So what comes next?

[airinhere]

Over the last couple of days a strong case has been made for a new direction in our reefclub.

I honestly am not quite comfortable enough yet with the internal politics and mechanisms of the club to have even considered running for office or BOG, but I do think that some food for thought has been left for our new group of leaders.

One thing that struck me has been the underlying theme of growing pains as the club has grown to a healthy size. Talk about moving meetings somewhere larger, needing easier methods for making sure meetings run smoothly and a start at looking at ways to make the club more beneficial to members.

I didnt see this coming at all, again, I am a little too new to really know any better.

But it does seem to be the case from the last couple of weeks.

We all have to also remember that we are a bunch of fishnerds and not to take ourselves too seriously or else we get to bickering (us nerds usually didnt develop healthy forms of interpersonal communication and sometimes we forget that.)

But the general tone is one that is pretty upbeat.

We are about to start a new year and having all new officers, I was wondering what sorts of 100 day plans or promises to the people we might be able to look forward too?

Like it or not, it seems that the call for action has been sounded.

Are there any tenative plans for the next year?

What have you all been cooking up for us?

Can we (regular members) provide any useful input?

 

[funman1]

Re: So what comes next?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11430502#post11430502 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by airinhere
Can we (regular members) provide any useful input?

YES!!!

 

[MrMikeB]

Aaron,

That is a fabulous idea. I think Doug was onto something similar in another thread. Like all goals, if it is not written down, it is not going to happen. As a member for little over a year now where I attended just about every meeting, I can tell you in my short tenure, I had no clue on what was being planned with the club. I honestly felt the club only existed on 1 night a month, and then after that *pOoF*, it disappeared until the next meeting. As a new elected member to the Board, I would like to see that change.

I am thinking that perhaps we start the new year off right with a general "What is MARS to you?" open session where our jobs would be to just listen to all ideas and thoughts. We will record the ideas and as a Board go back and see how we can organize it into something we can accomplish. Keeping in mind, we cannot take on the world in one day, but we sure can put together a plan that will take a step closer.

This would give all members an opportunity to provide ideas, and it will allow the Board to go back and develop a plan. The plan will include a road map, estimated costs, timing, etc. More importantly the Board's job becomes clear - how we are to deliver on these ideas and figuring out what we need in order to be successful.

One of my few actual responsibilities on the Board is to establish committees to head up projects and tasks (such as frag swaps, etc.), so we will count on support from our members. The Board simply cannot do it all. Like the rest of us, we all have lives, and this is something we do for fun. I don't need a second (or 3rd) job, so the more support, the lesser the load across the board (pun intended ).

Ask not what MARS can do for you, but what YOU can do for MARS.

Thoughts?

 

[kdblove_99]

I know this might not be the right thread. But i love the raffles and take part in them at every meeting. But, to me they really drag on. Seems like they take as long as the meeting itself.


I just wonder if there is a more effecient way to do them?

 

[bored4long]

Maybe smaller raffles? Quality and not quantity would be my recommendation. They do drag on, and on, and on...

 

[MrMikeB]

Just an idea, and not to take too much away from the threads purpose:

We can ask Paul to bark out the numbers like an auctioneer... hehe, -or- another idea is to draw the numbers and in batches of 10, write the winning numbers on the computer/projector. People with matching numbers can come up, turn in their ticket and claim a prize. The grand prizes would still be by ticket so we don't lose out in the fun for just speed. We can sell tickets throughout the meeting and allow some pre-showing of the nifty items available prior to the meeting starting. I think this will speed the process considerably. It will also allow people to mingle, do their horse trading, talk, etc. - which is what we are really there for, right?

 

[dots]

I don't think a long term goal, intermediate goal, and imediate goals have been established and how they are cycled and completed. I believe that MARS of old was meant to be impromteau of sorts, small and easily recoverable from burnout and controversy. Turnover really needs to be adressed as well as recruitment and retention.

In reviewing the ablity the board to act and respond to needs seems limited and difficult to achieve results, hence status quo. I think once these goals are established, rules of governance ammended to reflect these, new powers and duties should and must me established to give each executive tenure, the tools and responsibitities to work towards and accomplish those goals. If not........to the tower!!!!

airinhere, though you have admitted naivity to your situation, stepping up and taking responsibility is much more valuable. As my interest in the future of the club becomes more and more important to me, the time may soon come for me to give it a go and "put my money where my mouth is". I do agree with you though and this is the reason I have not. I wanted to first and foremost be as knowledgable as I could, understand the club and the people in it, and have the time and dedication to do so. I believe yourself and everyone else currently have these skills and will do just fine. Starting this thread shows those leadership qualities.

In addition to the above found: at times I can be unfair, at times I can be sharp tongued, be opinionated and hold myself in terms less than honorable that may not be serving the clubs best interest.

Unfortunatly with your power for change, you have lost the luxury to be a jackass like myself, as you now are the greater good.

Its really funny you mention about "rules" and "agendas" until recently, well Paul getting elected really, I thought there was an unwritten rule not to participate here as to stay neutral and avoid situations for board members. But as we have seen, not all conflict is bad.

As a professional opinion giver, I have many. I think its time for me to let you guys run with this and do your jobs.

