Should we merge forums with Roanoke?

[manderx]

it's pretty slow around both here and the Roanoke forum. so there's talk about merging our RC forums together into one. we'd still consider ourselves separate clubs (or at least chapters or whatever). and if we do go ahead with this, we'll need a name to put on it, something like SWVA Reef Clubs (or hopefully something more creative).

so what does everyone say?

 

[NANOFOOL]

i like it separte so i know who is on which club

 

[HOC]

I think it's a great idea to combine the two clubs. As most of you know I came from a much larger, more organized club back in Iowa. We had one club for the entire state. I think Virginia has at least four. None of the clubs seem to have much to do with each other. I'd like to see some sort of combo of what I've seen from Iowa and what seems to be going on here. I think being too organized really puts people off..This is a hobby after all. At the same time I see things going on here that could be much better if there were a group of people "in Charge" of things. I have to say I loved the meeting at Matts house last month. It was a very laid back good time.(Beer is known to cause that feeling I think) I for one am more than willing to drive to BB for a meeting or tank crawl, I'm just not sure how others feel about driving to Roanoke for meetings. A suggestion I would throw out there would be to swap meetings between BB and Roanoke and some of the other close by cities out there who make the trip to our meetings. I think it's silly to keep this all contained in each separate city. If we could just come together a little bit and maybe even organize some money making events we could bring in speakers etc. I think this is the third time I've mentioned something like this, but nobody seems to have much interest. I just want everyone to know it's possible. The more people we get into this locally the better off we will all be. We all stand to gain more knowlege and friendships from combining the clubs and trying to grow the local interest. It's up to us after all, it doesn't seem any of the LFS's are able to do it.

 

[HOC]

I would call it the Virginia Reef Society(or something that starts with the states name) so people can find it easily in the club forums and other places online. I'm not sure stating the location of the club in the name is all that necessary??

 

[reefdadx2]

I don't think that Lacey likes the idea. I like going to the two different forums myself but the problem is that almost none of us myself included has been very active. There are the diehard people from each club that show up to their own club meetings and even some of us who like to attend some of the other clubs meetings. The thing is, from attending both meetings I have seen many other members that are great people that are into the hobby. I for one would like to see their tanks and hear their input. Maybe combining the two clubs online will draw them out. I will be there either way. Tank crawls are great, as are good threads like pictures of the month. Maybe Matt could bring his acrylic picture box and I or someone else could bring a camera and we could take pictures at the meetings and crawls. Any other ideas? Michael Richards

 

[Shivaji]

Lacey does not like it at all !!

As for me, I find it difficult enough to make it to meetings because of my work schedule, unless it is on weekends. I know that does not work for a lot of folks in our area so I get to them when I can. Weekday meetings elsewhere (even Roanoke) would be almost impossible for me, but that is just me, and should not stop anything at all.

I am, on the other hand, all for more activities like bringing in speakers having swap meets, club trips etc., none of which are feasible without a substantial (and dues paying) membership. Matt and I briefly spoke about this at his house last month, and the feeling at that point, was that we did not want to get into the "organized" thing yet. Has this feeling changed ?

 

[CaptainDave]

Is that Lacey or Kujo in your avatar Matt?

I think merging forums would be fine, because it seems like all of us monitor both of them anyway. I always try to make it up to the Roanoke meetings, but the last five or six have all conflicted with my schedule one way or another.

My thoughts on club organization:
Things get dicey when people are "in charge" of things, in my opinion. I have seen two different nearby clubs get in shouting matches because of stupid political crap. I'm not saying it's going to happen, but it might.

On the other hand, it would be cool to have speakers, or a club library or "plumbing bin" or something, funded by the club.

Oh and anyone that wants to come take pictures of my tank, by all means please do, because I have a crap camera and I'm a terrible photographer.

I'm still relatively new here and I'll be gone in under a year, so feel free to not pay attention to anything I've said.

Just my thoughts,
Dave

 

[jfloydr]

I'm in for joining the 2 clubs and swapping meetings back and forth each month or we could still have seperate things going on in each town and everyone is invited. I do think its best that we combine the online aspect because everyone seems to look at both anyway. I know me and a couple of other guys got the ball rolling on the roanoke club but I just dont think any of us have the time to head it up. I would rather just be a member that goes to meetings and helps out online than a person "in charge".

 

[jfloydr]

We need to at least combine meetings maybe 4 times a year and have everything setup way in advance so people can schedule to attend.

BTW, I like Virginia Reef Society for the name.

 

[surfnvb7]

I might be gone in about a year also, or I might be here for the next 6 years, no tellin yet. But as I'm from Richmond and have seen their more organized efforts put into their club......I'd have to say I like what we have going here in the NRV club as its very informal, but not so informal we dont get anything done. Some of us know all too well the bad blood that goes on in Richmond at times...

