Announcement - Please read.

[triggerjay]

I have decided to step down from being the SEAS president. My busy life and work schedule, is not allowing me the time to properly maintain my own tank, let alone, take care of SEAS business. I still plan to be active in the SEAS as my time permits, but don't feel I have the time to devote to the club to keep things on track. Josh Huggins, SEAS VP, will be filling in as acting president until a new president can be voted in. Now for the bad stuff...

When I had the opportunity to take over as president of the club, I had big ideas. I felt the time was right to re-kindle the club. A couple of the events held while I was president had a decent turnout,... but only a couple. The frag demo had great attendance, the frag swaps also did. Now, the monthly meetings however, were for the most part a bust. One meeting held, I even took a day off of work for so I could attend, and other than the host, I was the only one there..

I just don't feel that the hobbyist's in springfield really want a club, and on top of that, I am tired of my phone ringing with "so and so did this, and I don't like it". I guess I am just burned out on the effort put forth by myself and others, and not much coming of it. Thanks for reading, and if you feel you are the guy to make the SEAS happen, send Josh a PM. Some fresh ideas would definatley help the club out.

Jason

 

[fish2]

well bro im sorry to here this, i apreciate everything youve done with the club. give me a hollar .. fish

 

[Jah2707]

Jason, I certainly understand where you are coming from. (thanks for calling and giving me a heads up)

I guess the age old question, one that has been brought up many times is: What do you want out of SEAS? I am going to post a message on the SEAS website. www.theseas.org

I need at least 10 responses to what you would like to happen with the club. If we do not get at least 10 responses then there is no need of a club and we will only have frag swaps once every 4 months!

I am just trying to take a simple look at the problem. (If there is another person with ideas, time, and allot of motivation I will be happy to stay the VP

 

[OzarksReef]

Jason - I think you and the other officers have done a great job of getting the club up and running again! We have 51 members and we're adding more every week - that wouldn't have been possible without your commitment.

It sounds like there's a lot of interest in frag swaps and propagation techniques. Now we just have to figure out what will get the group to come together once a month to keep the club active. I know in my own case, I've been out of town for several of the meetings - but in other cases just haven't followed through with being part of the meetings.

Maybe we could get more participation by including some sort of "exchange/swap" element to every monthly meeting and by having a topic we cover at each one. A guest speaker on a topic of interest would also be a drawing card - and I know we've got a lot of expertise in our membership on various aspects of the hobby!

I think you've done a great job as SEAS President - don't feel like we haven't made progress! Thanks for your hard work Jason - now let's all step up to the plate to get this club to the next level! Our city is large enough to support a very active group of hobbyists!

Thanks,
David

 

[jmace1960]

I am sorry jason you did a great job

 

[Red Sea Purple Tang]

You guys have done a great job in keeping things going. And with 51 members, that's not bad at all. Summertime is always a slow time for the hobby. And in talking to LFS's, it's slowing down in the industry. No doubt due to the fact that we're spending $4 for a gallon of gas. Our group in Chicago is taking the summer off and starting again in September. We have over 150 members, but the meetings will typically have up to 2 dozen people. Our Wisconsin group still meets year round, with good attendance, but there's so much beer at the meetings that this is a draw without doubt. Keeping a group together, as you know, take constant evaluating. Josh is on the right track in getting feedback from people. As far as complaining, it's always going to be there. So don't loose hope friends!

 

[kellis]

"ditto" to what ozarksreef said and red sea purple tang. I just posted on the topic on the seas website and now reading this I think that with the attendance at Fish's place maybe it's the locations of the meetings. If we could find a neutral place to hold the events in a central location and a time that is best for most members maybe we could have a better turn out. I also loved the idea of having someone speak on a topic. I pretty much could use info on every aspect. even if it's just one persons expierience.

 

[fish2]

ok josh if you dont get the 10 your looking for do we get our money back

 

[REEF-n-Chicago]

I think the club is progressing at a normal pace. Attendence may be spotty but membership is way up!
The key is going to be more events/demenstrations (sp) ect. I really like the idea of specific topics for each meeting.
I have a grill to bring for the bbq and in a previous thread a location was offered. (forget who)
Lets keep this club going

 

[triggerjay]

Ah, that was David,.... NavyMr... He is getting out of the hobby at the moment, and I do not know if he would still want to host it..


Jason

 

[triggerjay]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12699802#post12699802 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fish2
ok josh if you dont get the 10 your looking for do we get our money back

If the decision to shut down the club is made, which I hope does not happen, The only fair thing to do would be to divide up the treasury money equally between all the members. There is quite a bit of money in the treasury, but not enough to refund everyone the whole amount, due to the money spent on events, buying coral for the frag demo, prizes for the meetings etc. So, in a round about way, if this should happen, which I do not see likley, it will basically be evenly divided. I am hoping to see someone step up to the plate, and offer to let us vote them president. (I have a person in mind, but am not going to point them out). So, if you are interested in being the president, PM or E-mail Josh Huggins, and he will start a vote.

Jason

 

[REEF-n-Chicago]

Jason say it isnt so!!!! It is like a bad dream!!! In all seriousness great job, thanks for all your help, and most of all your friendship!

 

[triggerjay]

oh, I doubt the club will go anywhere.. I am by no means the stone holding the wall together. I feel the club will be here... We just need someone to step up that has a little more free time than myself to plan events, and do the record keeping etc. I will still play an active role in the club, just not as rpesident. I will still attend meetings, and hang with the fellow reefers when I have time. Saltwater is a hobby I have a passion for, and don't plan to leave the hobby anytime soon. I would just like someone else that has a fresh look on things to jump in, and make a go of it. I also understand that the club usually takes a "break" during this time of year, due to the warm weather, and people being busy with family/outside things. I know when the weather is nice, I spend more time outside instead of working on the tank. Anyhow, I think people took this the wrong way.. I don't think the club will be dissapearing anytime soon..

Jason