Change meeting time?

[mpdharley]

At the last meeting I brought up the possibility of changing the meeting times to 5 to 8 (a request some of the members have made).

I wanted to get everyones thoughts on the time change. So, here's a poll to vote on. The time change won't affect the next (March) meeting, but would start in April.

Mike

 

[ReefNeck]

The idea has both good and bad points for me.

I voted yes because having the later time would allow more of the LFS owners and employees to attend which I think would be a great thing.

Being a father with 2 young kids makes it difficult for doing 5-8 because the girls are usually eating and ready for bed during these hours. (At least the 9 m/o is ready for bed). The 2 year old can get cranky and run amok causing us to miss alot of things by constantly chasing her. Neither my wife or I had much time to actually enjoy Chris's tank this month because of this.

Back at January's meeting Carrie's daughter babysat for us but we don't like to ask every month since it's hard to afford currently with me still out of work. She watched them for next to nothing but we can't and don't expect that every time.

I still think the time change would be a benefit overall for the club so that is why I voted yes.

 

[nikonosis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6832360#post6832360 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefNeck
The idea has both good and bad points for me.

I voted yes because having the later time would allow more of the LFS owners and employees to attend which I think would be a great thing.

Being a father with 2 young kids makes it difficult for doing 5-8 because the girls are usually eating and ready for bed during these hours. (At least the 9 m/o is ready for bed). The 2 year old can get cranky and run amok causing us to miss alot of things by constantly chasing her. Neither my wife or I had much time to actually enjoy Chris's tank this month because of this.

Back at January's meeting Carrie's daughter babysat for us but we don't like to ask every month since it's hard to afford currently with me still out of work. She watched them for next to nothing but we can't and don't expect that every time.

I still think the time change would be a benefit overall for the club so that is why I voted yes.

do you have any grandparents or family members that would be willing to baby sit for free?

 

[ReefNeck]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6832483#post6832483 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by nikonosis
do you have any grandparents or family members that would be willing to baby sit for free?

Unfortunately, No. My mom lives in Arlington but has her hands full with her business. She & her husband love the girls but have never offered to babysit because I believe it's too much for them to handle. They are always asking us to bring them over to visit and for family get togethers but that's it.

My real father I have never known and lives out of state. My mother that raised me left this world 5 years ago and is in a better place. Her husband I do not associate with for reasons I won't go into publicly.

My wife's family lives in Canada where my wife is from. If they were closer they would want the girls constantly.

Keri

 

[nikonosis]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6832708#post6832708 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ReefNeck
Unfortunately, No. My mom lives in Arlington but has her hands full with her business. She & her husband love the girls but have never offered to babysit because I believe it's too much for them to handle. They are always asking us to bring them over to visit and for family get togethers but that's it.

My real father I have never known and lives out of state. My mother that raised me left this world 5 years ago and is in a better place. Her husband I do not associate with for reasons I won't go into publicly.

My wife's family lives in Canada where my wife is from. If they were closer they would want the girls constantly.

Keri

That sux. Me and my wife haven't been into any meets yet because last week she got the flu. We are going to be at the meeting at robs for sure unless 1 of us is dying again. We always just have my parents or my wifes parents watch the kids so we don't have to pay a baby sitter.

 

[Bildobastig]

what day is this months meeting on?.. and just wondering cuase i am new .. what goes on at these meetings?

 

[GoldStripe]

I said yes change it but simply for the benefit of others. It doesn't matter what time we have it.

 

[s10willy]

I'm all for doing the meetings at the new time, but can we at least have the meetings start at a set time? By this, I mean can we have a set time when club business will be discussed or when guest speakers will begin speaking? If we stick to that set time, it could make it a lot easier for people to ensure they don't miss important info. They will know that if they can only stop by for 30 minutes, what 30 minutes would be best time frame to get the most info.

 

[joseph]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6834774#post6834774 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Bildobastig
what day is this months meeting on?.. and just wondering cuase i am new .. what goes on at these meetings?

Bildo - Meetings are on the third Sat of every month except Nov & Dec. Check out the meetings link on the nfmas site.

It doesn't matter to me what time the meetings are. If changing the time means that it will be more convenient for others then great.

 

[mpdharley]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6840452#post6840452 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by s10willy
I'm all for doing the meetings at the new time, but can we at least have the meetings start at a set time? By this, I mean can we have a set time when club business will be discussed or when guest speakers will begin speaking? If we stick to that set time, it could make it a lot easier for people to ensure they don't miss important info. They will know that if they can only stop by for 30 minutes, what 30 minutes would be best time frame to get the most info.

Generally speaking, the timing of the meeting follows this format:

- Social time: First 45 to 60 minutes. This allows plenty of time for people to get there, chat for a few, etc

- Club business. The amount of time for this depends on what business needs to be accomplished.

- Guest Speakers (if any)

- Host info/Store info (see below)

- Frag swap/selling

- More social time, wrap up, etc. This is also the best time to pick up a new member card if you need it.

This is simply the format that I've been following and can change. based on what everyone wants to do.

* If the meeting is being hosted at someone's house, I'd like have this time for them to talk about their system. Things like:

1) The voyage to where it is now
2) The different pieces of their system
3) Favorite coral, fish, etc
4) Current problems (if any) or recent problems and how they fixed it.
This is, of course, up to the tank owner.

If the meeting is at a store, then this time would be for the store owner to talk about new things at their store, etc

As the club is growing, we can modify any part of this. I would like to keep some time in the beginning for "social/wait for everyone to arrive time" though.

Hope that helps!

Mike

 

[krismist]

Any considered going to a sunday meeting time. I could not go to a 5 to 8 meeting on Sat because of work. I am new to the meeting and enjoy the meeting

 

[mpdharley]

In the past, we've kept away from Sunday since most everyone has to work on Monday. Also, it really hasn't been brought up to change the day yet.

Although, as with everything, it's up to the members.

 

[mpdharley]

Something I forgot to mention in the beginning. If you select "Choose another time" in the poll, please post a message with the time you would prefer.

 

[ScubaTC]

Hmm, I don't have a need to change the time to 5-8 nor do I have a specific need to keep it within the 3-6 window. How about an option for "It doesn't matter"? Both time slots definitely have their pros and cons, but may be more significant for others. I'd rather leave the voting up to them since there's not a "doesn't matter" option.

 

[mpdharley]

Good idea (adding the Doesn't matter). Unfortunately, I cannot change the poll. Instead, if it doesn't matter to you whether the time is changed or not, please send me a PM and I will count those votes.

FYI: A PM makes it easier to ensure that the vote gets counted. If it is posted in this thread, I might miss it.

 

[mpdharley]

Bump

Just wanted to make sure everyone saw this and had a chance to vote.

 

[mpdharley]

Another bump to make sure everyone has a chance to vote.