Should FVRC move Forward
- Thread starter daddavis1
- Start date
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?
You will have an extremely difficult time getting 501 c3 status as a nonprofit org. The IRS is just not tossing the status around anymore as too many groups were taking advantage of it. Getting nonprofit status so that you can save on taxes and shipping wouldn't be a valid reason for stats with the IRS.
You will have an extremely difficult time getting 501 c3 status as a nonprofit org. The IRS is just not tossing the status around anymore as too many groups were taking advantage of it. Getting nonprofit status so that you can save on taxes and shipping wouldn't be a valid reason for stats with the IRS.
Our PTO's cost ran near $1000 for the whole process but I can't be more specific at this time. I was the Executive Director of a local NPO for several years as well as the vice chair of a coalition of around 75 local nonprofits. We worked very hard at getting 501c3 status for many new orgs in that time. It is difficult and time consuming (and money consuming). The really sad thing is that you still have to keep all of the "profitable business" type of bookkeeping even when you have the nonprofit status. Its almost to the point of double bookkeeping.
Here's a random thought for consideration.... here is the list of members that have "gotten evolved in this thread" They care enough about the direction of the club to work on problem solving in some way (some more helpful than others... but those guilty of posting a snide comment should now count themselves involved.
In no order...
sunfish11
jandlms
daddavis1
Fishcrazy06
Aquabucket
ZOKU
jlinzmaier
customcolor
Hella
siropa
RCS
jmkarcz
kesslerkid01
jhildebrand
MSU Fan
intricable
crabbejoe
Bri Guy
fishcrzycouple
NewMelee
cubsare
(Jeremy, - would you agree... here's your Core Group? )
(There... I proposed a good cross-section of serious people in our club that each represent a diverse aspect of our club. Now, like congress, let the arguing I mean bipartisanship re-convene. )
In no order...
sunfish11
jandlms
daddavis1
Fishcrazy06
Aquabucket
ZOKU
jlinzmaier
customcolor
Hella
siropa
RCS
jmkarcz
kesslerkid01
jhildebrand
MSU Fan
intricable
crabbejoe
Bri Guy
fishcrzycouple
NewMelee
cubsare
(Jeremy, - would you agree... here's your Core Group? )
(There... I proposed a good cross-section of serious people in our club that each represent a diverse aspect of our club. Now, like congress, let the arguing I mean bipartisanship re-convene. )
Simple question... can we agree that money should NOT be the first topic we should discuss. I think it would divide everyone and loose to many potential members at this time. It should be tabled for later debate or as needed for now. I'm sure it will come up again.
So... yes or no?
If we get enough yes's we can close this thread and start a new topic. (just think, that will also mean a decision will have been made.)
Eric... here's your chart.
<a href="http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/jmkarcz/temp/?action=view¤t=DaddavispollChart.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/jmkarcz/temp/DaddavispollChart.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
J
So... yes or no?
If we get enough yes's we can close this thread and start a new topic. (just think, that will also mean a decision will have been made.)
Eric... here's your chart.
<a href="http://s28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/jmkarcz/temp/?action=view¤t=DaddavispollChart.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c205/jmkarcz/temp/DaddavispollChart.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
J
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BTW.. to answer the title of the thread... YES, I think the club should move forward. but not by discussing money first.
And Yes. I will continue to offer my time and help to those who truely need it... in hopes that, even if I am gone, they will remain here to grow this group.
And Yes. I will continue to offer my time and help to those who truely need it... in hopes that, even if I am gone, they will remain here to grow this group.
ZOKU
Resident Ninja
I think everyone should be in agreeance from what I can see reading through the posts again... no one wants to see money involved.
I think the majority of us seemed to like the idea of a mission statement, so to speak. I don't know how to incorporate that info given the fact that the pie chart above still reflects that the majority really don't want to see a "major" change that leans towards actually formalizing the club.
I'm not speaking on behalf of everyone... just what I could gather given all of the info that's been posted the last day or two.
ZOKU
Resident Ninja
I also agree with this 100%.
