New ETRC rules/officers

[imsqueak]

WE DON'T HAVE ANY!

We have always acted as a democracy even though we had officers that were supposed to make final decisions. So, if a true democracy rules, who needs officers? At the meeting today we voted (unanimously) to throw out officers, by-laws, and our constitution. Mel will be in charge of keeping track of members and the club's money. There WILL STILL be dues to be a part of our club. There will still be some structure but as a group, not BOD directed (means more involvement from members...). Basically, everything will be the same except a BOD and written rules. ie. someone wants to spend club money on something, the club votes for/against it, no BOD to consider it.

Any and all comments about what unwritten rules we should try to follow will be considered by the club's members. We're all mature individuals so there's not much to worry about and more to be excited about.

 

[cee]

Why dues then? No comprende!

 

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10155921#post10155921 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cee
Why dues then? No comprende!

So the club can be able to do things like co sponsor/ sponsor frag swaps mainly. We talked about it and after the Chattanooga swap a swap here in Knoxville might be a possibility for the future. Basically it takes $ to pull one off but then you can make more in doing so and prepare for better ones in the future.
That and to pay MASNA dues and the Christmas party.
Also cards will be more reliably distributed and the 10% off at Coral Reef will be enforced as far as them checking cards.
IMO it's a small price to pay

hope that makes sense, Chris

 

[cee]

So, y'all decided you want a social club. OK. As far as MASNA, you can't have your cake and eat it too, see here:
http://www.masna.org/members/2000bylaws.pdf Article V
I don't think we've been active in MASNA anyway...

Co-sponsoring or sponsoring frag swaps, if properly managed, can be done with the existing treasury. Last one we co-sponsored cost the club nada and made several hundred.

Christmas party could be handled like other clubs do it, sell tickets, that way those who don't/can't attend don't feel like they didn't get part of what they paid dues for.

Overall, I think you're going to cause more problems long-term than you solve, but that's just my opinion.

Dave

 

[ct_vol]

It pretty much is a social club... We're pretty lax about who attends our meetings, member or non member... But having dues can help pay for group orders, frag swaps and other things...

Yes we have money in the coffers now, but supposing we use our money for said orders or swaps, and the money isn't made back, it will quickly drain, and we won't be able to do such things in the future...

The club isn't asking for a huge amount... $24 will not make or break anyone in the club, I don't think... Really its up to each individual member whether or not the "get part of what they pay dues for"...

Hopefully if we can get the club to be more active in using and replenishing its funds, it can draw more people into the club... Right now, as most people have said, there aren't many benefits to being in the club beyond the social aspect... But now it is up to every member to make it worthwhile, instead of putting it solely on the BOD...

 

[imsqueak]

Dave, I was one who thought "why pay a fee to join then" but to be honest, I was converted to make it unanimous. You and I can both blow $25 without blinking, so it's not worth an argument, and our 10% discount at CR makes up for that for most members.

Group question: Who cares about MANSNA?

edit: Plus what Randy said. We're just a bunch of friends who enjoy an excuse to meet once a month, drink, eat, and look at other's tanks. Our spouses all agree to let us go so to mtgs, great! What more should we ask?

 

[EvilMel]

I don't care about MASNA.

I mean...the club can not expect to go further without continuing to have dues. If we ever hope to have a frag swap here, if we ever hope to advertise and get more members, if we ever hope to do anything...we need dues.

The club, in its entire existence hasn't collected but like $1500. I don't think it's like we are hoarding money here. hah hah.

We are going to use that entire amount to help out with the joint Chattanooga/ETRC frag swap, so I'm pretty glad we've continued to have dues. No offense Dave, or anything, but I just think it's not that much money for each individual and it let's us do SOME stuff...admittedly...not a whole lot...but SOME stuff.

 

[fishdoc11]

Well frag swaps cost a lot more now than they did as little as 2 years ago.
I also don't really care about MASNA if we have to cater to their demands....my thinking has allways been along the lines of the club (whether it be MTRC or ETRC ) helping MASNA and not the other way around. I just thought of it as courtesy to help the club encourage the health of the broader reefing community but if they don't want our $ then so be it.

This all basically came about because no one wants to run for office. If no one wants to run for office it's hard to get officers.
The conclusion was made that the club would basically run the same without anyone being tied into a responsibility (besides Mel of course ) anyway....and I agree

Chris

 

[imsqueak]

me to!

 

[EvilMel]

me three...oh wait...dang...I gotta keep track of members. Crap.

 

[hawkeye31657]

Ya that's right Mel you have to keep it together for us all so go take a crap in the corner and get back to work hehehehe.
Sorry Dave if you would have been there you too could have had a say and maybe made a valid point for keeping it the way it was but alast you wasn't there and someone had to make the choice at this meeting.:rolleye1:

 

[tangboy]

Wow sounds like lots of changes. I'm still pestering the wife to let me join. Since I can't do much of anything right now since I'm working on my Outdoor Ed. Masters. Once I am back in town I will do what I need to do to join up. I am very interested in seeing more tanks and getting more beta! Have a wonderful rest of the weekend and a great week!

 

[Sir Knight]

I can't believe I am reading what I am reading. Mel secretary/ treasurer now without a title, what changed Mel? I know, you now hold all the offices and people give you money (not saying that you would use it for yourself but I think you understand the point I am trying to make).

