neuroslicer
Old School Reefer
Please pardon the length of this post, but this is an important matter which needs to be discussed amongst members of the West Tennessee Marine and Reef Aquarium Club. I have also sent this letter out to club members via email.
If you've been reading the WTMRAC Reef Central forum you'll probably know that Jay Page is setting up another group of marine hobbyists, called MARS (Memphis Area Reef Society), presumably due to dissatisfaction with WTMRAC. Fearing that this new development could possibly force a split amongst WTMRAC members, I suggested to him that he take over the member roster of WTMRAC, call the new group whatever he wished"¦ and then the club officers would transfer all WTMRAC funds to his new group. At that time he had no interest in any involvement or resources from the old club but wanted to start anew.
My feelings about WTMRAC merging or morphing into MARS, however, have changed since learning more about the tentative format of MARS. According to Jay Page, the new group will be primarily an online, digital presence. Members (both from the local region and anyone that is attracted from further distances away) will receive a monthly e- newsletter, be actively involved in forums, view and/or participate in podcasts instead of meetings, be involved in activities of marine organizations (e.g. MASNA, SECORE, etc). Jay P. will act as facilitator of the online group, sending out the monthly newsletter and, with his considerable expertise and enthusiasm, engage MARS members in online discussions and other activities.
What concerns me most about MARS is not what it offers, but what it lacks: the absence of what I consider to be one of the most important (if not THE most important) aspect of WTMRAC. And that is the local, social, human element. And maybe it's just because I'm old school and I'd rather talk directly with someone than text them on my phone! Without the club meetings we become just another online forum where people don't know each other's faces, much less each other's real names. Why is face-time important? In my opinion, the best times of our reef club have been times spent with other members, especially when gathering at member homes where we talk about hobby issues and get to view the wide variety of reef systems, and learn face-to-face about the tricks and troubles that each of us has experienced as we struggle and triumph with our hobby! I can recall many, many examples"¦ taking behind the scenes tours of reef systems at St. Jude Hospital and at Union College; learning about new LED technology at the Rendos home, having gourmet taco's at Jon Peyton's home, checking out Marty Klaus's no-hands hard plumbed water changing system, learning about DIY water chemistry maintenance and algal turf scrubbers at my home, hearing how biopellets helps with nitrogen waste control and seeing Carl Woodward's beautiful tank at his home, discussing vodka dosing (and checking out the cool Halloween décor at Bryan and Lindsey Childress's home), traveling to Oxford, MS to discuss water circulation at the Carson home, meeting new members and chatting with old reef clubbers at the annual New Year's Party at Fox Ridge Pizza"¦. and on and on"¦. Even more than our frag swaps, which incidentally attracted the most people and made the most money this past year... even more than those, our meetings have been the highlight of the hobby club for me, and I dare to say I am not alone in my opinion on this. I really hesitate to give that up to a digital only, online format.
It is a fact that club interest has waned, and I will certainly take some of the blame. However, in my defense, at the end of 2012 I asked if there was anyone willing to assume command of the club, and no one stepped forward, not Jay Page, not anyone. Since then we have had three well organized and informative meetings, each one well announced, but with less than half a dozen in attendance each time. In addition to good leadership, it takes personal involvement and commitment from members for any social organization to succeed. As with most things, you get out of something what you put into it. I'm a member of another local club, and we meet in informal groups once a week and we have a formal meeting each month. The weekly meetings typically gather 8 "“ 12 attendees, and the monthly meetings gather 15 "“ 20 attendees"¦ yet the overall number of members in that club is less than 75% of WTMRAC.
So what I'm trying to say is, the local human, social element is what matters most to me about WTMRAC. We can decide here and now to let it die on the vine, or we can revive it with renewed personal commitment from you, from me, and from all our club members. But I will need to hear from you, and I need to hear it now. I need a pledge of commitment from at least a core group of members. It's ok if some members for whatever reason drop out because they are unable to give that commitment"¦ I am less interested in total number of members and more interested in having at least a core group of enthusiastic and involved members. It's also fine if some members still want to stay in the club with a low level of commitment"¦ we're glad for any involvement that you can deliver"¦ but to have a successful club, I need a core group of die hards! So, those of you that do wish to guarantee that the club keeps going, do so now by pledging your active involvement now.
This whole experience has been a wake-up call for me to help me realize that if we don't do something pretty quickly, WTMRAC as we have known it will be a thing of the past. For my part, I will pledge now to do my best to keep the club enthusiastic and active by organizing more events like the ones I've described above. But I won't, indeed can't, do it alone. I will make that pledge if and only if:
1) At least 8 - 10 club members (or new people willing to join up now) agree to host a meeting in their home over the next 12 month
AND
2) At least 15 -20 club members pledge to do their best to attend no less than six monthly meetings over the next 12 months
My goal is to restore the practice of monthly meetings, most of them in member homes, with at least 10 "“ 12 monthly attendees. If I get the kind of support I've requested above, that will guarantee a more rewarding club experience I have no doubt. If I receive enough positive feedback and commitment from all of you now, we will continue WTMRAC, beginning with the next meeting at Michelle and Tim Bennett's house on July 27. At that time, in addition to working on the WTMRAC Frag Swap, we can also discuss ways to revitalize WTMRAC, and if need be, decide who best to lead the club in the future (I by no means take it for granted that it will be me). Feel free also to email you comments and suggestions, but by all means , now please reply with your pledge to keep the club moving forward (or by your lack of response, close the chapter and we will move on to MARS).
I look forward to your feedback and your responses, and hope to receive your support for the club. And thank you for your time in reading this letter.
