Don't want to step on any toes...
- Thread starter specsirl
- Start date
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Okay, on a serious note. Im all for freedom and all, dont get me wrong, and its not like WRS has had a meeting in Rhinelander in recent months... But usually when people talk about starting up another reef club or something, its just a joke (steve414, prugs, tasha, thorium... what was that bogus club you wanted to start?...lol). But when it really does happen, its taking away from an organization that is already in place, and less gets done because there are just more and more small groups... when there could be one large one that could really use the support, and is supposed to cover the state in the first place. Perhaps WRS should rename to Milwaukee Reef Society or something. By having one larger club, you get more leverage when it comes to group buys, activities, etc. Otherwise, the decentralization of power and numbers really defeats the purpose of a club in the first place. Sure, Bill, Paul, and a few others could start the Lake Geneva reef club, and Cory, Josh, and Steve could start the South Milwaukee Reefers Club, and Johns, prugs, etc... they could even start a Racine club... but they dont, because they realize the whole point of a club is the 'banding together' part... to be a society. It just gets complicated. Perhaps WRS overlooked the possibility of regional chapters in its founding, and Rhinelander is so far away it might as well be in Michican... but you get the point.
WRS could use the membership, and even though most of us are in SE wisconsin, its not like we have renamed to just be 'SEWRS' (lol, funny name... South Eastern Wisconsin Reefers Society...lol)or something. WRS wants to include people from all over the state, and so the more fractioning I see, the more I worry about the club's future. We would love to have you all as part of the WRS in other words, Im sure I can speak for everyone in WRS on this. Perhaps our webmaster could add a forum categories at our site even for different regions, including the northern counties.... unless you guys have a website already.
WRS could use the membership, and even though most of us are in SE wisconsin, its not like we have renamed to just be 'SEWRS' (lol, funny name... South Eastern Wisconsin Reefers Society...lol)or something. WRS wants to include people from all over the state, and so the more fractioning I see, the more I worry about the club's future. We would love to have you all as part of the WRS in other words, Im sure I can speak for everyone in WRS on this. Perhaps our webmaster could add a forum categories at our site even for different regions, including the northern counties.... unless you guys have a website already.
Peter Eichler
New member
Their website was posted in the very first post in this thread
While I will agree that it would be nice to incorporate everyone statewide. However it is impractical for our members or even those of the Central Wisconsin Club to drive 4 hours or more one way a month for a meeting. The examples of names that you gave were all within a few hours drive of each other...not 4 hours or more one way. Now if there were such a thing as holding meetings statewide that would make it easier for those who don't live in southern WI(and there are quite a few of us) to attend.
But in all fairness to our club, prior to this there was no mention that I have ever heard of about WRS making different chapters to incorporate all of WI.
This also doesn't mean that individual members can join both clubs if they wish too. Just because they're a member up here...doesn't mean that if they choose to...become a member down there and vice versa.
The club was formed on just that purpose...to give those of us who had not had access to a club without spending $$$ in gas(at $3.50 a gallon) a place to meet monthly, share ideas, experiences, and learn more about this hobby. It's great that we finally have had the opportunity offered to us to be able to do this instead of flying solo and trying to do everything via finding out information yourself.
Once again I appologize if I stepped on any toes by posting this thread. I was simply extending the offer to those who may be in the area or want to take that long drive up to join us as well as throw the idea out there on a "joint" meeting with all of the clubs if we pull in a speaker.
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know-it-all
New member
that's why the WRS became the "SEWRS". (I like that name BTW)
We saw that meeting far away from the majority of the membership
was not getting the same attendance as local meetings.
People from Madison and Fox Valley area's stopped being active in the group.
And since this was happening all over the country with bigger clubs being
"branched" off into smaller/local clubs, vendors stopped giving donations to all clubs
for the most part
We saw that meeting far away from the majority of the membership
was not getting the same attendance as local meetings.
People from Madison and Fox Valley area's stopped being active in the group.
And since this was happening all over the country with bigger clubs being
"branched" off into smaller/local clubs, vendors stopped giving donations to all clubs
for the most part
I'll agree that time and $$ nowdays play a huge roll in attending meetings. I think that's why you're seeing the smaller clubs/chapters out there. Heck even fishingunlimited and ducks unlimited, car clubs, etc have smaller regional chapters. However theirs was set up as a parent club with regions..something that was possibly overlooked
know-it-all
New member
it's not on the website?
weird
you need to talk with Rick or Steve about that
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Well, Geee guys... looks like we figured out a problem here... duh...lol.
