Making the urs more formal

I'm not sure ANYONE is suggesting a "formal club" where we have to worry about dues or any real overhead or shelling out $ to have Melev or Borneman or Shimeck come to our houses and spoon feed us.

Why couldn't there be several URS members who aid in organizing regional or local "get togethers?" It wouldn't be much different than it is now just a touch more organized.

G's educational meets he's held have been fun and Dr. Kliers upcoming coffee sounds good too.

Let's not blast any new opportunities that may arise because of epic failures in the past...I believe this new dialogue that's begun on this matter is nothing like what was attempted in the past.

I totally understand that because things didn't work out as planned last time, those involved are a touch bitter about talks of trying something new out, but the way some came across seemed quite negative and unhelpful. It's just like some of the bs threads that pop up and everyone says "if you don't like it, don't read or post in it..." simple as that!

Gary M...lot's of people look up to you, whether you like it or not or are indifferent. When you "poo poo" something right out of the gate, it makes it THAT much more difficult to get others involved.
 
Steve, how dare you suggest that we...

oh wait, that does sound pretty good. :lol:

It's afternoon somewhere, right?

This weekend won't work 'cause of the holiday. BUT, I'm going to suggest a gettogether at a centrally (midway between Buffalo and Syacuse) located pub that has a big tank for a few beverages and lots of tank talk... or whatever else may come up. Let's see what kinda turnout we can muster up.

How does next Saturday (4/14/12) afternoon sound?
 
Start a thread up Steve! Sounds like an EXCELLENT plan! Beer and googling at a "pub tank?" I'd be in! ;)
 
Have some buddies over some beers and talk reef aquariums! That's about as formal as I wanna get with URS.

I don't want no dues, no workshops, no backstabbing, no egos.

If something ain't broke don't fix it.

Thanks for saying that and everything else Gary. It was good old days like that in Rochester and here in Buffalo that made the hobby so much fun.
 
Thanks for saying that and everything else Gary. It was good old days like that in Rochester and here in Buffalo that made the hobby so much fun.
:thumbsup:

Justin...I'm not "poo pooing" anything. IMO It would be far worse for me to NOT speak up right here in this thread right now. When someone posts something that's inaccurate it bothers me just a little bit, but only for a few seconds. Like I already said, talk is cheap... and if you're posting something that's inaccurate you look foolish to those that know the real deal.

As for making the club more formal.. as somebody already suggested... it looks like the word 'formal' needs to be defined. Maybe in this case it simply means having beer, coffee or OJ together. That's your best bet around here.
 
:thumbsup:

Justin...I'm not "poo pooing" anything. IMO It would be far worse for me to NOT speak up right here in this thread right now. When someone posts something that's inaccurate it bothers me just a little bit, but only for a few seconds. Like I already said, talk is cheap... and if you're posting something that's inaccurate you look foolish to those that know the real deal.

As for making the club more formal.. as somebody already suggested... it looks like the word 'formal' needs to be defined. Maybe in this case it simply means having beer, coffee or OJ together. That's your best bet around here.

I think we have all come to the conclusion that no one wants a democracy here just fun. I think what justin was referring to was the first post you had where you basically trashed the idea before we even discussed options but thats in the past. the question is now do we sit back and let everyone do there own thing or should we get a few people to volunteer to help organize the meets topics etc?

Also sorry about coming across weird with the apologies but people only see whats posted on the board no one see's the extremely nice pms I am getting from people. Steve if you think this conversation was about to start a fight how about the pm that I got saying that since I was a store owner (I am a plumber and work for someone else don't own anything) that I have a ulterior motive. But to all the people that pm'd me saying thanks for trying to do something I appreciate it I just wish you guys would speak up in the thread more. The whole purpose was to get things moving and if nothing else has anyone notice that since this thread started there are already people looking to host mini meets? Kinda makes me think its working on some level
 
Steve if you think this conversation was about to start a fight how about the pm that I got saying that since I was a store owner (I am a plumber and work for someone else don't own anything) that I have a ulterior motive. But to all the people that pm'd me saying thanks for trying to do something I appreciate it I just wish you guys would speak up in the thread more. The whole purpose was to get things moving and if nothing else has anyone notice that since this thread started there are already people looking to host mini meets? Kinda makes me think its working on some level

Just to be clear.... that pm you are referring to wasn't from me!!! What kind of alterior motives might you have? I'm not in that "inner group" :lmao:to understand that one. I'm in camp with the group that would like to see more opportunities to get together as friends... not politico's. No fees. No elections.
I don't believe for a second that the conversation was going to start a fight. I had a feeling a couple comments may have drawn ire though. It seemed to be moving to an "in your face", "if you don't like it..." thread.
I suspect that if there were a desire amongst the group to have more, it would happen on it's own.
 
I don't think anyone wants more "formaility" either. As in a membership with dues etc..
I think it's too much for most in this area and would take away from the goal of free fun and cooperation between many.

I do think some peoples ideas for "organizing" a little more, especially those that may want to "offer" more get togethers and improve some meets etc. are great ideas for us to get even more out of this than what has already been done over the years. Perhaps a little more organized frequency in "different" events or get togethers than before.

I think that's what Jeff and some others here are trying to propose to everyone and along the way maybe attract some more newcomers to join in more with activities in an increased but improved fashion. On a more positive level than just leaving it to general swaps and the online communication through this site. (which is great) But not always the only venue or the best to make it more "clubby".

