Making the urs more formal

[SkiFletch]

count me out. Been there, tried it. Informal works best for me.

Agreed. If you guys do organize some type of meetings, etc, I'd be happy to say hi on an informal basis. Too many hurdles to vault for something that should be more enjoyable than formal IMO

Edit: PS Gary, does remembering the last time make us old?

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

I agree. Although I would like to see if we could have some meetings closer to the Buffalo area.

Absolutely. Perhaps Randy O (ARC) where there are other swaps anyways, would have some other ideas for Buffalo. Maybe TMZ's house! Or a vote could be made on someones house. Anyone that wants to volunteer their place for 1 meeting as an example. Next time- it could be the next person. (Get on a list)If it's done bi-monthly or once every 3 months, it gives people a chance to really plan on going to one out of their area.

I'm sure people like Cully would like a couple Syracuse meetings too.

There is also an LFS in Canandaigua that could be approached.
(Southen Tier area. well, sort of..)

"Maybe" switch it up between the different demographic areas every 3rd meetings or so. (Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Southern Tier) But "key" would be that at least a couple people (Meeting minute taker and a Rep) would have to go to them all, to do a "report" that can be shared with the whole URS group. On what each group meeting did or continued from one of the other meeting discussions. It could be done with enough interest. That's just the question, will there be enough interest? I could volunteer for "something". But I don't want to organize all this or be a management member.

I don't think you have to offend any REEF-LFS. You could present it to any of the others that have not hosted us in someway yet.. Let them decide interest or not in having us for one.

The key thing is: "IF" there is enough general interest- what you need is at least a couple people (or more preferably) to organize and take part with coordinating between all the areas- so it is "connected" in a sense.. even if everyone does not always go to every meeting in every area.

We should see Pics and a "report" of each and what different things were done etc.. "Key" people need to at least ensure that happens for it to work that way. But just start slow much talking needs to be done. If people are truly interested in this.

Maybe people like Randy O. and G (with their businesses "friendly competition" and mutual respect can help to facilitate some of it. Along with "other people" who want to volunteer in the various cities and areas around upstate.

An informal website alone is much more simple. But if you want more- it can be done. It just takes some enthusiastic efforts by people.
It's either there or it's not.

One thing that I think would be really cool as I said is the "report" with pictures of each different meeting. Perhaps a post or "online page" showing pics from various houses(tanks/discussion/ corals/fish) as well as meetings at the LFS's. It would give even people who do not participate the opportunity to see and read about some of the discussions that "formally" go on.

 

[teamdulski]

There is also an LFS in Canandaigua that could be approached.
(Southen Tier area. well, sort of..)

Done :thumbsup:

 

[MarkKlier]

Before you guys spend too much time on this, you should review what happened when we tried this before. No one had done more for the hobby them Putter and the undercurrent of resistance was very impressive. I for one would not do it again. Randy and Keith can chime in because they were involved as well.
MK

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

Too bad no one thought of a short video and some pics of the swap at G's. Perhaps next time.

All the swaps and "Meetings" could be recorded in small part in a way- if someone takes on doing it at each one. People authorized can just load them on a URS club meeting site and everyone can look back at it. Then it's something you can "show" on a page like collections of meetings, with some nice Pics and what was discussed. Like a formal site reef update for the URS to view. As long as some "members" have access to load this on the "separate site" - then everyone from URS can go to it and look at the events/swaps/meetings.

That would be a simple way to start the more "formal" thing and gain some interest in it- when people can go online and see what you do at them. Cool to have for the entire URS groups access to see and share.

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

Before you guys spend too much time on this, you should review what happened when we tried this before. No one had done more for the hobby them Putter and the undercurrent of resistance was very impressive. I for one would not do it again. Randy and Keith can chime in because they were involved as well.
MK

Mark,
Without being involved at all, I can agree with you entirely. As I said before, from being involved in other groups.. these things can be hard to organize and run. Especially when people get really upset about some things. Then is it really worth the time when things go south- with how organization "gets along".

I made that point as quite how it could be difficult. Agreed 100% !

People will just have to decide for sure and try or not. I try to offer some good ideas.. but see both sides of the fence for sure.

 

[cardiffgiant]

As long as formal doesn't mean getting dressed up to do a water change.

 

[gary greguire]

There are lots of benefits to a more formal club but seems to be far more headaches. I put in a ton of time last time this was brought up, I don't what happened last time but it didn't work. This is very sad considering the amount of time that the founders spent trying to make it happen.

 

[jfl14609]

I dont know that the club needs a boad of directors fees and the type of stuff I just think that a group of people that can organize swaps meets would be beneficial. I mean lets say dave joe and I want a led meet. We have a person thats actually in charge of the urs and we can ask them and they can help organize the meet in a more formal matter instead of just doing whatever

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

Sounds like a pretty good idea but others said it didn't work out well last time. I wasn't here then so I can't really talk about what went wrong with it.

Jeff-

In your vision of this group, what would it entail? What would the group actually do? Are there other groups who are formal? What do they do?

