MARS Mobile

[MrMikeB]

Just to add a little perspective. MARS has 145 registered members on the website, not all of which are actually officially paid members. Given the cost of membership at $25/ea. which is used to offset club operating expenses - we would basically equating the value of a trailer to that of ALL membership dues for an entire year, with a commitment of approximately 40 members' dues per annum for reoccurring expenses.

 

[Justin74]

Another thing to consider when tallying anual charges is the registration for the trailor.

-Justin

 

[dots]

Most of the charges are negligable, the insurance and secured indoor storage is probably the largest yearly expense. Cost versus benifit with the consideration of yearly useage may not be viable yet.

My ultimate goal would be for the club to grow enough to be nationally chartered in some way and go to events like BACFM as a group and have that trailer for "preaching the MARS gospel" and participating in other regional events. If the time came to where as a group we collectivly couldn't work together to haul our "stuff" (see George Carlin's act on that), then this would probably be better at that time.

Considering, we were just fighting like a pack of rabid wolves recently, perhaps baby steps are in order and working together in logistics organization is a good step in achieving that. I do have a White Ford Ranger, (that I have appopriatly named "snowflake" because every truck needs a tough name), that I can utilized if needed.

In lieu of that, may I suggest another group of nerds who have some "stuff" they need to haul to conventions in which we may consider this as another alternative.........

After all, fish murals are very trendy these days........I can here it on the freways now....."look, Mommy, Nemo Nemo Nemo Nemo....."

 

[MandM]

:lol:

Good point. It would be good to have our gospel in order before we take it on the road. Unless, of course, we go to Nascar and WWE events. "In this corner of the cage, Nemo the Nasty..."

 

[dots]

.......or the debating circuit

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Mike

We have not reached any critical failure points in gear storage and transportation. The problem I'm trying solve is that as the club grows the effort to run it increases.

I believe a trailer would greatly decrease the effort it takes to store and transport all the gear to the meetings. Also, centralizing the storage and transportation issue frees the other board members up to focus on their core duties. As I proposed the Sgt. at Arms would have a core duty of transportation & securing the club property.

In general, specialization like this is a commonly accepted practice of business optimization. I also believe it will be far easier to get members to voluneer to work on the board when the scope of their duties are narrow and clearly defined.

Yes, as Bruce points out, the person getting the trailor would work a little harder than they would if they were bringing only their portion to the club. But compared to the total of the effort to bring the gear in from multiple locations it would be less.

Historically, the gear has been stored and transported by the BOG member that used it at the meeting. With the possible exception of the test kits, the BOG members don't use the equipment between the meetings.

 

[dots]

I am excited that you are being proactive in growing the club and believe that you have earned the trust in following what you believe to be in our best interest as a club. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained and would support you in this matter.

I think a detailed plan of action and research is the best and first course for a proposal of some hard data to the rest of the members.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Minh

Smaller gear would help with the transportation issue but even with smaller gear we would still have too much gear to reasonably expect a single person to store in their house and transport in their private vehicle. In other words, we'd still require multiple BOG members storing and transporting goods.

The logistical effort of coordinating multiple BOG members bringing equipment in is what I'm trying to eliminate. As it is now, we have multiple single points of failure for general meeting gear transportation. In other words if any one of the board members transporting critical gear can't make it a critical piece of gear will not be there and no other board member can resolve the problem.

With a trailor any board member with a truck could ensure all the required gear was at the meeting.

I have already written an online book checkout system. Karen likes paper and she can take me She gets the job done so I don't complain.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

FYI - there are currently 85 paid MARS members.

 

[pbetito]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11423814#post11423814 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dots
I am excited that you are being proactive in growing the club and believe that you have earned the trust in following what you believe to be in our best interest as a club. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained and would support you in this matter.

Doug... I do this out of love good buddy,

I love all of your ideas and read all your LONG but helpful posts, but I haven't seen you at a meeting in like.... we won't even go there. Please bring some of your vast knowledge and winning smile to a meeting. WE as MARS memebers must show up occasionally to promote the club as well. The meeting happens to be this friday, if you aren't busy I want to SEE you there. Half the battle is showing up and we as a club need some of our veteran leadership to make occasional appearances. The club is on the rise and while I love the new leadership and the proactive board, the presence of some of the real experts could do a lot to help.

