Future FRAG and PROP Meeting Discussion

[Frick]

After having our lowest meeting turn out ever of three people, I'd like to hear back from you all about why and what to do. What were some of the reasons you didn't go today?

I know there was a few people that were upset that there are annual membership fees, was that the reason? Was it a work day for you? Are you just not interested in the meetings? Location a problem? Maybe you didn't hear about it? Too hot out didn't want to risk a third degree burn from your car seat belt? Do I smell? :sad2:

What would you like us to change? Do you want to see more speakers, more presentations, more raffles? Do you just go to the PROP auctions? Do you want a closer location? If so where are you at? Do the meeting announcement threads go up too late for you to schedule this?

 

[coralreefjunkie]

The day of week and location are fine.
The nominal annual fees are fine.
I think it's the temperature. Perhaps we could take a break for the warm summer months?

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

 

[Moto_fish]

I sadly ended up having to work. But, I do prefer the auctions

 

[mndfreeze]

I only just came back into the reefing game. Fees aren't the issue for me really, its just the day/time but that's not the fault of the meeting, thats just my [profanity] schedule.

 

[TangingOut]

I usually work on Saturday evenings and with the previous start time and was able to attend some meetings if I didn't work too late the night before. With the later start time, it's just cutting it too close for me especially because I'd to drive further to get back home to get ready for work.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

I definitely want to be part of the local scene, it skipped my mind that the meeting was today. Having never been to a meeting, I can't really chime in.

 

[SaltyLager]

I had family in town and couldn't make it. Was planning on joining at the meeting since the website app wasn't available.

 

[here4g2]

I am a member, so no issue with the due's. We get a lot for the yearly membership. My reason for going is simple, I dont see myself taking the required time to make food for my tanks. So I did not go, no other reason. I like having the meetings and auctions at The Broken Yoke.

 

[SawCJack00]

Unfortunately, I've had conflicting plans the last few times. I'm out in Surprise, so the location is a haul for me, but if I don't have a conflict, I plan to make it to future meetings as i'd like to meet other reefers in the area.

 

[mikluha]

Membership fees are not the issue. We spend on more on fish food weekly than yearly membership.

Unfortunately (or, fortunately) people prefer online to offline. More convenient. Why bother go someplace when you can see online presentation, correct? Live is too short. And we have to visit 100500 Facebook pages/Twitter/Amazon/etc.

In addition to my job here I own a plant business in FL. We've been doing presentations locally, garden clubs, etc. For last 15 years interest in "offline" meeting is constantly dropping. Not much one can do about it.

The only thing which is able to bring people in is something they can't online. PROP auction, for example.

 

[Vanpire]

One thing that was nice at previous meetings outside the PROP auctions were that people could bring things, sell and trade. Trading, selling and just giving stuff away was my primary goals for attending the meetings. Like Mikluha suggested, information is available online. What's the point of driving long distances in the heat on a Saturday.

I also like the selling, trading, giving stuff outside of the PROP auctions because it feels like a community whereas an auction feels like a competition, although I do enjoy going and bidding and meeting people, even if I don't win the bids.

 

[here4g2]

I also think there are many who do not follow the 2 places that the meetings and auctions are announced. Spreading the word on social media to get it put there would obviously get word out. I have done it before on several FB pages myself, why do I not see anyone who "runs" the group doing this? Many people I talk to dont even know the group exists.

 

[mitch30111]

Sorry Jason, I have not been able to attend lately on either prop auction or just meeting. I live out west which does not make it easy either but most reefers live east side so i understand. I have not been around forever but member ship dues need to be reversed for auctions if you are going to have dues. I would like more tours of public aquariums and members tanks. We have not seen world wild life zoo and i missed the one at the mills. I was just getting into the hobby. I want Sisterlimonpot to help us more with acrylic construction. Who is are water chemistry expert. Wow specture pure gets a ton of my money. Do not just stand by LFS we need your help as you do ours. Jason has invested a ton of time into this group it is up to us to not let it die

 

[kjonulak]

Fees are not the issue. I’m on the north side of Scottsdale almost into Carefree/Cave Creek. It’s a long haul for me. I had another appointment for Saturday night, so I wouldn’t have been able to get back in time if I had gone to the meeting.

