Friday 4/18/2008 - C-SEA Meeting - Presenting: Marc Levenson

[Bowman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12365019#post12365019 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Charliegirl2u
Thanks to you we are going to join c-sea (and because there is obviously the potential to see a good fight), hope every meeting is as informative! Safe trip back
Charlie

We welcome your joining the club and hope to provide valuable information in the future, that's what the club is all about. I must however point out one thing mentioned in your post and ask all members and guests please take this to heart. While we can find humor in the incident of last nights meeting had it esclated any further than it did CSEA would be looking for a new place to hold their meetings. Incident's like these cannot be tolerated. We are guests of the zoo and through their generosity we have a nice convenient place to hold our meetings at a VERY favorable financial interest for CSEA. We need to be responsible to and respectful of each other as well. Regards

 

[melev]

John, you're killing my reason to visit your club in the future. :lol: Just kidding. While it may have felt like a Jerry Springer episode for a few moments, you guys have a nice group of hobbyists and a beautiful venue to meet in. Don't spoil that opportunity as it will only hurt yourselves in the long run.

The reputation of the club should always come first, no matter what any one or more members might think on specific topics.

I had a great time in your town both yesterday and today. John drove me around before and after the meeting, and Chuck picked me up to see a couple more things today before I had to catch my flight. I downloaded my pictures to my computer, and quite a few are worth sharing. Once I get them web-ready, I'll be sure to post them here.

Thank you all for your nice comments! That is very encouraging for a speaker to get good feedback after the presentation, and I'd also like to encourage you to continue to do this for each speaker that you have, either local or flown in.

I had to opportunity to speak with several people in your city during my visit, and you've got a great group of people. Keep working together to build up your club and support one another. :thumbsup:

 

[fambrough]

I was very disappointed to have missed the meeting, but I heard second hand what went down. Too bad really, but probably nothing to dwell on. The negetivity of some is usually immediately apparent and can be readily/handily dismissed. There are those who simply do not know what is appropriate and what isn't. Erik, if we didn't buy dinner, shame on us. Should be standard practice that the club pays--for all at the dinner.

Thanks for everything you officers do. And thanks to all those who are willing to step up and run for office.

Respectfully,
Ben

 

[Morgandy]

Hey Marc, I'm glad we got to hook up for lunch! I knew when I asked Tom last year about inviting you, that you'd be one of the better, more colorful and diverse speakers, so maybe next year I'll make it if you're back. You've done good by the hobby for so long, congrats!

 

[EYESEEU]

I just wanna know why they took a guest to AppleBees. Im sure they serve that slop in TX. I would recommend Brasa,Blue Point,Lolita. Marc wasnt up for a suitcase of whitecastles or Ronnies Steakhouse. Csea officals pick up your check I also know alot of people who VOLUNTEER their time with childrens sports more than 40-70hrs a year and dont ask for a free lunch/dinner they do it because they choose to. My son donates his time to collect for unicef should he skim the till for a icecream cone? I would hate to think that if you were collecting money for a persons Chemotherapy treatments you would find it alright to treat your self to dinner on that money because you invest time or you need a perk to do the job that you volunteerd for. I thought the free lunch program was intended for children of poor families. I myself would much rather see the money the club spends on your meals be used in a more constructive manner the conservation of marine life a positive stance in the community. I been in the club for a few years and havent really heard of the club doing much or giving back to the local community. I myself always thought a blood drive at a swap would be a good idea or Csea adopt a piece of roadway for clean up. How about the club buys only Aquacultured Livestock for the raffles. Save all that dinner money for a year and donate it to harvest for hunger or give it to a shelter for abused women and children. Most of you I know and let me tell you it wouldnt kill you to miss a meal. JUST MHO

 

[Kreeger1]

Its just a fish club. nothing more nothing less. Run for a position and try to get any number of those things accomplished. Its hard enough putting on a frag swap every year.

Theres never been one complaint on the choices for dinner. Most speakers get a honorarium too.

