Please Read!!! last night's TBRC meeeting!!!

[Reef_Queen]

I must say I am disappointed in last night's meeting attendance. For what is supposed to be an extremely important meeting to vote for who will run the club in the coming year, hardly anyone was there to have a voice or vote. We are supposed to vote aren't we... I was also disappointed in the fact that instead of voting we were merely told who was going to be on the board. The more I think about it the more irritated I get. The point of this club is to find out what members would like to learn and talk about, yet there was no vote, no questionaire, nothing! Just a lot of," this is this , and that is that.".. I would like to see an actual vote at the next meeting at Brian Green's because I know there will be a great turn out. I know that more than one person was nominated for president but that isn't public knowledge. We weren't given a choice, one was selected for us without our knowledge...Lets bring back the voice of the people and what the club wants , and have a real vote please... so think about who you would like to see on the board and come up with ideas you would like the club to pursue. I challenge the club members to rise up and vote for real. Lets get motivated and make this club what it should be! It is an amazing venue to learn and grow with each other. Lets make some changes!!! Please write on this post if you agree.

 

[sirrealism]

I was not there though I wish I would have been. On the other hand I for one have been to most of the meetings in the last year and am quite pleased with the direction the club is going.
I dont mean to sound brash but who are you. You have 15 posts yet want to start crap about how the club is run. Maybe I am missing something but as far as I am concerned I would vote for postal and ms postal again. If someone is going to start politics with this club again I would be unhappy and would not be involved anymore. Politics Is why I didnt get involved with this club 10 years ago as I dont have time for it. I know most of the members and have yet to hear one complaint of how Postal and ms postal have run the club.
If this post was coming from a more known member I might listen. but as far as I know most everyone is happy. If there was a bunch of reefers that didnt like the way things were going then they should have showed up last night. We have one of the best clubs in FL I have no desire to have any issues with it. My vote is I like the way it is and everyone who has office should stay

 

[Webmanny]

I think the club is fine the way it is. This is a hobby Reef_Queen, don't make it a job or a painful experience for everyone else.

If you want to start a club... Go ahead, nobody is stopping you.

I find this a bit harsh and unfair coming from a person with 15 posts. I'm just saying, maybe you are expecting more from your $25 than you should.

I've yet to be to one of these meetings because I don't have the time. I only joined and contributed to the club because I like to support these types of groups, not because I expect to get stuff in return.

Chill out Reef_Queen, there is enough to do in this hobby without drama getting into the mix.

Happy reefing!!!

 

[Mrs Postal]

I don't even know where to start...no one nominated anyone for any office. No one sent a name, no one posted anything here on or FB, no one PM'd any of the Board, and no one emailed anyone on the board. No one followed the instructions given to nominate anyone. There was an open position of secretary but since no one made any recommendations or volunteered, it was combined w/ the treasurer position per the bi-laws. When it was mentioned that Roger was interested in a position(not by Roger, but by someone else completely), it was discussed that there was an open position for secretary if he was interested. It isn't public knowledge that Roger was interested in running for President because he didn't make it known.....no one hid anything and he didn't speak up either. As of last week, we had no one interested in any position at all. We had a group conference call last week w/ the board to fill in the positions because NO ONE wanted to run for anything. There can't be an election if no one bothers to nominate someone to run when they are asked or volunteer themselves.

Everyone who is in office now wants this club to survive(and we have been working on that for years) and we all work to make that happen. We have tons of folks who have ideas but when we plan events, no one shows...remember the MOSI event? Yeah, there were 4 of us who paid for that in advance, no one else was interested so it was cancelled. We can't make people attend meetings, we can't make people host meetings. We all do want that to happen but folks are busy & they have lives. As a member, you are welcome to suggest changes, send ideas, make propositions to the Board and have those considered by the Board. You can email us all at bod@tampabayreefclub.org.

Personally, I would welcome folks who want to do more than just come up w/ ideas and who want to work for the club. To say I am disappointed in this post would be an understatement. To work for an entire year on this board and not have a single soul interested in the elections at all is disheartening, then to have the folks, who do step up to fill those vacant positions, questioned, is just sad.

