Fishcrazy06
New member
Hmmmm wonder what Craig meant by me? IE saying I get everything 
I unfortunately don't get everything!
Eric
I unfortunately don't get everything!Eric
Should FVRC move Forward
- Thread starter daddavis1
- Start date
Everyone here is already participating in a Club where there are paying members and non-paying. Who doesn't understand that?
All of us here on a non-pay status such as myself are showing no commitment to support the services rendered here such as site administration and maintenace and monitoring. That may change just because I like what they do and I want to see it go forward. I appreciate it.
Right now we don't even have that option in this club. None.
I'm saying I am willing to help change that.
In reality a new person to the hobby has alot more to benifitt from than someone who been in the hobby for awhile and have there systems established. What do they need help with? Nothing I'm good and hey I had to learn the hard way why shouldn't they.
Where the new person is looking at a potentially large upfront investment, which a club with regular group buys, workshops and experts to call upon may be able to cushion the blow abit and perhaps even avoid some costly or damaging mistakes alot of us have made over the years. I know I made my share. I've put the cart before the horse a few times.
All of us here on a non-pay status such as myself are showing no commitment to support the services rendered here such as site administration and maintenace and monitoring. That may change just because I like what they do and I want to see it go forward. I appreciate it.
Right now we don't even have that option in this club. None.
I'm saying I am willing to help change that.
In reality a new person to the hobby has alot more to benifitt from than someone who been in the hobby for awhile and have there systems established. What do they need help with? Nothing I'm good and hey I had to learn the hard way why shouldn't they.
Where the new person is looking at a potentially large upfront investment, which a club with regular group buys, workshops and experts to call upon may be able to cushion the blow abit and perhaps even avoid some costly or damaging mistakes alot of us have made over the years. I know I made my share. I've put the cart before the horse a few times.
jlinzmaier
Premium Member
I reiterate again:
1)Think about what we want to get out of this club and/or what we want this club to become (That's what a mission statement is. We certainly don't have a club mission statement at this point but everybody at least has their own ideas of what they want or don't want from the club).
2) What change needs to occur to make that happen - nothing? a club mission statement? bylaws? formalization?
Part of the trouble is there are 80 people with different ideas about what they want this club to be.
The other trouble is that within those 80 people there are extreme differences in the level of participation and stake they have in this club. What this club was at conception may be very different from what it's members are currently asking for. Does that mean that those people need to go elsewhere and start there own club or can the club simply evolve? OR does it not need to evolve and simply stay the way it is. A mission statement would answer that question.
Right now there is extreme disorganization regarding this topic because there is no one person or group of people taking the lead and saying this is what we should do. The poll is useless IMO because it's way to broad and tells nothing of what we're actually voting for. Do I think someone needs to step up and take the lead or be "president" - no. Do I think that some of the more core members should get together and come to an agreement about a simple mission statement (which can continually be changed and updated) - Yes. The next question is then "What constitutes a core member?" I think the number of posts within the club is certainly an important factor, but not the only factor. Some people post quite rarely yet contribute a lot to the group and I would consider them core members. I think each of us, in our own mind, know whether or not we're a core member. Ask yourself - Do you think you contribute enough to this club to say your a core member and a true asset in determining it's future? I don't think any newbies are going to step up and try to push their weight around - what benefit would they have in that. If there are some older members that don't participate much but feel they have a great deal of stock in this club then let them be heard and allow them to be considered a core member - there's nothing wrong with that. Where that concept can go wrong is if a newbie or original founder (whom no longer provides beneficial participation) wants something his or her way for their own benefit and doesn't have the best interest of the club in mind. I think we can all see those people a mile away and it would be no trouble to justify why someone is or isn't a core member. Please know that when I say a core member - I'm not just referring to the founders - there is a great deal of criteria to determine a core member but I don't think it will be a great deal of effort to sort the core members from others.
I think our next logical step is to come to a determination of current core members (whatever criteria that be), and those core members should then decide if there are any changes to be made or not. That core group of people can at least come up with a general mission statement. A mission statement will drive this group in whatever direction it needs to go from there.