Daddavis1 seems to be one of the select few gung ho to turn the club isn't something the majority don't feel they want to.
It seems like there's a couple of individuals who want to talk about money, heavy organization, formalities and other political matters that would make FVRC much more heavily structured than it currently is. That certainly isn't a problem at all. However, rather than try and influence the majority with thread after thread after thread... why not simply begin your own reef club and YOU can set the structure however you so choose???
Those who want that kind of club environment can join you willingly... those who don't, can stop replying to the excessive amount of threads while saying "No, thank you..." in not so many words.
My two pennies.
Fishcrazy06
New member
Thanks Jason. I think that Pie chart says it all. Sometimes pictures are better than words
Eric
Eric
jlinzmaier
Premium Member
Thanks for tallying! Listing the people that care enough about the group to speak up is a good start at determining the core members. However, it sounds like the majority of members aren't interested in determining the most "core" members and the majority of members are OK with everyone who posts having an equal level of membership status and an equal say in decision making.
Jeremy
jlinzmaier
Premium Member
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14643858#post14643858 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Fishcrazy06
Thanks Jason. I think that Pie chart says it all. Sometimes pictures are better than words
Eric
+1
Fishcrazy06
New member
I agree with Jeremy as well. I don't think we need core members. Just need to get everyone kind of on the same page. We all come from different lines or work, life, and etc. We are a diverse group which I think is a good thing. No need for a "core" group.
Eric
Eric
msch1999
New member
I have to disagree a little with this statement.
I 100% care what direction this club goes. I have gained knowledge , friends, and frags because of this club. I have tried to help people out as often as my time allows. There have been plenty of members that have helped me out also. I personally have not experienced any reason to change the way things currently are.
One reason I chose not to post in these few threads is because I didn't want to add to the drama. I like the club the way it is, and I feel a lot of the things that have been brought up in the last couple of days are from problems that may have started to develop in the past, None of which I am familiar with.
If you would like my opinion, right now I like the club the way it is. For the most part everybody that I had asked for help from was more than willing to help. It looks like the majority of the votes were to keep the way the club is for the time being, I agree. If the club decided to go a different route, I would still support it. There is nothing better than having a group of people get together that enjoy the same hobby, but all have different expertise and opinions about the same thing.
There are probably other members that are thinking the same thing I am, and didn't vote for the same reason.
Mike
johnanddawn
New member
+1 with a big smile
i do not consider myself a core member of this club, because of my distance/schedule, but do like it and frequent the board
i contribute with my experience if i find the topic of interest and ask questions when i need advice
i like to talk reef, see other's reefs, and trade/buy/sell frags within the community
just because i have kept my opinion out of this conversation to this point doesn't mean i don't care
bottom line though - i think this club needs this discussion, and i hope they come to the right decision
so carry on, clean your glass, feed the fish and enjoy your tanks....
oh yeah can i still get a calander???
i do not consider myself a core member of this club, because of my distance/schedule, but do like it and frequent the board
i contribute with my experience if i find the topic of interest and ask questions when i need advice
i like to talk reef, see other's reefs, and trade/buy/sell frags within the community
just because i have kept my opinion out of this conversation to this point doesn't mean i don't care
bottom line though - i think this club needs this discussion, and i hope they come to the right decision
so carry on, clean your glass, feed the fish and enjoy your tanks....
oh yeah can i still get a calander???
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Um... Mike, I didn't say that to imply that you did not care. I said it as both as an illustration as to another way the "CORE" group could be defined.... no one could agree even on that.
...and to illustrate that within the "sample" of names shown there was quite a bit of diversity and most of the groups segments are represented. but not everyone can be in congress at any given time.
It's an everyone, then no one... problem.
That's also the reason we can't form an official group. EVERYONE wants to have their say right out of the blocks. no one wants to step back and trust a "core" group of anyone to do some organizing and wait for the baton to be passed.
