check out how this club runs their frag swaps
- Thread starter Gary Majchrzak
- Start date
Johnny C
New member
I must admit, I'm thrown for a loop with your responses to this thread. You've got quite an opinion for someone who I haven't seen at any of the last (6) major swaps I've organized in WNY. :hammer:I've been involved in trying to "organize" URS at least a couple of times.
This thread pretty much proved to me not much has changed in the way people think around here. Don't misunderstand me- I'm not mad, I don't think it's "good" nor "bad". It is what it is.
Does URS have to "organize" to hold an event like the Ohio one?
Probably at least somewhat. I mean... even this thread is a mess.
Again... it is what it is.
I no longer have the time or desire to try and convince people around here otherwise. It's easier for me to go to someone else's party
Kidding aside, I too believe that WNY has a huge hobbyist base and is capable of putting on major events. What this club lacks (and has lacked for as long as I can remember) is leadership and organization. That, and the fact that we're not actually an official "club" at all; no website, no BOD, no dues. It's an informal group; most stores get to host an event, nobody has to uphold responsibilities and we do very well for what we are (IMO).
I'd love to see this "club" advance to the next level, but it's going to take some serious planning and dedication. The question is, do we have what it takes?
Gary Majchrzak
Team RC
LEAR has less than 20 members?
Not to slight those swaps in any way, but the thing happening in Ohio is a little different
We have/had a website, we formed a BOD (anybody remember?), dues... well it was nuked from day one. Even the PROPOSAL that we organize was quickly shot down in this forum. (Search for the thread.) It's the mentality around here. I understand it and I'm okay with it.
We've ALWAYS been a loosely organized group. I look at swaps like LEAR's and I wonder why stuff like that doesn't happen around here.
I guess I already know the answer!
To be honest, I'm (personally) no longer interested in participating forming a BOD, collecting dues or upholding club responsibilities. I've been there & done that. It's other's turn to step up.
In the past, the proposal to organize has literally fractured URS.
Who needs that?
There ARE assets in being loosely organized and I've come to appreciate that fact. It's ALL GOOD.
Compared to other areas of the country, upstate NY is SATURATED with reefkeepers. Or maybe I should say high density :spin3:
Let's get a bus to Ohio!
don't take it personally but I threw in the towel long before you organized those swaps.
Not to slight those swaps in any way, but the thing happening in Ohio is a little different
No- we don't have what it takes. Or at least.. we haven't in the past and it appears not much has changed.Kidding aside, I too believe that WNY has a huge hobbyist base and is capable of putting on major events. What this club lacks (and has lacked for as long as I can remember) is leadership and organization. That, and the fact that we're not actually an official "club" at all; no website, no BOD, no dues. It's an informal group; most stores get to host an event, nobody has to uphold responsibilities and we do very well for what we are (IMO).
I'd love to see this "club" advance to the next level, but it's going to take some serious planning and dedication. The question is, do we have what it takes?
We have/had a website, we formed a BOD (anybody remember?), dues... well it was nuked from day one. Even the PROPOSAL that we organize was quickly shot down in this forum. (Search for the thread.) It's the mentality around here. I understand it and I'm okay with it.
We've ALWAYS been a loosely organized group. I look at swaps like LEAR's and I wonder why stuff like that doesn't happen around here.
I guess I already know the answer!
To be honest, I'm (personally) no longer interested in participating forming a BOD, collecting dues or upholding club responsibilities. I've been there & done that. It's other's turn to step up.
In the past, the proposal to organize has literally fractured URS.
Who needs that?
There ARE assets in being loosely organized and I've come to appreciate that fact. It's ALL GOOD.
Compared to other areas of the country, upstate NY is SATURATED with reefkeepers. Or maybe I should say high density :spin3:
Let's get a bus to Ohio!
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I have thought about this several times ,drawing on my political science background. It's an interesting micro social phenomenon. To me URS is anarchy at work.
While I favor continuing free association qualities of the URS as it is now . If (a) more formal structure(s) evolve(s ) ; it need not interfere very much with the current more anarchistic way we function . But what's the pay off to individuals for surrendering even a smidgen of autonomy to a" true "club?
Anarchy can be good thing by some definitions or just plain disorder in others:
Webster's dictionary puts it this way:
c : a utopian society of individuals who enjoy complete freedom without government ;or
b: a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority
Wikipedia offers this:
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be immoral,<sup id="cite_ref-definition_9-0" class="reference">[9]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-slevin_10-0" class="reference">[10]</sup> or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations.<sup id="cite_ref-iaf-ifa.org_11-0" class="reference">[11]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference">[12]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference">[13]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-Ward_1966_14-0" class="reference">[14]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference">[15]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference">[16]</sup> Proponents of anarchism (known as "anarchists") advocate stateless societies based on non-hierarchical<sup id="cite_ref-iaf-ifa.org_11-1" class="reference">[11]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference">[17]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference">[18]</sup> voluntary associations.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference">[19]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference">[20]</sup>
I favor continuing the free association qualities of the URS as it is now whether or not (a )more formal task oriented structure(s) is(are) adopted.
