Membership Changes
CHANGES TO THE IWGS MEMBER STRUCTURE AND DUES
By Mike Kandt, Membership Director of the IWGS
The cost of editing, publishing, printing and shipping the IWGS Water Garden Journal has increased over the last several years to the point that it is costing the organization more to distribute hard copies than we are taking in. Therefore, after much debate, the organization has decided that it is time to limit the distribution of hard copies of the journal. This also reflects a slight increase/decrease in the cost of some member category dues. Some categories such as Botanical Gardens and Affiliate Member Societies that currently receive the hard copy of the journal will see a reduction in their dues since this benefit is lost. Those who still choose to receive a hard copy of the journal will see an annual increase to $50 for four issues. These changes will take place when each membership renews beginning after January 4, 2025. The changes are itemized below.
1. Individual: Dues increase from $25 to $30. No hard copy of the journal.
2. Individual + Print: Dues increase from $60 to $80. One hard copy of the journal.
3. Lifetime: Dues $500, No hard copy of the journal. No change. If a hard copy of the journal is wanted, the Lifetime member would pay $50 per year. Contact membership@iwgs.org if you elect this option.
4. Affiliated Societies: Reduce dues from $60 to $50. No longer receive hard copy of the journal.
5. Affiliated Societies + Print: New Category. Increase from current $60 to $100. Gets one hard copy of the journal.
6. Botanical Gardens – 1 Yr: Reduce dues from $75 to $50. No longer receive hard copy of the journal.
7. Botanical Gardens + Print – 1 Yr: New Category. Increase from current $75 to $100. Gets one hard copy of the journal.
8. Botanical Gardens – 3 Yr: Reduce dues from $200 to $150. No longer receive hard copy of the journal.
9. Botanical Gardens + Print – 3 Yr: New Category. Increase from current $200 to $300. Gets one hard copy of the journal.
10. WaterLily: Dues $100, No hard copy of the journal.
11. Waterlily + Print: New Category. Dues increase from current $100 to $150. One hard copy of the journal.
12. Lotus: Dues $250, No change. Now get no hard copy of the journals (currently get 2)
13. Lotus + Print: New Category. Dues increase from current $250 to $300. One hard copy of the journal.
14. Victoria: Dues $500, No change. Now get no hard copy of the journals (currently get 2)
15. Victoria + Print: New Category. Dues increase from current $500 to $550. One hard copy of the journal.
All members will still be able to view the journal on-line. Also, members do have the ability to download the journal from the website and print their own copy. We are sorry for the inconvenience that this may cause anyone, but this change is necessary to maintain the IWGS as a healthy organization.