Hosting Meetings

[imsqueak]

I wonder why some people have never hosted a meeting. Not to call anyone out, but to understand why it's undesirable for you to do so. A year ago, or more, the host fed everyone, we addressed that so almost everyone brings something to share which helped a lot on the host.

What more can we do to make you feel comfortable to host? If you don't feel comfortable answering in public, PM Matt or I. We just want to know how to better the club, club meetings, and club participation.

If we need to start considering public meeting places every once and a while again, we can do that too. We've done it before and it was very successful. I think new members don't feel so intimidated this way. But unless we do it at Ripleys, we don't get to stare at a tank as we talk. I could sacrifice that if we did a mtg with sushi, or Hooters, or Red Lobster [beer and oysters]. I wish we had a real raw bar here...

So, any ideas, opinions, or complaints?

 

[fishdoc11]

I'm guessing the LFS's around here aren't in favor of hosting?
The best meetings as far as recruiting new members and turnout for the MTRC are the ones at the Critter and Ebay. The Ebay meetings usually have at least 20 or more and some meetings at the Critter have probably had more than 50 attend. These of course aren't the best meetings for intimate coral/fish converstatopn but are definatelty good for the club and the stores. I am sure you all have thought of this but just thought I would throw it out there....probably for the umtenth time.

As far as hosting the wife just doesn't like all the creepy fish nerds around :lol:

j/k I'll host again whenever

Chris

 

[Fishboy42]

Geoff and I were going to check on another meeting at Ripley's if there is interest. I think a few public meetings might be a good idea to drum-up interest and allow people to join the club who might not want to come into someone's home before they are familiar with the club. We could even do a "mini" intra-club frag swap somewhere in-town to get more people involved (this was suggested last year in Nashvill when ETRC members were buying frags from each other!).

Local shops are a good idea. If someone could check on the LFS again and see if any would be willing to host, that would be great. I can check with one of them if someone else could check on the other one I think we had talked about the idea of an outside bbq meeing near one of the shops--that could be a good thing if it gets more people to join the club and have a look around the shop; maybe we could plan one in the coming warm months

Speaking of good weather, I'd love to host a summer meeting too; perhaps a cookout on the lake.

Anyway, thanks Don for starting this up. I think we're all open to suggestions on making the club successful!

Matt

 

[fishdoc11]

I need to use the spell check

I know in Nashvegas the Critter was very reluctant at first until they realized that meetings could be good for buisness (and that Ebay was getting buisness they weren't by starting the club ). If they look at it more from the aspect of promoting the reef hobby keeping in mind reefers spend a TON more money that your average aquarists they tend to come around. Do we have a public relations officer?

Chris

 

[EvilMel]

*Mel looks at RANDY*

Don....Hooters? I mean I know there's pretty much just me representing the women in the club...but HOOTERS? Not that I don't like the heck out of some wings, but I may have to kill you (and their wings suckas*). hah hah. j/k. But I do understand the frustration of not having newer (and even some very senior) members hosting. I could name a few members from way back who have never hosted, but I won't.

I loved our occasional sushi get togethers...though I would not call them meetings as such.

Chris, we do have a public relations officer...isn't it Randy at this point? hah hah. Oh and I wouldn't want all of us creepy fish nerds around either. hah hah. It's got to be a bit of a change from the giant MTRC meetings, right?

Everyone knows I am always up for hosting any old time. Nothing new to see but good turnouts are always had!

In my experience, from the few public meeting places we've been to...not that many (if any) new people show up. I mean it's not like we live in a giant town or anything. Don't get me wrong...I'd love to see the club grow, but if it's not 800 people by next year I'm not gonna get all bent out of shape.

 

[Hurley12]

I would love to host a meeting however i live in a 2 bedroom apartment, which isnt tiny, but how many people usually come? I do have a bar and a mini fridge both of which are usually full = )

 

[Hurley12]

One more question I have the form filled out to join, actually I have had it filled out on my desk for about a month now, haha. Who do I need to get this to?

