kevin95695
Member of the Registry
Bar dartfish over here: Doing fine.
MARS VP Opening
- Thread starter Brian Prestwood
- Start date
Good point Bruce. I also agree about the feel of the direction. I guess I am in the minority here as I am not even an active person in the meeting scene. For a person that does not do well in small areas, I had to even give my raffle tickets away as I knew that it was going to be too much. The same thing at the frag swap. More is not always better.
Roberts rule of law, "A good meeting starts on time and ends on time"
Maybe I am just "that guy" tonight, but I am a hobbyist that does not have any other ties or interests except for my passion of this hobby and the livestock in my tank and local resources.
I most likely will re-read this and feel that I misrepresented myself and my ideas, but I just want to make sure that there are no conflicts of interests. Oh well...I guess this is just my point of view and if 10% of our club has stake and another 10% does not make these things publicly known, 1 in 5 is not that bad.
Roberts rule of law, "A good meeting starts on time and ends on time"
Maybe I am just "that guy" tonight, but I am a hobbyist that does not have any other ties or interests except for my passion of this hobby and the livestock in my tank and local resources.
I most likely will re-read this and feel that I misrepresented myself and my ideas, but I just want to make sure that there are no conflicts of interests. Oh well...I guess this is just my point of view and if 10% of our club has stake and another 10% does not make these things publicly known, 1 in 5 is not that bad.
kdblove_99
New member
How many meeting actually start and end on time? So if that doesn't happen by that statement it is not a good meeting? I can't disagree more with that statement.
I would say you are in the minority. But, Long ago when Paul started getting all these huge raffles there were people coming just for that the raffles. There is even a thread i will try and dig it up.
I said then that i didn't like people coming just for raffles alone. Well pretty much right after that i had several people reply with i don't care why they are coming as long as they are coming kinda attitude.
I will look up the thread so i don't misquote people too bad
I would say you are in the minority. But, Long ago when Paul started getting all these huge raffles there were people coming just for that the raffles. There is even a thread i will try and dig it up.
I said then that i didn't like people coming just for raffles alone. Well pretty much right after that i had several people reply with i don't care why they are coming as long as they are coming kinda attitude.
I will look up the thread so i don't misquote people too bad
kdblove_99
New member
I don't get why that is a conflict?
like Bruce said he had businesses, I don't hear people pushing there business on the club.
like Bruce said he had businesses, I don't hear people pushing there business on the club.
kdblove_99
New member
ok, I guess i will be pretty frank here.
If other people have Questions about where the club is headed or that others have wholesale licenses shouldn't they be the ones bringing it up? Or i assume you heard a lot of this going on while you were at the meeting or is it hear say?
I know of the few people that have the licenses and other endevours i have never once heard them promote or even talk about it at meetings, etc.
As Bruce stated he has 2 businesses but this was never a concern then, why not? Sounds like there are a few "people" that might have issues with the up coming staff?
My only issue with the club i have ever had is i think a lot of people come for the raffles only. Which i do not think is a sign of a good healthy club. This is only my personal opinion but if the raffles stopped i think the meetings would be a whole lot smaller. If you are not this person or persons please don't take offense
If other people have Questions about where the club is headed or that others have wholesale licenses shouldn't they be the ones bringing it up? Or i assume you heard a lot of this going on while you were at the meeting or is it hear say?
I know of the few people that have the licenses and other endevours i have never once heard them promote or even talk about it at meetings, etc.
As Bruce stated he has 2 businesses but this was never a concern then, why not? Sounds like there are a few "people" that might have issues with the up coming staff?
