AHS Reciprocal Admissions-Program  Details for Gardens

The Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP) is an effective way to increase the value of a garden’s membership program by providing members with special admission privileges in addition to other benefits to other participating gardens.

The continued growth and success of the Reciprocal Admissions Program is because of the participating gardens’ interest in increasing the awareness of horticultural diversity in America. We look forward to including your garden in this prominent network.

• Benefits of the Reciprocal Admissions Program
• How to Join
• Choosing a Benefit to Offer
• Payment and Termination
• Promotion of the Program
• Updates and Changes
• Questions and Contact Information

Benefits of the Reciprocal Admissions Program

Participating gardens gain national visibility while supporting the growth of gardens and gardening across America. The AHS implements five marketing tools to promote participating gardens in the program.

1. Directory - In administering the RAP, the AHS produces a directory every January, which provides a complete listing of participating institutions and the benefits offered. The directory is available in three formats: a printed four-color directory available for purchase at a wholesale rate by the garden or at the retail price of $5/directory by individual members of gardens; an online directory; and a quick reference printable directory in tablet format, printed on 8 1/2" x 11".
    
2. Website - At http:\\www.ahs.org/rap members of participating gardens can access all three versions of the RAP directory. The online directory includes the participating garden’s contact information and a direct link to the participating garden’s website encouraging awareness of the mission and profile of the garden.
    
3. Regional Happenings - Participating gardens have the opportunity to have their horticultural events listed in the AHS’s highly acclaimed, four-color, national magazine The American Gardener and/or on the AHS website. To submit an event please click here.
    
4. Advertising Space - Participating gardens are eligible for a 15% discount on advertising in The American Gardener magazine. Please contact the advertising department at advertising@ahs.org or call (800) 777-7931 ext. 120 for further information.
    
5. Membership - A one-year complimentary individual AHS membership is given to the RAP representative of the participating horticultural institution. 

How to Join

In order to be admitted into the program, there must be a garden for members to visit and a benefit to offer to members. The interested garden must fill out an application and submit it to the AHS for approval. An annual fee of $125 must be received by November 1 for the following year’s participation. However, a garden can join at any time during the year.

Choosing a Benefit to Offer

To ensure the continued success and value of the program, it is essential that each participating garden is offering the most desirable benefits. To determine the benefit to be offered, please answer the following questions. Please keep in mind multiple benefits can be offered.

• Does this garden charge a required admission fee? (This does not refer to suggested donations) If it does, the primary benefit must be Free Admission. If not, please continue.
• Does this garden charge a parking fee? If so, the primary benefit must be Free Parking. If not, please continue.
• Does this garden have a gift shop? If it does, the primary benefit must be a minimum of 10% discount in the gift shop. If not, please continue.
• Does this garden offer educational programs, classes, or workshops for a fee? If answered yes, a discount on these items must be your primary benefit. If not, please continue.
• If this garden does not have any of these items, the garden can still be listed in the RAP network as a marketing tool only and their members would not receive any of the benefits of the program.

Payment and Termination

Once approved by the AHS, the garden becomes a participant in the program until written notice of termination is received. Payment is to be received by the AHS by November 1 for the following year of participation. Notice must be supplied to the AHS RAP Manager by November 1 of the current year to terminate participation for the following year. If notice of termination is received mid-year, the agreement will stay in effect until December 31 of that year. It will not be assumed that if payment is not received by November 1 the garden is no longer participating.

Promotion of the Program

RAP is an AHS program and should always be connected with the AHS. To promote the RAP in the participating garden’s membership materials, newsletters, etc, the AHS suggests using the following text:

“The American Horticultural Society’s Reciprocal Admissions Program offers free admission and additional benefits at botanical gardens, arboreta, and conservatories throughout North America.”

A Talking Points sheet is supplied to each participating garden to share with front line staff and others who may be encountering members of other gardens. It is important that everyone is aware of the program and the details associated with the RAP. This does not need to be sent back to the AHS.

Updates and Changes

It is the participating gardens’ responsibility to inform the AHS RAP Manager of any contact changes at the garden in addition to any listing changes, (ie. name, address, phone, website, etc.).

Questions and Contact Information

If you have any questions, please call (703) 768-5700 ext. 119 or rap@ahs.org.

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