Resurrection of the BOD

[ct_vol]

Ok, I think its fairly evident that we are needing our Board of Directors back in order... The whole idea behind disbanding our BOD was that everyone would contribute to making the club better... Instead, no one has stepped up to the plate and our club has fallen a bit by the wayside... I take partial responsibility, as the disbanding was my excuse to sit around and do nothing for the club, while the rest of my life got extremely busier... I think we should work on getting the BOD back in place by next meeting... If you'd like to nominate someone for a position, I guess just post it in this thread... If you are dead set against the reinstitution of a BOD then post it in this thread and for what reason you don't think its a good idea... But from all people I've spoken with about the topic, I believe it is general consensus that it would be better to have a BOD than not...

The nominations for considerastion are:

President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary

I interpret the President's responsibilities as leading meetings (getting everyone focused on the topic at hand and letting club members know what all needs to be heard about our club) and organizing group activities (field trips, group orders)...

The same goes for the VP, except that he/she would lead the meetings only if the President is unable to make it... They would still be responsible for trying to find things for the club to do...

Treasurer is fairly self explanatory... They keep track of the club funds, collect money for group orders, etc etc...

Secretary is supposed to take down the minutes of each meeting, just an overview of what was discussed at the meeting, the topic of the meeting and anything club related... I really think this position has been somewhat useless for the past few years, and have thought maybe we should get rid of it, but upon further reflection, I think it should be kept, but instead of posting the minutes on the club website, perhaps we should post them here on RC as well so that the secretary doesn't have to transfer the data to the webmaster and so on and so forth... This might make them come up a bit faster so everyone knows what they missed...

Please post if you are unwilling to be a part of the BOD... I know a few members have already served the club more than they should have been asked to... It is understandable that they would want a break... There are also members that are too busy to fill the need of their positions, and they too should be excused...

Lastly I'd like to emphasize the fact that just because the BOD is reinstituted, does not mean that other members cannot organize a group order or a trip of some sort... If you are placing an online order feel free to post it up on here and get more people involved... The more people involved in an order, the less shipping paid, and sometimes you can get bulk discounts...

Sorry for the long post, but it all needed to be said to remind the old members and fill in the new about the responsibilities of club members and club officers...

 

[imsqueak]

So are we re-instituting the previous BOD or nominating for a new BOD? My suggestion is to hold new elections now, and then again in late summer when attendance is at it's peak. Those BODs would remain for one year.

If we need a BOD to organize an election, I'm game to serve my old position.

 

[EvilMel]

I think we are nominating new ones.

I think it's pretty obvious that I need a break. I've been in some position on this board of directors since he beginning of the club and it's time for me to stop hogging the responsibility. hah hah.

Who can I give all our money to?

 

[ct_vol]

I guess we should nominate new ones...

Whoever gets elected treasurer will get all our cash...

 

[Runner]

Well, we can meet behind closed doors and appoint the officers. It is the Knox county spirit, ya know...

Which officer will be responsible for nagging The Webmaster to do his job?

As for posting the minutes, I can give each officer an account at our club website and they can post them there for The Webmaster to retrieve and post. If we need to hold elections, each member can sign up at our private website and we can run a poll online where general forum readers here won't join in the voting. The link is http://www.easttnreefclub.com/forum/

Send me a PM here at RC and I'll activate people with the right status (member, general, etc.).

 

[fishdoc11]

Maybe we need a list of those who are willing?

As most of you know I just don't have time during the school year but I am more than willing to ease the burden during breaks.

I would really like to see Randy in some sort of leadership capacity......president or vice president if he has time (I know Randy is working AND going to school full time right now). IMO in one way or another his organizational/buisness/people skills would prove very helpfull.

I also thought Matt did an excellent job in his capacity as president if he would still be interested.

Chris

 

[ct_vol]

I wouldn't mind serving in one way, shape or form... But I really don't think it will change much from how I interact with the club as it is... However I don't want to be the only person doing anything for the club... I really thought this thread and the other one I started would get a few more comments than they have...

 

[TriMax]

I attended the last meeting. The BOD, or lack of one, was discussed. Also discussed was ways to improve meetings (make meetings more interested or useful). I think, with this tread and the other one that Randy started, the majority of those that commented believe that the club needs a BOD. This new BOD would have as one of its first duties “make meetings more enjoyable for all.” I also agree with Art’s comments, made on the other tread. Paraphased “New BOD members need to be those willing to serve, who are also those with the time to serve.”

I have the time and the willingness. However, I do not have a tank running at this time. And the way I am going may never have one. Pessimistic for sure. Oh, well. Anyway, I also do not have the knowledge that I would like a BOD member to have. But, I can plan, organize, schedule, use the phone, email, keep track of money and perform other duties that the club may need.

Don’t worry Scott. I cannot do the web page.

So, where do I fit in? I am willing to serve, but do not know where or how.

So put me down as willing to serve where needed.

If my lack of experience is a problem, I totally understand.

 

[fishdoc11]

We've got all the info we need on running a reef tank....what you do have is what we don't have.
Thanks for putting your hat in the ring

 

[awcurl]

I'll step up too.

 

[fishdoc11]

:dance:

 

[cee]

Well, I haven't been on RC for ages, but thanks to Chris and Dave at the CR clueing me into the recent discussions about the club's future, I decided to check things out recently. It seems a lot of people's opinions about the disbandment the formal structure of the club have changed. Honestly, I felt it was the wrong course at the time and that fact swayed my decision not to rejoin the club at the time.

