Letter to our members
Bill Darbon, Lawrence Loucka, Steven Molteno, Tony Roberts, ColinWalker
Since the 1960s, specialist societies have sprung up for the study of popular succulent plants. Alan Scott Akers recognised that Haworthia and relatives were worthy of their own society and advertised for support in 1986. The Haworthia Society was established as a result of his efforts. He was the first secretary and editor of the Newsletter, which was renamed “Haworthiad” in 1989. The initial membership totalled sixteen: one from the USA, one from Italy and the rest from England. From this simple beginning, the Society has grown and is dedicated to the study, cultivation and enjoyment of the succulent Aloeae specifically, Aloe, Aloidendron, Aristaloe, Astroloba, Bulbine, Gasteria, Gonialoe, Haworthia, Haworthiopsis, Kumara, Tulista, and other related genera.
Society benefits include the Haworthiad journal, an e-commerce shop with back issues, books, and more, seed sales, plant exchange, a biennial conference, and plant shows.
The society has members from 27 countries, with 52% from the United Kingdom. We have honorary representatives from Australia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany and Austria, South Africa, and the United States. Our newest representative is Marc Rubelli from South Africa. The Society is very grateful for the continuing help and support it gains from these representatives.
We face challenges, including rising printing and postal costs and postal tariffs. Our membership has fallen from 392 in 2021 to 326, fifty fewer than a year ago. Membership declines can be seen across several similar societies as consumer preferences have changed, and with the proliferation of other media competing for our limited time and resources.
Due to recent internal issues among several members of the Haworthia Society Committee, a significant number have now resigned. This leaves the Society in a serious administrative position and needs to replace key positions as a matter of priority to continue to function effectively. Therefore, the committee believes it is necessary to inform all society members of this situation and call an Extraordinary General Meeting.
Nominations for the Committee are being accepted for chairperson, treasurer, membership, secretary, events, webmaster, social media manager, and member-at-large. Our website needs love and attention, and we are always looking for interesting articles. Maybe you like attending plant shows and can help promote our society, or you are organised and good at taking meeting minutes for the half dozen meetings we have a year. We invite members with enthusiasm and drive to join us and fill out these posts. Fortunately, modern technology has removed the requirements to live in the same country or even on the same continent. Meetings are carried out electronically in the comfort of your own home. If you could contribute some time and energy to the onward development of the Society, please do not hesitate to contact the secretary@haworthia.org.
- Announcement and call for candidates; 11 July
- Extraordinary General Meeting 7 pm BST, 15 August 2025
Q&A, election process, roles, and appeal for co-opt and candidates - Nominations in writing to the secretary@haworthia.org.
Include the name and email address of a proposer and a seconder. - Candidate Statements: (due by 15 September 2025)a. How long have you been a member?b. Qualifications & relevant skills?c. Why do you want to serve?d. What do you hope to accomplish?e. Other relevant comments.f. Include a photo “headshot”
- Qualification vetting by the Committee
- The election slate will be distributed to members on 1 October 2025.
- Online voting October 1-30, 2025
- Confirmation and seating of the new Committee at the Biennial General Meeting at 7 p.m. BST on 15 November.