 

[fishdoc11]

Mel,
I actually prefer the smaller meetings with a few fish nerds...most were like that in the MTRC too
The main things that are good about larger LFS meetings is that they earns $ for the club and for the LFS as well as introduce new people to the hobby. The LFS puts up fliers and customers say"I didn't have a clue we had a reef club" and they tell 2 friends and so on.......It also helps new/existing reefers gain acces to a valuable resource, us, that can help with everything from finding the right equipment to finding inexpensive starter frags etc...
It won't break my heart either if the club doesn't have a lot of members but it helps the coffers a little and finding people to host isn't such a problem with a few more members

Chris

 

[Runner]

The Coral Reef sponsored us in the past when it was under previous management. Perhaps the new management would be interested. I still prefer to buy my stuff there over the other local stores (unless it is freshwater only stuff, that is).

 

[EvilMel]

Yeah, I'm all for having a meeting at the Coral Reef, but what I was saying was that when we have done that in the past...it hasn't helped get us any new members. Seriously...like none.

We could definitely try again though!

Previously we had a sorta Reef Club garage sale outside of Coral Reef. We were supposed to do it on a Saturday and have hot dogs and chips/cokes for people, but it got moved to a Sunday and as a result was a dismal failure.

If someone wants to talk to Coral Reef about hosting another meeting...I'd go (unless that meeting is in April, hah hah).

 

[ReefRacer]

I may be able to host a meeting at Concord Yacht Club. We can use the clubhouse which has plenty of seating and a full kitchen. No reef tanks there though. The club is on Northshore near Concord park.

As far as a meeting at my house it is in Lafollette area which is out of the way for most. The other problem is the wife doesn't want me to have a meeting until we finish the basement, and I don't see that happening any time soon. If it was up to me and people were interested I would have a meeting. My reef is nothing special and I don't have anything rare or unusual.

 

[acrodave]

for most of u that know me and the one that dont i work down here at the coral reef and the new owner is very cool.i can swing him the idea and see what he says and i will try to get back to u all

 

[zmazza]

I'd love to host a meeting. Although I live in a doublewide here on 24 acres... whoo hoo! I do have a Weber charcoal grill that can really grill some steaks, hamburgers and hot dogs. We do have a baby that's going to be due any day now, but maybe in a few months when it starts to warm up more, we may host an outdoor cookout meeting. I know Athens may be a bit far away, but come on. lol I drive up all the time, one time down wouldn't hurt. It's not THAT far away!

Just give me a bit to get the baby taken care of and situated, and I'd love to have everyone down for a cookout.

I need to get an outdoor table and umbrella.... I should have one of those in the next few months... then a cookout!

 

[imsqueak]

Chris, my wife is the same. She doesn't care as long as I don't ask her to stick around.

Mel, Hooters has good oysters, raw and roasted. I've never met a women that really wouldn't go, just not a place on top of their list.

After Geoff's meeting, I'd say no place is too small to successfully host. Most people stayed in a 8x10 area contently (food and tank was there).

It would be great if we can get one or both LFS to host. I'll be ready for a sidewalk sale in a month or so. Lots of clutter just moved from garage to shed!

I'll probably host towards the fall, give my tank time to mature. I thought about doing one sooner just to show the tank to everyone but we'll see, several upcoming projects to do around the house.

 

[ct_vol]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9527346#post9527346 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilMel
*Mel looks at RANDY*

I said I'd host the meeting in June... I think I have good excuses for not hosting sooner...

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9527346#post9527346 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EvilMel
Chris, we do have a public relations officer...isn't it Randy at this point? hah hah.

I was never officially confirmed by the committee... lol Nor did I ever receive any cards or any of the other stuff... Oh, and besides which, it doesn't say I'm the Public Relatioans Officer on the website... :lolspin:

 

[imsqueak]

Randy, all I hear is bla, bla, bla.... get to work! :lol:

 

[ct_vol]

Heck I've made it this long flying under the radar... In a few more months it will be time for re-elections and appointing a new public relations officer...

Where am I supposed to get those cards BTW???

 

[EvilMel]

Not from friggin' me I tell you!

 

[ct_vol]

Maybe no more exist... Hmmm... Might be time to have more printed up???

 

[EvilMel]

I think we definitely need more cards printed up...I only have two actually.