Home: AIS Foundation (2024)

Some of the activities both past and current funded by the AISFoundation are outlined below:

In 1971, the American Iris Society Foundation (AISF)was established and became a tax-exempt organization shortly thereafter.In its early years, with the energetic leadership of Presidents HugoWall and William Bledsoe, quick progress was made in building upFoundation funds. The drive originated and directed by one of theFirst Foundation funds. The drive originated and directed by oneof the first Foundation Trustees, Helen McCaughey, was especiallyproductive.

The first project that the AISF financed was thepublishing of a revision of Garden Irises (later titled TheWorld of Irises). The Foundation made money available forpublication costs by an interest-free loan to AIS. As the loan wasrepaid from sales of the book, funds were made available for the nextundertaking. Its revision encompasses progress made since itsoriginal publication in 1959 and marks a milestone perhaps unequalled inits field.

The Foundation gives grants and loans. The grants are given toorganizations and individuals who are doing research with iris or arelated field. Loans are given only to sections of the AIS for thepurpose of getting books printed on iris or related subjects.

During the first decade (1971 to 1980), AISF funded many other projectsincluding (but not limited to) the following:

In 1999, based on information from the AISF ActivityReport, some past awardees and projects supported by the Foundationincluded:

In addition to the above listing, the Foundation:

In 2002, based on information from the AISF ActivityReport, recipients of funded projects (new and previous recipients)include:

In 2005, based on information from the AISF ActivityReport, recipients of funded projects included:

In 2006, the AIS Foundation continued to suport Carol Wilson, Milan Blazek, and GeorgeRodionenko.

In 2007, the AIS Foundation entered into two new andexciting adventures. One was the settlement of the SidDuBose estate. The purpose of the Trust from thisacquistion is the support an iris library. The nature of theactivity was not further defined. Settlement was finalized thefollowing year.

The other event was the naming of the AIS Foundation as the benefactor of the Presby Gardens in Upper Montclair, NewJersey. Linda Sercus, director of teh Presby Memorial Iris Gardensmet with the AISF Trustees to explain the circ*mstances. Ms.Sercus explained that the Citizen Committe of the Presby Memorial IrisGarden is the parent organization that has become the caretaker of thegarden. It was formed as a non-profit organization 80 years ago.As with all organizations, there must be by-laws and one of the by-lawsmust include a designated person or organization that would receive allassets if the gardens were dissolved.

The reason is two fold. Both the AIS and the Presby gardens sharethe same parentage. John Wister and Frank Presby, two of the firstofficers of the AIS, are the reasons why the Presby garden exists.So, it is only logical that we form some sort of relationship.Secondly, the iris collection, although new additions are added yearly,is probably the largest collection of historical iris in the world.The breadth and depth of this collection is incalculable.Therefore, it make sense for the Foundation to work with all of thesections of the AIS, including HIPS, to disburse these historical irisif and when necessary. Linda went on to ask the Foundation toconsider such an offer of being the benefactor of the Presby MemorialIris Gardens.

AIS Foundation continues to support Carol Wilson, George Rodionenko,Yuval Sapir, and Amy Bouck.

In 2008, the Sid DuBose trust was in the final stagesof settlement, with Phil Edinger as the trustee and Bob Plank s theappointed co-trustee. Again, the purpose of the Trust is tosupport an iris library.

AISF continues to support Carol Wilson with her genetics research in theworld of iris. Also funded was Noland Martin andSunni Taylor ( one of Martin's graduate studends) whoare working with Louisiana Iris species.

In 2009, AISF decided to support the research ofJohn Kaufmann and teh effects of herbicides on weedsand the iris plants in order to discover selective control for weedsamong modern herbicides.

Update information was presented on the Sid DuBose Estate. Themoney from this estate is to be used to support an iris library. Acommittee of two AISF members and two AIS members was established tocontinue evaluating property and information for a combined AISF-AISlibrary. The principle of this estate is not to be invaded.The interest, payable at least every six months, is to be used for the"specific purpose of supporting an Iris Libary."

In 2010, AISF distributed the full amount of the DallasScholarship Fund to the Iris Society of Dallas, which was a $23,000distribution This was done to aid our standing with federalrequired income distribution and to reduce our average cash assests.

In the past, AISF administed the Dallas Iris Society'sScholarship Trust which provided support for deserving studentsin the Dallas area to study horticulture. Each year, the DallasIris Society sent the recipent name to AISF. In return, AISFutilized interest earned from their funds, to send a check to thescholarship recipient. The Dallas Society hoped to contribute tothe AISF fund until it become self-perpetuating. In the past, theDallas Society gave a check for the balance of the amount awarded.

Also in 2010, AISF looked into becoming a non-private foundation.One idea was entertained for the future of AISF and AIS together andthat all donations to both the AIS Foundation and to AIS itself be madethrough the Foundation. This has now come to pass. AISF remains aPrivate non-operating Foundation, rather than a PublicFoundation at this time.

