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AIS Region 16 (Canada) Information (updated January 26 2010)

The American Iris Society (AIS) functions within Canada as AIS Region 16. The Canadian Iris Society (CIS) provides this area on the website in accordance with its Mission Statement: The Canadian Iris Society (CIS) is a non-profit organization with the objective to encourage, improve and extend the cultivation of the genus iris and to collaborate with other societies for this purpose. AIS Region 16 information may be posted here as it is available or provided.

The AIS designates a Region Vice President (RVP) for each area; the current RVP information for each of the regions may be found on the listing at the AIS website. A comprehensive information booklet on the RVP requirements and duties is also available at the AIS website: www.irises.org

Effective as of January 2008 the AIS RVP for Region 16 (Canada) is:
Kate Brewitt, 120 Glass Drive, Aurora ON  L4G 2E8
phone: 905 841-9676 | e-mail: aisrvp16@irises.org
Information for AIS Region 16 can be found at the following location: AIS Region 16 website

Dr. E. Roy Epperson - AIS President (January 2010)
item submitted by Christopher Hollinshead (ex-AIS RVP Region 16 2005-2007)

It is with sadness that we advise that our American Iris Society President, Dr. E. Roy Epperson passed away suddenly on the weekend of January 23/24 2010.

It goes without saying that Roy will be greatly missed not only by those of us who knew him and worked with him for many years, but also by many others in the world of iris.

The AIS Officers are now:
Judy Keisling - President, AIS
Jill Bonino - First Vice President, AIS
vacant - Second Vice President, AIS

AIS 2010 Convention (November 2009)
item submitted by Christopher Hollinshead (ex-AIS RVP Region 16 2005-2007)

The AIS 2010 Convention is coming up. Everyone is now looking forward to the next AIS Convention in Madison, Wisconsin. The details including a registration form will be conveniently provided on the AIS website for you to make your plans well ahead of time.

The Madison Area Iris Society (MAIS) will be hosting the AIS National Convention in 2010.The convention will take place May 31-June 5 2010 in Madison, Wisconsin with visits to official iris tour gardens in the surrounding area. 

Follow the link provided below for details of the 2010 event.
AIS website: AIS 2010 Convention information

AIS 2009 Awards Announced (August 2009)
item submitted by Christopher Hollinshead (ex-AIS RVP Region 16 2005-2007)

The American Iris Society recently announced its 2009 awards winners. The top iris award, the 2009 Dykes Medal winner is GOLDEN PANTHER (Tasco 2000). This is a Tall Bearded iris (TB) hybridized by Rick Tasco of California. The photo below shows: GOLDEN PANTHER (Tasco 2000) TB iris 34 inches, M, Dykes Medal winner 2009, Heavily ruffled gold, overlaid bronze, highlighted with darker bronze at the edge, bright golden orange beard. Guadalajara X 90-02-03: (Marsh Light x Dazzling Gold).....Wister Medal 2006... AIS AM 2004... AIS HM 2002..... #1 Favorite Guest Iris at Memphis 2002 American Iris Society National Convention. Winner of the Presidents Cup award at the 2004 AIS Convention, Fresno, California.

The full listing of all 2009 AIS Award winners is available now in the AIS Awards section of the AIS website: www.irises.org

Photo: GOLDEN PANTHER (Tasco 2000) TB iris 34 inches, M, Dykes Medal winner 2009
 

AIS 2011 Convention - Victoria, British Columbia (June 2008)
item submitted by Christopher Hollinshead (ex-AIS RVP Region 16 2005-2007)
With information sources from: AIS Spring 2008 meeting minutes and AIS 2011 Convention Press Release

The British Columbia Iris Society (BCIS) has presented an offer to host the AIS 2011 Convention in Victoria, BC. This offer was accepted by the American Iris Society (AIS).

From the minutes of the Spring 2008 AIS Board of Directors meeting held in Austin, Texas, April 2008: AIS Convention Liaison - Chair Paul Gossett reported that The British Columbia Iris Society had extended an invitation to the AIS to host the 2011 convention. Motion: That the AIS accept the offer of the British Columbia Iris Society to host the 2011 AIS Convention in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Motion carried.

This will be the first time since the 1950s that the AIS Convention has been held in Canada (AIS Region 16). The previous time an AIS convention was held in Canada was in the year 1955 with iris garden visits in the Hamilton/Burlington, Ontario area.

AIS 2011 Convention May 30-June 4, Victoria, British Columbia
2011 Convention Chairperson:
Ted E Baker, 185 Furness Rd, Salt Spring Island, BC Canada, V8K 1Z7
phone: (250) 653-4430  | e-mail: tedebaker@shaw.ca
2011 Convention Hotel: TBA

As the event organization evolves, additional information will be found on the BCIS website: www.bc-iris.org  and at the AIS website: www.irises.org

BCIS has selected four wonderful public gardens to host the guest iris. The featured iris display gardens will be; 1. Finnerty Gardens on the grounds of the University of Victoria. 2. Glendale Gardens and Woodland operated by the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific Society (HCP). 3. Government House Gardens on the grounds of the home of the Lieutenant Governor who is the representative of Her Majesty The Queen of Canada in the Province of British Columbia. 4. Hatley Park Historic Site Gardens on the grounds of Royal Roads University and this will be where the master planting will be located.