Really man, stand back and take a look at what you wrote. What planet is that gonna happen on. YOu kn ow all the issues with the club and getting things going in the right direction.
Maybe instead of your typical slams you always take, why not just say thanks to the club officers for putting on a meeting every month that you can choose to show up to and learn from. I know every board member has a busy life, this planning takes time, money and causes stress.

A simple thanks will do
Erik

Oh yeah, most of us didn't choose to run...we were pushed into it because of lack of people wanting to spend there time ect... to keep the club going. I know that if have the board didn't decide to run again, I bet there would be no C-SEA next year.

Unreal

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12368165#post12368165 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by fambrough
I was very disappointed to have missed the meeting...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12380975#post12380975 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Morgandy
Hey Marc, I'm glad we got to hook up for lunch! I knew when I asked Tom last year about inviting you, that you'd be one of the better, more colorful and diverse speakers, so maybe next year I'll make it if you're back. You've done good by the hobby for so long, congrats!

I'll be in Cincinnati on May 24 if you'd like to hear the presentation.

It was great seeing you again Amy. :wave:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12382249#post12382249 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EYESEEU
I just wanna know why they took a guest to AppleBees.

For me, it is about spending time with others rather than where I was eating. Hanging out with some local reefers and trading a few stories is fun.

 

[jefft321]

I am sorry that I missed the presentation, can anyone fill me in on a few of the highlights? Ben mentioned something about not plumbing at 90 degree angles? also someone mentioned something about Auto-Topoff suggestions?
I hope the heated exchange wasn't too bad! How embarassing when you have such a noted speaker in town.
I kind of agree with the comment about taking a speaker to someplace unique to Cleveland - Perogies, Keilbasa, Paninis, Slyman's or something Cleveland (It doesn't have to be expensive), but at the same time it sounds like the speaker was enjoying speaking with members of C-Sea. Maybe something to think about the next time.
- Jeff

 

[Murphs205]

Man i see this is a tough crowd , i am not a member YET. Is this not all in black and white in C-Sea bylaws ?? if its not in there then do what ya do to get it changed .These folks who do these (and most) so called "tours" of any kind, could darn careless if they eat Pizza from the local hot spot at the meeting, or a nice lunch/dinner out on the town. Its not about that to them. As far as the Officer that took him to get a bite ,,,,good job !!!
I could go to lunch and dinner 7 days and nights a week with my accounts but i never go (i would rather spend the time with the family & fish) , it is VERY COMMON in the business world to be taken by the host to eat somewhere, and trust me the guy who came here would much rather be sitting in his recliner, at home with his family. It is a reflection of your club and its members. and should be common practice,
Treat your guests nice, or you wont have any. And you will have to meet and listen to same person every month. yuck .............

 

[Fdfiremedic]

WHEN IS ENOUGH,ENOUGH ON HERE GUYS/Gals??????????

Alright I see this starting to get out of hand and all the inner bashing on here is only embarrassing our club more. After all its posted on a website for all to see and it takes the speaker to keep chiming in to defend the nite he was taken out to dinner and where. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! Honestly who cares where he went. I am sure the officers had the interest of the club in mind and didnt want to foolishly waste the money so they chose a little more casual place to eat then choosing a place like Morton's. Do you really think he cared where he ate???? Seriously??? He was here to help our club better ourselves in this hobby and meet new people and maybe see a few things going in our hobby here in Cleveland. These guys on here that keep making this a big deal need to grow up and STOP!!!!!! I am sick of looking on here everyday embarrassed that every other club is laughing at ours over a damn meal and who paid for it. I gotta say I agree with the officers on here that there wouldnt be a club without them. I was there the day they all got NOMINATED to take these positions because noone wanted to step up and take them. I was also there the day some of the guys complaining the most were there and said and did NOTHING. This club is by far not big enough or have enough VOLUNTEERS to donate projects/funds elsewhere. It seems to be enough work trying to get a montly meeting together. No matter what the club does someone is unhappy and complains and it seems to be the same ones over and over stiring the pot. I agree if you want changes STEP UP AND CHANGE THIS CLUB!!!!!!! Dont blame a few guys that took positions noone else was willing to take at the time. Give them some credit and thanks instead of a continually beat down or close your mouth and become the next president/vice president and lets see your great changes!!!!!!!!

