Maast non-profit organization

[utmachete]

There are so many member in MAAST now that it seems like setting up a non-profit organization under the MAAST name would be a good idea. It just seems to me that what most people want out of this group requires a lot of structure. There are a lot of Non-profits that started out similiar to the way Maast started out.

I think that if everyone pitch in or there was some type of fund raiser set up then you could get enough money to buy a clubhouse type place. Then I'm sure you would have no problem finding a leader to run the organization. You could set-up research in the clubhouse through donations from wholesalers.

Just as an example when I moved from Austin I had a lot of extra tanks and equipment, which I was not willing to sell piece by piece (too much time required) and ended up giving it away. Well I'm sure that the person that I gave it to either turned around and sold it or put it in his closet as junk. If there was a organization like Maast (with a centralized location and structure) that I know I could give the stuff to and it would be put to good use, I would have given the stuff to Maast for sure.

I know everyone hates dues but if you set this club up you could pay them in different ways. Every day I look on the board and there are people doing bulk orders. You could post the orders and pricing on the board and an upfront markup for the items to cover bills on the clubhouse. Just be open about it. If I ordered from the club and I knew that the $20 fish that I was buying cost the club only $16 then I would understand that at least that $4 will pay for a 1/20 of the electric bill. There would be a place were people could check out books that have been donated. Some kid wants a used aquarium for his first tank then he could buy one from the club our earn it by doing some work around the clubhouse.

There are many things that could be made possible with a clubhouse, but this is just an idea. I live in Tyler Tx now so I'm not even in South Texas, the clubhouse would hardly benefit me. I'm sure I'm not the first to think about this.

How many member do we have anyways.

There are so many things that a clubhouse and a more structured environment could provide. I think that this should be something to consider but as a serious matter. Do we have any lawyers in the group that could set this up. I would be willing to donate upwards to a $100 I wonder how much others, especially the ones that would get more use out of it, would be willing to donate.

[Isis]

This would require several members to step up, help take control and push this club in the direction it needs to go. Saying you will help is not a productive as actually doing it.

[matt]

Bill;

As Josh said, we're on it! Nice to see that an interested person arrived at the idea independently, though. We've drafted by laws and are working on an election for officers.

Matt

[prof]

Clubhouse? How about an Austin Aquarium? I could be run by the group as a non-profit org with meeting rooms and lab space. Our own little Aquariena Springs.

[utmachete]

I think it could work if it was set-up sort of like a retail store but for educational reasons and research. Isis you sound kinda pessimistic, obviously I couldn't start it up but I could help financially through my business. I live 4 hrs away from Austin I probably wouldn't even be able to visit but twice a year but I think it would be something that everyone would benefit from. There are probably 10 or 20 people that frequent this site that would be willing to donate there time to run it.