Hope to see you soon,
Paul

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Doug, et al

Club growth is my main focus here. We've reached a growth plateau that we can't get past unless we put additional infrastructure in place. If the club shrinks to the point that the new infrastructure becomes burdensome we can liquidate it.

At 85 members with current revenue an ongoing expenses of $1K/year won't be burdensome. Without some additional infrastructure, e.g. website automation and gear, we can't get much above 85 without over whelming the board.

If the number of people helping run the club increased proportionally with the size of the club this probably wouldn't be an issue. That has not been the case. No matter what size the club is, we've never been able to get more than nine people to volunteer to work on the board, and a good portion of those quit immediately. I've accepted this reality and decided to do what I can to set it up so a small number of people can run a bigger club.

But not to worry, it won't take much resistence to get me to stop

 

[MrMikeB]

Brian,
I want to thank you for really driving at making a difference. This is exactly the leadership needed to take us to the next level, and if I do not necessarily agree with this position, you have my unwavering respect and gratitude for fighting the good fight on behalf of the club.

I couple points if I may:

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11423761#post11423761 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brian Prestwood
Mike

...
I also believe it will be far easier to get members to voluneer to work on the board when the scope of their duties are narrow and clearly defined.

Yes, as Bruce points out, the person getting the trailor would work a little harder than they would if they were bringing only their portion to the club. But compared to the total of the effort to bring the gear in from multiple locations it would be less.

1) If a Board position is being left vacant due to perception that it will be too much work or effort to bring in a couple items once a month to the meeting, then honestly they should probably not be on the board. To me, as a board member, I have come to the realization that I have volunteered my time and efforts to performing a function to serve my fellow reefers - and it will be work! Coming to the meetings and bringing a couple items - well, that's a given. I do not see this as a driving factor at keeping the interest in board positions low.

We've reached a growth plateau that we can't get past unless we put additional infrastructure in place. If the club shrinks to the point that the new infrastructure becomes burdensome we can liquidate it.

2) I do not see the connection between a trailer and this necessary infrastructure to grow membership. I do not feel people will decide to join because we have a trailer (or not).

Smaller gear would help with the transportation issue but even with smaller gear we would still have too much gear to reasonably expect a single person to store in their house and transport in their private vehicle. In other words, we'd still require multiple BOG members storing and transporting goods.

The logistical effort of coordinating multiple BOG members bringing equipment in is what I'm trying to eliminate. As it is now, we have multiple single points of failure for general meeting gear transportation. In other words if any one of the board members transporting critical gear can't make it a critical piece of gear will not be there and no other board member can resolve the problem.

3) I am volunteering space in my basement that remains empty for the most part and the use of my truck to transport it in - well maybe save the books, because those are just heavy. I live pretty close to the meeting location, and should I not be able to attend for some reason, Paul can drive my truck on over.

If I can potentially save MARS 3k in expenses plus an additional 1k a year by providing this service, then I feel its definitely worth it. I rather see the money go into putting on more events, DIY sessions, tours, and the like that really will boost our membership and expand our reach further into the reefing community.

Just a couple thoughts to consider...

 

[pbetito]

I must say that after being brought up in one, Mike knows a thing or two about trailers

 

[MrMikeB]

My daddy's double wide was the sh$t yo... you can take the man outta the trailer, but you... oh nevermind.

 

[P.Kelly]

Go to bed! I'm just leaving the office now to do the same...

 

[Reefugee]

Brian,

Have you considered increasing the number of BOG? That should help. My scuba club has something like 5 or 6 members at large (BOG). Although the members at large does not have specific responsibilities, they help out when help is needed. I believe there are more people willing to help if there were more position.

A couple of years ago, the old MARS president ran for president again because he thought no one would step up to the plate. But I also heard of a few people who were interested, but decided not to run because the president was running for the position again.

Also - there are non-board members like me who have offered to help out whenever you need help. Maybe you should tap some of the club members for help.