 

[Postal]

I must say I am disappointed in last night's meeting attendance. For what is supposed to be an extremely important meeting to vote for who will run the club in the coming year, hardly anyone was there to have a voice or vote. We are supposed to vote aren't we... I was also disappointed in the fact that instead of voting we were merely told who was going to be on the board. The more I think about it the more irritated I get. The point of this club is to find out what members would like to learn and talk about, yet there was no vote, no questionaire, nothing! Just a lot of," this is this , and that is that.".. I would like to see an actual vote at the next meeting at Brian Green's because I know there will be a great turn out. I know that more than one person was nominated for president but that isn't public knowledge. We weren't given a choice, one was selected for us without our knowledge...Lets bring back the voice of the people and what the club wants , and have a real vote please... so think about who you would like to see on the board and come up with ideas you would like the club to pursue. I challenge the club members to rise up and vote for real. Lets get motivated and make this club what it should be! It is an amazing venue to learn and grow with each other. Lets make some changes!!! Please write on this post if you agree.

Melissa, I don't even know what to say to this post. To sit and make allegations that are completely unfounded is ridiculous at best.
The fact that more than one person was nominated for president is not public knowledge because it did not occur despite what you think. A thread (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2446226) was posted on September 29, 2014, asking for people who were interested in running for board positions. NO ONE (including Roger, who you are talking about) CONTACTED ANY OF US ASKING TO RUN FOR A POSITION. Four of the current BOD members agreed to run for positions for 2015. I decided against running again because I am tired of dealing with threads like this as well as other reasons. Minutes before we were ready to conduct the official meeting last night (and more than an hour after everyone was already at our house), I was told (by another club member, not you or Roger) that Roger might be interested in running for a BOD position including possibly president. Roger and Michelle and I talked briefly at which point I explained that there was someone running for president but that we also had a vacancy at secretary. I stated that I could ask the candidate for president if he wanted to switch to secretary so there could be a full BOD if Roger wanted to run for president or that Roger could fill the Secretary position. After asking about the duties of the secretary position Roger agreed to run for that position. Since every position had exactly one person running unopposed, we opted not to tally any votes (written or verbally) since there were no options on which to vote.
Also, you were here before the election announcements, during the election announcements, and for quite a while after the announcements and yet you did not question any of this or say anything to any of the board. Additionally, I spent half the day with Roger today and he didn't say a word about it until I saw your post and asked him about it.
And what exactly do you think we gain by trying to hold onto board positions as you seem to allege? We have continuously asked for people to help out with the club as a board member or in any other capacity. To suggest that are attempting some type of coup in order to keep power is insulting. Michelle and I and the others on the BOD stepped up and kept the club running because no one else was willing to make the effort. If I wasn't so ticked off, your post would almost be amusing. Instead it just reinforces what an incredibly thankless job this is and reassures me that stepping away from the BOD is the best personal choice for me.
All that being said, I will certainly address the issue with the current BOD so that your accusations can be addressed.

 

[sirrealism]

As I posted I like things the way they are. I for one want to say thank you to all the BOD members. Without them we dont have a club. I love having a club and do not want it to go away. There will always be someone trying to stir crap that is not needed.

 

[rogergolf66]

I must say I am disappointed in last night's meeting attendance. For what is supposed to be an extremely important meeting to vote for who will run the club in the coming year, hardly anyone was there to have a voice or vote. We are supposed to vote aren't we... I was also disappointed in the fact that instead of voting we were merely told who was going to be on the board. The more I think about it the more irritated I get. The point of this club is to find out what members would like to learn and talk about, yet there was no vote, no questionaire, nothing! Just a lot of," this is this , and that is that.".. I would like to see an actual vote at the next meeting at Brian Green's because I know there will be a great turn out. I know that more than one person was nominated for president but that isn't public knowledge. We weren't given a choice, one was selected for us without our knowledge...Lets bring back the voice of the people and what the club wants , and have a real vote please... so think about who you would like to see on the board and come up with ideas you would like the club to pursue. I challenge the club members to rise up and vote for real. Lets get motivated and make this club what it should be! It is an amazing venue to learn and grow with each other. Lets make some changes!!! Please write on this post if you agree.