As some of you know, one of my long-term issues with the club was the lack of accountability for the funds, a concern which it sounds like, in reading through these posts, others may share. I'd gladly spend $100 a year in dues; the amount doesn't concern me (within reason), although I agree it should be kept as reasonable as possible so as not to exclude others. However, any amount I and others contribute should be spent wisely and all members should be periodically informed as to how/why/where the funds are being used. Obviously, there'll never be unanamous support of any proposed useage of funds, and hence one of the needs for a BOD along with the supporting bylaws, etc. I would, however, like to see a meeting dedicated to proposals for useage of the funds for the upcoming year and let the BOD make a decision as to how to allocate them.

The other concern I had with removing the BOD/bylaws/etc. was conflict resolution. With any group of people, there will always be conflicts, and the previous organization had a mechanism for dealing with that. Granted, it sounds like the recent meetings have not had typical attendance from the discussions here, and hence conflicts were not likely. Although I do see evidence in these discussions that there is some apathy in the club, especially amongst the newer members, and clearly this is a danger which will limit the club's potential.

On the positive side, the club has a large resource of knowledge and a wonderful group of people more than willing to help others out with no hidden agendas. I honestly miss the camaraderie and will be at the front of the line to join if these issues can be resolved. I'm all for the structured topics/talks like we used to have. I possess a strong desire to teach people, finding it tremendously rewarding, and am more than willing to prepare, research, create handouts, etc. to present a topic at meetings. I miss doing that as well but don't want to be the only one to do so.

Some of the original members and "old-timers" must keep in mind what initially attracted them to the club and attempt to maintain that philosophy and direction within the club. After all, if what you found attractive about the club is still in place, it is highly likely that others will be seeking similar results and this can only foster membership.

As far as meeting structure and location, I'm neutral on those issues but there are several recent good suggestions here and it sounds like the meeting at Jeff's house was fruitful. I'm sorry I missed it! Barb and I do miss hosting meetings, though, and if things get straightened out, we'll gladly do so again. Also, I'd be all for running for a position if the need arises to help if people feel that I could be useful.

Anyway, I've said enough and will likely be seeing you all in the near future. I'll keep a closer eye on this forum to see how things are progressing, but remember, I'm still on "probation" here so PM doesn't work for me. I'm not sure why that hasn't been reinstated and don't really care as RC is not a board I spend much time on these days. Take care and best of luck to all of you.

Dave

 

[goreefer]

I know that most of you do not know me, but I am willing to be part of this group.
I am an 'old timer' in the hobby, have had multiple tanks, and like to share my limited knowledge with others.
I don't know where I can fit in, but I also want to see this organization survive.
Garry

 

[fishdoc11]

Hey Dave,
It's nice to "see" you again
Great input and thanks for volunteering to help.

Thanks Gary

Chris

 

[imsqueak]

Yes, great to see you again Dave. Great points -- by ALL. Things are looking up.

 

[TriMax]

Viewing the two treads concerning the BOD, I see that we have had several volunteers who are willing to serve on the BOD.

They were, unless I missed one:

Randy (ct_vol)
Art (awcurl)
Dave (cee)
Don (imsqueak)
Garry (goreefer)
Donna (dww)
Eddie (TriMax)

It has been suggested that a temporary BOD be selected/appointed. Mel should select a president, the president should select a vice-president, these two select a treasurer, and these three select a secretary. We do not have any rules in place for electing a BOD, and to quote Art

“My concern is that there are so few members now that there wouldn't be enough participation for a good vote. Since there hasn't been much attendance lately at the meeting, our newer members don't really know most of the members that well and will have little knowledge of what the candidates have to offer the club.”

With that said, do we need to vote on this?

I have found several lists. These are the names I found on RC. Not sure which have paid or which consider themselves members.

Graham Adams (Reefhound)
Roger Alexander (roger_alexander)
Malcom Ayers (shrine26)
Dennis Branch (reefstyle)
Ron Brown (???)
Chris Campbell (Chris_Campbell)
Art Curl
Mike Gaugler (Kafudafish)
Patrick Googer (salt_newbie01)
Mike Halbert (Mufasafish)
Kevin Hodge (philathogos)
John Lindsay (Acropora35)
Donny Mai (yellowboyviet)
Shane McCuen (???)
Eddie Neal (TriMax)
Eric Nussbaum (fry-man)
Charles Owen (easttn)
Geoffrey Pettit (tangboy?)
Julie Poole (llpoolej)
Christopher Ray (fishdoc11)
Larry Roberts (hawkeye31657)
Dave Stevens (stevensmd)
Mike Teague (SmartWrasse)
Nathan Wolfe (nwolfe)

ETRC list (trying not to duplicate) Not sure which have paid or which consider themselves members.

Andy and Sarah (AndynSarah)
Matthew Carberry, and John (Fishboy42)
Jeff and Sara Cousineau Moersch (vol_reefer)
Scott Davis, (Runner)
Mel Eldridge (EvilMel)
Martin, Brad and Casey Swain (RedneckReefan84)
Rudy Morales (scrboy)
Garry Ogilvie (goreefer)
Randy and Ashley Outhouse (ct_vol)
Adam Pierce (knoxtnreef)
Donna and Stefan Ronnebeck (dww)
Dan Rosa (???)
David Sease (seased)
Dravid Yash (Yash)

How many paid members do we have?

Is voting an option without a list of members eligible to vote?

It would be good to have appointments made by the November meeting if possible, IMO.

Sorry for the length of this.

Eddie

 

[ct_vol]

I think our club website member list is currently accurate with those that have paid for this year... And it leaves us with 18 members... Well, plus Donny...

 

[fishdoc11]

Thanks for writing that up TriMax.
I should be on the ETRC list.

 

[acrodave]

I would love to join and help out. But most of you know were i work and i dont what any issues coming from that. And the same place takes up a lot of my time. And i see most of you during the weekends any ways.I enjoy giving out my knowledge if and when it can be useful.

 

[seased]

I'm always willing to help out in any way I can.