Reorganizing the BX
Jane McGary (Thu, 17 Oct 2019 16:30:22 PDT)

The Board of the Pacific Bulb Society is contemplating reorganizing the
Bulb and Seed Exchange (BX) in order that it will function more
efficiently. This is in response to complaints by members and the
excessive demands placed on previous managers. We would like your input
as we consider possible changes, particularly limiting the periods of
donation and ordering, rather than continuing the current spontaneous
flow of donations and order processing. We are also considering ways to
ensure that orders are distributed more fairly among members, rather
than by the present “first received, first served” procedure.

A prominent source of complaints has been in the handling of bulbs and
seeds that will not remain viable in storage for more than a week or so
– seeds that germinate immediately even if not sown and watered, or
bulbs that have perennial live roots even though they are considered
“geophytes.” Responses to this problem could include barring such
material from the BX, setting up a separate “ephemeral” system with its
own manager, or having members wishing to exchange such material
communicate directly among themselves through the list and avoiding the
BX and its payment system.

The seed exchanges operated by various plant societies include such
features as giving priority to orders from donors and limiting the
number of items that one person can receive. We should also consider
whether these procedures are relevant to PBS.

We look forward to your input! Thanks in advance!

1.1. Do you participate in the BX frequently, occasionally, or never?

2.2. If you never participate, why not?

3.3. If you do participate, what problems, if any, have you had with the BX?

4.4. Do you obtain bulbs, seeds, or both from the BX?

5.5. Do you pay your BX shipping charges promptly upon receiving the
material?

6.6. If you donate to the BX, at what time(s) of year do you send items?

7.7. If the BX occurred at a few specific times of year, what times
would best suit your needs?

8.8. Do you donate plant material to the BX that cannot be held in
storage for more than a week or two? If so, what kind of material?

9.9. If you specialize in plants that cannot be held in storage, are you
willing to exchange them directly with other members rather than going
through the BX?

10.10. Do you think that donors should have priority in having their
orders filled? If not, why not?

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