I don't even know where to start...no one nominated anyone for any office. No one sent a name, no one posted anything here on or FB, no one PM'd any of the Board, and no one emailed anyone on the board. No one followed the instructions given to nominate anyone. There was an open position of secretary but since no one made any recommendations or volunteered, it was combined w/ the treasurer position per the bi-laws. When it was mentioned that Roger was interested in a position(not by Roger, but by someone else completely), it was discussed that there was an open position for secretary if he was interested. It isn't public knowledge that Roger was interested in running for President because he didn't make it known.....no one hid anything and he didn't speak up either. As of last week, we had no one interested in any position at all. We had a group conference call last week w/ the board to fill in the positions because NO ONE wanted to run for anything. There can't be an election if no one bothers to nominate someone to run when they are asked or volunteer themselves.

Everyone who is in office now wants this club to survive(and we have been working on that for years) and we all work to make that happen. We have tons of folks who have ideas but when we plan events, no one shows...remember the MOSI event? Yeah, there were 4 of us who paid for that in advance, no one else was interested so it was cancelled. We can't make people attend meetings, we can't make people host meetings. We all do want that to happen but folks are busy & they have lives. As a member, you are welcome to suggest changes, send ideas, make propositions to the Board and have those considered by the Board. You can email us all at bod@tampabayreefclub.org.

Personally, I would welcome folks who want to do more than just come up w/ ideas and who want to work for the club. To say I am disappointed in this post would be an understatement. To work for an entire year on this board and not have a single soul interested in the elections at all is disheartening, then to have the folks, who do step up to fill those vacant positions, questioned, is just sad.

Melissa, I don't even know what to say to this post. To sit and make allegations that are completely unfounded is ridiculous at best.
The fact that more than one person was nominated for president is not public knowledge because it did not occur despite what you think. A thread (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2446226) was posted on September 29, 2014, asking for people who were interested in running for board positions. NO ONE (including Roger, who you are talking about) CONTACTED ANY OF US ASKING TO RUN FOR A POSITION. Four of the current BOD members agreed to run for positions for 2015. I decided against running again because I am tired of dealing with threads like this as well as other reasons. Minutes before we were ready to conduct the official meeting last night (and more than an hour after everyone was already at our house), I was told (by another club member, not you or Roger) that Roger might be interested in running for a BOD position including possibly president. Roger and Michelle and I talked briefly at which point I explained that there was someone running for president but that we also had a vacancy at secretary. I stated that I could ask the candidate for president if he wanted to switch to secretary so there could be a full BOD if Roger wanted to run for president or that Roger could fill the Secretary position. After asking about the duties of the secretary position Roger agreed to run for that position. Since every position had exactly one person running unopposed, we opted not to tally any votes (written or verbally) since there were no options on which to vote.
Also, you were here before the election announcements, during the election announcements, and for quite a while after the announcements and yet you did not question any of this or say anything to any of the board. Additionally, I spent half the day with Roger today and he didn't say a word about it until I saw your post and asked him about it.
And what exactly do you think we gain by trying to hold onto board positions as you seem to allege? We have continuously asked for people to help out with the club as a board member or in any other capacity. To suggest that are attempting some type of coup in order to keep power is insulting. Michelle and I and the others on the BOD stepped up and kept the club running because no one else was willing to make the effort. If I wasn't so ticked off, your post would almost be amusing. Instead it just reinforces what an incredibly thankless job this is and reassures me that stepping away from the BOD is the best personal choice for me.
All that being said, I will certainly address the issue with the current BOD so that your accusations can be addressed.

First off Michelle and Lee you have both done a good job and if it wasn't for you and other stepping up when the club needed it who knows where it would be right now. Thank you both and the other board members too.

for those that don't know reef queen is Melissa my wife. her heart is in the right place and she didn't mean to cause trouble. that was not her goal. she also wants the club to do well and get better. I didn't know she was going to post anything on the boards. I wouldn't have said anything as its not my nature. Even though she only has 15 posts she is active. she comes to almost every meeting. I didn't see this is an attack at anyone. I think we thought there was going to be a discussion about the election at the meeting. there was not.

