CDMAS Newsletter

[ChrisBuono]

I don't know if one yet exists or if someone is responsible for one, but if not, I'd like to offer my services to create and publish a monthly CDMAS newsletter. I haven't heard anyone else mention one, so I'll assume not for now.

I don't imagine it would be any more than a front and back sheet of paper to begin with. I'm thinking it could feature a member's aquarium each month, updates on the last general meeting with a reminder of what's to come, announcements, and a single advertisement. I have access to computer services and a color printer. Some of the copy would need to come from others.

In addition to providing one to each member via email, Reef Central forum, and/or PDF, we could leave some at each of the LFSs.

I'm willing and able. Council, please let me know if you'd like to take advantage of my free and eager services.

 

[vmiller]

Re: CDMAS Newsletter

I think this would be a nice thing for members who are not always able to attend meetings or visit the board. It's a nice concise way for them to stay up to date.

However, leaving them at the LFS is actively pursuing growth in the club in my opinion. As I've been saying (a lot it seems lately), that's fine if it's what the majority wants, but as far as I know, I don't think that's the case.

And lastly, as long as someone is willing to volunteer to do something like this, then it's great, but I don't think it's important enough (at the moment) to stick someone with as a position requirement.

 

[jallard]

Re: Re: CDMAS Newsletter

Re: Re: CDMAS Newsletter

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8328485#post8328485 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vmiller
And lastly, as long as someone is willing to volunteer to do something like this, then it's great, but I don't think it's important enough (at the moment) to stick someone with as a position requirement.

Agree.... If your willing and able it could be a great thing to offer our members. It's also easy enuff to make a pdf and have it a downloadable item from our website.

 

[Lakeside518]

A newsletter would be a great addition. There are many active hobbyists in the area who have not yet found the yellow brick road. How much could it hurt to leave a copy @ any LFS that would allow it? Growth is inevitable! Don't fear it. Promote the club it is a true accomplishment. Many can benefit from it.

Sure the forum many become more active with questions and curiosity. Meetings may enlarge slightly. Not like we will be filling a theater or convention hall anytime soon. Also, having members info on file now is a great thing. Some people may juss seek out info that they may just not beable to recieve at LFS due to time involved. Others may wish to take it farther, trade/ educate & create greater club activities.

Chris I'm all for it I think its an awesome idea. We should set it in motion. If it becomes to much for one person, I would also offer my services.

Kris

 

[jallard]

IMO the only thing to hash out is how are we going to distribute it. I personally am with Vin on this one...and don't feel that we need to leave it at LFS. That aspect of it can be voted on in forum by the membership, let the majority rule.

 

[Lakeside518]

Scan & email would likely be the most cost effective method. Mail would be cool but postage would kill us. Then also have a Post on the top of the forum-link similar to that of Reef Keeping Magazine updated monthly.

 

[vmiller]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8328774#post8328774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lakeside518
Growth is inevitable! Don't fear it. Promote the club it is a true accomplishment. Many can benefit from it.

Sure the forum many become more active with questions and curiosity. Meetings may enlarge slightly. Not like we will be filling a theater or convention hall anytime soon.

How do you know meetings will only "enlarge slightly"? There were quite a few people at the last few meetings I've been to, and to be honest, I wouldn't be comfortable having any more people than that at my house and I wouldn't be surprised if there are others that feel the same. Talk to some members of other large groups and you'll find many of them saying that they miss the old days of going to member's houses for meetings.

In my opinion, it's a risk that should be taken seriously. We should not do any kind of advertising without understanding the consequences, wanting those consequences, and being prepared for those consequences. Anything else would be careless.

 

[Lakeside518]

Curious to how the larger clubs hold meetings? What do they do?
How are they held? Its not something that i have come across in any of the other clubs i frequent. I suppose i would just have to ask. lol

 

[jallard]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8328910#post8328910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Lakeside518
Curious to how the larger clubs hold meetings? What do they do?
How are they held? Its not something that i have come across in any of the other clubs i frequent. I suppose i would just have to ask. lol

Some clubs hold quartly meetings at a place like an elks club or vfw or school......dosen't seem fun to me. I know 20 members in my little house is pushing it.

