macclellan
New member
JBut perhaps I'll bring along the wah pedal I just bought to mix up better with all those acoustics.
What ya get? I was really fond of my Crybaby. :beer:
March Meeting
- Thread starter digidana
- Start date
What ya get? I was really fond of my Crybaby. :beer:
Runner
Active member
I found a used Boss PW-10 V-Wah on craigslist. It has about 6 different wah settings (my favorite so far is the "cry baby"). It also has a bass wah setting which I aim to try out with the youth band on Wednesday.
reeflover101
New member
I think i can find a frag and bring
EvilMel
is a serious goby fanatic
Dana 3pm isn't really a "later" meeting for me. I can only make the ones that start around 6 or so. It's just not fair to leave Erick and Amy at the store alone. I would absolutely love to come and wouldn't even mind hosting. I just can't come to meetings if they are early.
I thought we were having the meetings alternating something like noon one month and 6pm or so the next month.
I have a lot to say about the reef club. As many of you know, I've been in this club from the very beginning (as has Matt and Donny). I've served on the BOD (in one position or another) more times than anyone else. I helped write the by-laws, for goodness sake. This negativity that has taken over the club is quite disturbing and I'd like to see it gone.
Are the days of us all sitting around with a few beers looking at each others tanks (joking about each others systems) gone? Does everything have to be so uptight and b!tchy now? Everything is by the book and we've driven away some of our best members, IMO.
I thought we were having the meetings alternating something like noon one month and 6pm or so the next month.
I have a lot to say about the reef club. As many of you know, I've been in this club from the very beginning (as has Matt and Donny). I've served on the BOD (in one position or another) more times than anyone else. I helped write the by-laws, for goodness sake. This negativity that has taken over the club is quite disturbing and I'd like to see it gone.
Are the days of us all sitting around with a few beers looking at each others tanks (joking about each others systems) gone? Does everything have to be so uptight and b!tchy now? Everything is by the book and we've driven away some of our best members, IMO.
digidana
Member
i'd kind of gotten the feeling that the *****y was done, it seemed to me that everybody had their say and now its time to get back to business.
i'd like to get the club back to what was written in the bylaws/constitution with some order to the meeting and topics, and speakers, and raffles...group fun. i think there's a place for drinking beer and looking at tanks, but i don't think that should be the point for meetings.
that's what i'm hoping to resolve at the meeting...the direction of the club basically.
sorry, i can't do a late meeting this month...the mountain jam starts at 7p
i'd like to get the club back to what was written in the bylaws/constitution with some order to the meeting and topics, and speakers, and raffles...group fun. i think there's a place for drinking beer and looking at tanks, but i don't think that should be the point for meetings.
that's what i'm hoping to resolve at the meeting...the direction of the club basically.
sorry, i can't do a late meeting this month...the mountain jam starts at 7p
reeflover101
New member
I agree drinking is ok but people want to bring there kids also sometimes It should be family orientated. shouldnt be about getting together and drinking.
Runner
Active member
We have a diverse group held together by a common interest. Some portion of the group will be disappointed with just about every decision. I like the 3pm with Dana plan and the topic to be discussed...
...but then I am biased because I've been wanting a good excuse to stop by one of the Mountain Jams.
It's been a few months since I've been to a meeting, and I know I am sporadic in attendence and have scaled by my involvement in this hobby, but I am still interested in the fate of the club.
...but then I am biased because I've been wanting a good excuse to stop by one of the Mountain Jams.
It's been a few months since I've been to a meeting, and I know I am sporadic in attendence and have scaled by my involvement in this hobby, but I am still interested in the fate of the club.
The purpose of the forum is for people to air their concerns, especially for people that can not attend the club meetings. I don't think Melanie was b!tching, but voicing her concern for where this club goes from this point on. Before I joined the club, Mel carried this club, much as I have the past few years. Extenuating circumstances forced her to take a step back. I then stepped up. Neither of us wants to see the dissolution of this club, which is precisely where it is heading if you guys are not careful.
The club should neither be about family or drinking. It should be about reef keeping and enjoying the hobby together. This can be accomplished with both having a few drinks and having a few kids around. But both drinking and children should be kept under control. People should not get plastered. Children should not be let run a muck, we are not a babysitting service and many of us have nice homes we don't want to see trashed. Most members can control their drinking, and most do control their children and that is the way that it needs to stay. But I digress...
