Don't want to step on any toes...
- Thread starter specsirl
- Start date
Hey Chad,
People spent a month or two or three just arguing over wether there should be bylaws or not, and what should be put into place to elect new leadership, etc. During that time, a bunch of people left partly because they were fed up with the whole political thing, partly because of the distance involved, and a few other issues. During that time, no one jumped up and said "We'll do it"!!! Eric asked a few times for volunteers, and finally had to give the ultimatum that he was quitting it period - new leadership in place or not. Finally Hank and Jeff and I eventually stepped up and Eric agreed that what we had planned sounded good.
The first year a few good things happened, but not near what we had hoped. The web site still sucked, people didn't want to pay anything (Kind of hard to get speakers that way), a bunch of reef clubs local to the area the people lived in started up, Vendor donations dried up, etc. We hoped to do better the second year, but everyone was already busy. Sure there were suggestions from people, but again, no one willing to step up to help make things happen. At the last BBQ, people were happy with the status quo.
Finally, after the last BBQ, we started work on a revamped web site. After a couple months, school started for the person I was working with, and it got put on hold again until Frank volunteered again. Finally we got a web site going. Granted, it is still being refined, but it is a whole lot better than it was.
At that time, Jeff expressed interest in stepping down, and Hank was no longer on the radar. We finally replaced Hank with Frank. Jeff is stepping down now. If people want me to step down, I will also. I want what is best for the club. Besides, writing emails like this takes a LOT of ones time. Not to mention the time involved with testing/reviewing/designing the new website (and it's iterations/flops), membership drives, etc. My work has me traveling a lot right now also. I'm pretty much shot until the end of August. However, my role has never been speakers, vendors, etc. I do the things that can be done at midnight as I do not have the weekends available like a lot of others. That is also why I don't get to many meetings. For those who remember me lugging 3 little kids to a meeting, and spending my time babysitting them instead of mingling (The wife worked every other weekend), you'll know why it just became too hard to do.
As far as speakers, the last speaker WRS had, if I recall, only about 10 or so people showed up, and most everyone complained about it afterword. With the proximity of IMAC, and the Foster and Smith event, and the small number of people left in the club, speakers were not that critical of a thing.
Hank kept speaking of a Shedd Aquarium tour. Obviously it never happened. People do not need the leadership to plan 6 people getting together and taking a car ride to Illinois to visit some LFS either though. People have, and always can get together on their own for road trips to fish stores.
I totally agree that new blood is needed to get things going again. People who have the time and energy to do these things correctly. Which is why this is being discussed. As far as "stepping down" because we no longer have the time, we HAVE asked for people to take on a project they'd like to see happen. However, the PAR readings is the only thing I've seen happen so far that wasn't leadership generated. Otherwise, until very recently, it was just an occasional email of someone whining that nothing was getting done. (My apologies to the couple of people who've expressed interest in helping out)
All that being said, (After rereading this it sounds like I'M whining now LOL), I am very glad that we have a renewed interest in the club again and people who seem like they are willing to step up and take over. No, we didn't do the greatest job this last year either. But at least the club still exists... Hopefully things will get much better in the near future. I'm looking forward to it.
Actually, if someone takes over my position, I probably WILL have time to make a couple meetings! :rollface:
Steve
Because my fingers got type happy and I missed it...then I registered and there was no turning back!
I must say that it was great to be able to meet alot of you at the swap. It seems as if there are quite a few of you that care about the direction of your club. It's great to see that and I hope that someday we can all get together in a friendly manner to discuss what we all love.....REEFING!
hahnmeister
In Memoriam
WRS needs to hold elections...
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