Everyone has some issue with something, but no -one is willing to let the ball start rolling and step back for a bit.
after reading everything that was posted by those people, do you think that your sentiment was already voiced by at east one of them...? I can say yes, because I voiced those same points.
I voiced my ongoing desire to help people and much the same as what you posted... but then you go on to say something else... you didn't want to add to the drama.... to build the club into an official club, you have to be willing to stick your voice out there and then take the blows from other members and keep trucking. These folks have done that. They are active daily... so are you... but then, get in here now.... I'm not saying you can't be part of it. I've never said that.
Don't get me wrong... but I'm wondering if you read the whole post, as I alluded to the fact that NO MATTER HOW it's hacked someone will have a problem. You have proved that.
Which leads to another problem... very few people ACTUALLY read what was posted. Many just took one liners and quoted them and ranted for a half page.
As someone that has been here for a long time... and the number of people that I have helped and seen helped here, Do you think that this will stop people from being helped in the future? It seems you do because you go on stating your opinion, (I don't need to quote because I can still see it above). Your opinion leads me to believe that you "don't want things to change because... you like the way it has been running so far...
Try this...
You said....
right now I like the club the way it is
Which also means you don't want the option for it to get better or have anything BETTER develop.
You said:
It looks like the majority of the votes were to keep the way the club is for the time being...
Yep... you repeated the fact... two years ago I did a poll... that was the result... two years later... here we are.. the SAME. and the same arguments were brought up and it will remain the same.
You said...
if the club decided to go a different route
What route would that be that may be dangerous to the way of life we are currently involved in? did you think that suddenly tomorrow 10 or more people that had been helpful would stop being helpful? Or wouldn't it have been great to have some of the discounts and stuff some of those people mentioned... and all we'd have to do is stretch out little minds enough to come up with some "structure".
You said:
There is nothing better than having a group of people get together that enjoy the same hobby, but all have different expertise and opinions about the same thing.
They were not proposing to switching to something new... nor take away your voice, just to organize and build on the expertise we have and maybe make this a bit better place. But so many people feared the change, or the level of change that some were proposing... or the way it was being proposed, that it's pretty well dead... for a while again at least.
Fear of "Loosing" something you had killed it. I saw some of that to.
To address what you quoted from me directly now... I didn't say or type that I thought you didn't care... I said that here's a list of people WILLING to step up. Add your name to the list. I don't care... Actually... I do... get involved!
Your post should have been.... "Hey! add me to the list. I want to take on helping make this into more than it is... I WANT to make our club better."
Instead, you did what every other person did in this thread... found a problem and did not offer any solutions.
My bottom line... be constructive, not destructive.
Look back at what I said. this should not be about money... this should be about making a better place... about making more people happy about the club...
I mean no disrespect. There are to many problems and not enough people willing to help, just drag it down. Lets close this and go back to the way things were.
...and to illustrate that within the "sample" of names shown there was quite a bit of diversity and most of the groups segments are represented. but not everyone can be in congress at any given time.
It's an everyone, then no one... problem.
That's also the reason we can't form an official group. EVERYONE wants to have their say right out of the blocks. no one wants to step back and trust a "core" group of anyone to do some organizing and wait for the baton to be passed.
Everyone has some issue with something, but no -one is willing to let the ball start rolling and step back for a bit.
after reading everything that was posted by those people, do you think that your sentiment was already voiced by at east one of them...? I can say yes, because I voiced those same points.
I voiced my ongoing desire to help people and much the same as what you posted... but then you go on to say something else... you didn't want to add to the drama.... to build the club into an official club, you have to be willing to stick your voice out there and then take the blows from other members and keep trucking. These folks have done that. They are active daily... so are you... but then, get in here now.... I'm not saying you can't be part of it. I've never said that.
Don't get me wrong... but I'm wondering if you read the whole post, as I alluded to the fact that NO MATTER HOW it's hacked someone will have a problem. You have proved that.
Which leads to another problem... very few people ACTUALLY read what was posted. Many just took one liners and quoted them and ranted for a half page.
