Monthly Meeting Poll

[kkiel02]

We are guaging interest to see if members would be willing to meet more than 1 time a month. An example would be the regular meeting say at the end of January but then a little more casual event towards the beginning, like an open house of a member's tank. These are just examples but it gives you an idea of something we are considering.

[tebstan]

I like the idea of more than one meeting. It might allow for people with different schedules to have better odds of attending.

[ErikH]

I think more than once a month would be too stressful for the BoD since as it stands they are required to be at every meeting. I also believe the quality of content would drop with more than 1, unless they were 2 redundant meetings.

[allan]

I think the intent of the second meeting is an informal, thus not required, meeting/gathering.

A social event tailored to reefstuff.

I like the idea and it's not just for the snacks ;)

[jroescher]

For all the members who live outside of S.A., twice in a month won't happen very often.

[BSJF]

Maybe something like monthly meetings and then some hands on classes at someone's home (photography, DIY, etc), either monthly or quarterly depending on the demand. Could even pre-register for these so the number in attendance is appropriate for the class (for those with a high demand, hold the same class multiple times). For example a hands on photography class should be limited to 4-6 participants, but you could do a series of these at different homes, or even at a lfs.

[Europhyllia]

I like the idea of an optional informal meeting. Maybe even rename it so that people don't have 'meeting' expectations.
Could be something super simple like just meet at the first xyzday of every month at a Pizza place and talk about reef stuff

[txav8r]

I voted for once a month but I like the idea of having an alternate meeting every now and then. I just don't think that it NEEDS to be every month.

[Kristy]

Yeah, I think what we are kicking around here is having one official meeting per month, but then offering some occasional informal get-together opportunities in addition to that monthly meeting (not necessarily every month). Those informal bonus get-togethers could be educational in the format of a workshop, could be more social like a happy hour, or could be more of an Open House opportunity to see someone's tank. All are another excuse to talk reef. We are just kicking around lots of different ideas but wanted to see whether any of you guys would be interested in being invited to this sort of thing.

[RayAllen]

Since being a member ive probably attendend 5 meeting in the last several years. The 1st couple I attended were more of a social gathering at a reefers home with the BBQ going and were much more informal and fun. Everyone had a blast. I know not all meetings can be that way but every now and again would be nice. I understand with growth comes more serious matters but we can not loose the fun, afterall thats why we got into this HOBBY was to have a good time enjoying our aqua friends.

[jroescher]

Ray,
One of the things that have changed is our applying for Not For Profit status. In order for that to happen, we had to more closely follow our mission of being education oriented as opposed to being social. That includes the appearance of MAAST to someone looking in. The forums were also looked at by someone. We were even told change the December meetings to be called an end of year meeting as opposed to Christmas Party. Number of raffles we can have, and a number of other things had to change. Just trying to explain why some of the fun and games are a little less profile than they used to be.


I voted for 1 meeting a month, but I like the idea of additional get togethers that are socially oriented, despite the fact that I probably wouldn't show up for much because of the distance.

[chunkymonkey]

at the very least, every other month have a second rating on the second weekend. I think more social and less formal events need to occur. I feel it would be beneficial to kick back as friends over function more frequently.

[Europhyllia]

and just because we'd create an opportunity to meet up wouldn't mean everybody would always have to be there :)

[chunkymonkey]

Yeah, definitely should not be a mandatory event.

[cowboy572]

I agree it shouldn't have to be a mandatory event. I feel that meeting more than once will help with communication and camaraderie among members. But I feel like we should meet on occasion to cover aquarium and non-aquarium topics. If it can't be MAAST sponsored, I say put a post in the "Lounge" section of the forum.

[BSJF]

We could call it something like Reef Talk if it is a social gathering. I'd be educated by someone I'm sure! After all, I talked about parasites at the Christmas Party (I mean End of Year Meeting).

[allan]

Okay, just voted other.

Here's what I would do in "allan's perfect world". Generate another position (yes, yet another) that would be a second in charge to the events coordinator. Kind of like his executive officer. Their position would be to assist the EC in all planning events, and his/her other job would be to (perhaps not monthly) advertise and organize get togethers for the sole reason of socialization of like minded reefers. Perhaps once a month or perhaps once every two months.

I see them periodically putting out a request for a home, working behind the scenes to make sure everything is kopacetic. Then to advertise to the community to either make an open invitation or perhaps the first ten that RSVP... something like that.

Perhaps an article can be written in response to each for the newsletter under a social section. I'm sure that meat can be found for a beefier article should it be required, maybe an expert examination of the reefers system to list pros and cons...

Anyway, ball is in your court. I think it's a novel idea to have something outside the regular meeting that is primarily for the enjoyment of friends gathered about a tank eating dougnuts and drinking coffee.