It needs to be remembered that this is a hobby about reef/ saltwater keeping, and both the hobby and the club should be enjoyed. If you get too bogged down with regimentation and regulation, a lot of the fun is taken out of being a part of the club. Everyone is not going to be happy all at once, which is often the case with a large group. But if enough activities, group buys, meetings, and events are planned, more members have an opportunity to be happy at one point or another...
Just voicing my opinion...
The club should neither be about family or drinking. It should be about reef keeping and enjoying the hobby together. This can be accomplished with both having a few drinks and having a few kids around. But both drinking and children should be kept under control. People should not get plastered. Children should not be let run a muck, we are not a babysitting service and many of us have nice homes we don't want to see trashed. Most members can control their drinking, and most do control their children and that is the way that it needs to stay. But I digress...
It needs to be remembered that this is a hobby about reef/ saltwater keeping, and both the hobby and the club should be enjoyed. If you get too bogged down with regimentation and regulation, a lot of the fun is taken out of being a part of the club. Everyone is not going to be happy all at once, which is often the case with a large group. But if enough activities, group buys, meetings, and events are planned, more members have an opportunity to be happy at one point or another...
Just voicing my opinion...
digidana
Member
All of the above is exactly why I want to make this particular meeting about the club itself. with no randy, and kim not having the time, its fallen on mine and janie's shoulders. we've had discussions about it...lots of discussions, and are planning a BOD meeting. we have no intention of letting the club go, in fact, for the few months we have left, we plan on doing everything we can think of to bring it back to what it once was.
that's why, if this club is important to any of you, you need to come have your voice heard at this meeting.
i agree that this is a great place for open discussion, but i think its the worst place to bicker and complain. this is where new members will be coming to check us out, and if we look like a bunch of lunatics, no one will want to join. bring all your complaints to the meeting. if there is still more air clearing that needs done, lets do it, but as far as i'm concerned, it needs to be put behind us and lets concentrate on starting fresh.
…and for the record, i wasn't accusing mel of b!tching, I meant exactly what I said, that I haven’t seen any complaining or negativity since that one bad day that a couple people had their “airing out” and I’m hoping its behind us.
that's why, if this club is important to any of you, you need to come have your voice heard at this meeting.
i agree that this is a great place for open discussion, but i think its the worst place to bicker and complain. this is where new members will be coming to check us out, and if we look like a bunch of lunatics, no one will want to join. bring all your complaints to the meeting. if there is still more air clearing that needs done, lets do it, but as far as i'm concerned, it needs to be put behind us and lets concentrate on starting fresh.
…and for the record, i wasn't accusing mel of b!tching, I meant exactly what I said, that I haven’t seen any complaining or negativity since that one bad day that a couple people had their “airing out” and I’m hoping its behind us.
macclellan
New member
Have drinking or children ever been a problem? Seems like a red-herring to me. Controlled drinking and controlled children pose no problem. Don't get me wrong, getting drunk and baby-baiting some lionfish would be highly entertaining, but I understand that's not for everyone and most meetings should have a useful reef-related discussion, presentation, or demo.
I too am a fan of rotating the time for meetings between "day" and "night," mostly because I don't like drinking and staring at fish at noon. :beer:
It's a shame that Mel can't make it; some senior presence in deciding the future of the club would be welcome. For those who can't make it, maybe post your thoughts here?
planejane
New member
I agree that this is a good place to open dialog on club matters, but not the place to complain or vent. That's not productive. If you have a problem come to a club mtg or contact a BOD, be a part of the solution. ( that doesn't mean if you have a personality conflict with some one that the BOD is there to mediate, you need to handle that like an adult).
For what ever reasons club interest has waned lately, but that doesn't mean the end of the club. If we work together we all benifit, but don't expect one or two to carry the whole load. I hope our next mtg. can be a good start to getting back on track. Come and contribute.
I therefore suggest that the April mtg be held at Joel's. Topic of discussion: Techniques for Baby Baiting Lionfish. bring your own keg !!! LOL!
For what ever reasons club interest has waned lately, but that doesn't mean the end of the club. If we work together we all benifit, but don't expect one or two to carry the whole load. I hope our next mtg. can be a good start to getting back on track. Come and contribute.
I therefore suggest that the April mtg be held at Joel's. Topic of discussion: Techniques for Baby Baiting Lionfish. bring your own keg !!! LOL!
goreefer
New member
I hope that I am not part of the problem, and unfortunately I can't be part of the solution.
Like the majority of the members of this club I have been very happy with what I have received from it. Great people, great discussions, and the chance to see others addictions to the reef hobby.
The only complaint that I have is that I cannot spend more time with the other members or contribute more. My job just doesn't allow it.