Also in 2010, AISF began funding the scanning and digitalizingback issues of the AIS Bulletin with a final format that issearchable as a database.

Also in 2010, AISF received a report from Sunni J. Taylor on Divergencein sympatry: mechanical pollinator isolation as a mechanism forhybrid speciation. Current grants included Carol Wilson, NolandMartin, and a student of Martin's, John Kaufman, and Suni Taylor.Grant fundings into 2013 included John Kaufman's project with weekherbicide, Sunni Taylor, Dr. Carol Wilson, and the AIS archival bulletinproject.

In 2011, a proposal and future grant request from afilm student at the University of Arizona was made. The studentfound several reels of old color films from the 1930sin excellent condition. Jill Bonino noted that a portion of thesefilms may be well used in a feature about the 100th anniversaryof the AIS. More information is needed about this project.

Also in 2011, Tracy Plotner, the AIS Librarian, sent aletter describing the poor conditions of the current Library being therewas not enough space. There is need for more filing cabinets butno space for them at this time. Also, when it rains, the Libarywhich is in a basem*nt, always floods and damage to precious historicaldocuments can happen. The library is only available on week days.It is not avaiable for use in the evenings or weekends or on holidays.The current location has been in use for 12 to 15 years It is pasttime to seek a solution. A proposal was made to move the libraryto a better location as soon as possible. A nearby vacant propertywas for sale and was investigated as a possiblity but this idea went onthe wayside.

Also in 2011, Dave Silverberg became the newlyappointed AIS Librarian taking over from Tracy Plotner due to illness.

In 2012, Linda Sercus gave a presentation about PresbyGardens in New Jersey, and the possibility of housing the AIS library inthat location. Presby Gardens is not part of the Essex County ParkSystem.

On May 13, 2012, the library was moved from it'slocation in Silverton, Oregon, to Molalla, Oregon. It is locatedin a rental property in the upstairs loft. There is more roomwhich was much needed. Plotner, family members, and DaveSilverberg moved the Library.

Also in 2012, there was the approval of Alexeeva grant, via Jim Waddick,in association to update the iris portion of the St. Petersburg BotanicGarden in Russia.

In 2013, the AISF discussed the need for a name for the library.Also discussed in relationship to the library was the accessioin anddeaccession policies. A committee with Ron Kosner, Will Plotner,Dave Silverberg, Gary White, adn Jim Morris are working on this project.The funding for this library cost comes from the Sid DuBose Trustincome, rather than from the Foundation general funds.

In 2014, it was disclosed that combining the incomefrom AIS into the AIS Foundation income has made a positive differencefor both bodies. At this time we only had $500.00 outstanding onprojects. There are two reports back. One from Jenna Hamlinfor her research with I. fulva and I. brevicaulis. It is ready forpublication. The other project is Dr. Nolin Martin and SonnyTaylor on Louisiana iris.

David Silverberg and Ron Cosner were present to represent the AISLibrary. Along with Gary White the three were able to meet andmake some decisions about projects for the Library of what needs to bescanned and what needs to be recycled to another portal. Dave saidthat he and Will Plotner will be re-negotiating the rental of thebuilding in the early summer.

In 2015, there was much business at the PortlandNational Convention in May, 2015.

1. Over that last few months most all Certificate of Deposits have beenconverted to cash for two main reason:(1) there will be a change of Treasurers in the near future and(2) there is little interest money being drawn on the CDs.

2. The Internal Revenue Service requirement to spend around $28,000annually on projects over a five year period is up this year and we havedone well in meeting the requirement for 501(C)3 and other regulatoryrequirements.

3. The winners of the Ackerman Essay Contest were given by Carol Warner.There were only two entries for the Senior Division, but over 40entries for the Junior Division.Carol sends a certificate of participation and an iris rhizomesto all entrants. This year,due to so many junior entries, she sought help from other iris growersto help supply the iris rhizomes.Price and Silverberg are helping by donating iris rhizomes.

4. There was a report from Price about the AIS Foundation website problems.The web site had hacking and malware problems.A new platform needed to be purchased and another search programapplied to the website for future protection.

5. The AIS Library was represented by David Silverberg.A committee comprised of Silverberg, Ron Cosner, Gary White, JillBonino, and Jody Nolin was formed and quarterly reports are to be filedby Silverberg. The biggestcomplaint voiced is the lack of space in the library to accommodate allof the catalogues and brochures.There also needs to be a complete inventory of all documents.Silverberg was advised to make contact with college students within interest in Library Science to help with this project.There are three copies of the book The Genus Iris in the Library.One copy will be put up for sale.In the past, multiple copies of the AIS Bulletins were requiredto be on file (five copies each).Due to electronic copies of the Bulletins, multiple copies of1969 and newer will no longer be accepted by the Library.A traveling Library was discussed and negated due to the cost ofpostage and the possible loss of property during the shipping process.The AIS secretary has been remiss in providing a copy of springand fall AIS Board meetings to the Library for storage.A name for the Library was motioned and seconded.It was voted to name the Library:American Iris Society Hager-DuBose Memorial Library.It was founded January, 1920.A logo for the Library will be studied.Interest income from the Hager-DuBose estate is used to fund theLibrary rental property at this time.

