MAAST bank account

[hobogato]

Ok, so as it has been pointed out, the maast bank account took a pretty big hit with the expenditures on LMAR.

We would like to build it back up, so we can continue to put on events like LMAR and move forward with other programs like maast scholarships and helping students with science fair projects and the like.

We will be holding some membership drives and working hard on increasing our number of sponsors, but we are open to suggestions...

please keep in mind that we are bound by the rules governing non profit organizations as we have finally been approved and recognized as a non profit organization, so some good suggestions may not be feasible.

please keep this thread on topic as it is for suggestions only

[allan]

How about membership forms at the lfs? I know it's primarily online submissions, but....

Active drives at the lfs would work as well. Some members sitting outside of the lfs talking to Maast interests.

I think that were we to stay our present course membership will climb. The honest up front approach such as bod not profiting from raffles would go a long way in the right direction. Not to mention the above the table approach under the current administration.

I still believe that there are a good amount of folks out there that have not heard of Maast.

[justahobby]

I agree w/ Allan. It was nice seeing L*MAR flyers in the LFS's. Maybe even ask them to drop a MAAST flyer in the bag with any purchase.... we do have the "extended family" now. And as far as I know, that is THE only local online forum for FW or reptiles.

[ErikH]

The only thing I did not like about the flyers is that they looked too much like advertisement. Maybe if they said in big bold letters "ARE YOU INTO SALTWATER FISH?" It would have grabbed more of the newbies attention. I noticed it right away because of the LMAR logo, but if it wasn't familiar, I don't know if I would have made the connection we have to remember the GP does not know what it is.

Justin, hillcountrychiclids (spelling is wrong I know) is a local FW site.

I think further expansion into the area of FW would be good and help drive more people to the site, and that is positive on all fronts.

[Mr Cob]

^that's why it said over $1500 in raffle items in Big Red....just for that same reason you mentioned above. I see what you are saying though...but still wanted you to know that we considered that same thought and that's why we put it on there. No one cares until there are free things offered.

I like Allan's idea of having literature in the sponsor shops if they wouldn't mind to boost membership.

[Europhyllia]

If somebody wants to sell me a special edition MAAST t-shirt with Rob's beautiful artwork on it I'd probably buy it (not super crazy about the old t-shirt design ;) )

[hobogato]

actually karin, we are officially out of the shirts with the old design, so new shirts/new design are on the agenda asap.

[FireWater]

As far as literature in the LFS. I am working on that as part of the marketing committee. Now that a major part of my time is no longer consumed with school and site related activities I can concentrate on other things. That is priority #1 on my list.

[DarkHorseMBA]

So I'm a web member and at first I did not consider joining, I did not see the value in charter vs web member. It's not until AFTER I joined the group and have received so much help, that I feel the group is something I's like to support. To the question is how does MASST relate that value proposition to non members. I have a couple Idea, I'm sure more will hit me later.

1. Workshops
These could be held at/with local vendors/sponsors. Nothing fancy, just a hour or so on topic or product. Some of the great knowledgeable members here could donate their time and run the workshop. Sponsors would get a traffic boost at their location. After the workshop the instructor could talk up the benefits of membership and maybe even some of the member only workshop that may be coming up. This would help prospective members, see value in membership and sponsors could pay to have th event at their location.

Some examples of workshops.
Fragging
Selecting live stock, what fish are compatible?
Dosing: When How, why?
Q/A sessions (ask the experts)
ATO systems


2. Vendor discount list
Have list of vendors offering discounts to MAAST members. The list should have % off or what ever sponsors are willing to do. Again this would build traffic for sponsors. For example I might go in to get salt mix for 10% off and buy other things. Again building value into my $25.

Just some Ideas.

[Mr Cob]

Let me know if/how I can help with the t-shirt designs and my artwork...