[chunkymonkey]

Hmmmmmmmm.....donuts, lol

[Kristy]

Hmmmmmmmm.....donuts, lol

This from the cop = extra funny!

[allan]

Chunky, I knew I could lure you in with Cop Bait. :)

[chunkymonkey]

Hahaha...couldn't resist.

[ErikH]

http://www.visittex.com/images/945.jpg

You should put that sticker on your truck! That would be hilarious!!! :)

[ErikH]

Oh, and I think we should redo this poll since there has been more discussion in regards to the "Reef Talk" style meetings. I would change my vote.

[Scream311]

Lol yea make that two Erik

[Joseph]

Another cool thing that we might consider is that maybe once a quarter, get together for a used equipment / frag swap

Just a thought...

[cowboy572]

My question is to the people who voted "no" to meeting more than once, why? Why do you only want to meet once a month? Don't want to be rude and call ya'll lazy, but why? MAAST needs to look outside of the forum area if it wants to continue to grow. I am tired to going to meetings and getting the "cold shoulder" from members because I am not part of the "click". I feel that meeting more than once a month will help do away with this "click" and make up more like a club with members with like interests. Just my two cents!!

[ErikH]

Not really a clique, moreso that we're just introverts that know each other; so we stick by those we know without venturing off to meet new people.

New people scare introverts. :p

[jrnannery]

I think the intent of the second meeting is an informal, thus not required, meeting/gathering.

A social event tailored to reefstuff.

I like the idea and it's not just for the snacks ;)

^^THIS^^

[Europhyllia]

True to that. :)
I am guessing a lot of people voted no because they felt they couldn't even commit to one meeting a month all the time so why do two without realizing the concept of the 'social' meeting would be so different from the formal meeting.
And hey even if 5 people show up for the social it will be 5 people that have a good time talking reef so what if not every single member wants to go every month. :)

I am a real introvert as well but if it comes to talking reef I am happy to talk to anybody so if anybody feels left out, come talk to me! :D

[allan]

^^THIS^^

JR, I'm unsure as to what you mean here. Do you think it's a bad idea or that it appeals to the clique?

[BSJF]

It's hard to get to know people at the meetings. I got to know more people this past year at the frag fest, reef tour / BBQ, Port A, L*MAR, End of the Year "Mtg," and through swapping frags with folks at the house than at regular meetings. Even then I still don't know (or should I say remember) everyone who participated in those events. I missed a few regular meetings too. Sometimes it was because of the timing of it with work or sleep, or even because the topic didn't pertain to me. But it seemed that I was always looking for additional activities to hook up and get to know folks better. After all, you gotta be my Texas family!

[Kristy]

Ummm... Lorraine, I hate to break it to you but those five events you just listed were all meetings!

[Regric25]

Alright everyone is posting great ideas but the Nov meeting kind of gave me an idea that seems like a good one. (at least i think so...) Why don't we have a support our sponsors type meeting? Where we have a maast meetiing at a LFS after hours. Maybe someone can take a poll from the sponsors see who would be interested. The store owner would not have to give a presentation someone else would. Out of area sponsors might not get to participate but we can at least support local sponsors. This might even build relationships with our sponsors for future events. This will also potentially bring in money for the LFS. Im not suggesting every month but maybe every other month. Just a thought...

[BSJF]

Ummm... Lorraine, I hate to break it to you but those five events you just listed were all meetings!

Shhhh! Not supposed to tell everyone that. To me they aren't...they are annual events! Maybe we are thinking about meetings all the wrong way? Who wants to go to meetings - I wanna go to events! Haha!

Actually I take it all back - I liked all the stuff I went to last year and met folks at every event! I left stuff like the classroom at school, and cutting up frags at the Bass Shop off the list, but really shouldn't have. They were both great events! :D

[kkiel02]

Oh, and I think we should redo this poll since there has been more discussion in regards to the "Reef Talk" style meetings. I would change my vote.

I think that we would have enough participation to make this worth while. We(the meeting committee) will try and put something more casual together and see how it goes. A test run if you will. :)

Rick- The LFS meeting place is something we will be incorporating this year as much as possible.

[jroescher]

Kevin I think that they should just be put together on the fly. I have no doubt there'll be people show up. I just think planning them out for the year with with agendas and themes (workshops, SPS talks, sump discussions, etc...) seems a lot like making unofficial meetings official.

I also think it should be more something members take on themselves to do. The more MAAST is involved in the planning, paying, etc... the more official of a meeting it becomes.

I know I sound so negative about this, but I really do like the idea. I just live so far away that I can't host or sponsor much.

[Europhyllia]

I agree with John (as usual. He's just a very reasonable guy. lol)

Just meet up at a public place or somebody's home on a certain day and time and whoever will be there will be there. No special agenda. We already have that covered in the regular monthly meeting. :)