If a more formal structure evolves ; it need not interfere with the current individualized way we function ,imo. Certainly, ad hoc or even more permanent fomalized groups could complete tasks like frag swaps,group buys, information banks, etc. without imposing governance or taking URS to "the next level" or making it a "true club".
I'd certainly be willing to help with those efforts .In any case I think those types of efforts if successful could move us towards more formal organization. If there is no evident desireable outcome ;then why would folks just surrender any feedom they may now have to a formal organization? I think resistance is inevitable to formalizing the way we do things,or don't do them now absent a clearly demonstrated benefit to change.
Folks on URS are freethinkers and just haven't bought in to the idea that there is a need to organize more formally as a "true club" because others do it that way. The "next level" is not always a better one.
While I favor continuing free association qualities of the URS as it is now . If (a) more formal structure(s) evolve(s ) ; it need not interfere very much with the current more anarchistic way we function . But what's the pay off to individuals for surrendering even a smidgen of autonomy to a" true "club?
Anarchy can be good thing by some definitions or just plain disorder in others:
Webster's dictionary puts it this way:
c : a utopian society of individuals who enjoy complete freedom without government ;or
b: a state of lawlessness or political disorder due to the absence of governmental authority
Wikipedia offers this:
Anarchism is generally defined as the political philosophy which holds the state to be immoral,<sup id="cite_ref-definition_9-0" class="reference">[9]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-slevin_10-0" class="reference">[10]</sup> or alternatively as opposing authority in the conduct of human relations.<sup id="cite_ref-iaf-ifa.org_11-0" class="reference">[11]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-12" class="reference">[12]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-13" class="reference">[13]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-Ward_1966_14-0" class="reference">[14]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-15" class="reference">[15]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-16" class="reference">[16]</sup> Proponents of anarchism (known as "anarchists") advocate stateless societies based on non-hierarchical<sup id="cite_ref-iaf-ifa.org_11-1" class="reference">[11]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-17" class="reference">[17]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-18" class="reference">[18]</sup> voluntary associations.<sup id="cite_ref-19" class="reference">[19]</sup><sup id="cite_ref-20" class="reference">[20]</sup>
I favor continuing the free association qualities of the URS as it is now whether or not (a )more formal task oriented structure(s) is(are) adopted.
If a more formal structure evolves ; it need not interfere with the current individualized way we function ,imo. Certainly, ad hoc or even more permanent fomalized groups could complete tasks like frag swaps,group buys, information banks, etc. without imposing governance or taking URS to "the next level" or making it a "true club".
I'd certainly be willing to help with those efforts .In any case I think those types of efforts if successful could move us towards more formal organization. If there is no evident desireable outcome ;then why would folks just surrender any feedom they may now have to a formal organization? I think resistance is inevitable to formalizing the way we do things,or don't do them now absent a clearly demonstrated benefit to change.
Folks on URS are freethinkers and just haven't bought in to the idea that there is a need to organize more formally as a "true club" because others do it that way. The "next level" is not always a better one.
jlymner
New member
my I'm glad I'm in the local to me fish club.. CNY Aquarium Society... Love going to the swaps but when they are too far from Syracuse hard to rationalize it if it is just at a store.. (becuase they are usually so crampted and no place to socalize) now if it was at a better location... maybe... would be glad to drive to Rochester/Buffalo for a non store swap.
mr.maroonsalty
New member
This club is great! How many of you recieved a pm from Gary inviting you here? I find the "post and you are a member" very welcoming. Formal clubs can become tiring with scaubles over by-laws, elections, sponsors, personalities, bank accounts/taxes, egos... There is something easy about the social network nature of things without people having vested interest in an organization. It would be interesting seing if a group or individual could create and maintain a super large event.
cardiffgiant
Active member
Great post by Tom, including the key question that I would ask: what is the goal of having a greater level of organization? The anarchy works pretty well with this crowd, but I'd be willing to try other levels of involvement. I think that we haven't come up with enough goals/benefits to offset the cost of being more formal/organized.
belgian_waffleman
New member
an individual can not pull this off on his/her own. It requires a group of people to do this and unfortunately there would have to be some organization, because it takes money to put on a show. A lot of places need to see a structure/organization to allow you to host an event.
I do work with a team on an annual event at the Marriott in Buffalo (Tech Expo), It's been done 56 times before but it is still a lot of work, new challenges every year. We have a team of 8 people, working on advertising/pricing/layouts/networking/raffles/food. We start prepping in November for the show in mid April.
Even if the only benefit of the club is to have a big annual event, and a couple of meetings over the course of a year, It would already be a good thing.
Waffleman
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fishman1234
New member
Off to the frag fest!
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