How to Join the Atlanta Orchid Society

Membership in the Atlanta Orchid Society (AtlOS) is open to anyone interested in orchids, whether you are a novice or an experienced grower. To join, use the "Membership" link on atlantaorchidsociety.org and sign up there. Once a member, you can take part in discussions, hold office, offer suggestions, and bring blooming orchids to monthly meetings for show, discussion, or the ribbon judging.

What You Are Joining

AtlOS was formed in 1947 as a non-profit organization where people learn about orchids, share knowledge and experience, and promote their love of orchids. It is one of roughly 550 local societies affiliated with the American Orchid Society.

The society describes itself as a dedicated group of individuals enthusiastic about orchids and eager to share what they know. The site states plainly that membership is open to anyone interested in orchids and that "there are others who share your interest."

How to Sign Up

1. Go to atlantaorchidsociety.org.
2. Select "Membership" in the site navigation.
3. Complete the sign-up there.

The site does not publish dues amounts or payment methods on the pages reviewed, so check the Membership page for current details before you commit.

What Members Can Do

• Participate in discussion at meetings and contribute suggestions.
• Hold office in the society.
• Bring blooming orchids of many types for show, discussion, or questions.
• Take part in the monthly ribbon judging.
• Hear guest speakers who present on some aspect of orchids and their culture. Speakers come from across the United States and beyond and often bring plants to sell, including unusual and hard-to-find varieties.

Meetings and Show Dates

Monthly meetings are held on the second Monday of each month, usually at 7:30pm at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. The society advises checking the newsletter to confirm each month's details.

Upcoming events listed on the site:

The November 9 meeting features Scott Elliott presenting a program on the Catasetinae, a group known for dramatic flowers, unusual pollination biology, and a seasonal growth cycle. The annual auction is the society's second-largest fundraising event of the year and a chance to add orchids to your collection while supporting AtlOS.

A Practical Note

If you want to see how the society fits your interests before joining, visitors are explicitly welcome at meetings. Attending one meeting lets you observe the show table, ribbon judging, and speaker program first, then decide whether to sign up through the Membership page.