, and gardening trends.
• Feature Hybridizers & New Varieties: Introduce members to new roses and the stories behind their breeding. Bringing in speakers who are hybridizers can spark enthusiasm.

7. Fundraising & Sponsorships

• Fundraising Campaigns: Consider a fundraising campaign for a specific goal, like creating a rose garden in a public space or providing educational materials to schools.
• Corporate Sponsorship: Approach local businesses to sponsor events or offer discounts to members.

8. Highlight Success Stories

• Showcase Revival Efforts: If the society has had successes in the past, share those stories. Highlight members' rose-growing achievements and positive experiences to motivate others.

9. Offer Membership Benefits

• Exclusive Content: Provide members with access to exclusive content, such as detailed rose-growing guides, expert consultations, or discounts at local nurseries.
• Member of the Month: Highlight one member each month, focusing on their contributions or rose-growing skills.

By refreshing the society’s offerings, modernizing outreach, and fostering a stronger sense of community, you can breathe new life into the rose society and attract new, enthusiastic members.

Brandon, and my own two cents: at our Rose Society’s Annual Rose Show, I met a professional who specializes in caring for rose gardens. He’s actively looking for new clients and is more than happy to answer questions and encourage potential new members to join.

@apple_pie_order- i don't know if the non-attending members are able to drive. I am not even sure how to find out. I also don't know if they need any help with the roses/garden. From what I have seen driving around the St Louis area, if there are roses in the front yard they are of the knockout clan or Dr Huey.

@mmmm12COzone5- last year we did a tour of a couple of member's gardens. Unfortunately we didn't do it this year. I can definitely understand the people being nice but not necessarily outgoing. The society here are nice people, but I think most, if not all, tend towards being introverts.

I have, in the past, mentioned to the society that they naming people who used to be part of it and are no longer is somewhat off putting because those people hold no meaning to me, or other people who may want to join. While telling members that so-and-so moved/died/taking care of somebody is nice to those who know/knew them, it does wind up being somewhat clickish and not welcoming to those who don't.

Have you seen the documentary on Netflix called 'Join or Die'? I know the title is a little off-putting. But it's worth the watch and relates to your topic.

The $24,000 question is: how much time and effort are YOU willing to put into this. Are YOU willing to find interesting speakers to give programs at the meetings? Are YOU willing to take over the newsletter and write/find good, locally relevant articles?

When our local society folded the biggest issue was that we were all burned out from the effort of trying to keep the thing afloat. It wasn't going to continue unless we got meaningful help.

I stumbled upon this discussion and, as a gardener and someone involved in community volunteer work, I was interested. Then I read this statement:

"Lastly, people of the next generation are lazy, self centered, and preoccupied with technology for a great part."

Rhetoric that paints entire generations with broad generalizations is not only unfair and insulting, it's illogical and untrue. Have you been in a physician's, attorney's or engineer's office recently? They're largely staffed by smart, talented, dedicated millenials. I detest the "OK Boomer" phrase because it lumps everyone in my age cohort together which is patently ridiculous. So stop with the generational insults - they negate your otherwise insightful comments.

I do a lot of community work with volunteer-led organizations. Every one I've been involved with, including gardening clubs, have been heavily staffed with retired people. Obviously! Retired people have more time to devote to volunteer activities. Younger people are working full-time in demanding jobs, raising children, caring for older family members, fixing up houses, etc. I remember those days . . . have you forgotten?

In my experience to be successful recruiting and retaining younger members to any volunteer organization you need to build programming around their availability and interests, and communicate with them using their preferred communication channels.

• Think about the date, time and location of your meetings. Is it convenient for a parent with young kids? What's the parking situation? Can they grab something to eat/drink nearby? Can you alternate the meeting days -- Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings? Can you offer a Zoom option for those who can't attend?

• Use social media and email blasts with links to interesting and relevant information and get it out in advance -- slowly build an audience so even if they can't attend monthly meetings they're still in touch. Post meeting minutes on the website.