As someone that has been here for a long time... and the number of people that I have helped and seen helped here, Do you think that this will stop people from being helped in the future? It seems you do because you go on stating your opinion, (I don't need to quote because I can still see it above). Your opinion leads me to believe that you "don't want things to change because... you like the way it has been running so far...
Try this...
You said....
right now I like the club the way it is
Which also means you don't want the option for it to get better or have anything BETTER develop.
You said:
It looks like the majority of the votes were to keep the way the club is for the time being...
Yep... you repeated the fact... two years ago I did a poll... that was the result... two years later... here we are.. the SAME. and the same arguments were brought up and it will remain the same.
You said...
if the club decided to go a different route
What route would that be that may be dangerous to the way of life we are currently involved in? did you think that suddenly tomorrow 10 or more people that had been helpful would stop being helpful? Or wouldn't it have been great to have some of the discounts and stuff some of those people mentioned... and all we'd have to do is stretch out little minds enough to come up with some "structure".
You said:
There is nothing better than having a group of people get together that enjoy the same hobby, but all have different expertise and opinions about the same thing.
They were not proposing to switching to something new... nor take away your voice, just to organize and build on the expertise we have and maybe make this a bit better place. But so many people feared the change, or the level of change that some were proposing... or the way it was being proposed, that it's pretty well dead... for a while again at least.
Fear of "Loosing" something you had killed it. I saw some of that to.
To address what you quoted from me directly now... I didn't say or type that I thought you didn't care... I said that here's a list of people WILLING to step up. Add your name to the list. I don't care... Actually... I do... get involved!
Your post should have been.... "Hey! add me to the list. I want to take on helping make this into more than it is... I WANT to make our club better."
Instead, you did what every other person did in this thread... found a problem and did not offer any solutions.
My bottom line... be constructive, not destructive.
Look back at what I said. this should not be about money... this should be about making a better place... about making more people happy about the club...
I mean no disrespect. There are to many problems and not enough people willing to help, just drag it down. Lets close this and go back to the way things were.
bwoody62
New member
I tried to be a "core member" and help the club members with supplies, fish, corals etc.. But instead one of you turned me in to RC as a commercial entity!! Best part is the person who turned me in (I know who it was buy the way) has a bigger commercial entity than I do. I guess he figured he would eliminate the competition! Think I'm reall happy with this club. Why don't I post on here much? Geeze, I don't know. Leave the club as it is, those of you who want more, create your own club! Pretty sad when a new member Ryan (newmelee) is just getting started and has to put up with all of this garbage. Get back to what this club is supposed to be. To converse & help each other!! Getting closer to losing another member. And by the way, where are all the FVRC members???? Sorry, as Eric says, just my .02 cents 
I would love to be more active in the club. But with two full time jobs it gets hard. I really do not have a ton of time for my fishtank. I am lucky I clean the glass when I find the time. I rarely post unless someone is looking for me. I try to respond to every PM I get( I am sure I miss some). I gave some guy in the club my nano. Sent another member brackets for his sure grip on my dime. Given lots of stuff to others including my advise. Have taken more than one hour out of my day to chat face to face with club members when I run into them in the stores. I try to respect everyone I meet. I come here usually once a day at least. I skim and do not read every thread. I spend a better part of my free time on another board with less drama. I don't know how I can be more involved. You could have a meeting in the house right next to me and I probably wouldn't be able to make it. That is just how crazy my life is.
When WRS was formed I was one of the first ten members if I recall correctly. I watched that club grow and then self imploded. It has been reborn with less structure I believe and have been told it is a pretty nice club again. Once the drama settles hopefully things get better. Sure I have my issues with a couple members of this group but it is not group related. But other than them I have tried my best to help people out and will continue to do so.
When WRS was formed I was one of the first ten members if I recall correctly. I watched that club grow and then self imploded. It has been reborn with less structure I believe and have been told it is a pretty nice club again. Once the drama settles hopefully things get better. Sure I have my issues with a couple members of this group but it is not group related. But other than them I have tried my best to help people out and will continue to do so.