Whatever happens, it needs to happen in baby steps and not an entire upheaval of our current structure. By nature, humans are turned off by and often afraid of change. However, sometimes change is inevitable and in the best interest for survival. Regardless, change at a slow pace is much more readily accepted than if something is simply turned upside down and inside out.
To take the lead on this conept, I'll start a poll asking if people of this club think we should go about determining the core members. If there is a resounding no I don't think we should pursue determining core members, or there is little response I'll take that as a statement that that's not a route to pursue to get to the bottom of all of our questions, concerns, and need for change or need for no change.
Jeremy
1)Think about what we want to get out of this club and/or what we want this club to become (That's what a mission statement is. We certainly don't have a club mission statement at this point but everybody at least has their own ideas of what they want or don't want from the club).
2) What change needs to occur to make that happen - nothing? a club mission statement? bylaws? formalization?
Part of the trouble is there are 80 people with different ideas about what they want this club to be.
The other trouble is that within those 80 people there are extreme differences in the level of participation and stake they have in this club. What this club was at conception may be very different from what it's members are currently asking for. Does that mean that those people need to go elsewhere and start there own club or can the club simply evolve? OR does it not need to evolve and simply stay the way it is. A mission statement would answer that question.
Right now there is extreme disorganization regarding this topic because there is no one person or group of people taking the lead and saying this is what we should do. The poll is useless IMO because it's way to broad and tells nothing of what we're actually voting for. Do I think someone needs to step up and take the lead or be "president" - no. Do I think that some of the more core members should get together and come to an agreement about a simple mission statement (which can continually be changed and updated) - Yes. The next question is then "What constitutes a core member?" I think the number of posts within the club is certainly an important factor, but not the only factor. Some people post quite rarely yet contribute a lot to the group and I would consider them core members. I think each of us, in our own mind, know whether or not we're a core member. Ask yourself - Do you think you contribute enough to this club to say your a core member and a true asset in determining it's future? I don't think any newbies are going to step up and try to push their weight around - what benefit would they have in that. If there are some older members that don't participate much but feel they have a great deal of stock in this club then let them be heard and allow them to be considered a core member - there's nothing wrong with that. Where that concept can go wrong is if a newbie or original founder (whom no longer provides beneficial participation) wants something his or her way for their own benefit and doesn't have the best interest of the club in mind. I think we can all see those people a mile away and it would be no trouble to justify why someone is or isn't a core member. Please know that when I say a core member - I'm not just referring to the founders - there is a great deal of criteria to determine a core member but I don't think it will be a great deal of effort to sort the core members from others.
I think our next logical step is to come to a determination of current core members (whatever criteria that be), and those core members should then decide if there are any changes to be made or not. That core group of people can at least come up with a general mission statement. A mission statement will drive this group in whatever direction it needs to go from there.
Whatever happens, it needs to happen in baby steps and not an entire upheaval of our current structure. By nature, humans are turned off by and often afraid of change. However, sometimes change is inevitable and in the best interest for survival. Regardless, change at a slow pace is much more readily accepted than if something is simply turned upside down and inside out.
To take the lead on this conept, I'll start a poll asking if people of this club think we should go about determining the core members. If there is a resounding no I don't think we should pursue determining core members, or there is little response I'll take that as a statement that that's not a route to pursue to get to the bottom of all of our questions, concerns, and need for change or need for no change.
Jeremy
Aquabucket
Premium Member
I don't know where you got those numbers but we don't have nearly that many active club members ~ by active I mean regularly showing up to meetings and group activities. Besides I think its evident that a majority of the club members (over 70% right now) like things just the way they are.
With that said I think a mission statement might be a good idea. It will at least give new members an idea of the informality of the club and why we choose to have that type of structure.
jlinzmaier
Premium Member
Yes your exaclty right Spike!! The catch there is what defines "active" members. When you say "active" members, that's what I meant by "core" members. Right now there are close to 80 people posting in the FVRC forum but all aren't active members. Do we really want anyone who posts in FVRC to be making the decisions about the club - no of course not. The people that put their heart, effort, energy, attend meetings, set up meetings, help each other out, etc are the ones that ought to be making the decisions about the club.
