SLASH Members Unite!

[TanksDad13]

All good points I'm still wanting to hear about the 10% SLASH discount from u4ick though. I'm thinking the clubs and LFS can help each other more, but if the LFS owners are as misinformed as Damon about SLASH, THEN PERHAPS A SIT-DOWN, is in order. We can't be that far apart on common ground if they really care like you mention in your post. I know of a couple LFS that are downright critical of slash and I just NEVER go to them anymore and tell everyone I know what they're really about.

Marine Solutions told me about SLASH, the frag swap, and a bunch of good things. IMHO Marine Solutions is one of the good guys. Albeit, it seems there's some bad blood, like you say a truce may well be in order.

 

[TanksDad13]

Further more, we should be willing to support our local businesses. Sure, there are some stores taking advantage and giving bad information (see my BS at the LFS post). I know I will pay the extra $5 or so to get it from a brick and mortar store over a web site. That's just me. I truly believe a fantastic way to spread the word is to do so through our LFS. They push memberships our way and grow our community, we spend money in their stores.

 

[Nanook]

http://youtu.be/6jpwqWPKAUc

 

[rams]

What do ALL the LFSs think, how can we become more symbiotic? His question is valid for sure. To further the point, he and most of the stores have maintenance accounts that they call on and can help spread the word and drive membership. Just has to be win win.

To be honest if I owned a store I would't promote a club or clubs. There is just too much drama and favoritism. Now from a clubs point of view. Staying neutral to all stores is the best course as we all have our favorites or bounce around between a handful. Some geographically make sense to be your favorite. Now I for one want every store to succeed because who does't like variety. The only stores a club should not promote are those that have burnt enough members and have complete hatred toward that club. Back to my second sentence.

I would't tell my maintenance contracts. I really would rather not get into that except. If you ran a business. You would't tell your customers how much they could save by switching to someone else. Why would you promote a club that could show your customers how easy it would be to save $$ doing it yourself.

LFS are the best place to meet up. If you are in the hobby you already know how to get there. If you don't. By the end of the day you've found another. I think it is cool if our club starts spending money made in those stores as a gesture back. We are doing that. I like to consider some of the store owners good friends. That I would give up my time to help if they were in a bind. Some are friends that became store owners!

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions and I like peeps that stick up for themselves and add their own two cents.

Now about this club. I was one of the founding members so feel free to hate me as the face if need be. Old News, New News SEASL has its place in this town and who says you can't belong to both. Heck there is MASI too. We never patch people in and say oh no. We caught you talking to the other side. The club was founded on friendships and if you find yourself offended. I for one would rather you reach out and help you become more apart of the friendship or maybe this just isn't your cup of tea. We all have those friends that you or the better half are like; What the Heck is up with that guy. Maybe that guy that is always mouthing off blah blah yada yada. But really bottom line I don't let that detour me. I learn more from my friends house checking out what they got going on with my own two eyes. Than a meeting at a community center where everyone books it out of there in the end. I was a MASI kid back in the day. Truly appreciated the hallway meetings way more than the official meeting called to order in the meeting room. Learned more from guys out there all while being told to pipe down out there. I like to consider us the hallway club. Family friendly? Mrs Rams would't let Lil_rams hang out unless it really was patches and crazy eyed Joes.

But really I want this club to be what everyone agrees on. We could use some additional key contributors. All while having some fun!

 

[chucklez]

I just kind of glanced through all the previous posts, and didnt really read them in detail. Seems like lately the argument is over the clubs existing relationships with LFS. I dont know about that. i visit TCR almost exclusively, and once a month or so drop by Gateway. I been to the others once or twice total in the 2 yrs I have been back in the hobby.

Anyways, want to give my impressions of the swap this year and future thoughts.

Seemed we had less vendors this swap. Usually this would be a bad thing as it cuts down selection and pricing competition, but in this case it actually gave a bit more room. Everyone wasnt packed in front of a table like sardines.
I did notice a few vendors from the spring swap were not present. Was this due to us not inviting them back? Most of those I noticed not there I have personally found to be *******s anyway. Hack and cut type guys.
For me atleast, the location was a long drive. I have only been to 3 swaps. The last 2 by the airport and the one before at the park in West County, but this was a heckuva drive. Especially considering I had other commitments and could only stay 45 minutes or so before having to leave.

Anyways, that is my general impression of the swap. A great event allowing members to get together and get some new additions to our tanks. I would personally like to see a bigger event space. That would allow everyone to spread out and not be clustered around vendor's tables.

