[MyReef]

I have been up in the air about what to do in regards to the school tank....I am all for donating time, resources (books, people), equipment (salt, etc)....but I have a problem with cash.

I had a school contact me today from St Louis MO about a tank they have set up....they are buying a CA reactor for their school tank ...They didn't ask for a donation, discount or anything. I offered and gave them a 10% discount....so it got me to thinking about Newnan....

If they really want cash, I say we pass the hat, but I personally would be put off by that if I were a member....but that's just me. IF they want to take us up on the offer to help move the tank or set the new tank up or anything...then we ask for volunteers....and do all we can and give 110% effort. IF they need equipment, we should be able to get what they need....at least at cost.....I am sure I could finagle a donation from Seachem, if I tried hard enough.

So this is what I am asking....what do you the BOD and non BOD members want to do for this? I think we need to have a decisions fairly soon...so we can present it at the next meeting....let me know your thoughts, concerns and anything else that will help us make an educated decision. Thanks for your time.

 

[robsweet]

I vote for helping them with manpower, experience, and equipment. Any cash we'd give them is better spent if we get a deal for what they need anyway.

My two bits.

 

[wildemon]

I cannot believe this happened again.

I had read enough posts on this issue of the Newnan School saying a membership only forum poll was appropriate, I felt there was no need to wait on another BOD member to create it. But Rick has censored my post over the Memorial Day weekend. I did not fight to leave Reef Central just to experience the same moderator arrogance again. I consider my judgement in asking club members their opinion proper & correct. As secretary it is my office to keep members aware and involved in the activities of the club. The results of a membership poll would have clearly shown how the club feels about this precident setting issue. Kimberly Kuehne thought we should have the members vote on the donation [15 may], