LAST MEETING briefing

[firefish2020]

Well we had about 8 new people show up and about 10 of our regulars if that.

We had one presentation as everyone else canceled.

Phil tried to fill in the blanks, the presentation I worked on for days didn't work so you all missed little, except cheap frags.

Im not sure if it was the location the squabbling about location, or the fact that it was a holiday weekend but the turnout was poor and a bad example to the new people who did show up.

This is the prime reason I did not want to rent any facility, there would have been no way to pay for the rent with such a low turnover and NO "one single individual" should pay a lump sum for a rental for an event for all.

I am as of this moment trying to figure out where the next meeting will be if there is one and what will be on the agenda, there is talk of it being an auction event, as those always get the crowd numbers up there. If it is it will be 100% LEGAL.
But I am getting ahead of myself, we'll see
More on this as events develop.


<b>
If you were new and showed up and were disappointed I apologize, that will not happen again as long as I am around.</b>



<b>
SPECIAL thanks go to Brian as always
Roger Cooke and friends.
Mary for taking Photos, her daughter for helping to fill in for missing presentations.
My Wife as usual who called in to help with the event.
and everyone who came out to support our cause.</b>


More information coming soon...

 

[wvdaisy]

I didn't mind the location. It worked well for us. IMO it was the holiday and graduations that kept people away. That and not advertising it as much as usual. Not everyone is online so we have to get the word out everywhere. I'm looking forward to the next one wherever it is Phil did a great impromptu presentation!
Lana

 

[firefish2020]

Thanks Lana, that's why we need to find a Local fast and start advertising ASAP

Brian lets work on the final image for you to use on the lighted sign as well.

Phil did great BTW, Jason you really missed a shot across the bow LOL. Round 2 in the skimmer showdown has begun I think!

 

[phljess]

I liked the meeting place. The sound was great, there were plenty of places to sit, it was cool, and you had one room for frag sells and one for demos. I really appreciate Roger allowing us to use his place.

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

I would have to say it was the holiday weedend this was one of they most importent travel weekend of the year. Also its the unoffical start of summer most people want to be out doors cooking out and stuff i would have come if i was in town.

 

[Reef4Fun]

I was so upset with myself when I realized I missed this meeting. I was looking forward to it. I think the holiday is what messed this us as we were at our sons. I didn't realize I missed it until I got on here. I am sorry if anyone was disapointed, but to the new people I want to give a big WELCOME, this really is a great group despite the turnout today.

 

[crabfan]

The LAST meeting??

The LAST meeting??

No reason for negativity! Around 20 people is still a good turnout.

The lower than usual turnout was just the holiday. School just got out, a great percentage of people had a 3 day weekend, and thus had plans out of town. Thats all.

Even if this particular meet would have featured an auction, there still would not have been many more (if any more) people in attendance.

Even though I couldn't make this one myself, special thanks to DaJoker22 for being so gracious to provide what will hopefully be a regular meeting place (that will never spawn the dramatic crapola of the Californian).

 

[grendl]

Very sorry I did not show up to support the club. I did not realize until late yesterday afternoon (when I read the forum) that the meet was Sunday. I was already in the doghouse with the wife, & didnt want to make it worse by cancelling plans I had made with her.

 

[firefish2020]

Even if this particular meet would have featured an auction, there still would not have been many more (if any more) people in attendance.

Don't underestimate the power of an auction, I have seen people show up in the dead of winter to go to those.

But I agree I think it was just the particular weekend. As for an auction we will get more info on that soon. And we will have a dramatic restructure of the CVRC to insure a continuity of function and flexibility to provide the best outlet for information and quality coral for all new members and a place for everyone to swap, trade, and sell their own frags to new and old members alike.

We will also launch an effort to get a minimum quota of new members and get them to show up at the next swap. we can have the demos and lectures going on in one part for those interested and the sales in the other. The only time we will gather everyone together is for a brief introduction at the beginning to describe to everyone the agenda and what is available to them at a particular event.


If we have it at the same spot (this will be your decision as a group, if we do not then I need real options fast, we need to advertise ASAP and not wait till the last minunte.)

Next swap date will be either June 25th or July 30th those are sundays.

If you want Saturdays it must be in those same months and the last saturdays of those months.

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

I think its a bad idea to have it on sundays why not Sat i know if I come in town i have to be leaving again by the the meeting starts on sunday thats why i have not been in over a year.

 

[crabfan]

Auction!

Auction!

Don't underestimate the power of an auction, I have seen people show up in the dead of winter to go to those.

Which is precisely why you should do whatever is necessary to have one at each and every meeting Ron. Even if it is limited (with a rule that a member couldn't enter more than one or two frags in the auction) it would do wonders for the turnout.

There are so many other considerations - but simply spreading enthusiasm and interest for reefkeeping can only benefit the community as a whole. If an auction is the primary reason why most people would attend, then have the auction at the end and put on one or two educational presentations first. Perhaps a few will see some additional value of the club, make some new friends, and even step up at a future meet to do a presentation themselves.

I know from experience that serving a club is very fun but frustrating. If we had a turnout of 5 (which were of course mostly die hard members) then everyone was all gloomy about the dismal attendance. When the club grew and we had a turnout that was absolutely too many to accommodate, some die hards were vocally bitter and even starting fights for various reasons (the new people didn't have the right ethic/attitude and showed no "respect", things were too crowded, etc, etc, etc).

Gripe, gripe, gripe.....hahaha. This is why although it will probably happen sometime soon, you probably won't see me as president of the "EKMAC" (Eastern Kentucky Marine Aquarium Club).