As far as promoting the swap/club, could we just come up with a deal with local LFS? Perhaps offer them a spot at 25-50% off at the swap if they would just show or allow us to set a stack of flyers at their counters? Do one of those promoted post things on facebook? Not sure of the cost or even how to do it. Finally, how about local fairs/festivals? Set up a table/tent at one of those and pass out info. Explain to people the benefits and services the club provides. From the the HELP program to the CDP. And bring up the Science Center tanks the club upkeeps.

 

[mpgrant77]

What/Who is SLASH?

St. Louis Area Saltwater Hobbyists (SLASH) is a social club with members from all walks of life who share a common interest in saltwater/reef tanks. We meet casually about once a month (Pizza Nights) at a local fish store then head to a nearby eatery for some tasty food and beverages. If a member in the area is feeling particularly hospitable, they will then open up their home for a tank viewing and more socializing afterward. Twice a year we host a frag swap that is open to all which draws vendors and attendees from multiple states to buy, sell and trade livestock and dry goods.

The majority of SLASH communication is done right here on our Reef Central Club Forum so its easily accessible by members and nonmembers alike. Don't be shy, feel free to start a thread and introduce yourself!

Also, be sure to "like" our Facebook Page and follow us there as well!

I copied and pasted the what SLASH is about from the SLASH site just so everyone is on the same page. I personally think that brainstorming ideas is great but you need a focus to center around. I think it should start with looking at what SLASH is about. Is it still a casual social club? Is that what everyone wants it to be? If so then why do we need to look at advertising ourselves and adding members? If SLASH wants to become more than just a casual social club then a couple club goals need to be defined. For example: Promote better knowledge and understanding of our hobby, or Promote more sustainable options for breeding and propagating corals, Grow and share knowledge within the reefing community, Foster and educate youth in the marine hobby, Foster and educate marine hobbyist new to the hobby and increase knowledge in the reef keeping field, promote synergistic relationships between LFS and Slash. Just some examples of what goals could look like. Once the goals are established then additional ideas can be brainstormed on how to work towards those goals.

To those of us that or not leaders of this club (including myself). Growth beyond what SLASH is now will require some of us to step up and be a bigger part of the club. Without that the club will not grow (if that is what SLASH wants). So be prepared, don't suggest ideas that you would not be willing to caring out yourself. The current leaders have given a good part of their time to the club and I am sure would love to see some of us take some of the load off them. Just keep that in mind.

 

[btweymouth1s]

One of my favorite benefits of SLASH was the store discounts, doesn't seem like anyone but Gateway to my knowledge still does it. I use to go to certain stores based on the fact that I would get a SLASH discount. I joined SLASH my first year in the hobby, but didn't join this passed year based on that and the fact that I didn't really see any benefits of rejoining.

I'm not sure what the benefits are anymore besides for the free entry to the frag swaps. Used my CDP points and couldn't build any back up considering I don't have any thing special as far as coral goes, nobody wants anything that I've tried donating to the CDP.

 

[South City]

HELP Program: I grabbed the gear from Nick before the swap. The rest was brought in during the swap. Plan on rebooting that program with Nick; October 1st with some new rules. Going to ask the board for some new stuff. So if you got any ideas let us know.

I think having one of two of these available in the club would be great. I'm not sure how much they cost or what kind of budget we have for new purchases, but I suspect they'd be popular items for tank moves.

 

[South City]

As far as ideas for marketing the club or attracting new members, I have a few suggestions. It wouldn't hurt for the club to have a more noticeable presence in social media and on reef keeping forums in general. I'm taking about places like high activity Facebook groups "STL Reef Keepers" & "Addictive Reef Keeping"(just examples...there are many more)

We don't need to do anything as extravagant as buying ads or sponsorships, just post more to these Facebook pages and on the various forums on an account that is conspicuously tied to SLASH(avatars and signature lines). For example, it would probably bring in some new faces if posts were made on the Saint Louis Facebook reef group pages letting the community know about SLASH Pizza nights. Having a SLASH Twitter account that was making it presence felt locally with Tweets wouldn't hurt either.

Along the same lines, coming up with some other ways to socialize in addition to the Pizza nights could help with recruitment. For example, planning trips to nearby cities to see public aquariums or touring interesting aquaculture businesses like Inland Aquatics in Terre Haute, IN. Even finding good causes where the group could volunteer some time locally is a great way to build a tighter SLASH community and bring in some new faces.

 

[Lance A. Lot]

Do we put an add on Craigslist for our Swaps?