If you want more than that I recommend that you start your own club.
And again this month I cannot attend the meeting.
So you all can harass me as indicated!
And THANK YOU to everyone that can give their time to this fun group.
Like the majority of the members of this club I have been very happy with what I have received from it. Great people, great discussions, and the chance to see others addictions to the reef hobby.
The only complaint that I have is that I cannot spend more time with the other members or contribute more. My job just doesn't allow it.
If you want more than that I recommend that you start your own club.
And again this month I cannot attend the meeting.
So you all can harass me as indicated!
And THANK YOU to everyone that can give their time to this fun group.
EvilMel
is a serious goby fanatic
I'll see what I can do. Maybe I can take off for a few hours.
This club means more to me than you guys know. Most of you haven't been around since the beginning and therefore might not realize how it used to be. I used to look forward to the meetings SO MUCH. We started threads about food on the first day of the month and got everyone's mouths at the peak of watering before the meeting day came. We all cleaned up at the first frag swap in Chattanooga...carpooling was never a hassle...it was always the best part of going to the swaps. We made fun of each other constantly...no matter how great our tanks were (though, some of us still do that).
I could be two hours late and the meeting would barely be getting started because everyone was having such a good time hanging out together, eating and looking at the tanks.
We all looked forward to the Christmas party potluck...the club members never had to pay for anything because it was all furnished by the club at that one meeting. We had TONS of food...turkey and all the fixings. It was just this atmosphere of FUN...while learning about each others tanks and helping DIY stuff together. I learned about making frag plugs and putting them in the back of the toilet to cure. I learned how to make an auto-top off and that you'd better have redundancy. I taught numerous people about all the types of gobies that are out there (yes, *I* gave a presentation...I used to give lots of presentations...as did David Anderson).
Hardly anyone ever cared about bylaws. The only reason we wrote them was because we had this one ULTRA stickler guy (let me reiterate...ONE) in the club who said we needed them to cover our butts should someone decide to sue us for some reason. I always thought it was insane but I went along with it and helped write them. That's not the main reason though. I used to be able to handle the sticklers. There's another (primary) reason but I'll wait until we're together to talk about that one. It WAS NOT so that members could beat the board over the head with rules and regulations. Now it seems like most people are sticklers about how the club should function yet every time there are nominations or duties to be performed it's like pulling teeth to get anyone to volunteer. IMO this is one of those "if you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem" type of situations.
As far as drinking goes...it's always been present at every meeting, from the very beginning...as have children (though truth be told, I did once tell Julie I didn't want her to bring her kids, but in my defense she HAD asked us and she DID tell us that they weren't very well behaved). I have since reversed my stance on children at the meetings. I think they are great to have at most meetings. I particularly like some of your kids that come to meetings often...Dana's and Scott's kids come to mind (though I think Scott's boys just think I'm weird). I don't think that having a beer or three makes the meetings completely non-kid-friendly. If you think so...don't ever bring your kids around me. I'm sure I'll be a terrible influence on them in some way.
I would like to see us get back to having fun at the meetings. We don't need the bylaws and never did, IMO.
It's very difficult to describe what the club used to be versus what it is now...especially without sounding like I'm just advocating only drinking and no reef talk. I put things the wrong way a bit in my last post apparently. Sorry Travis, I didn't mean to say that I think that the meeting should only be about those things. That wasn't what I meant. It's difficult to convey the changes I see in the club therefore it's hard to speak about what I would like done about them. I'm honestly not sure what to do about it.
I just know that I will not allow the dissolution of my club because of infighting or people with sticks up their butts ruining everyone else's good time. I've put waaaaay too much effort into this thing over the past 8+ years to let that happen. That's right...the club has been around for that long. I was at meeting #1 and most meetings since then (with the exception of a short period of time during which I was getting divorced). So...I'll be there at the next one...unless something dramatic changes...I'll make time.
This club means more to me than you guys know. Most of you haven't been around since the beginning and therefore might not realize how it used to be. I used to look forward to the meetings SO MUCH. We started threads about food on the first day of the month and got everyone's mouths at the peak of watering before the meeting day came. We all cleaned up at the first frag swap in Chattanooga...carpooling was never a hassle...it was always the best part of going to the swaps. We made fun of each other constantly...no matter how great our tanks were (though, some of us still do that).
I could be two hours late and the meeting would barely be getting started because everyone was having such a good time hanging out together, eating and looking at the tanks.