When taking the reins of a club a few years ago it didn't take long for a few things to become evident. It is generally positive to do whatever you can to attract the maximum number of people. Operate with the assumption that "the more the merrier" is true and a sincere blessing. If having a limbo contest, giving a piece of candy, or having an auction does it - then why not do what is a proven crowdpleaser?

I'm not saying bigger is better - we all know that isn't necessarily true. But having too many people to accommodate and news crews showing up to cover your events is PERHAPS a great sign that the club is an awesome (and fun) place to be. It could also be an indication that you are going in the right direction.

Of course there will be many more issues if 500 people attended the average aquarium club meeting as opposed to 5, but that is when the meet moves to a larger venue like the civic center. There are always unexpected problems, easy solutions, and things will always work out somehow.

A small percentage (maybe 10%) of the new inexperienced people you attract will become great hobbyists, important contributing members of the club, or maybe even go the route of Fuji and eventually open their own store! These things don't happen overnight, but the more people you attract the greater the chances some amazingly positive things will occur.

Just some random thoughts.....

 

[crabfan]

Oh....

Oh....

I just re read my post and didn't want anyone to get the wrong idea.

Although this could be subject to change if things develop where we get a group going in Kentucky, I have personally never been involved in the logistics of running an AQUARIUM/REEF club.

Just thinking the same logic and lessons I'd learned in another venue (of keeping things growing, fun, and actively inviting all regardless of experience level) would apply!

 

[firefish2020]

Which is precisely why you should do whatever is necessary to have one at each and every meeting Ron...

I would tend to agree with you but Im afraid that's not an option and there is nothing that I or anyone else can do about it. It is simply a legal issue beyond our control.

Although this could be subject to change if things develop where we get a group going in Kentucky, I have personally never been involved in the logistics of running an AQUARIUM/REEF club.

Best of luck it's far more work that anyone realizes.

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

lol I was thinking of starting a Morgantown REEFERS Club what do ya think Ron??? lol Think any one would join??

 

[crabfan]

Best of luck it's far more work that anyone realizes.

I'm certain that it is, and exactly why although I'd be happy to actively assist any such effort, it won't be me running the show.

Try coaching a middle school basketball team. On the surface it sounds easy and like a lot of fun (and it really is....), but the number of hours you find yourself investing (between the practices, travel time, game day prep, etc, etc, etc) soon borders on insane. Not to mention the physical and emotional aspects. It is hard to believe people actually do volunteer to do such stuff.

As far as auctions.....

Im afraid that's not an option and there is nothing that I or anyone else can do about it. It is simply a legal issue beyond our control.

It seems nearly everything is illegal or requires an attorney to sort out in modern society. It is probably a crime to sell something like a frag individually (simply person-to-person) and neglect to collect sales tax and forward it to the state treasurer.

Anything is possible, and there has to be some kind of feasible workaround. Didn't someone in the past offer a friend that was an attorney to assist with licensing or gaining non-profit status for the club? Is it simply using the word "auction" on the flyer that causes the problem and requires a licensed auctioneer to conduct the proceedings?

Couldn't you call it a "public coral sale" on the flyer and just do the same darn thing as in the past (completely legally)? Maybe ask people that want to sell frags to individually step up to the microphone to describe their frag? If individual table sales are all well and good legally, then surely it couldn't be against the law for that same private individual to announce at the podeum what species of coral they have for sale - and then ask anyone interested in that particular species to voice a price?

Just rambling (and thinking anything can be worked out!).....

 

[firefish2020]

You would think that we could get by with that but the reply I received from the Dept or Agriculture made it pretty clear that at the most we could only have 4 licensed auctions per year and that we could only auction off coral in those sales. As far as I have been able to find out you can sell or have an open sale 6 times per year without requiring a vendors license. I would not recommend anyone step up to that podium unless he or she is a legitimate licensed auctioneer as the fines are stiff and not worth the gamble IMO. Unlike many other clubs out there who "just do it", the CVRC does not have that option anymore.

lol I was thinking of starting a Morgantown REEFERS Club what do ya think Ron??? lol Think any one would join??

Nathan I think you can do just about anything you set your mind to, another club in the area would be nice IMO.

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

I think it could make a good connection between CVRC and PMAC

 

[crabfan]

WVU Clubs

WVU Clubs

Hey Nathan, I know you were just kidding....BUT Ron is right...a WVU Reef Club would be nice. With a student population of over 25,000 - if you think that you are the only person on campus interested in keeping saltwater fishtanks you are certainly mistaken.

WVU has some really different things listed in the official student organiziation clubs. Everything from gaming, table tennis, juggling, paintball, model rocketry, even Subaru enthusiast clubs! So why not a reef club too?

I worked at a couple of pet stores when going to college - and virtually all of the hundreds of patrons were university students with fishtanks. Most just had fishbowls and 10 gallon setups, but some were really very serious hobbyists. This was 20 years ago before saltwater and reefing were really happening, but the aquarium keeping population of students was really very high. Therefore, you might be pleasantly surprised at finding that other people could be interested in a WVU reef club.

You have a lot of enthusiasm. Try it and you might get something really cool going. Even if it was limited and you just make 5 or 10 new friends on campus with the same interest, that would still be super.

 

[Reef4Fun]

You should really think about it Nathan, knowledge is a wonderful thing to share.

 

[Nathan4Wvu]

Hey Ron who do i talk to if i do get this rolling getting a WVU Reefing Club thread?