My only issue with the club i have ever had is i think a lot of people come for the raffles only. Which i do not think is a sign of a good healthy club. This is only my personal opinion but if the raffles stopped i think the meetings would be a whole lot smaller. If you are not this person or persons please don't take offense
pbetito
New member
I can tone down the raffles if that is what the group wants. I have always said that if the meetings are not fun, attendance will be down. There were recent concerns on Q & A and the way that was being handled and I am certain it didn't help bring people back either. As far as wholesale accounts and who has them Mark, have you felt a buisness is using MARS to self promote? I guess I do not understand your reasoning for asking. You gave your raffle tickets away at the Xmas party but we actually finished the meeting and the raffle early. When the club was doing small raffles, Q&A and speakers in the summer, we had like 30-40 people at a meeting. I may not be an expert on whats best for the club, but that wasn't it. I mean this with ALL DUE RESPECT,
but I see very few people commenting who were showing up for those meetings either. I love constructive criticism but IMO bigger meetings with more reefers spreading knowledge is a good thing
If the raffle gets them there, I consider it an honor that I can aid the attendance of the meetings and the activity of the club.
but I see very few people commenting who were showing up for those meetings either. I love constructive criticism but IMO bigger meetings with more reefers spreading knowledge is a good thing
If the raffle gets them there, I consider it an honor that I can aid the attendance of the meetings and the activity of the club.
kdblove_99
New member
Paul,
I think you do a great jobs with the raffles. I would just like to see people there that are actually interested in reef keeping and not what they can win. the raffle is always a nice bonus.
My main thing for posting here is i didn't understand the reason it was brought up either or what the motive was?
I think you do a great jobs with the raffles. I would just like to see people there that are actually interested in reef keeping and not what they can win. the raffle is always a nice bonus.
My main thing for posting here is i didn't understand the reason it was brought up either or what the motive was?
First of all- just because it is not said at a meeting, does not mean it does not go on, In fact, wasn't it recent when we asked where the vets were.
Second- I have no problems with any of the upcoming staff as I do not personally know any of them; so how could I have a problem with them. The question is; why we have to defend status quo with so much haste. Isn't discussion the greatest avenue for growth?
Third- I agree Paul, you can't have a meeting without people in the seats.
I just don't understand why a the original question has led to this. I asked if this was a club for hobbyist. Sorry to those that this might offended, that was not the point.
Second- I have no problems with any of the upcoming staff as I do not personally know any of them; so how could I have a problem with them. The question is; why we have to defend status quo with so much haste. Isn't discussion the greatest avenue for growth?
Third- I agree Paul, you can't have a meeting without people in the seats.
I just don't understand why a the original question has led to this. I asked if this was a club for hobbyist. Sorry to those that this might offended, that was not the point.
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CaptiveReefSystems
In Memoriam
funny Paul, I never heard there was a problem with the Q&A until you brought it up. I am not sure you even know what the word respect means. If you had a problem with the way I handled the Q&A, why weren't you adult enough to call me or e-mail me to voice your concerns. No, you choose to flame me here on the public forum. That is one of the reasons for me stepping down as VP. I did not want to be part of an organization where the board members tear down other board members.
I am done with MARS and for some I am sure that is a good thing. If you have anything you want to take issue with where it concerns me, do it to my face or at least my ear, not here. I can only imagine what outsiders think of us with all this negative back and forth.
I hope you are right about your method to build MARS into a super club. Maybe someday I will have to eat my words and apologize to you. I just did not want to be part of a club where the education took a back seat to a raffle. Thats just me I guess.
I am done with MARS and for some I am sure that is a good thing. If you have anything you want to take issue with where it concerns me, do it to my face or at least my ear, not here. I can only imagine what outsiders think of us with all this negative back and forth.
I hope you are right about your method to build MARS into a super club. Maybe someday I will have to eat my words and apologize to you. I just did not want to be part of a club where the education took a back seat to a raffle. Thats just me I guess.
pbetito
New member
I guess with change there are always going to be some who like it and some who don't. IMO the club is on a major upswing. There is a great blend of new blood and the best of the old gaurd combining on the board to see lots of growth. The club is getting active and the membership is growing. Whether it is Mike Bedford or anyone else who becomes VP I am sure they will infuse a new positive winning attitude to the position and we look forward to helping them. For the record I am opposed to anyone using their board position to further their personal buisness. I would also like to add that I never saw Bruce or any other member do anything resembling this. The board seems to really care about the good of the club and while we may not always agree with one another, we all respect eachother and share the same common goals.