 

[CleveYank]

Agreed MURPH and FDFIREMEDIC
The crowd has gotten pretty tough is right. And when is enough complaining without any positive substance or rational behind it?

I wonder if the Monday morning quarterbacks that are being extremely critical on the club's role in the community are truly in touch.
(Like C-Sea is supposed to compete with Christian Charities and save the world now)

Or whether the club is taking out of towners to the "right" places to eat. (It's not a cooking club or cultural promotion society for Cleveland's supposed hotspots...which if you have ever been to say, London, Chicago, New York, Hong Kong, The Hague, Toronto, San Francisco our food choices are a joke compared to any of those places BTW)

Or the Bert and Ernie sideshow while a guest speaker is in town in which an accusation of gross opulence and waste of C-Sea funds...(yeah they're lining their pockets with your $20 membership and the little bit of money THEIR efforts raised throughout the year.) Give me a break!!!! You've got to be kidding me!

Oh and trying to get into fisticuffs so that the Club could end up BANNED FROM THE ZOO. If I have to point out how stupid that was... ------>Funny thing was it was the attackee that apologized (Erik) and not the folks who made the overt effort to make the club look like a bunch of knuckle dragging hotheads. And Ernie...if Dan At Salty Critter was not such a good guy and was not such a fair and reputable vendor, I'd never shop in that store again just through a product of association with YOU.

Does that mean that these folks that are enduring "the winter of our discontent" are going to run for offices and save the day?
Or is it just poop stirring pathetic loser in the lounge complaining and nitpicking? If it's so bad then don't bring it up when a visitor is in town...don't say if you would have it your way you'd take them to Slyman's. Don't talk about what you would do.

PUT UP or FOLD!!!

NOT in the spirit of change just for change, Nor to turn the current operation on it's ear or worse.
But personally, I would love to lend a hand and take on an office just to give someone else in the leadership role a break. But I'm looking for marital bliss and the wife said last year "no way Jose' not with so many financial and projects hovering in the air above us". I guess one of her few if ever drawn lines.

But it does not prevent me from voicing my opinion that these ring leaders of discontent that have pointed out so many errors should provided it does not destroy the club; put their money where there mouth is.

------->Or knock it off and think about things from the other club members and officers shoes before they engage in extreme criticism or threatening behavior in front of a guest speaker in the hallowed hall that the C-Sea club enjoys from the hospitality of the Zoo.

 

[thunderbox]

I am not a member but I am reluctant to pay for a membership if an officer cannot afford to buy their own food at Applebee's yet can throw some serious cash around in this hobby. Every club I have ever participated in the only perks to being an officer is having the final say in the activities of the club.

Just MHO. Hope I am not dousing a fire with gasoline

 

[serpentman]

You're kidding right? If this horse isn't dead, its certainly dying. I can't believe there is outcry over this. You guys continue to look at this like the board is out there gallivanting around with club money. They were entertaining an out-of-town speaker, which happens how often?

It's things like this that prevent people from signing up for board positions. We all get enough abuse in our daily lives, no one needs it here. Do you honestly think board members sign up for two free $10 meals at Applebee's?

Friday's meeting was so unacceptable, its not funny. Everyone has a right to voice their opinion, it should be done at the appropriate time. Also, with that right, comes the responsibility to know when to zip your lip, which should have happened about 10min earlier than it did on Friday. I am just glad there were no young kids there.

Well, to show I am willing to put my "money" where my mouth is, I do intend to run for a position in May. My suggestions to those that disagree with the current board policies, I suggest you run as well.

 

[jefft321]

"Or is it just poop stirring pathetic loser in the lounge complaining and nitpicking? If it's so bad then don't bring it up when a visitor is in town...don't say if you would have it your way you'd take them to Slyman's. Don't talk about what you would do. "

"PUT UP or FOLD!!!"