Jeremy
Fishcrazy06
New member
I am all for a mission statement or something on them lines. I am not for the "core member" aspect. In my eyes your becoming a more formal club by doing that. Look at all the new memebers we have that joined in the last say 8 months or so. I am sure Jason will do us another pie chart 
The majority of the group as said this time around no don't do it. Keep it informal keep it the way it is. I will stop with this post in this thread and head on over to the poll thread now!
Eric
The majority of the group as said this time around no don't do it. Keep it informal keep it the way it is. I will stop with this post in this thread and head on over to the poll thread now!Eric
Fishcrazy06
New member
Dan I don't mean to be rude or crude but I think its time to let the paying non-paying member thing die. No one wants it by the looks of it after reading through all of the posts!
Eric
Eric
kesslerkid01
New member
listing advantages and disdvantages for a formal club
This is just a start maybe a way to get this off the ground please add to it!!!
_________________________________________
Advantage
1. Better organization(meetings,events)
2. Club buys
3.More involvment (helping each other)
4. FRAG SWAPS
Disadvantages
______________
1.Board members
2.Money,taxes,Bank accounts
3.the same core group will always do the majority of the work
This is just a start maybe a way to get this off the ground please add to it!!!
_________________________________________
Advantage
1. Better organization(meetings,events)
2. Club buys
3.More involvment (helping each other)
4. FRAG SWAPS
Disadvantages
______________
1.Board members
2.Money,taxes,Bank accounts
3.the same core group will always do the majority of the work
Aquabucket
Premium Member
1 through 4 on your advantage list can all be done without going formal.
customcolor
New member
spike how would we do number 4?...i know alot of us are kinda itching for a swap in the area
Aquabucket
Premium Member
Just find a place to host it and organize it. I know of a place that would be good for a frag swap and we could likely get it for free.
ZOKU
Resident Ninja
See? All it takes is a little brainstorming and question asking. You don't need a badge or a fancy website or a laminated membership card or anything else "official" to make things happen. All it takes is a little know-how and the right connections.
And I think we have those things right here already as it is.
Siropa is striking very near to the heart here. This can eliminate shipping charges, provide bulk savings and minimize risk to an individual. Open up other market opportunities. There is alot to investigate.
I sincerely believe the pro's greatly outwiegh the cons especially if you are not content with where you personally are at in this hobby.
We don't have to be a profit driven organization. We can be non- profit. And again who says you have to pay. No one kicks you off of RC do they?
Spike I know your content. There are alot of you I guess who are.
There now I can start a new poll.
As for this one it will live on for another 12 days or so.
I sincerely believe the pro's greatly outwiegh the cons especially if you are not content with where you personally are at in this hobby.
We don't have to be a profit driven organization. We can be non- profit. And again who says you have to pay. No one kicks you off of RC do they?
Spike I know your content. There are alot of you I guess who are.
There now I can start a new poll.
As for this one it will live on for another 12 days or so.
sunfish11
Premium Member
Daddavis1,
Incorporating FVRC is a dead horse.... BUT you know you can start your own reef club any time you want. You could call it anything you want and you can be the president. No one says people can't be members of two clubs. If you want it so badly just do it. You can even get your own message board on RC. You don't need us to do it. Prove to us how great it is once you start it and heck, maybe we will all join.
Lisa
Incorporating FVRC is a dead horse.... BUT you know you can start your own reef club any time you want. You could call it anything you want and you can be the president. No one says people can't be members of two clubs. If you want it so badly just do it. You can even get your own message board on RC. You don't need us to do it. Prove to us how great it is once you start it and heck, maybe we will all join.
Lisa
Fishcrazy06
New member
:eek1: :lol:
Glad I wasn't the only one whom thought they were beating a dead horse!
Eric :mixed:
Glad I wasn't the only one whom thought they were beating a dead horse!
Eric :mixed:
Hella
New member
No one looks at the fact that if that were to happen that someone would have to keep track of that said money, sales tax, order forms, sales slips just like a "real" business. I for one would want nothing to do with that and from the looks of it 70% dont also. Now if someone wants to get a tax ID and get goods to sell to us at a cheap price and keep track of the sales tax, inventory and all that, by all means go for it.
AGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH
Rob
AGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH
Rob