AIS Judges Training- AIS Region 16
2010 Season

Contact the AIS Judges training coordinator for details and to participate in a judges training session scheduled for the upcoming season. It's a fun way to learn more about your favorite flower.

Judges' Training sanctioned by the American Iris Society has been offered at various locations within AIS Region 16 over recent years. Terry Laurin will be leading the Judges training and associated activities in Region 16. Please contact him if you are interested.

AIS Judges Training AIS Region 16:
Terry Laurin, 120 Glass Drive, Aurora ON L4G2E8
phone: 905 841-9676 | e-mail: tlaurin@torontoirissociety.com

photo: AIS Judge Sandy Ives inspects the TB iris Rare Quality (Schreiner 1999) 36 inches height, blooms mid-season, immense flower size, a pristine white ground contrasts sharply with deep plum plicata markings.
 

AIS Region 16 Judges for 2010 (November 2009)
item submitted by Christopher Hollinshead (ex-AIS RVP Region 16 2005-2007)
Approved AIS Judges for 2010 - Compiled by Judy Keisling, AIS Judges Training Chair

REGION 16
A Ted E. Baker
G/E Kate Brewitt
M Chuck Chapman
G/E Sylvia Chapman
A Ann Granatier
A Robert Granatier
G/E Eleanor Hutchison
G/E Emily Ives
G/E Raymond Ives
G/E Barbara J. Jackson
G/E Terrance Laurin
G/E Maureen Mark
M Gloria McMillen
G/E Val Saari
M Ken Viner

Interested in becoming an AIS Judge?

The AIS (American Iris Society) has set forth the criteria for becoming a sanctioned iris judge in North America. In fact, people who are AIS Judges are the most important officials of the American Iris Society, and as such have both rights and responsibilities beyond those of the regular membership.

A RECOMMENDATION

It is strongly advised to obtain the Handbook for Judges and Show Officials available from the AIS. It's an outstanding publication and readily obtained for $15 USD.  Go to the AIS Storefront on the AIS website to purchase the handbook. It doesn’t have a lot of pictures, but it does explain in detail all the functions, regulations and responsibilities of AIS iris judges.

RESOURCES
AIS website: www.irises.org

There are multiple levels of judges. The titles are:
M Master (15 uninterrupted years as a garden/exhibition judge)
E Emeritus (awarded by the AIS Board of Directors).
OS Overseas
G/E Garden Exhibition
A Apprentice

Here are the immediate requirements as taken from the AIS handbook:

TO BECOME A STUDENT:

The AIS Handbook doesn’t really describe how to become a student… because it is so simple. Just attend the classroom sessions for credit. Sign the attendance sheets. Write the test. You are a student!
Get the local iris society to put you in touch with the AIS Regional Vice-President (or look up on the various iris websites). Canada is designated as AIS Region 16 if you go to the AIS website located at www.irises.org 

TO BECOME AN APPRENTICE:

1. You can be a student judge and not be a member of the AIS, but you cannot move up the ranks. If you take the classroom training, you will certainly become more knowledgeable about irises, but that’s all. In other words, you must be a member of the American Iris Society for three years before you are eligible to become an apprentice. Remember, you will be an important official of the AIS, therefore you really have to be a member too.

2. Attend the classroom judging schools. Everyone is welcome.
Join these classes at iris conventions, at annual general meetings, or at special weekends set aside for judges’ training schools (late winter, early spring). You need 10 hours of classroom training before you can become an apprentice. These credits are good for three-four years.
In order to pass the course, you must fill out the attendance form and complete a written exam.

3. Have five accredited judges recommend you to move up the ranks.
You will get to know the instructors during classroom training. Ten hours of classroom training sounds like a lot. It's not. There are over 14 separate iris classes alone. You could take ten hours and still not touch the non-bearded iris (such as the Siberians).

The RVP will be following up and inquiring if you want to move up in the ranks once they are aware you have completed the requirements to become an apprentice judge. If you agree, then your name will be presented to the AIS as an apprentice for the next calendar year. Your name will be listed in the AIS Bulletin as an apprentice judge in the January bulletin, and the clock starts ticking. You have three years to complete the following requirements.

TO BECOME AN ACCREDITED GARDEN/EXHIBITION JUDGE:

1. Attend the classroom judging schools. Yes, once again; a minimum of 2 hours of classroom training are required, including tests, one of which must be 'Awards and Ballots'. You guessed it, that session lasts two hours, including the test.
2. Complete the garden training schools. These are two 2 hour sessions of training in the garden with two different AIS accredited judges... and ensure they give you an exam. Talk to your judging friends, they should be flattered.
3. Complete the show judging schools under two different AIS accredited judges; each class lasting two hours - this generally means two shows. Again, they should give you an exam.
4. Complete an activity report for each year. The RVP will send all judges a blank report that they must fill out; and student judges should fill them out as well.
5. Remain a member of the AIS. See the AIS website and follow the membership links.

I find that obtaining training for show judging is probably the more difficult fulfillment as there are far fewer opportunities to attend shows than any other activity.

TO REMAIN A GARDEN/EXHIBITION JUDGE:

1. REMAIN AN AIS MEMBER!
2. VOTE THE BALLOT!
3. RETURN YOUR ACTIVITY REPORT!
4. Keep taking classes… or give them. You need three hours of classroom training every three years and two hours of garden training. This is not an option.