American Rose Society

The American Rose Society (ARS) is a non-profit, educational organization founded in 1892, dedicated to promoting the culture, preservation, and appreciation of roses. It serves as a leading authority in the United States for rose enthusiasts.

History

The American Rose Society was established in 1892 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Over the years, its headquarters have moved from Columbus, Ohio, to its current location in Shreveport, Louisiana, where the American Rose Center, also known as "America's Rose Garden," is located. The center was established in 1974 and serves as the national headquarters of the ARS.

Mission

The ARS aims to improve the standard of excellence in rose cultivation through education and research. It offers a wide range of educational materials, including books, articles, webinars, and workshops, catering to rose enthusiasts of all levels.

Activities and Programs

The society engages in several key activities:

• Education: It provides educational resources, such as a bimonthly magazine, online webinars, and workshops focused on aspects like rose exhibiting, flower arrangement, and photography.
• Research: The ARS funds research on rose diseases, pests, and breeding to advance rose cultivation.
• Preservation: It works to preserve various types of roses, notably housing the largest collection of Rambler Roses in the United States at the American Rose Center.
• Events: The organization hosts conventions, rose shows, competitions, and workshops across the country.

Membership and Structure

The ARS has over 14,000 members across the United States, with more than 200 local rose societies supporting local communities. Members include certified consulting rosarians and accredited rose judges, providing expertise in growing and judging roses. The society is a founding member of the World Federation of Rose Societies, offering members access to global rose publications. Benefits include a bimonthly magazine, a reciprocal garden program, discounts with partners, and access to digital resources.

Leadership and Governance

The ARS is led by a Board of Directors, which includes a president, vice president, treasurer, and regional directors. Past presidents also contribute to the society's governance.

Financials

The ARS operates with a budget of approximately $500,000 to $1 million annually, focusing its efforts primarily on environmental conservation and education related to roses. However, the provided EIN (956122424) does not match the information found for the American Rose Society, which typically lists a different EIN.

Notable Initiatives

The society is actively involved in promoting sustainable rose gardening practices and offers educational content on rose care, diseases, and pest management. It also highlights new rose introductions and supports rose-related events nationwide.

[1] https://forum.rose.org/t/about-the-american-rose-society/31 [2] https://rose.org/meet-the-ars-leadership/ [3] https://rose.org [4] https://www.giveforgoodnla.org/organization/americanrosesociety [5] https://rose.org/webinars/