 

[ChrisBuono]

Points well taken!

I'll consider the LFS as a distribution point on-hold for now.

The other major benefit of a newsletter is advertising. I've read that our only significant source of income is raffle dollars from donations. If we're willing to open our members to some targeted advertising via a club newsletter, we might be able to get $100 in the coffers every month.

Thoughts?

 

[Lakeside518]

You mean kinda like the place mats at local dinners etc? Have local business's put add's on the page hobby related and or non hobby related? Maybe difficult to sell but a good idea.

 

[jallard]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8329216#post8329216 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisBuono
Points well taken!

I'll consider the LFS as a distribution point on-hold for now.

The other major benefit of a newsletter is advertising. I've read that our only significant source of income is raffle dollars from donations. If we're willing to open our members to some targeted advertising via a club newsletter, we might be able to get $100 in the coffers every month.

Thoughts?

:lol: I work at the TU so im all about advertising......I don't see a problem with ads in our newsletter. It could be just a back page ad and rotate it....among our sponsors. A little added incentive.

 

[ChrisBuono]

Would a council member be willing to write a 150 - 200 word essay to kick off our first newsletter?

 

[plandy]

A news letter is not just a great idea but long overdue. Most importantly it can highlight our current, past and future activities. For example a paragraph with picture(s) from seminars attended. Outlines on projects, recommended books, funny gossips, etc.

To be perfectly honest I am not too crazy about developing close advertising relationship with LFS. Especially not leave our calling card at their check out counter. There's a fine line which crosses our best interest for the sake of the dollar.

Again, this is just my personal opinion.

 

[Rainer Feyer]

Hmm,

I have two a priori's in my mind:

1- a small home with about 5-25 people in it, laughing, talking about reef inhabitants and it's husbandry, toasting with a bottle of beer (or water) and telling each other amazing stories; 9pm comes around, most people get in their car with a smile, saying "That was a fun meeting"

2 - some metal framed buildling with way underlit light and smells coming from the dirty carpet holdsd about 20-100 people who stand around wodering what's on the agenda, who to vote for, why to vote for a specific person, discussing why one should be in a postition versus the other and how the club turned into a political organization rather than a fun get-together.

A little newsletter sounds great, but, part of the fun of this forum is to welcome new members, write little ideas and experiences into threats which then take off to, well, who knows where.

Currently we have a fun club with very nice members, does it have to grow that much? Do we have to worry about which LFS gives us money and which one does not?

 

[ChrisBuono]

I think most or all of us agree that we want to keep the club relatively small, but I'm not sure what that has to do with a newsletter or advertising. By accepting donations and announcing the donator, that is essentially what we are doing already. Plus not everyone has ready access to this forum.

In any case, I'm willing to do the work. If it's not desired by the council or the general population, I'll drop the subject.

 

[TA]

Newsletter - YES (start here)
Distribution sites - Questionable

But definately a good idea to get one started.

 

[jallard]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8332444#post8332444 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisBuono
In any case, I'm willing to do the work. If it's not desired by the council or the general population, I'll drop the subject.

I think most members will love a newsletter....so that seems to me to be a go.. we can have a online vote if nessesary. But IMO its not nessesary.

Distribution could start out as an online thing and as it gets better or more popular we can discuss other modes of distribution.

 

[jaze36]

Chris this is a good idea, thank you for suggesting it. If you need help writing an article i would be more than happy to help where I could.

 

[vmiller]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8332444#post8332444 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ChrisBuono
I'm not sure what that has to do with a newsletter or advertising.

A newsletter doesn't have much to do with keeping the club small until you start talking about distribution.

In the past, members have opposed the idea of banners and advertising, particularly with the local stores. For some people I think it's a matter of integrity and indpependence and I think that may be plandy's perspective. I don't think anyone is claiming that having advertisiments on a newsletter is going to cause an explosion of club growth, but then again, if we're only distributing the newsletter to members, we may not have a big enough audience to command advertising fees.