Clubs

[Gietz]

All of the above are great ideas. I have been a past silent \"watcher\" over many years during the MACL run. It was apparent that many people had good intentions, but when it came down to participating in local \"meetings\" everyone seemed to be non-commital and dropped like flies. The model failed in the past and will more than likely fail again. We must consider new ways of doing things. Times have changed, people are busier and technology is better than ever. What remains the same is our passion for our tanks!

I know that this website rocks and well as its members. I think we should assume that all fragtank members are in fact members of the \"SWO Fragtank Club.\"

Meetings are easy... It has already been suggested by Darryl to have a regular chat time set up in the chatroom. For example the first Sunday of the month @9pm could be the Fragtank meeting. Also, I think \"meetings\" sound too corporate... these should be called. \"Fragtank Chat\"

Torx should get on it and arrange for a sticky with a Fragtank membership card that can be printed off to take advantage of LFS discounts, etc. No dues, no membership fees. Just use the fragtank as it is intended, to unite reefers from SWO.


If we want to have a face-to-event, these can be set as fragswaps, or we can meet up at a LFS and see some new gear or get first dibs on a new shipment! We had a great time at Rick's last fall... members brought some cash, frags, and anything else they wanted to sell. I know it took some effort, but it was a good time. I think this is the way things should be run things.

Just my two cents 

Damn good two cents if you ask me

 

[TORX]

It is a damn good idea...however, it is not as easy as just printing off cards and say, BLAMMO, we are a club. If it was that easy, then it would have been done already. Their is too much to explain or type out on what it takes to be a club and get those benefits, but I will just touch on some. First, you need to become a not for profit organization; that costs a lot of money to start that up (ironically enough). You also need to have a hierarchy including President, Vice and Treasurer. It does take quite a bit of work and many volunteer hours. There are also legalities that need to be followed or the people running the show could end up fined or in jail. Meetings are also more complicated then just going to Timmies or doing them in Chat, there are guidelines that have to be followed to remain a not for profit organization as well. LSF do not just take the card and give a discount either, we have to be legit.

When I first started on the site, I thought it would be easy to start something like a 'club' up much like you though, however, it is flat out not that easy or cheap. The money and time needs to come from some where. Last time I looked, it costs almost $1000.00 just for the legal paperwork, plus bank issues, plus tax time, and then potential other legal issues.

 

[Bill@IA]

If youve heard of MACNA then youd know that if we ever want this venue to ever come back to Canada then we as reefers need to start supporting clubs/groups . If theres any members who think this is a good idea please speak up , dont forget to voice your opinoinss lets get some ideas and see what we can do .

All of the above are great ideas. I have been a past silent \"watcher\" over many years during the MACL run. It was apparent that many people had good intentions, but when it came down to participating in local \"meetings\" everyone seemed to be non-commital and dropped like flies. The model failed in the past and will more than likely fail again. We must consider new ways of doing things. Times have changed, people are busier and technology is better than ever. What remains the same is our passion for our tanks!

I know that this website rocks and well as its members. I think we should assume that all fragtank members are in fact members of the \"SWO Fragtank Club.\"

Meetings are easy... It has already been suggested by Darryl to have a regular chat time set up in the chatroom. For example the first Sunday of the month @9pm could be the Fragtank meeting. Also, I think \"meetings\" sound too corporate... these should be called. \"Fragtank Chat\"

Torx should get on it and arrange for a sticky with a Fragtank membership card that can be printed off to take advantage of LFS discounts, etc. No dues, no membership fees. Just use the fragtank as it is intended, to unite reefers from SWO.


If we want to have a face-to-event, these can be set as fragswaps, or we can meet up at a LFS and see some new gear or get first dibs on a new shipment! We had a great time at Rick's last fall... members brought some cash, frags, and anything else they wanted to sell. I know it took some effort, but it was a good time. I think this is the way things should be run things.

Just my two cents 

reeffreak,

You are right about the MACNA qualifications. So we would have a ton of work to do......but I love your enthusiasm.
It blows me away that Atlanta, population smaller than Toronto, has that tremendous club support..so much so... they held the last MACNA and it was a huge success.