 

[jfl14609]

I dont think it needs to be a big thing just a few people trying to organize things instead of stores hosting threads and saying its a club meet how about people in our club approaching the stores and asking them to help us out. then maybe even some of the good old in house swaps they were always a bit more personal. I just think in order for this club to be a club it needs some kind of formality if not its just a chat room with a similar interest

 

[tent boy]

Jeff, Maybe find out what went wrong last time and avoid the same "traps". I think last time it was formal with officers and dues. Not positive though.

 

[jfl14609]

I remember last time the big thing I saw that upset people was having to pay to be a member. I got the idea money helps make it better but I dont think many people on rc were into that. Keep it free and keep it simple. if there is something that needs to be paid for then make it a meet where people buy tickets or just dont do it.

 

[NirvanaFan]

I remember last time the big thing I saw that upset people was having to pay to be a member. I got the idea money helps make it better but I dont think many people on rc were into that. Keep it free and keep it simple. if there is something that needs to be paid for then make it a meet where people buy tickets or just dont do it.

If something needs to be done for the club, maybe someone can donate a couple frags, and raffle tickets could be bought to raise money. Someone responsible that is trusted by the club and respected by the community could hold those funds.

I don't envision getting speakers from outside the club or really having to buy much for the club though. Maybe something like a PAR meter or a few books or something.

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

The more I think about it, the better it sounds. I'm definitely down for this. There is still alot for me to learn and I learned quite a bit yesterday just talking to a few people at the swap.

Best part is that not everyone needs to always be involved. Pick the people maybe 2 in each region to have specific duties and they can set things up in their areas. Maybe once a month have meetings in each region and then every 3 months or so make it one big meeting to keep it fair to everyone. Just a thought...

 

[GMaquarium]

I think we have a terrific group of people in the upstate ny area. Not sure if the formal thing can ever work or how it really works altogether. Not a fan of monthly fees, politics and rules. There are things it lacks, so we can just improve it.
Having a club for me means knowing people, learning and sharing together. I can not personally know someone if I never met them. At the meetings people could get to know each other. Meetings don't need to be "swaps". Prime example was actually today. I didn't get to listen to the speakers because needed to help others and was really looking forward to Joe's breeding talk. When we did educational, no sell/swap events we didn't see even 10% of the crowed. Years ago at the old shop, we started a freshwater club. It was great until we ran out of space to sit and stand during the meetings. When I lined up a spot to rent out in a building and the chip in fee was $5 we quickly dropped in numbers and eventually all but handful quit. Huge part of the reason we made the lounge room, it is for the community to use.

I am not proposing how to do things and don't want to be misunderstood but with having a more personal and community outlook this could be a more beneficial club.

 

[MarkKlier]

Jeff, really just for the record I dont think you are correct. All the meeting were open to everyone. In those meetings we tried to set up a formal way to run a club, which entails by laws. People didnot come to the meetings then started trashing us. Mark had just brought in top notch speakers and was trying to set up things so we could do more. The concept of having a membership fee was floated after we had a few meetings. Mark put alot of time and effort into the whole thing....and some people just sat back did not come to the meetings and complained. So I think it is a fine idea to formalize the group better. Good luck with it,

 

[FSU3NOLES28]

G- How were the crowds when there were those few meetings at your new shop? Not the swaps but the ones at night...

 

[DEEP BLUE SIX]

I like G's line of thinking. I think he can help out a lot. You guys should discuss more ideas with him Jeff. Anyone interested should give input and perhaps a meeting at G's lounge sometime, then maybe posting some thoughts/outcomes from the meeting and asking more feedback from those who did not attend as well.. would "start setting a course."

It doesn't mean you just do everything at G's. But it can be a big part in helping change things, getting more input and having people take on some responsibilities they may want to volunteer to do freely.

Everyone would agree Cost- FREE is absolutely good! If there are things people can do to contribute, donate, etc..

Also, don't count out a speaker never coming here. It's possible. I know both Sanjay Joshi and Anthony Calfo came here as well as Steven Pro. Sometimes there is some funding involved of course. But it's happened before. With good communication for a while, you never know who we could get to come visit sometime. I can't promise anything, but I actually talk to Steven Pro quite a bit. Seriously. It's all in fun on FB. But he's a regular guy, not someone completely untouchable. We've talked about our kids and what movies we were watching lately. JohnProgno, from MO, in the past had him up once as well. Both Pro and Joshi live close to us. (I know Sanjay is probably too busy) But Something like that again, might be good someday in the future if the group got around to actually planning a larger event sometime. Don't count it out, forever.

I still love the idea of someday: The club having their "own club tank" somewhere- someday too. Which everyone can participate in.

G- if you read this- what do you think of the "club Tank" ?

 

[mr86mister]

I know there is already one here. Central New York Aquarium Society. It's been around for 35 years. There are dues and membership fee's. They have swaps, sales, breeding programs(this is mostly freshwater and planted freshwater but is increasing dramatically in the reef world), and monthly get togethers. I do love the idea and really hope you guys/gals can get one going! Every time I have seen or have been involved in them it turns into a political nightmare. For some reason when you make someone part of an organized group things need to be their way or the highway.

Though if you guys would like to make this happen I would agree to what was said earlier. A few reps from each region, (Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Cortland, Watertown, Ithaca) would be good! JMO of course!