Minh

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11423862#post11423862 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Brian Prestwood

If the number of people helping run the club increased proportionally with the size of the club this probably wouldn't be an issue. That has not been the case. No matter what size the club is, we've never been able to get more than nine people to volunteer to work on the board, and a good portion of those quit immediately. I've accepted this reality and decided to do what I can to set it up so a small number of people can run a bigger club.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Mike

Thanks, and thanks for volunteering to help.

1) I'm not saying the new board members left because they found transporting the materials unreasonable. I'm simply saying that, on average, we struggle to find volunteers and when we do a good portion before their terms are up. Most have have what I considered very good reasons for leaving. Historically, we've almost no turnover facililties and poor to no duty statements. I'm surprise the retention was as high as it was.

2) The trailor helps the board do its job which indirectly helps the membership. Keep in mind that value of the trailor to the board increases with the size of the membership.

3) Thanks, if we proceed with trailor purchase then, as a board member with a truck you can be in the rotation if we don't have a Sgt. at Arms.

I'd like to see the club overstock and the trailor stored at the same location to simplify stocking the trailor.

I do have some conerns about storing the trailor and overstock at a members home. If there is ever a break in the member would probably feel unjustifiably responsible.

If it is stored at a gated storage facility that wouldn't be an issue. However, this is not a show stopper for storing the trailor and overstock at a members home.

 

[Brian Prestwood]

Minh

"Have you considered increasing the number of BOG?"

Historically that has resulted in increasing the number of empty seats on the board. However, now that we're getting our processes better defined and automatted we might be able to identify and retain more volunteers.

Potential candidates do tend to shy away if the incumbant is running. Most volunteer to help in some other way.

As for volunteers, thanks again for your efforts. We've had trouble identifying volunteers who could own entire tasks. With some notable exceptions, you being one, we usually get volunteers to follow the leader but no volunteer leaders. Coordinating volunteer followers usually ends up requiring BOG bandwidth that isn't available. Again, that may change now.

As Larry Robison (fmr MARS treasurer) is fond of saying "Plan for the worst and hope for the best."

 

[P.Kelly]

Brian,

I initially liked the trailer idea, but after much consideration I would be opposed to such a purchase, as it becomes a single point of failure and liability for the club. While I can see many of the benefits of having a mobile unit, aside from our monthly meetings we do not sponsor enough events to get sufficient use from it.

 

[airinhere]

I kinda have to agree with Pete. I do really like the idea of having a trailer and see its obvious benefit, but at this time, I do not know if we could really justify such a large purchase.

I do agree with your overall sentiment that the club is rapidly growing and as such we are going to need to consider new methods of handling old situations. We also are going to be able to exert a lot more influence in the community, but that is solely dependent on us having a thoughtful plan of action. Frag swaps, convention trips, guest speakers, upgraded website (Please. Even CVR have a better website.)

Any plan to use club money should be careful looked at and debated like we are doing in a couple of threads here.

We can always decide something is a good idea later on and act on it, but its very hard to sell off a trailer and get all your money back or undo a sweeping change to the club philosophy and end up the way we were before the changes.

Like our tanks, patience is a vital element for our club to grow.

Maybe before we start making plans around more grandoise events, we should have some of those events as a trial run and then see what is really needed.

Same thing with the GB. Why not try doing things through the LFS in town? If they are difficult or refuse to help, then we could look into club based activity.

Even with a larger body of members it seems to me that the core duties of the officers remain essentially unchanged. 100 members or 50 members, the same PA system is used, the same speakers show up, the same payments for dues are made and the same raffles go on. The BOG would see more activity, but they would also have a larger pool of volunteers to draw from.

I think most of the growing pains Brian is expressing concern for would come about as a result of us doing more extracirricular activites through the club. More frag swaps means more work for the club officers. Arranging a booth at a regional event would take up time for officers.

Going back to what I was saying at first, I think we should try some of these events under our current club model and see what other tools, positions would make the effort run smoother. Then we add those elements to the club.

Something about not counting chickens untill the eggs hatch......