I wonder if a statewide WRS, with different chapters would be of interest to others.
Im just thinking of leverage when it comes to organizing tours of the Shedd, group buys, etc. To have a combined statewide roster would be a huge advantage.
Otherwise, Milwaukee Reef Society anyone? Or SEWRS? Heck, if we could add something to make it SEWERS that would be rickin... South Eastern Wisconsin Experienced Reefers Society... LOL!
specsirl, no, you arent stepping on anyone's toes or anything, please dont take it like that. It just shows the areas that WRS might be overlooking.
I wonder if a statewide WRS, with different chapters would be of interest to others.
Im just thinking of leverage when it comes to organizing tours of the Shedd, group buys, etc. To have a combined statewide roster would be a huge advantage.
Otherwise, Milwaukee Reef Society anyone? Or SEWRS? Heck, if we could add something to make it SEWERS that would be rickin... South Eastern Wisconsin Experienced Reefers Society... LOL!
specsirl, no, you arent stepping on anyone's toes or anything, please dont take it like that. It just shows the areas that WRS might be overlooking.
know-it-all
New member
it'd be a good name given the state of MMSD around here 
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Oooooooo.... thats a sore spot. Well, since meetings are at everyone's homes, and most food/drink is taken care of by collective work, the only things that the WRS needs to pay for is the website. Otherwise, the money is pretty much there as 'forward payment' for large group orders, and upon completion, it is replenished. There might be some behind the scenes stuff coming up, but Ill admit, as a whole, the club's inspiration is somewhat lacking as far as finding cool activities to do other than attend events and have fin meetings. The website is a major accomplishment finally... and the growth since its 'rebirth' has been pretty good. The membership has risen in just the past few meetings again... so things are good. Things could be better though...
Oh, being in WRS does give you a 10% discount at various stores in and around Wisconsin.
Oh, being in WRS does give you a 10% discount at various stores in and around Wisconsin.
Chads29
Premium Member
maybe I am understanding this wrong but the money that has all ready been collect is going to be used as a group order after the website has been paid for?
Have they considered donating it to speakers and like what Specsgirl is reffering to; or overseas work being done to restore the reefs that are being done in other parts of the world or even our own as I am sure that some non profit organizations are always looking for donations?
A couple of years ago Borneman was suppose to come to WI to speak but was unable to make it due to a Hurricane and it was never rescheduled and if I remember correctly we lost all of the money for the flight as the time limit had expired to reschedule. I am not going to get in to deep with this conversation as I am no longer a WRS member and wanted to see if things where changing yet...
Have they considered donating it to speakers and like what Specsgirl is reffering to; or overseas work being done to restore the reefs that are being done in other parts of the world or even our own as I am sure that some non profit organizations are always looking for donations?
A couple of years ago Borneman was suppose to come to WI to speak but was unable to make it due to a Hurricane and it was never rescheduled and if I remember correctly we lost all of the money for the flight as the time limit had expired to reschedule. I am not going to get in to deep with this conversation as I am no longer a WRS member and wanted to see if things where changing yet...
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
Sorry, too new to remember that. I know that the leadership was overthrown in a coup though, and now a new empire has been formed.
The treasury money has been used to pay for group orders up front so collecting money up front isnt a problem... people can just pay when the stuff comes in. It makes large group orders alot easier. But otherwise, there hasnt been much use for the money in recent years. Years ago, when the knowlege base of the club was a bit smaller, bringing in speakers was more attractive. But now, the club has its more experienced members... and if nothing else, we go to IMAC or the F&S frag-a-thon.
Perhaps aranging for more of a group presence at these shows would be something we could do. I will admit, booking and organizing going to some of these events, like MACNA, is more daunting when going alone... but when done as a group, the result is often alot more fun to say the least (group bus rental for everyone at once, a keg for the trip, and holding tanks onboard for bringing back... and perhaps the bus could also serve as a tail-gate place so members could eat there too).