KMP
Wag More; Bark Less
i realize i'm the tiny voice in the background here; however, as a new member (first meeting in april i believe) i used to watch the calendar anxious for the next meeting. each month, a week prior to the meeting i would post up asking what the topic was. that's why i'm with this club. i value the experience and enjoy learning new things. the raffle was nothing in comparison to what it is now and if it were to go away or reduce in size, i'd still be anxious for the next meeting and new topics.
bruce, i appreciate everything you did and wish you were sticking around. i was always listening intently and valued your opinions (and other experienced veterans that shared). just thought i would pass that along as i'm sure you don't even know who i am; but more significant that you know there are many that appreciate your contribution and patience with us newbies!
bruce, i appreciate everything you did and wish you were sticking around. i was always listening intently and valued your opinions (and other experienced veterans that shared). just thought i would pass that along as i'm sure you don't even know who i am; but more significant that you know there are many that appreciate your contribution and patience with us newbies!
Edit: I will add back one comment from my deleted post:
Last - I really do want to thank Bruce for all his contributions to this hobby and club. He has provided me with valuable information when I was a newbie. I don't always agree with his advice - but I respect the fact that he's willing to help a total newbie out. He's an outstanding contributing member, and I am sorry to see that he is "done with MARS." His leaving is a loss to MARS.
Last - I really do want to thank Bruce for all his contributions to this hobby and club. He has provided me with valuable information when I was a newbie. I don't always agree with his advice - but I respect the fact that he's willing to help a total newbie out. He's an outstanding contributing member, and I am sorry to see that he is "done with MARS." His leaving is a loss to MARS.
kdblove_99
New member
Missed it, thats a shame i wish you would have kept it up.
I know some of your views on some issues.
There are some things i really cant understand. Why would you just quit? Did you ever bring it up to anyone in person and tell them you did not appreciate them saying stuff on here and you were hurt by it espacially being a fellow board member?
Or are you doing what you said Paul was so wrong about and airing dirty laundry right now about it? I don't know that is why i am asking?
If you did call Paul or anyone else and let them know about this what was there response and did they continue to air laundry after that?
I know some of your views on some issues.
There are some things i really cant understand. Why would you just quit? Did you ever bring it up to anyone in person and tell them you did not appreciate them saying stuff on here and you were hurt by it espacially being a fellow board member?
Or are you doing what you said Paul was so wrong about and airing dirty laundry right now about it? I don't know that is why i am asking?
If you did call Paul or anyone else and let them know about this what was there response and did they continue to air laundry after that?
P.Kelly
New member
Bruce,
I'm sorry that you felt you needed to leave. I think that it is a bad sign when an organization, in its haste to expand, looses those people that made it what it is. I'd like to think that we can rectify the issues that made you feel that you no longer want to be a part of MARS. As a new board member, and a general member, I want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable. This should be our constant goal.
I personally think that there needs to be a balanced mix between the composition of various elements in the meeting. The raffle draws a crowd and helps the club with operating expenses, but what I look forward to most are the speakers, the Q&A, the hands-on activities and the people. In my opinion, the position of the VP is probably the most valuable to the club, and surely very time consuming. Having the opportunity to hear from experts in the hobby is what I look forward to the most. This is the one thing that MARS can offer me that I cannot get anywhere else.
Bruce, I hope that you will reconsider your resignation from your position, but even if that bridge has been crossed, I truly hope that you will reconsider your resignation from the club.
I'm sorry that you felt you needed to leave. I think that it is a bad sign when an organization, in its haste to expand, looses those people that made it what it is. I'd like to think that we can rectify the issues that made you feel that you no longer want to be a part of MARS. As a new board member, and a general member, I want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable. This should be our constant goal.
I personally think that there needs to be a balanced mix between the composition of various elements in the meeting. The raffle draws a crowd and helps the club with operating expenses, but what I look forward to most are the speakers, the Q&A, the hands-on activities and the people. In my opinion, the position of the VP is probably the most valuable to the club, and surely very time consuming. Having the opportunity to hear from experts in the hobby is what I look forward to the most. This is the one thing that MARS can offer me that I cannot get anywhere else.
Bruce, I hope that you will reconsider your resignation from your position, but even if that bridge has been crossed, I truly hope that you will reconsider your resignation from the club.
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