Though some have down played "work shops" as not the flavor of something to do that they like, I think they would be beneficial to a lot of hobbyists as well as fun. They can be done "without egos" in play and organized with fun for all who want to be involved.
To me, a "club tank" somewhere possibly someday could be one site (just an idea) to do such things. But of course even if no one is for making that come together enough.. some people could "offer" to organize some (if they want to) and it would bring us together positively.

One thing I will say further is that it's unfortunate (when most mean well I think)- that discussions here sometimes turn ugly or are misunderstood. Then it turns to arguing or disagreements that are really a "turn off". In turn with that, it then kinda makes some people back away from involvement in more things. This site is great! But more organization in people meeting in person with good activities planned brings people together better. There are less misunderstandings in the way we communicate. People contribute better- when you don't have to interpret the angle of typed words and "tone".

I hope people don't find me too annoying with everything. Many people here have good ideas. I hate seeing some of them shot down by others completely. That's all. I'll shut my big mouth now.

Thanks for being a great community of hobbyists (even underneath the sometimes negative undertones which the digital-cyber world gives us sometimes) many people have shared with me over the years and helped.
 
I like where its going with the coffee and oj coming up. And the beers and talking coming up and i would like to see more of that. Will i be able to attend everyone...no. Will everyone be able to attend everyone...no. But its a start. Further into the summer id like to have some burgers, dogs, and beers at my house with you all. Im in the middle of buffalo and rochester so i think I have a good place to host something. More formal (dues, officers, and what not) im not for because my work is so on and off and i never know when im working. But in the future after a bunch of get togethers you never know where it will head.
I think a local tank idea is too much, like its been stated you cant count on everybody to come thru when they need to (my self included) But nothing wrong with more get together's. Just on an informal basis, no pressure just for fun. Then once and a while maybe we could get someone from here to do demos and what not. If we decide to do that then at that particular get together everyone might have to pitch in $5 or something for supplies for the demo.
 
One thing I will say further is that it's unfortunate (when most mean well I think)- that discussions here sometimes turn ugly or are misunderstood. Then it turns to arguing or disagreements that are really a "turn off". In turn with that, it then kinda makes some people back away from involvement in more things.

I don't think things get ugly here very often.

But lately in a couple of cases I have stated my opinion and then it was suggested that I was starting a dispute or turning things ugly, because it was in disagreement with someone else. I noticed that the same kind of thing happened in this thread, and maybe it was just a joke. That's fine.

But the point is I think we all should feel free to respectfully disagree with each other without it being perceived as fighting.
 
But the point is I think we all should feel free to respectfully disagree with each other without it being perceived as fighting.

I agree.
For me that also means when an idea is challenged ,the challenger should not perceived/labeled as close minded to alternate approaches .

When folks feel comfortable enough to barinstorm freely and put out their view , experience or factual informattion without worrying about defending themselves from direct attacks or innuendo more can be accomplished and we can all learn more.

This implies that sometimes in brainstorming the information may be questionable or at least at the margin and any criticism should be directed at the information and not the individual or his or her style. Debate is not personal unless at least one of the participants chooses to make it that way often to deflect critique of an unsustainable position or to carry on from a prior agenda.
 
But the point is I think we all should feel free to respectfully disagree with each other without it being perceived as fighting.

I agree.
For me that also means when an idea is challenged ,the challenger should not perceived/labeled as close minded to alternate approaches .

When folks feel comfortable enough to barinstorm freely and put out their view , experience or factual informattion without worrying about defending themselves from direct attacks or innuendo more can be accomplished and we can all learn more.

This implies that sometimes in brainstorming the information may be questionable or at least at the margin and any criticism should be directed at the information and not the individual or his or her style. Debate is not personal unless at least one of the participants chooses to make it that way often to deflect critique of an unsustainable position or to carry on from a prior agenda.

Sure, this is the ideal. But, we all perceive things differently. So to achieve this we need to give each other the benefit of the doubt that we are all here to learn and generally be positive when we disagree unless we are blatantly personally attacking each other, which, in my experience here, is very rarely the case. And I would hope you're not suggesting I ever directly attacked you. If so, I disagree, but I am sorry you feel that way and will take that into account in the future. :)
 
Well I just want to say thanks to all the people that are organizing the little group meetings coming up I cant wait although steve not sure I can make it to yours.
 
If so, I disagree, but I am sorry you feel that way and will take that into account in the future. :)

No, I don't think you have attacked me. I enjoy our discussions and hope they continue .

Some have made things extremely personal in the past though. I see it between others too. It always sidetracks discussion and doesn't help the participants or the readers.

I think folks should be able to voice a point of view and expect it to be strongly challenged when views differ in a professional non personal way . That kind of adult discussion done with intellectual integrity gets information out..
Disagreement can be a good thing. There are many ways and combinations of means to do things in this hobby. Personally, I'm always looking for ways to improve what I do and what I think I know and how I interact in discussions.

Facts are facts though and should be accurately presented or inevitably they are corrected.Sometimes that leads to an attack in response to the correction. I try to say what I mean and mean what I say and sometimes that can appear unduly argumentative or pedantic which is not my intent.

Informal get togethers are a great way to make everyone more comfortable and to increase the enjoyment of the hobby by enjoying time with fellow enthusiasts..

Thanks to all the folks organizing them. I hope we get to do more...:wavehand::beer:
 
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