Doing something together for IMAC next year might be cool. Heck... if enough people get in on it... we could charter a bus for MACNA. That would make things alot of fun, and the bus could start up in Rhinelander, go through Milwaukee (maybe pick up some other clubs in the state as well on the way), and then we all 'overnight' it to MACNA. Coolers for bringing corals/fish back onboard, and food/drink for the trip. That would be a great time. The only problem would be getting people to commit to it in advance I think... but enough prior notice and deposits would help secure the trip.
Sound like a plan?
BTW, I tried the Shedd for behind-the-scenes tours... they are too busy right now for behind the scenes... the ones they awarded for IMAC were a rarity. The best time is in the spring.
The treasury money has been used to pay for group orders up front so collecting money up front isnt a problem... people can just pay when the stuff comes in. It makes large group orders alot easier. But otherwise, there hasnt been much use for the money in recent years. Years ago, when the knowlege base of the club was a bit smaller, bringing in speakers was more attractive. But now, the club has its more experienced members... and if nothing else, we go to IMAC or the F&S frag-a-thon.
Perhaps aranging for more of a group presence at these shows would be something we could do. I will admit, booking and organizing going to some of these events, like MACNA, is more daunting when going alone... but when done as a group, the result is often alot more fun to say the least (group bus rental for everyone at once, a keg for the trip, and holding tanks onboard for bringing back... and perhaps the bus could also serve as a tail-gate place so members could eat there too).
Doing something together for IMAC next year might be cool. Heck... if enough people get in on it... we could charter a bus for MACNA. That would make things alot of fun, and the bus could start up in Rhinelander, go through Milwaukee (maybe pick up some other clubs in the state as well on the way), and then we all 'overnight' it to MACNA. Coolers for bringing corals/fish back onboard, and food/drink for the trip. That would be a great time. The only problem would be getting people to commit to it in advance I think... but enough prior notice and deposits would help secure the trip.
Sound like a plan?
BTW, I tried the Shedd for behind-the-scenes tours... they are too busy right now for behind the scenes... the ones they awarded for IMAC were a rarity. The best time is in the spring.
cschwaj
New member
Jon-
I like your ideas. It was the behind-the-scenes tour of Pier Wisconsin that I missed that made me decide to join.
The club has to be more than the monthly meetings, if for no other reason than you mentioned above. Namely, the leverage of group size and the ability to get enough participation to make events happen.
I don't think that most people care where their $10 goes and it takes a whole lot of $10 memberships to bring in a speaker. This would have to be a coordinated effort between in-state clubs to make it happen.
Others have laid out the case for why a single statewide club is difficult (and fell apart). But it may make sense for the clubs to get together to bring in a speaker or to coordinate a trip like the one you describe.
All interest groups of all types deal with this issue. WRS is not unique.
I like your ideas. It was the behind-the-scenes tour of Pier Wisconsin that I missed that made me decide to join.
The club has to be more than the monthly meetings, if for no other reason than you mentioned above. Namely, the leverage of group size and the ability to get enough participation to make events happen.
I don't think that most people care where their $10 goes and it takes a whole lot of $10 memberships to bring in a speaker. This would have to be a coordinated effort between in-state clubs to make it happen.
Others have laid out the case for why a single statewide club is difficult (and fell apart). But it may make sense for the clubs to get together to bring in a speaker or to coordinate a trip like the one you describe.
All interest groups of all types deal with this issue. WRS is not unique.
shred5
Premium Member
Go Chad.... I agree with Chad.
WRS has lost focus so much so that only one origional member goes to a meeting and that is Rick.
It turned into something it was not intended to be. It was meant for people to get together, drink and enjoy talking with other people that enjoy the hobby as much as we did. Also to trade frag or two. We organised events to bring in speakers. Group trips to places like Rods reef and other stores.
What did it turn into? A bunch of people standing around a tank going can I have. Nobody was hanging out. They came to take and get in the raffle and left.
It turned into a place for people to sell their stuff during meetings and promote their buisnesses. I had no problem with people selling thier stuff to WRS members and esp at discounts just not during meetings.
Final straw came for me when I got booted from the groups for not paying dues yet, I would have paid at the next meeting.. I had wrote articles for the wrs website and paid for the whole website and dns out of my pocket for years, costs were higher than dues. Kicking people out like it was some secret society. The group was set up to promote the club. Some research by the new leaders should have been done before booting members that were at almost every meeting and at the first meeting.
honestly, I would like to show up for meetings if things headed toward what they used to be. WRS still can be saved. I have met some of my best friends through wrs and friends I will most likely have for life even if they are not in the hobby anymore.