 

[Sisterlimonpot]

You know what would be cool is a teleconference form different areas of phoenix.

 

[Frick]

Unfortunately (or, fortunately) people prefer online to offline. More convenient. Why bother go someplace when you can see online presentation, correct? Live is too short. And we have to visit 100500 Facebook pages/Twitter/Amazon/etc.

Well are here to give you a reason to get out and have some reef fun. We do post on FB but it is not active enough to get noticed I guess.

One thing that was nice at previous meetings outside the PROP auctions were that people could bring things, sell and trade. Trading, selling and just giving stuff away was my primary goals for attending the meetings. Like Mikluha suggested, information is available online. What's the point of driving long distances in the heat on a Saturday.

I also like the selling, trading, giving stuff outside of the PROP auctions because it feels like a community whereas an auction feels like a competition, although I do enjoy going and bidding and meeting people, even if I don't win the bids.

You can trade stuff at the FRAG meetings still, but I haven't mentioned that in the meeting threads because I kinda thought it was implied. My bad. I will make a point of it in the future.

You know what would be cool is a teleconference form different areas of phoenix.

I'm not sure I follow. What do you mean by a teleconference? Like Skype or Discord meeting?

 

[mikluha]

Here is one more suggestion based on my long time experience dealing with garden clubs. People would love to see other people "installations". The most successful garden clubs run monthly "vanity show off" trips to "garden of the month". It's different when you do hand waving during meeting "I built super-puper nona-LED-NOPOX-Denitrator-dosator. Here is the picture. My coral growth rate is 5 times higher" and showing it in action. There are many local reefers who'd love to show their tanks and share experience. This is something you can't online

 

[SawCJack00]

When I lived in Minneapolis, I was a member of TCMAS. They held their meetings at members houses. The host would give a presentation on their tank, answer any questions, then if we had another topic to cover, that presenter would do so. After the presentations, people were free to trade, socialize, etc. The great thing was seeing so many different setups, and getting tons of ideas for ways to improve your own. As host, if you were having an issue with your tank, you had experienced people right there to help diagnose issues and suggest possible solutions. I, for one, would be happy to host a meeting, and I'm sure there are others that would love for people to come see their tanks.

 

[JimON]

All good suggestions. I also liked what we were talking about on Saturday, and maybe having an auction each month. Even if smaller on the off months, it is a good time.

 

[dream54ing]

I usually have to work during these meetings and auctions (need to make money to pay for the super expensive membership fees!! )
Even though the hobby/community is growing steadily, its tough to get everyone, new and old, to attend.

Here's a few ideas. Didn't get to read everyone's post, so some might be mentioned.

-continue to seek a more central location. traveling long distance for most this is an issue, especially in the summer heat.

-exposure on FB, RC, R-2R, etc. being more active would go a long way since there are a million other local reef group pages. There are quite a bit of newbie that are not aware of these meetings.

-offer incentives (free starter frags to newbies) lack of newbies in these meetings??

-coral swapping/selling in junction to meeting topic.

-raffles are always fun and good way to raise money for the club. I'm sure most lfs would be interested in donating or selling gift cards at a discounted price.

-having a member host at their house would be great. Years back in S Cal, a local member would host these meeting at his house. family, friends and kids would have a blast. Problem is finding a member to host would be a tough one.

-not sure if this is in the club's budget, but a BBQ would be fun. something similar to what Allen did years back, the "garage sale"

-encourage member get involved prior to meetings on a few topics. maybe issues someone is experiencing in their tank

-keep in mind that most newbies are imitated, most topics are way over their heads. sometimes we need to dumb it down a little.

-other topics; maybe multiple short topics
-encourage members to "brag" about their tanks, regardless of what level they are at
-any new installation, equipment, coral, fish list, etc
-creative ways to improve filtration/overall system
-sump layout and design
-new equipment, media, etc on the market
-lighting