I can't speak for reef queen (Melissa) but both of us did think the meeting was going to go differently. that being said. Lee thanks for posting that link to the thread you started before. I don't recall seeing that thread. that clears up a lot for me. the only thread I saw with info about the board stuff was this one

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2442909

when I read that it felt like we would be going over the process to become part of the board at the meeting or on this thread. as it said More info on the requirements for nominations, according to the bi-laws, will follow shortly. I didn't see anything there, so I thought the info would come at the meeting. In my head going back many years with this club I had remembered this stuff (elections) was talked about at the meetings and it was always asked if there was any nominees for the board. if there was not then there was always a plan in place. for the current board to continue, or have a plan in place for changes as most of the time that is what happens. This way if need be there could be an election if need be. nobody asked if anyone else was interested in running before the board was announced. it is not likely but it is possible that someone else at that meeting was also interested in being on the board. it just went straight to here is the new board. I understand you have to plan ahead as if nobody is going to run as most of the time that is what happens.

I had let another member know I was interested. he came up to you as to nominate me I believe. again I didn't know this should have been done sooner. again lee I missed your thread on this I believe that is where all the confusion as come in at this point. I had thought I remember past presidents always saying they had to ask at the meeting if anyone was to be nominated as it was a requirement for the type of organization we are run under. it must be my mistake on that.

nobody is trying to cause any trouble in the club, and we are all grateful that you all have stepped up and kept the club going. Thank you.

I love having a club and do not want it to go away. There will always be someone trying to stir crap that is not needed.

no crap is trying to be stirred.

 

[Reef_Queen]

My name is Melissa, and I have been to just about every meeting for the last 3 years with a few exceptions when I was very ill for 9 months. I am not trying to ruffle any feathers or start politics, I don't know why everyone automatically jumps to conclusions when anyone asks a question or makes any comment. My post was not to be taken offense to. I don't know why everyone gets so bent out of shape. I don't have many posts because Roger posts plenty for the both of us, so I have no need to. I am Roger's (RogerGolf) significant other, and all I was trying to say is that at every meeting it is like a party, which is fine and I enjoy them, but no one ever talks about any club matters most of the time, especially important things like nominating and voting.
I never said I didn't like the way it was run... I was merely asking for a vote or even something mentioned in the meetings that we are going to be voting. No one ever talks about anything at the meetings as far as what we will be discussing at following meetings. I enjoy the meetings and discussing tanks and the hobby. I enjoy everyone I have met so far, that is not the point. And I am surely not trying to start politics...
People are missing the point. I would just like to be a little more informed about things at the actual meetings that I attend ( which is just about every meeting) It is fine that no one wanted to run against each other, and it is nice that Lee and Michelle took over things to keep it going. So before anyone says I am trying to start something think again. We are all adults, and I just wanted more public information and organization. So please don't be offended by that.

 

[Mrs Postal]

If you want to be more informed, read the threads here and on FB...we can only post the info, it is up to everyone to read. We had no Sept. Meeting because we had no host so info was conveyed here and on FB. Just ask a question when you have it especially when you are at a meeting. Again, there is a process and we had no volunteers so we did what we all had to do for 2015.

 

[Postal]