But to the person who said their should be state wide club, that just does not work. When you have to drive halfway across the state esp with these high gas prices you end up with few people. We did do things like with the madison group like bring in Larry Jackson. Matter of fact The two groups were very close with members going to meeting for both clubs. but ingeneral a local club works better.
Hmm going to the events and stuff... Kind of funny though because most of the origional members still do that. Some of us were just at imac for the weekend and have been at every imac.
Obviously you were not in the club in the early days. Club is too advanced to bring in speakers LOL now that is funny.. Everyone still can learn something in this hobby. When the club first started there were more advanced people in it. The club can be used to bring in less advanced people and to help them do things right. Another reason the club was started to do some good and help bring the newbie up right. Every time I talk to Eric Borneman I still learn something.
By the way spec girl there a few of us comming up for this event and it was nice of you for the invite.
One of the coolest things I ever did was Gareth, Eric and I went up for the Minnesota reef club event. They Brought in Ron Shimek. They put the three of us up in their homes, we did not even have to get hotels. It is what gave us a lot of the ideas for a reef club.
Gareth and I plus a few wrs members have gone to the Midwest Marine conference put on by Michigan aquarium society. Anyone has a chance to do this it is real fun and they have a great lunch, well worth the money. Nothing wrong with getting together with other clubs, we all are reefers and enjoy the same hobby.
Dave
WRS has lost focus so much so that only one origional member goes to a meeting and that is Rick.
It turned into something it was not intended to be. It was meant for people to get together, drink and enjoy talking with other people that enjoy the hobby as much as we did. Also to trade frag or two. We organised events to bring in speakers. Group trips to places like Rods reef and other stores.
What did it turn into? A bunch of people standing around a tank going can I have. Nobody was hanging out. They came to take and get in the raffle and left.
It turned into a place for people to sell their stuff during meetings and promote their buisnesses. I had no problem with people selling thier stuff to WRS members and esp at discounts just not during meetings.
Final straw came for me when I got booted from the groups for not paying dues yet, I would have paid at the next meeting.. I had wrote articles for the wrs website and paid for the whole website and dns out of my pocket for years, costs were higher than dues. Kicking people out like it was some secret society. The group was set up to promote the club. Some research by the new leaders should have been done before booting members that were at almost every meeting and at the first meeting.
honestly, I would like to show up for meetings if things headed toward what they used to be. WRS still can be saved. I have met some of my best friends through wrs and friends I will most likely have for life even if they are not in the hobby anymore.
But to the person who said their should be state wide club, that just does not work. When you have to drive halfway across the state esp with these high gas prices you end up with few people. We did do things like with the madison group like bring in Larry Jackson. Matter of fact The two groups were very close with members going to meeting for both clubs. but ingeneral a local club works better.
Hmm going to the events and stuff... Kind of funny though because most of the origional members still do that. Some of us were just at imac for the weekend and have been at every imac.
Obviously you were not in the club in the early days. Club is too advanced to bring in speakers LOL now that is funny.. Everyone still can learn something in this hobby. When the club first started there were more advanced people in it. The club can be used to bring in less advanced people and to help them do things right. Another reason the club was started to do some good and help bring the newbie up right. Every time I talk to Eric Borneman I still learn something.
By the way spec girl there a few of us comming up for this event and it was nice of you for the invite.
One of the coolest things I ever did was Gareth, Eric and I went up for the Minnesota reef club event. They Brought in Ron Shimek. They put the three of us up in their homes, we did not even have to get hotels. It is what gave us a lot of the ideas for a reef club.
Gareth and I plus a few wrs members have gone to the Midwest Marine conference put on by Michigan aquarium society. Anyone has a chance to do this it is real fun and they have a great lunch, well worth the money. Nothing wrong with getting together with other clubs, we all are reefers and enjoy the same hobby.
Dave
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shred5
Premium Member
Wrs has lots of money. The club always brought in speakers before no problem. We put fliers in local stores and charged non members a fee to come in to see the speakers or just asked for donations. It does not cost all that much. You can bring in vendors and or sponsors to help offset the costs.
Dave
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