....Well I can say I am sorry for my comment on some cool Cleveland food - I am a foodie - and I generally like taking visitors to cool new places. It was just a "friendly suggestion", not meant to offend others - just "hey that would be a cool idea for future reference". I have a very whacky travel/work schedule otherwise I would be at more meetings, and be more involved. I would be more than happy to help if I am available to show a guest around and take them to lunch. I thought this forum was about suggestions/ comments. I wasn't criticising anyone.

CleveYank, that comment is so rediculous. There are many sucessful people on this forum, and if you don't know them personally then please act professionally. I would generally save those comments for the person who actually wrote such wrote such an uninformed comment like yours.

In the end all I wanted to know was if there was anything in summary someone could breifly comment on about the meeting.
Thanks for everyone involved in making C-Sea sucessful.
I hope I can help with the club in the future. Also, please let me know if I can help when the next speaker comes to Cleveland.
I would like to help contribute to the club more - I have meet some very interesting speakers since the late 90's, and have gained a great deal of knowledge from other members and speakers.
- Jeff

 

[Fdfiremedic]

Some people have a warped way of looking at this in my opinion or are just too greedy. Do you really think its about the officers "not being able to afford" a meal????? Please go look at their setups. I highly doubt its a financial issue. I dont understand why more people aren't looking at it as a thanks and not greed. Again though to those that are not members and were not at the last election meeting. Most of the officers DID NOT volunteer for their positions. They were NOMINATED by us or Volunteered by us at that meeting because----NO ONE else including myself wanted to step up and take those positions and put in the time and money themselves. Doesn't anybody take into consideration the time they spend preparing for our meetings or upcoming events that might take time from their jobs or families???? AGAIN in MHO stop with the dinner bashing and step up and make a positive change for the club!!!!!!!!

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12385217#post12385217 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thunderbox
I am not a member but I am reluctant to pay for a membership if an officer cannot afford to buy their own food at Applebee's yet can throw some serious cash around in this hobby. Every club I have ever participated in the only perks to being an officer is having the final say in the activities of the club.

Just MHO. Hope I am not dousing a fire with gasoline

Seeing that you just signed up on Reef Central this month and only have three posts thus far, perhaps you've not been around the club long enough to determine if the club is worthy yet. Keep your eyes and ears open for the next few months and check out the meetings. Think about the help you get online with your tank, and then decide if you want to be a member.

And yes, there's definitely some gas vapors in your post. It only takes a spark.

----



I want to commend those of you that are standing up to defend your club and your BOD. Too often I don't see that occurring in our own club, and the voice of discontent remains unanswered. To me, that seems to imply credence when in fact the happy group of members simply don't choose to get involved nor lower themselves to that level. Speaking up is something we should all do, that way the majority is heard.

 

[melev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12385394#post12385394 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jefft321
In the end all I wanted to know was if there was anything in summary someone could breifly comment on about the meeting.

In summary -

I spoke about 16 points pertaining to running a sump. That included the various types of material used, plumbing, flow rates, zone sizes & depths, cooling, water volume, pump choices, accessories, refugium lighting, heater selection and more.

I then showed two videos about working with acrylic, displaying how to cut it, route it, prep the edges, gluing, baffle placment and flame polishing.

The presentation lasted a full 1.5 hours and it covered many topics that we all face.

Specifically the bubble tower was featured, as was how to automatically top off safely. For more on that, here you go:
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2007-05/ml/index.php

 

[jefft321]

I will definately try to help with the club more in the future....On to a new discussion point....
I had to be out of town this weekend so I missed the meeting, can anyone briefly elaborate a few interesting details/info. that they took home from the meeting? I wished I could have heard the speaker, he sounds very interesting and informative.
It would be greatly appreciated, and hopefully break up the negativity.
Thanks, Jeff

 

[melev]

Scroll up one post.

 

[Thinslis]

At $3.40+ per gallon of gas, I'm sure getting around to officers meetings ect is not cheap for some of you.

I am more than happy to lend my membership dues to an officer meal once in awhile. I have served as an officer in another organization and know exactly what a thankless job it is.

I raise a mug and toast each and every one of our officers for staying the course and getting the job done.

Keep up the good work and remember, the majority of us do appreciate your efforts to make this club a success year in and year out.