Get to work!!!!

 

[pbetito]

Re: So what comes next?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11430502#post11430502 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by airinhere
Over the last couple of days a strong case has been made for a new direction in our reefclub.

I honestly am not quite comfortable enough yet with the internal politics and mechanisms of the club to have even considered running for office or BOG, but I do think that some food for thought has been left for our new group of leaders.

One thing that struck me has been the underlying theme of growing pains as the club has grown to a healthy size. Talk about moving meetings somewhere larger, needing easier methods for making sure meetings run smoothly and a start at looking at ways to make the club more beneficial to members.

I didnt see this coming at all, again, I am a little too new to really know any better.

But it does seem to be the case from the last couple of weeks.

We all have to also remember that we are a bunch of fishnerds and not to take ourselves too seriously or else we get to bickering (us nerds usually didnt develop healthy forms of interpersonal communication and sometimes we forget that.)

But the general tone is one that is pretty upbeat.

We are about to start a new year and having all new officers, I was wondering what sorts of 100 day plans or promises to the people we might be able to look forward too?

Like it or not, it seems that the call for action has been sounded.

Are there any tenative plans for the next year?

What have you all been cooking up for us?

Can we (regular members) provide any useful input?

I plan on enjoying the Xmas party and announcing the details of the frag swap. I also plan on talking about the new proposals and recent discussions at the board meeting. Please note that we have been very active as of late with the club I.E. MARS garage sale, tank tours, frag swaps ect and the short time spent enjoying those activities takes a very good amount of time to plan. While the "call for action may have been sounded" we have really been doing a lot lately and have already been acting. I do think changes may be in order but there is no urgent rush. The club is like an sps tank, the more we are able to establish stability due to really thinking out where we should go the better off we are. I know you are new and eager and that is awesome but the board is actually making major pushes towards having more events and being more active. I for one still think we need to pursue another venue for the meetings but once again it is critical to exercise patience. If the club were to make a hasty decision that didn't work out well, there could be major problems as to where the meetings would be held while we researched a new location yet again. The growth of the club has been a steady climb and I think for the most part the board has been growing with it. There are lots of speakers lined up already for next year and we are having a frag swap Feb. 9th. If you really want to do something to help and feel as though a new venue for a meeting place is needed, I suggest you check out some locations and tell us what you find. The area should be somewhere near dowtown or Arden, Cal Expo ect. That way it can be reached by many freeways and is closer to everyone. I love the enthusiasm, just remember that it must be done wisely which often requires time.

 

[airinhere]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11430760#post11430760 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dots
I don't think a long term goal, intermediate goal, and imediate goals have been established and how they are cycled and completed. I believe that MARS of old was meant to be impromteau of sorts, small and easily recoverable from burnout and controversy. Turnover really needs to be adressed as well as recruitment and retention.

I think this is it in a nutshell.

It seems like the momentum has been created to start the club thinking about more grand schemes. Mike brought up an idea that I also liked where we have an open meeting where the members could voice the direction the club should take. Then the officers and BOG could start to outlining a plan to make those desires happen.

And it isnt easy. I was in a fraternity (TKE!!!!) and I saw firsthand how difficult it was for a group to get organized and plan for its future even with national support and guidance. Since we are on our own to figure these things out, the job becomes much harder.

Raffles are fun, quality speakers are great, and we do have great frag swaps. But there can be more to this club. And right now, it seems that the only other thing happening is this local extension of RC we call the MARS forum.

Just some ideas I am stealing from my fraternity.

Mentor programs. "Big brothers" A more experienced member is selected to partner with junior members and provide them with personal attention about their new tanks. Many new members would benefit by this. Not just in understanding what is happening to their tanks, but also in meeting other senior members on a personal level.

Hell Week "Learning the ropes" Before we pair new reefers with senior reefers, we spend a whole meeting going over the basivs with them in a fun and useful way. Ending with pairing up big brothers and little brothers.

Pledgebooks "Reef logs" How many of us really keep them? We should. I dont, but I have tried several times to get started. maybe have part of the big brother little brother pairing be that each keeps a log of their tanks to show in a more clear way how things are interacting in their tanks.

Paddles "Whooping sticks" We beat heck out of the new guys while drinking lots of beer. They dont learn anything, but its pretty funny.

Just some ideas.

 

[kdblove_99]

I agree the club really seems to be growing and growing with great hobbyist. I remember when i was thinking of signing up i was a a LFS and i had heard so much drama that was going on with MARS and people stepping down. that it probably took me 6+ more months before i took the plunge maybe longer.

But today this club seems to be filled with lots of caring and creative people. I'm very glad i signed up and can geek out at least once a month with fellow reef geeks. I know Pauley walnuts geeks out on a daily basis

I'm glad some legends will be at the meeting tomorrow and guys like Jimdogg who is a cool and super helpful guy, that might finally come to a meeting .I didn't even really know Jim and he offered and came over to my house on a Saturday and helped me build a canopy for my 180. Jim i wont mention we measured wrong and had to do it twice Well i measured wrong but Jim should have known i had no idea what to do with a tape measure. LOL.


Guys like Doug definetely need to get involved