Along with the Library discussion was informationfrom John I. Jones. Hediscussed the extensive scanning of bulletins - AIS Bulletins andsection bulletins. Heutilizes a company which scans the literature without tearing apart thebulletins. The fee fornon-destructible scanning is higher than if the bulletins could be tornapart. John stated that “wehave scanned and uploaded to the AIS Historic Catalog Archive websiteall of the catalogs from 1909 thru 1949.The 1950 catalogs and part of the 1960’s catalog scans are inhand, and will be uploaded upon his return from the convention.What remains is the rest of the 1960’s, the 1970’s and the1980’s.” Jones explainedthat he exceeded his $6900.00 funding by approximately $620.00.Jones sought from the AIS Foundation an additional $10,000.00 forthis project. It wasmotioned, voted, and passed to give Jones $6,000 in 2015, and $4,000 in2016 for this project.

Also John I. Jones is to look up a policy inprevious AIS minutes about the keeping of two copies of all magazinesand five copies of all AIS Bulletins.With the advent of the electronic age, these policies should bechanged and allow more room in the Library for storage of such papers.

Bob Pries alsotalked about the AIS Encyclopedia.

6. There has been no report from Taylor/Martin.

7. The work of Hamlin-Arnold with the Louisiana iris was paid $6,000 infull and is keeping good communication with us.

8. Erin Riggs grant was finished being paid and he will be speaking at theSiberian convention in Portland this year.

9. Bob Pries had a $500 grant approved but not used it yet.He will either use it in the future or may transfer it to JanetSmith instead. Priesreceives $1000 annually for scanning for the Wiki.

10. The A. Floden and J. Waddick project receiveda $1,000 grant from the AIS Foundation to obtain, transfer from India tothe United States, and grow a new species of iris.A multi-page handout was received by the AISF board members.The attempt to seize the new iris species was successful.The seizure happened in Arunachal Pradesh (AP), India.Climates ranged from subtropical to alpine and even tundra.We all appreciated the great efforts taken to seize this newspecies of iris in torrential rainfall, impassable road conditions, andinsects. Travel was led byPeter Boardman. Theexplorers mailed their plant material at some expense by EMS, ExpressMail Service which should have arrived in seven days.Instead it took nearly two weeks.Then it was delayed again for four more days, before arriving inthe United States for a fifteen day delay.It arrived in Miami, Florida where it did pass customs.Only one plant survived the ordeal of travel, but it was not thenew species of iris they were hoping to seize.The trip was a complete failure.A lot of time, money and efforts went into the rugged anddangerous travel with little to show for it other than pictures of theprecious new species. Hopefully there will be another attempt made in the spring of 2015.A request for $3,000 to cover expenses has been requested fromthe Atlanta Botanic Garden for another India trip.It was decided that AIS Foundation is not obligated to pay thisamount unless there is successful achievement in collection,transportation and propagation of this iris species in America.

11. Carol Wilson’s project has been completed with awards going to theRegents of the University of California in Berkeley, CA.Wilson made a new proposal for the Systematic Studies ofsubgenera Xiphium andHermodactyloides and RelatedTaxa Utilizing Next-Generation Sequencing and Morphology. She will beextracting DNA material and quantifying it by gel electrophoresis andfluorescence. Thissequencing is more expensive and more precise than the identificationsthat Wilson has previously done for AIS Foundation and American IrisSociety. Wilson proposed abudget for Year 1 (2015/16) for $9085, Year 2 (2016/17) for $2528.00,and Year 3 (2017/18) for $1065.This is a total budget of $12,678.The first year expenses is due to the preparation work of the DNAkits.

AIS Foundation has worked with Wilson on severalprojects and voted to continue supporting her efforts to classify irisaccording to DNA techniques. All three years have been approved by the board.

12. Janet Smith is seeking monetary support of a slide scanner.She has been using a flatbed which scans four slides at a timewhich takes about 3-5 minutes per scan.She wants to upgrade to a scanner with options of 50 to 100slides at a time instead. She has scanned nearly 11,000 photos since 2011.She has over 5,000 more to do plus all of the Schreiner's, LarryHarder, Glenn Corlew, Terry Aitken, and Bob Plank slide collections andperhaps more. The boardvoted to allow Smith $2200 for her scanner and the postage for shipment.

13. Re-wording of the Bylaws was discussed and voted to refine it.

14. Discussion was made about doing an audit of the books since there willbe a treasurer change next year.This will be at least $5,000 cost for a simple audit and acomplete comprehensive audit would cost about $10,000.

15. Reelection of officers - Hollingworth, White, and Price expire in 2015.All were re-elected. White will be replaced by Jill Bonino in the near future.Dorothy Willott does not wish to be re-elected after the NewJersey convention in 2016.