I think what you are seeking now is the social event to get this ball rolling. You take the members you have, bring their enthusiasm and skill to a more public like setting thus exposing what the forum and its members can offer and opening the door wide open to interest new members.

This can tie into what I discussed once with Blob79 and phideltreefer that teebone110 just eluded to .......bring it to the LFS.

You can have those Blue pop up style tent canopies, BBQs, and tables set up with frags etc etc. in the parking lot on a nice sunny weekend. The customers can get a taste of the enthusiasm, knowledge and fun.

If you engage the crowd you grow your group/members, as these events or greet and meets get larger it could eventually lead to the support you seek for entertaining MACNA status.

 

[reeffreak]

Well heres my opinoin once again ... nothings ever going to happen when we have such a negative aspect about it ,like I mentioned earlier this could start off from a group off people getting together , no fees , no president , no " club" , swap frags , check out some tanks and bring that onto the forum .... I will gaurentee if 10 members meet up once a month no club and then bring our topics onto the forum , there will be members who want to participate . Chatting in the chatroom is lame as hell , there a reason that idea didnt fly in the first place , how many people do you exspect to sit in the chatroom and watch 10 people have a convo and enjoy it :? and want to come back next month for a "chat" .. Nobody said it was easy where did that come from ? What it really comes down to is this , if we are to blind to see what benifits could come out of this then thats it , I will stop any attempt on this club thing , so far weve had a few people from almost the same area say it wont work , just because the clubs you may have been a part of in the past died off doesnt mean anything for what we can accomplish here . Again with all the crappy response cept a few this will never fly . Teebone there is no SWO club so Im not sure what you mean , we cannot take away things from this forum that we could take away from meeting as a group . I think Bill pretty much laid it out but sounds like some are here just to make negetive comments likke " members dropped like flies , The model failed in the past and will more than likely fail again. " wow good support from our members ... hope that chat room doesnt get to congestied

 

[Gietz]

I would be down for meeting once a month only problem is I'm in Windsor!!!! . I love the idea of a club and that why I joined thus forum!!  All you great ppl out there and this amazing forum is my Club!!! And to every saltwater enthusiast I mention this forum to them

 

[Bill@IA]

I would be down for meeting once a month only problem is I'm in Windsor!!!! . I love the idea of a club and that why I joined thus forum!!  All you great ppl out there and this amazing forum is my Club!!! And to every saltwater enthusiast I mention this forum to them

Reeffreak,

Brent nailed what I think is the sentiment, of the majority, on the head.....this Forum IS their club.

So ....since this club isn't large enough to support a MACNA or even justify a Social Event, it has to grow.
And that growth will only be as good as it's Club Managers.

Past MACLs didn't have a lot of staying power due to short term effort by clergy and negative nellies. Hec, some of those negative nellies who came into my shop the day after I spent all night working on a shipment, too tired to roll out the red carpet for them or smile and buy them a coffee.......got bent out of shape and went to bash this LFS. For that reason 99% of my customers will not participate on those forums and probably forums in general. Those negative nellies will get no support from us or a warm fuzzy feeling around here.....wonder why??

Reeffreak, if you are determine to grow the group on a whole, I think your enthusiasm is contagious enough to warrant a social event ...and you can talk to me about trying to stage one.

There are many things I can supply so it won't cost you a dime. And I can invite a very VERY large group of potential members that you can entertain, inform and stimulate. 

 

[teebone110]

Unfortunaelty , it appears some of my ideas were perceived as "negative," as this is just not the case. That is the challlenge with forums and electronic text.

Keep up the momentum, as good things should come out of this with drive and determination.

Cheers ;D

 

[reeffreak]

That is the challlenge with forums and electronic text.

Exactly  more of reason to come together face to face

 

[teebone110]

I agree, let's get this going!

8)

 

[reeffreak]

Bill ,

  I will be in touch with you and we can chat a little further see what we come up with , again you never fail to suprise me .

 

[Bill@IA]

Bill ,

  I will be in touch with you and we can chat a little further see what we come up with , again you never fail to suprise me .

  Anytime sir. I am not surprised. This will be a lot of fun and you are just the man to get this off the ground.
I can also BBQ a mean hotdog!! Or scoop the Cotton Candy Ice Cream.