• Consider broadening the scope of topics offered for discussion. Younger people might be interested in growing roses without sprays, growing native roses or rugosas, growing roses in a vegetable garden, starting plants from cuttings, etc. Experiment and see what works.

Finally, we must avoid an attitude of "this is how we've always done it" because clearly it's no longer working. We elders have to be williing to accept that those coming up behind us will have a different approach than we did. That's not a bad thing, it's the way it must be if our organizations are to survive. But first we must invite the younger generations in, make them feel welcomed and valued.

OK, I'll get off my soap box now.

I’ve been growing roses for six years now, and while I’m not a millennial, I’m still fairly new to the journey. For me, the biggest hurdle was the stereotype that roses can only thrive with heavy chemical use. Since I’ve always grown a vegetable garden, the idea of using chemicals was a definite no-go. However, once I learned about non-invasive, organic methods and discovered roses that can grow without chemicals, I made the shift from having just a vegetable garden to growing both roses and vegetables together. I believe that stories like mine—showing how roses can be grown in an environmentally friendly way—could inspire the younger generation to embrace rose gardening too.

And may I comment on elena’s bullet-pointed thought box memorandum on Reviving a Dying Rose Society:

I don’t see the suggestion to hold a dress up party featuring premium mixed drinks

(à la the Biltmore International Rose Trials, where such events were heavily attended).

Ice cream also works!

einportlandor---Thank you!!!

Brandon , I see lots of excellent advice here . I belonged to the Nashville rose society which when I was there, really was mostly of an older generation with hardly any interest in roses besides hybrid teas . I grew almost 150 at the time of all sorts and only one or two hybrid teas. So when I shared my roses it was always interesting to see reactions lol but the group was lovely and welcoming. Fairly big too . They had a social media person who posted pics just about every day and you could submit photos to her for sharing , I loved that .

Our president held an absolutely lovely garden tour every May and his garden was a dream .

Here in temecula we have a beautiful public rose garden but I wasn’t very impressed with the society itself . So I didn’t stick around.

One idea that popped into my head is , a plant exchange, or perhaps partnering with a nursery to host a raffle for attendees? They could possibly donate a plant and get some advertising. We did that in Nashville , Ron always had things to give away to people in attendance and it made it fun. Once it was a truck bed full of manure bags lol ! If the society is charging for membership surely there is a little budget for that . And each meeting iwas a potluck style … everyone loved that !

Do you belong to a neighborhood facebook group or next door ? Perhaps you can drum up interest that way by sharing photos and encouragement.

Good luck. I know there must be more than 5 people loving roses in your town !!

My problem, and I am older, is that anything I am interested in be it gardening, books, or whatever, has their meetings late. I do not do afternoon or evening.

I joined a small-town rose society when I was very young, and it was a fantastic experience. I was invited to join after asking about volunteering in the public rose garden. Not only did I get to do that, I was invited to other member's home to see how they prepared roses for show, tour their private gardens, assist at the shows. I was by far the youngest person and they took me under their wings as mentors and made me feel included.

I moved to a larger city and haven't joined a rose society again. It's so specific and fractured and the people that I've met aren't welcoming or friendly. There are multiple groups - you can join a society where you grow hybrid teas and go to meetings about hybrid teas and show hybrid teas. Or you can join an organization where you volunteer to prune hybrid teas in the public parks. The people at the membership table at events are usually lukewarm or cranky. I've tried to find a reason to join but just can't.

Instead I've belonged to a lot of different organizations (both local and national) that are a lot more interesting. My favorite is the local perennials society that has plant sales, educational presentations, and member garden tours. I don't go to the meetings, but the chance to informally tour some of these fantastic private gardens (some of which are professionally designed/maintained) is a huge draw.

Another thing I see as a missed opportunity is work parties - surely there are aging members who could use some help maintaining their gardens who could be paired with newer members eager to help and learn. Sitting in a room having a "meeting" is not appealing; hands-on education is everything.