We all looked forward to the Christmas party potluck...the club members never had to pay for anything because it was all furnished by the club at that one meeting. We had TONS of food...turkey and all the fixings. It was just this atmosphere of FUN...while learning about each others tanks and helping DIY stuff together. I learned about making frag plugs and putting them in the back of the toilet to cure. I learned how to make an auto-top off and that you'd better have redundancy. I taught numerous people about all the types of gobies that are out there (yes, *I* gave a presentation...I used to give lots of presentations...as did David Anderson).
Hardly anyone ever cared about bylaws. The only reason we wrote them was because we had this one ULTRA stickler guy (let me reiterate...ONE) in the club who said we needed them to cover our butts should someone decide to sue us for some reason. I always thought it was insane but I went along with it and helped write them. That's not the main reason though. I used to be able to handle the sticklers. There's another (primary) reason but I'll wait until we're together to talk about that one. It WAS NOT so that members could beat the board over the head with rules and regulations. Now it seems like most people are sticklers about how the club should function yet every time there are nominations or duties to be performed it's like pulling teeth to get anyone to volunteer. IMO this is one of those "if you're not part of the solution then you're part of the problem" type of situations.
As far as drinking goes...it's always been present at every meeting, from the very beginning...as have children (though truth be told, I did once tell Julie I didn't want her to bring her kids, but in my defense she HAD asked us and she DID tell us that they weren't very well behaved). I have since reversed my stance on children at the meetings. I think they are great to have at most meetings. I particularly like some of your kids that come to meetings often...Dana's and Scott's kids come to mind (though I think Scott's boys just think I'm weird). I don't think that having a beer or three makes the meetings completely non-kid-friendly. If you think so...don't ever bring your kids around me. I'm sure I'll be a terrible influence on them in some way.
I would like to see us get back to having fun at the meetings. We don't need the bylaws and never did, IMO.
It's very difficult to describe what the club used to be versus what it is now...especially without sounding like I'm just advocating only drinking and no reef talk. I put things the wrong way a bit in my last post apparently. Sorry Travis, I didn't mean to say that I think that the meeting should only be about those things. That wasn't what I meant. It's difficult to convey the changes I see in the club therefore it's hard to speak about what I would like done about them. I'm honestly not sure what to do about it.
I just know that I will not allow the dissolution of my club because of infighting or people with sticks up their butts ruining everyone else's good time. I've put waaaaay too much effort into this thing over the past 8+ years to let that happen. That's right...the club has been around for that long. I was at meeting #1 and most meetings since then (with the exception of a short period of time during which I was getting divorced). So...I'll be there at the next one...unless something dramatic changes...I'll make time.
reeflover101
New member
mel I think highly of you, I really do. Your easy to talk to. Some people might not get you. But thats what i really like about you. I guess what really happened is i got my feelings hurt. another story but anyway. I think you bring alot to the club no doubt about that. I have been doing this hobby for a long time as well. I have only been in the club 3 years really didnt even know about it. the way i found out was the website. But anyway mel I dont have any hard feelings toward you ok. or anyone else. and I'm sorry if i did upset you. so let all pull together and get this club going again. I really like the pot luck ideal lol.
Runner
Active member
Now, now, Mel. While both boys loved your cat and the snake you used to have, only Andrew thinks you're weird. And I've enjoyed having the negative role models to stimulate conversations on the ride home and reinforce my teachings. 
Sure, I've had to explain the meanings of a few words they did not know before coming to the meetings. But I have become a better father for it all.
I've enjoyed the club through many phases since the beginning (admittedly, I missed the first few meetings after being a part of the first club formation posts), and honestly I find the various operating modes of the club interesting. I'd prefer to be organized just for the sake knowing what to expect. The bylaws do have some purpose if only to know how to handle the club funds under certain circumstances. I've never taken a leadership role in the club because I've never been reliable about attending the meetings. I was content just to be webmaster for a time. I am curious to see what the current 'revival' undercurrents may bring.
And I've enjoyed having the negative role models to stimulate conversations on the ride home and reinforce my teachings. Sure, I've had to explain the meanings of a few words they did not know before coming to the meetings. But I have become a better father for it all. I've enjoyed the club through many phases since the beginning (admittedly, I missed the first few meetings after being a part of the first club formation posts), and honestly I find the various operating modes of the club interesting. I'd prefer to be organized just for the sake knowing what to expect. The bylaws do have some purpose if only to know how to handle the club funds under certain circumstances. I've never taken a leadership role in the club because I've never been reliable about attending the meetings. I was content just to be webmaster for a time. I am curious to see what the current 'revival' undercurrents may bring.
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