The new NCPARS board of directors officially took office July 1. We had our first board meeting (by AIM) on July 20, and the minutes of the meeting will be posted on NCPARS.org soon. A lot of people have been working on a lot of different things over the past couple of months. Here’s a list of what’s been happening:
1. Fall swap: You’ve read that we are going to Northampton PA, and that Anthony Calfo will be our speaker. A couple of related notes:
a. We are in the process of working to get raffle items. The VPs for advertising and Public Relations (Don and Rick) have contacted over 50 vendors so far to request items.
b. The swap is very close to Something Fishy, who has been a great club supporter in the past. We will be working on group buy arrangements, or the possibility of a club discount with them or another store on swap weekend.
c. We want to have a couple of demos/workshops at the swap. Current ideas are to demo fragging, and tank drilling. Please suggest other ideas!
2. Atlantis Aquarium / LIRA collecting trip: 2 years ago the club participated with LIRA in a collection trip off Long Island, and members had a sleepover and behind-the-scenes tour at Atlantis Aquarium with Joe Yaiullo. We are in the process of working out details so that we can hopefully join a similar collecting trip on September 13, coupled with aquarium discounts, a possible sleepover, and a behind the scenes tour.
3. ReeferMadness is offering NCPARS members a 25% discount on their first order. Subsequent orders will get a 10-20% discount depending on the size of the order. See the info about this on NCPARS.org. We’re trying to figure out an end date from them, but it probably won’t last forever!
4. Web Site: this spring we reorganized and cleaned up the new NCPARS.org website, and set up new pages for the 3 schools that NCPARS members support. Our sponsors (from swaps and raffles) are listed on the website, please see who they are and note their support! We are still working on linking in ecommerce and electronic memberships on the site, and are adding some updates on the school programs.
5. DBTC program started: If you haven’t seen it, the forums on NCPARS.org include a thread on the NCPARS DBTC (Don’t Break the Chain) coral propagation program. Under this program, members may offer coral frags for free in a pay-it-forward setup designed to encourage sharing of corals among members. Please join in the program!
6. Budget: we’ve put together a complete set of income and expenditure figures over the past 4 years, and we have set a budget for next year (the info will be posted on ncpars.org). If we have two well-attended swaps during the 2008-2009 fiscal year, we’ll end up with a balanced budget.
7. Tanks in Schools Program. Each of schools in the Tanks In Schools program has a page under NCPARS.org now. In the budget we approved $250 to support the Tanks In Schools effort (we may increase it later this year). Each of the schools has needs, and our budget won’t be able to satisfy all of them, so please take a look at their pages to see if you can help.
8. Membership lists: we’ve gotten these updated, and would like to start putting members in touch with others in their area for local tank tours, trades, and conversations.
9. FishyAuctions.com is a brand new fish/aquarium goods auction site. We have agreed to be part of their club program under which we will receive a portion of proceeds from all auctions that occur on the site. Check them out and watch for auctions!
10. We’ve placed ads in Aquarium Fish International for the club and the Fall swap, and in the RC upcoming events section. Hopefully this will attract some new members and new swap attendees. If you have ideas of other places we can place ads to attract new folks, please suggest them!
11. Spring 2009 swap: Already? Yikes! Before long, we’ll be asking for ideas and local coordinators/volunteers for a location for our Spring 2009 swap. Part of keeping our budget balanced will be finding a good location that’s also not too expensive. If you are interested in helping and having a swap near you, please contact us!
We welcome all of your input, and appreciate your feedback and ideas! As we have updates, we'll keep you posted.
Scott Bennett
NCPARS President, 2008-2009
1. Fall swap: You’ve read that we are going to Northampton PA, and that Anthony Calfo will be our speaker. A couple of related notes:
a. We are in the process of working to get raffle items. The VPs for advertising and Public Relations (Don and Rick) have contacted over 50 vendors so far to request items.
b. The swap is very close to Something Fishy, who has been a great club supporter in the past. We will be working on group buy arrangements, or the possibility of a club discount with them or another store on swap weekend.
c. We want to have a couple of demos/workshops at the swap. Current ideas are to demo fragging, and tank drilling. Please suggest other ideas!
2. Atlantis Aquarium / LIRA collecting trip: 2 years ago the club participated with LIRA in a collection trip off Long Island, and members had a sleepover and behind-the-scenes tour at Atlantis Aquarium with Joe Yaiullo. We are in the process of working out details so that we can hopefully join a similar collecting trip on September 13, coupled with aquarium discounts, a possible sleepover, and a behind the scenes tour.
3. ReeferMadness is offering NCPARS members a 25% discount on their first order. Subsequent orders will get a 10-20% discount depending on the size of the order. See the info about this on NCPARS.org. We’re trying to figure out an end date from them, but it probably won’t last forever!
4. Web Site: this spring we reorganized and cleaned up the new NCPARS.org website, and set up new pages for the 3 schools that NCPARS members support. Our sponsors (from swaps and raffles) are listed on the website, please see who they are and note their support! We are still working on linking in ecommerce and electronic memberships on the site, and are adding some updates on the school programs.
5. DBTC program started: If you haven’t seen it, the forums on NCPARS.org include a thread on the NCPARS DBTC (Don’t Break the Chain) coral propagation program. Under this program, members may offer coral frags for free in a pay-it-forward setup designed to encourage sharing of corals among members. Please join in the program!
6. Budget: we’ve put together a complete set of income and expenditure figures over the past 4 years, and we have set a budget for next year (the info will be posted on ncpars.org). If we have two well-attended swaps during the 2008-2009 fiscal year, we’ll end up with a balanced budget.
7. Tanks in Schools Program. Each of schools in the Tanks In Schools program has a page under NCPARS.org now. In the budget we approved $250 to support the Tanks In Schools effort (we may increase it later this year). Each of the schools has needs, and our budget won’t be able to satisfy all of them, so please take a look at their pages to see if you can help.
8. Membership lists: we’ve gotten these updated, and would like to start putting members in touch with others in their area for local tank tours, trades, and conversations.
9. FishyAuctions.com is a brand new fish/aquarium goods auction site. We have agreed to be part of their club program under which we will receive a portion of proceeds from all auctions that occur on the site. Check them out and watch for auctions!
10. We’ve placed ads in Aquarium Fish International for the club and the Fall swap, and in the RC upcoming events section. Hopefully this will attract some new members and new swap attendees. If you have ideas of other places we can place ads to attract new folks, please suggest them!
11. Spring 2009 swap: Already? Yikes! Before long, we’ll be asking for ideas and local coordinators/volunteers for a location for our Spring 2009 swap. Part of keeping our budget balanced will be finding a good location that’s also not too expensive. If you are interested in helping and having a swap near you, please contact us!
We welcome all of your input, and appreciate your feedback and ideas! As we have updates, we'll keep you posted.
Scott Bennett
NCPARS President, 2008-2009
