MISSION STATEMENT AND OBJECTIVES OF THE

SOUTH AFRICAN ORCHID COUNCIL (S.A.O.C.)

The MISSION of the S.A.O.C. is:

To promote the culture, hybridisation, and conservation of orchids in South Africa through policy formulation, education, support and dissemination of knowledge on a continuous basis.

The OBJECTIVES of the S.A.O.C. are:

1.    To promote and support regional orchid societies by:-

a.    Publishing a journal biannually containing articles of a scientific, horticultural and conservational nature, the S.A.O.C. Awards with available photographs and descriptions, plus general information promoting orchids at national and Society level;

b.    Developing and maintaining an SAOC website;

c.    Producing and distributing a monthly newsletter that includes up to date information on orchid events at national and society level;

d.    Raising funds by all legal means within South Africa to further the Mission and Objectives of the S.A.O.C; and

e.    Promoting and supporting the hosting at Society level of a national orchid conference and show on a triennial basis.

2.    To formulate and oversee orchid judging in South Africa by:-

a.    Establishing and up-dating ‘Regulations and Guidelines on Judging’;

b.    Maintaining  a register of Accredited S.A.O.C. Judges;

c.    Establishing a Judging Committee and administering orchid judging in South Africa through four Regional Judging areas;

d.    Recognising and awarding orchid clones of horticultural merit by Accredited S.A.O.C. Judges at Regional Judging areas;

e.    Establishing Regional Judging Schools in order to train Learner Judges and keep the Accredited S.A.O.C. Judges up to date with the latest trends in judging, judging standards and hybridisation; and

f.     Ensuring the attendance at and judging of Society Shows by Accredited S.A.O.C. Judges.

3.    To establish a Conservation Task Team to :-

a.    Actively promote the conservation and improved knowledge about the South African indigenous orchids; and

b.    Establish a working relationship with Provincial entities responsible for enforcement of conservation legislation.