 

[twiggyb]

*Opinions opinions opinions* *rebuttal rebuttal rebuttal*:deadhorse:
You'll either have to run it proper, or just run it as a group of buddies on a larger scale. As far as cost, for venues, prizes, etc., it's changed in the past couple years due to growth, and the club is just probably experiencing that growth spurt. That being said, if you wanna grow, you'll have to be more official and put someone in charge of advertising and controlling social medias, have formal gatherings that aren't boring, but will have to be scheduled in advanced and not just on the whim per the norm. With growth comes change, if it's the old core group running it, there's probably not going to be much change, which isn't a bad thing really, you just won't get that expansion you're hoping for.
As far as lfs goes, some are just in it for the profit of keeping their business afloat and could care less about the club/s.

 

[Koddie Doo]

*Opinions opinions opinions* *rebuttal rebuttal rebuttal*:deadhorse:
You'll either have to run it proper, or just run it as a group of buddies on a larger scale. As far as cost, for venues, prizes, etc., it's changed in the past couple years due to growth, and the club is just probably experiencing that growth spurt. That being said, if you wanna grow, you'll have to be more official and put someone in charge of advertising and controlling social medias, have formal gatherings that aren't boring, but will have to be scheduled in advanced and not just on the whim per the norm. With growth comes change, if it's the old core group running it, there's probably not going to be much change, which isn't a bad thing really, you just won't get that expansion you're hoping for.
As far as lfs goes, some are just in it for the profit of keeping their business afloat and could care less about the club/s.

Truth

 

[Lance A. Lot]

Along the same lines, coming up with some other ways to socialize in addition to the Pizza nights could help with recruitment. For example, planning trips to nearby cities to see public aquariums or touring interesting aquaculture businesses like Inland Aquatics in Terre Haute, IN. Even finding good causes where the group could volunteer some time locally is a great way to build a tighter SLASH community and bring in some new faces.

+1 The Poker run last year was a fun

 

[chucklez]

How about a 'Reefs of SLASH' calendar shoot?

I work in a print shop, so i can find out how much per calendar. Somethign like vistaprint online may be cheaper.

 

[mpcart]

I'm happy with the way things are. I'm not interested in a club with formal meetings or information sessions since I have the whole of RC to query if I have a question or need to do research. I like the informal nature of the pizza nights and the twice a year frag swap.

Where I think we could do better is:

1) Find a way to get better participation in the current club programs - the CDP, equipment loan, bulk supply discounts, etc.

2) Use social media better. I have no use for social media - twitter, facebook, whatever - BUT, I realize I am old (for this group) and that a social media presence is important these days and is the best way to grab new members. As an aside, I belong to the American Lancia Club whose members are older than me and who snail mail newsletters and publish membership 'booklets' once a year. It bugs me to no end so I totally get that some potential club members may feel that forums are antiquated just as I find newsletters.

Regarding club dues - It is $25 or something a year and I am pretty sure none of the club members are getting rich off the membership dues. So, if you dont want to pay dues because you cant account for how your $25 is being spent - then dont pay. If you dont want to pay because you dont think you get anything for your money - then I'd say that's too bad - the reason this forum is so active and you have a frag swap to go to is because of the paying members who fund it. I have a recurring membership to RC, SLASH, and many other websites i frequent because it is my way of supporting them and making sure they stay active for me to enjoy.

I also see the LFS as a business that doesnt seem to feel the need to support a local hobbyist club. I dont know why, but thats the free market talking. I go to the ones that i find helpful and do seem happy to have the club. For me, that's TCR and GWA.

-Mike

 

[Lance A. Lot]

What about a SLASH Tank of the Month? Could be in Calendar form?

 

[Koddie Doo]

How about a 'Reefs of SLASH' calendar shoot?

I work in a print shop, so i can find out how much per calendar. Somethign like vistaprint online may be cheaper.

It would be better looking than "Reefers of SLASH" calendar. rams in a thong September won't drive popularity we would be hoping for.:jester:

 

[chadfarmer]

It would be better looking than "Reefers of SLASH" calendar. rams in a thong September won't drive popularity we would be hoping for.:jester:

that would most leave

 

[rams]

rams in a thong September won't drive popularity we would be hoping for.:jester:

Doodie Doo you're not right just for thinking up chit like that.

 

[TanksDad13]

All good points. Is there any presence of SLASH on the Science Center tanks? Might not be bad to throw a sticker or flyers there. Lord knows there a tone of people that go through there. My family and I went before school started and we made sure to stop in and look at the tank. I still think a BBQ at a LFS would be a cool idea. I know a lot of them send out e-news letters. Some sort of sign for slash and get a % off, a raffle; something. Hot dogs are cheap enough and I have a decent sized grill is be happy to bring along.