firefish2020
New member
For those who did not read Bginners post here:
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=982823
He raised several valid issues and I responded to them so I'm posting this here for everyone to see and reply to. NOTE before you respond to this post familiarize yourself with the above "rant" by Bginners for more information on what it's all about. I may not agree with the way the message was directed but I feel the content deserves further attention. If you have participated in a meeting in the past or are planning to do so in the future you have a right to respond and be heard here. This thread is not intended to cause any member to justify what he or she has done for the group or others have not done. So with that in mind lets try to keep the discussion constructive and civil and see if we can accomplish something here.
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First everyone who was at our last meeting heard the plan about how to handle donations. As many of you know we are not a true Nonprofit entity and there is a reason for that, it has been stated elsewhere and I will not go into it here. The basics are this, this institution runs more like a family and less like an official run government body. This gives each member more power to step up and help with matters without many official channels and red tape. In other words, if you wish to volunteer a demonstration then all you do is contact me so I can get it on the schedule.
The lack of certain positions (treasurer) in this case has afforded us freedom from the force which inevitably causes most clubs many problems, it has also hindered our ability to grow beyond that which we have so far. At the last meeting we discussed a way to fund our events and pay for door prizes but we have not discussed it here since.
I propose this, since we have no treasury and no needs to argue over what % to spend for what, we focus on one thing and devote 100% of the raised funds for that particular investment i.e food, decorations, prizes whatever is needed at the time. There is no money left over to worry about or track in the long run. Plus there is nothing wrong with a group of people giving money to one or two people out of a group to buy prizes or what ever for an event i.e "Buyers." This is a fare compromise and it will work to make our meetings bigger and more fun.
The CVRC is run as a family, in families everyone gets together for the benefit of the group to provide. We have some very valuable members and sponsors without them there would be no CVRC. The group is a manifestation of the love for this hobby, it was formed to help the community and was never meant to cost anyone at the door. Members pay no dues, or annual fees, I still do not like the idea of charging for attendance and we will not as long as there is another way to provide funding. This is 100% voluntary and we don't need $50 or even $20 from each member, it's shopping time so funds are low now anyway. So I submit this for you to think about.
For the past three years these meetings have been funded by my family and Barry, Jim has given gift certificates, and Brian has procured our audio/video which is a valuable part of the meetings. Roger has recently given us our new meeting place, all these things are member donations. Most just look at that equipment, prizes and space and think nothing more of it. We are fortunate to have that equipment and the place we meet and those who donate it, if we had to pay for it, we would not have any of it. If you think the CVRC has given you anything in the past, help, assistance, inspiration, anything of value that has helped you personally, then I ask you to give what you feel you can. Give either money, or physical prizes. Give your time to do something to promote the meetings anything beneficial. If we each put in a little bit the sum will add up and the CVRC will reach a level only dreamed of in this area.
This club has already made a huge impact in this area. We began by helping to spread healthy and diverse coral around our area, we did that. We managed to save thousands of coral from being taken from the world oceans. We recently managed to help save the white tip reef shark at Fuji's and now that animal will be on display for the world to see at Newport, we did that. This little club in the middle of nowhere did these things. We organized a massive coral drive to help replenish the NA aquarium, that project was only halted after contact was lost with the facility but there were coral on hold from all over the US, coordinated through this club to help make a difference by us. This is what we can do together, but we can only do it together so here is you chance to give back a little of what you have received.
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Thank you,
Ron Lanham
President CVRC