Roger and Melissa, I understand where the confusion came from, and I apologize for apparently not being clear enough about the process. As Michelle said, the nominations would have been discussed at the September meeting if one had occurred.
But regardless, I can still certainly be offended since the initial post accused us of ignoring a second person that was nominated for president and purposely not having a ballot in order to put who we wanted in board positions. That is certainly not what happened. Roger was never "nominated" as president. Another member told me that Roger might be interested in being president or on the board and that I should talk to him. And talk to Roger is just what I did. If he wanted to run for president he certainly would not have been ignored or bypassed. I was just trying to make sure there was a full board. And BTW, Roger will have a board position in 2015, and since the board is run by majority vote, he has just as many opportunities to change things with the club as he would as president. Regardless, I will bring the situation up to the board and see if a remedy such as another election is necessary.
But do not have the audacity to tell me not to be offended when you accuse me (and the board) of actions that did not occur. And I guess asking us in person last night about the situation wasn't an option? Or Roger asking me about it today? And of course people accuse you of stirring the pot when you go straight to an inflammatory post on RC.
I personally will be voting for a new election since your post really leaves no other options with the accusation leveled against us. Believe me, if there was a way I could immediately resign my position in favor of Roger, I would gladly do so.

 

[sinful]

Sounds like a headache. Is their compensation in these positions? I'd have to be paid to put up with this crap.

 

[rogergolf66]

Roger and Melissa, I understand where the confusion came from, and I apologize for apparently not being clear enough about the process. As Michelle said, the nominations would have been discussed at the September meeting if one had occurred.
But regardless, I can still certainly be offended since the initial post accused us of ignoring a second person that was nominated for president and purposely not having a ballot in order to put who we wanted in board positions. That is certainly not what happened. Roger was never "nominated" as president. Another member told me that Roger might be interested in being president or on the board and that I should talk to him. And talk to Roger is just what I did. If he wanted to run for president he certainly would not have been ignored or bypassed. I was just trying to make sure there was a full board. And BTW, Roger will have a board position in 2015, and since the board is run by majority vote, he has just as many opportunities to change things with the club as he would as president. Regardless, I will bring the situation up to the board and see if a remedy such as another election is necessary.
But do not have the audacity to tell me not to be offended when you accuse me (and the board) of actions that did not occur. And I guess asking us in person last night about the situation wasn't an option? Or Roger asking me about it today? And of course people accuse you of stirring the pot when you go straight to an inflammatory post on RC.
I personally will be voting for a new election since your post really leaves no other options with the accusation leveled against us. Believe me, if there was a way I could immediately resign my position in favor of Roger, I would gladly do so.

Again I would have never posted any of this on the board. I do not want another election. At this point I do not wish to be president of the club. I will stay in my current elected position.

I'm sorry you took so much offense to this. You have the right to feel how ever you want. It really sounds like the ultimate problem here is we had no September meeting and that's where the nominations would have happened.

 

[Easttuth]

When a typical election has only 1 person running, isn't there still a vote?

 

[Mrs Postal]

No one had nominated anyone in years for any position. Nominations are taken in any variety of ways however and none were exercised despite us asking. Come Jan. bring those ideas because you have the ability to make a difference.

 

[Postal]

When a typical election has only 1 person running, isn't there still a vote?

Yes, typically there was. And the last two years everyone laughed and asked why we were bothering to fill out ballots when there were no options. So we didn't bother this time since it seemed pointless. Lesson learned.
BTW, there has not been an actual choice of more than one person for a board position in this club since a vote for the VP position in about 2009. We are usually trying to find enough board candidates and certainly not trying to dissuade anyone from running.

 

[Easttuth]

Yes, typically there was. And the last two years everyone laughed and asked why we were bothering to fill out ballots when there were no options. So we didn't bother this time since it seemed pointless. Lesson learned.
BTW, there has not been an actual choice of more than one person for a board position in this club since a vote for the VP position in about 2009. We are usually trying to find enough board candidates and certainly not trying to dissuade anyone from running.

Thank you

 

[Snookster]

...

 

[kcsnook]

As current and past Vice President. I was not able to make it since my wife was travelling on business and I had my hands full with out two boys and no sitter.

Sorry nothing that I could do and I communicated this.

However it would be nice for all of YOU who have a voice behind the computer to come out and participate. Volunteer your time, your house, your tank and host a meeting.

I have to chuckle at this since it isn't the first time people discuss this issue or anything relating to TBRC. It is a reef club, a group of like minded enthusiasts that get together to discuss their tanks, trends, habits, whatever... Camaraderie...