You don't have a club you just have a group of like thinking people that enjoy the same topic. Why worry about a 10% discount at a local pet shop you can most likely get that by just asking or get better discounts online or do group buys without a club. Don't have to plan meetings just pick a day when a couple of you can get together pop a few beers and put some meat or fish on the grill. No need to do any teaching at cookouts. Why do frag swaps you can do that by just making a few phone calls or emails to people that have what you want and take a field trip.

Why even collect dues, other clubs are having frag swaps just go to them. Christmas party can be a few calls or emails and have a get together. Don't need to get new members they can most likely get all they need by just asking here and then ask to talk to one of you in person. All you need to say is bring the beer.

All of the officers get out of their responsibility except Mel, what a deal. the way the by-laws should have been written about officers is "if no one is elected or runs the current officers stay in place until new officers are elected. This may force the current officers to do a little recruiting. Dam, After writing this I don't know if what you are doing is good or bad! Yes I do, I don't think you are making a good chose. Just wait until after the summer and then re-think.

I remember people having different talks on topics for both beginners and advanced hobbists, are you telling me nothing new has come to the hobby, like lighting, Skimmers, tank mods, water pumps and mods, Deep sand beds vs BB and corals (I hate the zoo naming thing )? you need new blood to get back on track!

 

[cee]

[No message]

 

[ct_vol]

I agree about needing new blood... We have maybe 10 or 15 regular members... Many of those do not want to act as an officer... Certain people like to criticize what we offer as a club, but don't offer any more than just that, criticism... I just don't see how that is any help...

I'm not sure that not having officers is the best thing either... But I'm looking at it as more of an opportunity for the "back benchers" to try and be more active in the club, and not count on the officers to do everything... With so few members and even fewer willing to take an active role within the club, its not an easy situation...

 

[Runner]

So we are now officially a tyranny of the masses (aka "Democracy"). Or perhaps a Melocracy since she has assumed most of the actual duties except updating the website (which I don't do so well lately -- Mel, wanna be webmaster? ). I don't think abolishing everything like we did was the best idea, but when we don't have the numbers and the will to function fully as an official club with officers and everything, it is perhaps the best thing for now. Perhaps in the next year or two we can re-establish everything like it was. But for now I agree that reverting to a social club status was the correct move.

My question of the moment is: Do I need to take down the MASNA logo/link when I reconfigure the website? I assume we don't meet the rules of a "bonifide marine aquarium society" anymore?

 

[hawkeye31657]

Runner is there anyway to rewrite the rules to keep us in the MASNA rule so we could at least have a chance here to look at this for a few months then re talk it out thanks

 

[Runner]

Somebody will have to tell me what constitutes a "bonifide marine aquarium society". I am fuzzy on the details of such things.

Heck, a brief check on the MASNA website shows that Joe Wall is our President. And their photo contest doesn't have us listed as one of their ~40 "active" members.

 

[Runner]

Heck. After doing a quick read through the Constitution and ByLaws, I think it was a bad idea just to toss them. We should re-institute them and just redefine the makeup of the "board" to be a single representative (basically, a secretary/treasurer elected every year or three). Tie expenditures to what has been voted on by a meeting of at least xx% of active membership. Make the rules fit our mode of operating. Right now we just have anarchy if people disagree (which will eventually happen given the nature of the human heart).

 

[fishdoc11]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10162885#post10162885 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ct_vol
Certain people like to criticize what we offer as a club, but don't offer any more than just that, criticism... I just don't see how that is any help...

Neither do I. ....rhetorical questions also don't help.

The arguement is a valid one but at this point what the club decided to do was the easiest thing at the time and with the current members will not be a problem.
I agree that reinstating the bylaws, with modifications, would be necessary with club growth but that just isn't the case at this point and from I am told hasn't been the case for some time now.
This club reminds me of the MTRC a few years ago, except older. A few core members that show up to all the meetings and a few more that show up when they can.....that's it.
The thing that grew the MTRC was not enacting bylaws but the participation of the Aquatic Critter and the initiation of the Nashville Frag Swap. With the addition of new members comes more people that are willing to serve
More people are signed up at AC meetings than at any other time. No offense to Ebay, and I love Ebay (they initiated the club) but AC just reaches a wider audience. The Nashville frag swap, for which we can thank Gary because he did virtually all the work on the first one, gets the MTRC wider recognition and additional members. In fact I would say most of the members only show up to those 2 functions........ which is fine. By and large those members are the ones you will need bylaws for.
ETRC has decided to work on both of these.
When and if the membership increases significantly by all means it would appropriate to reinstate some form of goverment other than a pure democracy, which is really what we have now anyway

It's kind of like a pirate ship arghhhhhhh........where everything is voted on by everyone and there is only one authority and they only have true rule during battle (or a frag swap). In addition talk like a pirate day is only a few short months away

FWIW, Chris

Edit: If it's the "will of the people" to reinact the bylaws with the current BOD staying in place that's fine with me as well. This seemed to initiated by the members of the current BOD wanting out of their current responsibilities with no one else willing to run for office. I am more than willing to help out during the summer but most undertand my other commitments during the school year.

I do know the one thing we want to avoid, at least I want to avoid, is spending too much time on this stuff and not enough time on reefing (or guitar hero)