Please respond to wtmrac@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Jay Blundon, WTMRAC 2013 President
If you've been reading the WTMRAC Reef Central forum you'll probably know that Jay Page is setting up another group of marine hobbyists, called MARS (Memphis Area Reef Society), presumably due to dissatisfaction with WTMRAC. Fearing that this new development could possibly force a split amongst WTMRAC members, I suggested to him that he take over the member roster of WTMRAC, call the new group whatever he wished"¦ and then the club officers would transfer all WTMRAC funds to his new group. At that time he had no interest in any involvement or resources from the old club but wanted to start anew.
My feelings about WTMRAC merging or morphing into MARS, however, have changed since learning more about the tentative format of MARS. According to Jay Page, the new group will be primarily an online, digital presence. Members (both from the local region and anyone that is attracted from further distances away) will receive a monthly e- newsletter, be actively involved in forums, view and/or participate in podcasts instead of meetings, be involved in activities of marine organizations (e.g. MASNA, SECORE, etc). Jay P. will act as facilitator of the online group, sending out the monthly newsletter and, with his considerable expertise and enthusiasm, engage MARS members in online discussions and other activities.
What concerns me most about MARS is not what it offers, but what it lacks: the absence of what I consider to be one of the most important (if not THE most important) aspect of WTMRAC. And that is the local, social, human element. And maybe it's just because I'm old school and I'd rather talk directly with someone than text them on my phone! Without the club meetings we become just another online forum where people don't know each other's faces, much less each other's real names. Why is face-time important? In my opinion, the best times of our reef club have been times spent with other members, especially when gathering at member homes where we talk about hobby issues and get to view the wide variety of reef systems, and learn face-to-face about the tricks and troubles that each of us has experienced as we struggle and triumph with our hobby! I can recall many, many examples"¦ taking behind the scenes tours of reef systems at St. Jude Hospital and at Union College; learning about new LED technology at the Rendos home, having gourmet taco's at Jon Peyton's home, checking out Marty Klaus's no-hands hard plumbed water changing system, learning about DIY water chemistry maintenance and algal turf scrubbers at my home, hearing how biopellets helps with nitrogen waste control and seeing Carl Woodward's beautiful tank at his home, discussing vodka dosing (and checking out the cool Halloween décor at Bryan and Lindsey Childress's home), traveling to Oxford, MS to discuss water circulation at the Carson home, meeting new members and chatting with old reef clubbers at the annual New Year's Party at Fox Ridge Pizza"¦. and on and on"¦. Even more than our frag swaps, which incidentally attracted the most people and made the most money this past year... even more than those, our meetings have been the highlight of the hobby club for me, and I dare to say I am not alone in my opinion on this. I really hesitate to give that up to a digital only, online format.
It is a fact that club interest has waned, and I will certainly take some of the blame. However, in my defense, at the end of 2012 I asked if there was anyone willing to assume command of the club, and no one stepped forward, not Jay Page, not anyone. Since then we have had three well organized and informative meetings, each one well announced, but with less than half a dozen in attendance each time. In addition to good leadership, it takes personal involvement and commitment from members for any social organization to succeed. As with most things, you get out of something what you put into it. I'm a member of another local club, and we meet in informal groups once a week and we have a formal meeting each month. The weekly meetings typically gather 8 "“ 12 attendees, and the monthly meetings gather 15 "“ 20 attendees"¦ yet the overall number of members in that club is less than 75% of WTMRAC.
So what I'm trying to say is, the local human, social element is what matters most to me about WTMRAC. We can decide here and now to let it die on the vine, or we can revive it with renewed personal commitment from you, from me, and from all our club members. But I will need to hear from you, and I need to hear it now. I need a pledge of commitment from at least a core group of members. It's ok if some members for whatever reason drop out because they are unable to give that commitment"¦ I am less interested in total number of members and more interested in having at least a core group of enthusiastic and involved members. It's also fine if some members still want to stay in the club with a low level of commitment"¦ we're glad for any involvement that you can deliver"¦ but to have a successful club, I need a core group of die hards! So, those of you that do wish to guarantee that the club keeps going, do so now by pledging your active involvement now.
This whole experience has been a wake-up call for me to help me realize that if we don't do something pretty quickly, WTMRAC as we have known it will be a thing of the past. For my part, I will pledge now to do my best to keep the club enthusiastic and active by organizing more events like the ones I've described above. But I won't, indeed can't, do it alone. I will make that pledge if and only if:
1) At least 8 - 10 club members (or new people willing to join up now) agree to host a meeting in their home over the next 12 month
AND
2) At least 15 -20 club members pledge to do their best to attend no less than six monthly meetings over the next 12 months
My goal is to restore the practice of monthly meetings, most of them in member homes, with at least 10 "“ 12 monthly attendees. If I get the kind of support I've requested above, that will guarantee a more rewarding club experience I have no doubt. If I receive enough positive feedback and commitment from all of you now, we will continue WTMRAC, beginning with the next meeting at Michelle and Tim Bennett's house on July 27. At that time, in addition to working on the WTMRAC Frag Swap, we can also discuss ways to revitalize WTMRAC, and if need be, decide who best to lead the club in the future (I by no means take it for granted that it will be me). Feel free also to email you comments and suggestions, but by all means , now please reply with your pledge to keep the club moving forward (or by your lack of response, close the chapter and we will move on to MARS).
I look forward to your feedback and your responses, and hope to receive your support for the club. And thank you for your time in reading this letter.
Please respond to wtmrac@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Jay Blundon, WTMRAC 2013 President