Trust me we would love the help and ideas and opinions, so I plead with you, all of you who post on the forums but never come to a meeting PLEASE come help and volunteer. Get involved, Speak up, Actions speak louder than words...

I have seen it time and time again, Lee and Michelle defending the club from people who have never attended a meeting, people posting on Facebook and arguing the rules. I have spent many a moons communicating with the board and Lee about what should be allowed and what is best for the club. They are volunteering their time only to be ridiculed on FB or a internet forum and it isn't fair plain and simple. If anyone can do better please step up but on the BOD phone call last week there was no new news regarding any potential members running. They would have UN-opposed...

I know Lee and Michelle have worked their butts off volunteering for the club, trust me it is the little things they do behind the scenes that no member see's or hears about that shows their commitment. Banking, Storing tons of club materials at their home, monitoring club forums, aligning with sponsors, all for the sake of the club and its members.

You are right Melissa, the club has always wanted the people's voice to be heard but it is damn tough to succeed with low participation so again please voice your concerns and opinions as members.

Change won't happen without TBRC's members and participants efforts to drive the club's mission.

Let me preface this, I am only responding after reading another post here on RC. This is not directed at Roger or Melissa both of whom I have spent lots of time around and are personal friends.

This is for any person or member with a voice, this is a non-profit organization and it takes volunteers time and efforts to make it more than what it is today so rise and help us turn the corner. It won't happen on it's own we have to make it happen, we all have families, careers, obligations.

I am tired of haters taking the fun out of it... But remember if it weren't for past and current volunteers there wouldn't be a club and that is something that we just won't let happen.

 

[josephv]

As current and past Vice President. I was not able to make it since my wife was travelling on business and I had my hands full with out two boys and no sitter.

Sorry nothing that I could do and I communicated this.

However it would be nice for all of YOU who have a voice behind the computer to come out and participate. Volunteer your time, your house, your tank and host a meeting.

I have to chuckle at this since it isn't the first time people discuss this issue or anything relating to TBRC. It is a reef club, a group of like minded enthusiasts that get together to discuss their tanks, trends, habits, whatever... Camaraderie...

Trust me we would love the help and ideas and opinions, so I plead with you, all of you who post on the forums but never come to a meeting PLEASE come help and volunteer. Get involved, Speak up, Actions speak louder than words...

I have seen it time and time again, Lee and Michelle defending the club from people who have never attended a meeting, people posting on Facebook and arguing the rules. I have spent many a moons communicating with the board and Lee about what should be allowed and what is best for the club. They are volunteering their time only to be ridiculed on FB or a internet forum and it isn't fair plain and simple. If anyone can do better please step up but on the BOD phone call last week there was no new news regarding any potential members running. They would have UN-opposed...

I know Lee and Michelle have worked their butts off volunteering for the club, trust me it is the little things they do behind the scenes that no member see's or hears about that shows their commitment. Banking, Storing tons of club materials at their home, monitoring club forums, aligning with sponsors, all for the sake of the club and its members.

You are right Melissa, the club has always wanted the people's voice to be heard but it is damn tough to succeed with low participation so again please voice your concerns and opinions as members.

Change won't happen without TBRC's members and participants efforts to drive the club's mission.

Let me preface this, I am only responding after reading another post here on RC. This is not directed at Roger or Melissa both of whom I have spent lots of time around and are personal friends.

This is for any person or member with a voice, this is a non-profit organization and it takes volunteers time and efforts to make it more than what it is today so rise and help us turn the corner. It won't happen on it's own we have to make it happen, we all have families, careers, obligations.

I am tired of haters taking the fun out of it... But remember if it weren't for past and current volunteers there wouldn't be a club and that is something that we just won't let happen.

I used to love going to the meetings. Seeing other reefs like emsters and Brian greens is inspiring . Loved the education portions and the food was so good.But I am a chef and Saturday nights are hard to come by in my profession. Two of my colleagues also have reefs and can not come either. I know,we post on here and seldome come to the meetings.but if you occasionally had a meeting on Sunday or Monday night I would come every time. Im guessing that Saturday nights are best for most people so you need to stick with that.