daiv,
I take your point. It was wrong of me to confuse three separate entities. I didn't mean to imply that there was any connection between cactus-mall.com and CSSA, other than a link from cactus-mall to the CSSA website.
The point I was trying to make (not very well, apparently
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) is that there's a perception, which I think is true, is that the population of cactus & succulent enthusiasts is aging, with little or no "new blood," and that part of the problem is that the various entities that are most well-placed to deal with that problem aren't doing a very good job.
So let me make three separate points, all related to the above:
1. Cactus-mall.com does act as a central information point, containing as it does links to many resources, including cactus & succulent societies and branches/affiliates. Its antiquated (in internet terms) look is unappealing.
2. The CSSA website is better, but they do a poor job of promoting and making accessible their main marketing tool, the CSSA journal. Most potential subscribers these days would expect at least a "sneak peek" before subscribing. That's characteristic of their lack of imagination in promoting the society.
3. The members of my local CSSA affiliate (did I get it right this time?
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) aren't very welcoming.
So, three separate entities, all well-positioned to encourage enthusiasm about growing cacti & succulents, but aren't doing so.
Yes, I'm being critical, and I know a lot of people don't like that. And yes, sometimes my arguments are a bit unsubtle
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. But I've also offered suggestions on how to improve things, certainly in terms of CSSA.
One further suggestion: that local societies put together a brief (10-15 min.) presentation on C&S, aimed at school kids. With a few plants in flower to show, as well as little plants to give to the kids, I think this would be a very effective means of outreach. "Get'em while they're young"
-R