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EnglishWhat Happens at ORG&HPS Monthly Meetings?
Updated
ORG&HPS monthly meetings combine a featured guest presentation with a shorter member-led segment called the Members Showcase, and recordings are posted for members within a week. That format suits anyone deciding whether to attend in person or join to watch online — but the recordings sit behind a login, so viewing them requires membership rather than a public link.
The Two-Part Meeting Format
Featured Guest Presentation
The main slot is a talk by an invited speaker. The society's own example is Andrew Osyany, a founding member of ORG&HPS, presenting "A Taste of the Flora of Utah" at the November 8, 2026 meeting. His travels to Western mountains from 1966 to roughly 2010, often organized with fellow members, form the basis of the talk.
This tells you what to expect from the featured slot: plant-focused, travel- and observation-driven talks rather than general gardening advice.
Members Showcase
Most meetings also include a Members Showcase, where an individual member gives a presentation of about 20 minutes on a horticultural subject drawn from their own garden or gardens they have visited. The society invites topics ranging from local native flora to exotic plants, seed and bulb starting, and seasonal garden highlights, and encourages members to share photos taken over the summer.
The November 8, 2026 Showcase has a specific theme: a description of seeds offered in that year's Seedex, with Virginia Hildebrandt explaining the plants and why members should consider growing them. Members are asked to send photos of their Seedex contributions in advance so they can be shown during the session.
Recordings and Access
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Recording availability | Posted within a week of the meeting |
| Where to find them | "Members Only" area, under Meeting Videos |
| Requirement | You must be logged in |
| Time-limited content | Some videos are removed at the speaker's request — Paul Gellatly's "Unlocking the Potential: Big Ideas for Small Gardens" was scheduled to be taken down on Oct 26 |
The time-limited example matters if you plan around recordings: not every talk stays available indefinitely, so watching soon after a meeting is the safer approach.
Deciding Whether to Attend
- Choose the meetings if you want plant-focused talks with a travel and alpine/rock garden emphasis, and you value a low-pressure member speaking slot to share your own garden observations.
- Join as a member if you cannot attend in person and want the recordings — the archive is members-only and login-gated.
- Skip a given meeting if the featured topic or Showcase theme does not match your interests; the two-part structure means the member segment is short and the guest talk dominates.
If you are considering presenting, the Showcase is the entry point: 20 minutes, any horticultural subject you have direct experience with, and photos are welcome.