Where as here, things are low key, not serious, nothing formal like officers, dues etc. I think when you start getting too structured like that, the bull political power struggle ultimately appears, and people in competition to whoever has the better tanks etc which kills the fun of the hobby IMO. And that for SURE would turn me away from the club in an instant.

More importantly, remember where we live. Most of us down in southwest virginia (esspecially the NRV) are on the low end of the economic society. Therefore I feel there is a moral obligation not to intimidate those type of people from not attending our club, as this is only a hobby and it can be done cheaply.

I'd say lets take small steps at a time. I'd still like to see an actual organized frag swap (with pre-swap listings of what people are bringing or looking for), and I've constantly been offering a club trip to the richmond stores numerous times. But only a handful showed any interest, but they really enjoyed the trip and got some really cool stuff. I may even like to make a trip to NOVA/DC/Baltimore, Va. Beach, Tenn., and Raleigh in the future as there are big stores and big meetings down there too.

As far as joining the boards together thats cool with me, makes perfect since. But we will obviously have seperate tank crawls at times since those of us in the 'Burg all live within 5min of eachother. As far as big meetings, I like the idea of that 4 meetings in roanoke per year, to mix things up and keep the Roanoke guys included.

As far as the name, I'd keep it southwestern in the name or somethin-another. The Richmond-VaBeach-and NOVA areas combined are 100x bigger than we are and might take offense to that. Besides, "Virginia Reef Society" sounds too structured, which from what it sounds like we want to do is avoid being "too structured". To keep Virginia as the first word....how bout "Virginia's Southwestern Reef Clubs"

or heck, lets just call it "HOKIE LAND"

Just my 2 cents.

PS.- this has been mentioned before, and Matt knows what I'm talkin bout here, but the most structure I'd like to see is at least our own website, with a forum under our control in which we can post views on the local sellers/stores, and which we can post prices of things and such, and convince them to advertise sales. And theres other pros/cons that come along with this that matt might be able to convey better than I.

But again.....lets take small steps since we are a small club...

 

[HOC]

I definately agree. That's why I said I'd like to see a combo between what I've seen in organized clubs and this club. We had the same crap in the Iowa club and it really turns people off. Though for the most part it was really civilized. At the same time bringing in Calfo,Fenner,Sprung, and heck there's too many to list, would be cool. I definately wouldn't take it as far as getting bi-laws and having nominations and elections. That's where things get messy. But IMO it takes somebody to step up to help organize things or you will never be anything more than people getting together and having a good time. Which to be honest is pretty nice. Is there a way to get things done without taking it too far? I think that's the big question. As far as the name I think Virginia need s to be the first word in the name If you want new people to find you on the board. I would have never found NRV or even known it was in VA if I had. One of the Roanoke people told me about it. As a "club" it should be your goal to grow in numbers and grow knowlege about the hobby to keep those members active. Everyone around here seems to do a pretty good job helping others, but don't forget to step back and listen to what new members have to say. The club would have to belong to everyone to stay going. I know a lot of people can't stand change, but I do see some opportunity for improvement in combining at least RC boards and trying to organize some events together. I guess everyone needs to ask themselves do we want to accomplish anything as a club or just hang out? I'm fine with either one, but we could do more.

 

[jfloydr]

How about combining forums just to make it easier online. There doesnt have to be any formal person in charge or any official meetings take place. Just post questions and answers and if someonewants to have ameeting its up to them. Lets keep it informal. All everyone is doing now is double posting everything on 2 different forums and its a waste of time. JMO

 

[gomd]

I check both anyway, they might as well be one.

 

[Doc's69]

Don't see where to vote so I'll just say I would like to combine both groups for the very least of having one forum. I've read what everyone has to say (so far) and it just makes sense to do it. As far a name I like Va reef Society, but am open to other names, the main thing is the bigger we are as a group the more willing someone may be to take a chance of opening up more fish stores, but when we are but a small amount of individuals I would think long and hard about opening something in this area, and I'm sure people do their research prior to spending money. I'm not sure if any of this makes sense. But so far I have not met anyone whom I dislike, everyone has something to offer, some more than others when it comes to knowledge, but for me that is one of the biggest things this forum help me out with,otherwise I would still have a 55 g tank of chiclids.

 

[jfloydr]

Anyone else?

 

[WILDTHING]

I voted yes

colleen

 

[ade]

It looks like that the majority is unanimous.
So what do we have to do to get this thing changed.

 

[jfloydr]

We can shut down the Roanoke boards and once thats done maybe change the name of the NRV board to reflect all of us.

 

[HOC]

My only suggestion is to name it something that starts with Virginia so people looking in the RC Reef club section will be able to find it easier.

 

[jfloydr]

I PMed the mods and asked to shut Roanoke down and transfer our threads to NRV. Now we just need to pick a new name. I agree with Chris. Virginia will make it easier to find us. Something like Virginia Reefers Society. I'll start a name nominating thread and then we can vote on a new name. Sound OK?