2021 Annual Reports

The 2021 Annual Reports from Board members have been combined into this single page for easier reading.

President’s Report 2021
In 2021, we made a lot of changes to HIPS business and data management. In our January meeting, we began using Zoom rather than conference calling. Likewise, in May we held our Annual Meeting via Zoom for the first time, rather than holding it at the AIS conference. This was a positive change that allowed more HIPS members to participate than only those in attendance at the AIS Conference. We will continue holding our Annual Meetings virtually.
HIPS has set up an Airtable account, which is an online database service. We now manage our data there, which involves our retail iris data, databank data, Guardian Gardens data, PBF data, and rhizome sale data.
In 2021, we chose Webfitters to overhaul our website, and they will manage our hosting and maintenance. Those serving on the Website committee were Laetitia Monroe, Cathy Egerer, Susan Flow, Tim Vanover, and myself.
We held our HIPS Sale once again, under a new format in which donors shipped collections directly to buyers. Cathy Egerer and I ran the sale, using Airtable to track inventory, allow our customers to place digital orders, and send invoices. There were a few glitches. but all-in-all, it was a success. Looking forward, HIPS will expand the sale in 2022 to include our Canadian members.

Southeast Regional Director Report 2021
I became involved with HIPS through the Guardian Garden program. I was expanding a historic iris collection and could care for endangered iris. After participating in a rare iris rescue, I was even more dedicated to preserving and displaying historic iris, adding Siberians to the extensive bearded iris collection. As Southeast Director during the pandemic, rescue opportunities were rare, and requests for support to outside organizations yielded little fruit. I expect the need to coordinate more rescues in the coming year.
Allyson Whalley

North Central Director 2021 Report
I participated in HIPS board meetings after my appointment, in July.  Previous to my appointment, I have been compiling data for the Guardian Gardens program for the last few years. I corresponded with members in my region who were interested in being added to our rescue volunteers. I will be helping in the HIPS Gallery, this year with loading new photos and updates to existing ones.
Also, I attended the Region 21 Fall meeting via Zoom, where the guest speaker was Bonnie Nichols. During her presentation, it was mentioned that she was looking for a historic novelty iris. After contacting a member growing one, we are hopeful to send it her way this summer.
Jessica Kelley

South Central Regional Director 2021 Report
I joined HIPS in December of 2020. I was honored to be elected to fill out the remaining 1½ years of the South Central Regional Director’s position after Suzanne Butler was chosen as our new Vice-President in July of 2021.
I have participated in HIPS board meetings since my appointment. My article, “HIPS to the Rescue”, was published in the Fall 2021 edition of Roots. It was my attempt to encourage members who are interested in volunteering to participate in iris rescues to contact their Regional Director. In the coming year I hope to fulfill my duties in part by developing a list of volunteers for iris rescues and working to build a relationship with folks who manage botanical gardens in my region.
Randy Smith

Northwest Regional Director Report for 2021
One request was taken care of; otherwise a very quiet year. (Note: Mike Unser has assumed the duties of Northwest Director as of January, 2022.)
Janet Smith

HIPS Archives Report for 2021
The Archives team uploaded more catalogs during 2021. Several HIPS members contributed as their time allowed. Our first priority was the catalogs scanned by IMR Digital in 2020, as most of those were needed for the AIS master catalog collection.  In other news, we received six large cartons of catalogs from Charlie Carver in 2021, from the Lankow collection. Those need to be checked against what we already have, but most are ones we don’t have yet. We also might receive a set of catalogs from Jody Nolin, which were part of the Mike and Ann Lowe collection.
Currently, there are four HIPS members working on uploading the catalog collection. This will likely take several more seasons to accomplish. As catalogs are scanned and uploaded, they are separated into sets for the AIS Library or future storage/dispersal. We have quite a few duplicate catalogs.
Respectfully Submitted,
Cathy Egerer, Archives Team Chair

ROOTS Report as of 2022-01-20
In 2021 we published two editions of ROOTS, in spring and fall, on time. Both issues were well received.
As part of the HIPS effort to make sure there’s an assistant or at least a back-up for every key position, we asked for anyone interested in helping with ROOTS to step forward. Justin Fortanascio of Massachusetts immediately responded and we have begun working together already. Diane Lynch also volunteered to help with proofreading and perhaps looking for articles or doing research. Mike Unser offered to write more for us; his work is always welcome.
The Spring 2022 issue is already full or nearly so, depending on how long some of the articles turn out to be. In order to stay within a reasonable budget, since prices are going up for both printing and postage, our goal is to limit ROOTS to the standard 36 pages.
As always, thanks to everyone who helped in any way, and in particular to our wonderful printer, Sundance Press, and our representative there, Gene Mandish.
– Nancy McDonald, Editor