 

[TORX]

It appears some of my ideas were perceived as "negative" as well. This is not the case.

I do have one question now... are you looking at starting a Club or just meeting up somewhere as a group?

Reeffreak, your enthusiasm is contagious and will help in organizing a social event. I am sure that a Social Event can be put together and it doesnt get my more central for most then London. It sounds like Bill@IA, yourself and a few other members are interested it getting something together. This is great and would be great to get out and meet everyone again. I would suggest putting together a write up on it in another thread and see what intrest there is out there.

 

[pulpfiction1]

I do think a club would be an interesting way to further this forum,on the other hand,being that we are not in a major city the inconvenience of travel and expenses would be the demise of it sooner than later,we have a great group of people here and a meeting or club would be fantastic,there would be so many hurtles and commitments involved,i like the idea of meeting somewhere maybe 2 or 3 times a year,with a BBQ or host meal,maybe a frag or fish trade setup.
Like last year at ricks,maybe we could have all interested parties contribute to a small kitty to cover the costs and see where it grows.invite a special guest,even hold a contest .......

just a thought...........

 

[Bill@IA]

Maybe an in-between step or two is what is called for here.

Rather than go through the semantics and be hard pressed to find things for a "Club" to do, why not start by creating a constructive and fun atmosphere where all involved have something in common...reef keeping.

Forget the pressure of structure.... just go with the peace and enjoyment of a social event that builds on fun and value. Usually if done right participant interest will grow, screaming for order, something to belong to and lead to a "Club".

Going with a few small steps first, reeffreak can build interest, gauge it or whatever, with much less risk and involvement.

 

[teebone110]

Forget the pressure of structure.... just go with the peace and enjoyment of a social event that builds on fun and value. Usually if done right participant interest will grow, screaming for order, something to belong to and lead to a \"Club\"

+1

Keep things simple, and it will all come together

 

[Reef Hero]

Great ideas everyone. I love the idea of doing a reef BBQ! LoL
I would come out for sure.....don't really know many local reefers but I would like to change that and this would be an excellent step.

 

[TORX]

Forget the pressure of structure.... just go with the peace and enjoyment of a social event that builds on fun and value. Usually if done right participant interest will grow, screaming for order, something to belong to and lead to a \"Club\"

There we go Bill. That is where I was going with it. I am sure we would all love a social event, meet up, maybe swap some frags etc. Has to start somewhere.

 

[Gietz]

[quote author=Bill@IA link=topic=2639.msg21255#msg21255 date=1338845910]
Forget the pressure of structure.... just go with the peace and enjoyment of a social event that builds on fun and value. Usually if done right participant interest will grow, screaming for order, something to belong to and lead to a \"Club\"

There we go Bill. That is where I was going with it. I am sure we would all love a social event, meet up, maybe swap some frags etc. Has to start somewhere.
[/quote]


+1. I'll be there if its not a ridiculous drive

 

[shipwreck]

I have been a member of the MACL club rev 1 and rev 2, and was also a member of the Sarnia club (yeah I have been around for a long time).  As Mark mentioned the big problems have been commitment to show up to events.  Another issue is the turnover in the hobby, with many people getting in then out a year or two later, so there is a limited number of long term people to drive the group forward.

I was one of the 3 people that attended the last MACL meeting at Mark's house.  If good food, great company and a 720g tank didn't bring people out then I don't know what will.  In the past for meetings we did have trouble getting people to open their homes to meetings as you didn't know if 5 people or 30 people would show up, even though 50 people would say they would be there.

In the past with a formal club, that was an independent group with no ties to any one store, most of the stores in the area offered discounts or donations to the club which was great.  Having a membership fee also allowed stuff like fraging demos.  We did one in the sarnia club where the club purchased a couple larger corals (a softie, and sps) so we could get a fraging demo, with everyone then taking home the frags.  In Macl they were able to arrange stuff such as a how to use your DSLR to take tank pics course and a few other events.

I would be interested in attending and assisting with any group that wants to be setup, just let me know.

 

[jmonker]

Great idea guys, love to swap frags, meet reefers, and have bbq.