Spring frag swap! 05/18/13 @ the odeum

If you want better vendors than you need something better than the btw where you are shoulder to shoulder. Lack of parking at the vfw also.
 
I think the cost of the new venue is costing more is this the reson why they are charging $5 for CMAS memberships?
 
They are generally organized on the other site. The last one in November was a BBQ/mini swap and was a lot of fun.
 
I don't think it's that bad of an issue, members where complaining about the venue last year it was way to small, now they found us a bigger venue for a $5 entry fee... either way we got to pay nothing is free in life...
 
my rant from the other place:

it seems like cmas board will do what they want and you cant do squat about it. You have to go to a meeting to change things. when was the last meeting? I wont renew my membership this year either. Its always something. no more monthly meeting at Devry and what happened to the presentations at the beginning of swap. the swaps were our meetings followed by a cool presentation or two and then the swap. All the benefits of being a member are dissolving away.
 
Def won't be renewing my membership. Probably not even going to attend this even though its so close. Again its not the $5. Its the principle. They used getting into the swaps for free as the selling point of being a member. There are in my eyes no other benefit to give my money to some random association. Especially since they never show where all the money goes. But that's a whole different argument.

To me its them pulling a fast one on us. I guarantee they loose more money by charging the $5 then they would have gained not charging it.
 
my rant from the other place:

it seems like cmas board will do what they want and you cant do squat about it. You have to go to a meeting to change things. when was the last meeting? I wont renew my membership this year either. Its always something. no more monthly meeting at Devry and what happened to the presentations at the beginning of swap. the swaps were our meetings followed by a cool presentation or two and then the swap. All the benefits of being a member are dissolving away.

Last meeting was February 23rd (it was a business meeting) and next meeting April 20th. It is all on cmas' is website and they have a forum there that all member can speak their mind and give input. The forum was created so there can be 100% transparency for club members. If you are not a club member you cannot see the forum for club business. It was sent out to all club members in an email. I believe they decided that all club matters should be discussed and addressed on their forum. These forums are for letting people know when the next events are. I think they even have the board meeting information on their forum where you can call in and voice your concerns.
 
Ok...Skunkmere...that is totally out of line, but you are entitled to your opinion. ;)

This is the first time I have seen this thread since my last post in it.
I apologize that I do not have the time to check all the forums daily, but I am a bit busy this week with some of the other organizations I am involved in.

+Newly elected President of CMAS

+Vice-post commander for The American Legion
Organizing huge ideas with Homeless veterans,,education/job placement​

+Delegate for Local 126 IAM Machinists to AFL-CIO

+ Active Member VFW

+Active Member Chicago FM Club-Ham Radio Club

+Active Member Wright Camera Club

+Founder of "Team We Are One" an Networking, sharing, helping each other and education platform.

+Member/Owner/money maker for Online Marketing Home Business with an event coming up in April.

+Maintaining over 400 gallons of saltwater systems in my home.

Now, I'm not saying all of this and an Ego issue, just as an explanation for my lacking ability for checking these forums daily. ;)

The fact is that We as a CLUB have reached out to our membership for help at the committee level with making these sorts of decisions. I have posted online meeting inviting everyone to attend to be a part of the decision making process of this club....so We do whatever we want anyway is pure BS.

If we are going to break down the cost of the entry fees based solely on the cost of the CMAS membership, and argue over $5 difference from years past, it's obvious that supporting the club is not in the forefront of that thought process. I would say it would be hard to justify that CMAS has the "Greed" oriented Thinking. ;)

The thought process of lowering the general admission cost was to encouraging the admittance for the 2500-3000 additional people that will be at the venue for other events happening. We thought that Sharing our hobby with them people, promoting how cool it is to people outside our hobby was part of our clubs core mission statement...o wait...It is!

Giving $5 in raffle tickets to our members made their admission free, in our opinion, unless those members were only their for cheep frags and we not even planning on buying $5 in raffle tickets to support our club. Either way not sure where the "Greed" falls on that one. ;)

We are in the process of planning the way the raffle is run to make it more inviting to people and would love and idea or suggestions you have on that topic, before we announce that in a few weeks and have some upset people that never made the effort to step up, get involved, and help be a part of these decisions. So the gauntlet had been thrown down, so to speak, it that area. Help us to make the decisions, do just complain about the decisions after the fact. I'm asking you all, PLEASE, be a part of the solution, not the problem.

We can put a disclaimer out that all prices are subject to change without notice, if you like. Remember folks...the past organizers of CMAS events are choosing to not be involved in the club in any way...for whatever reasons. We are starting from scratch trying to make this YOUR CLUB, but we need your voice in order to do that. Do decisions are ever final, but as Club President I have to stand behind the decision the committees make, because they are made up of you folks, or should be. ;) I could exercise presidential power over decisions like this, but I feel that is not how to build a team and active core our our members, and that my friend would be "business as usual". :D

Now that I am aware there is active discussion here on this thread, I will try to keep up and answer any concerns you have as best I can, but I do encourage you to get to the CMAS forum and take part of the discussion there.
Be a Part of the Solution! Not just a part of the problem!

See ya at the NEXT EPIC CMAS EVENT!
Carl Kmiec
CMAS President
 
This is an open forum and I don't see the problem with this being discussed on here. More people view this forum than the other one.

Instead of the $5 in raffle tickets that most don't care about, why not just let the members in for free. Problem solved...
 
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The committee with consider your request....then vote on it...I make the promise to you to let your voice be heard. I will bring your request to the committee.
 
The committee with consider your request....then vote on it...I make the promise to you to let your voice be heard. I will bring your request to the committee.

Yes, thank you. If one of the other board members posting on CR would have just said this in the first place, there wouldn't be such a fuss.
 
Sorry Carl. I'll back off. I'm was just kinda mad at the moment. It wasn't directed at you. I know you work hard at this.

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If CMAS wants more members, it will need to be more transparent, and not just to members. If they want more membership, then outsiders need to feel welcome, as opposed to shut out of the process. if their financials aren't posted publicly (which, by the way, is required by law...) then I'll never join.
 
No Worries Sunkmere....I don't take any of this personal. I just do the best I can and do what I feel is right...I'm responsible for the effort, not the results! ;)

@Ypgpshio
I agree the past practice has been that way, some by and meet the new team. Tom, our accountant is a CPA! If we can't get a detailed treasures report out of him, to show total transparency in our club, We have much bigger problems...There has only been about 4 transactions in the last two months, but I assure your, you will see detailed club financials quarterly at a minimum! And defiantly following big events. ;)
 
Not to throw stuff off but maybe we can offer some space to freshwater and reptile vendors.

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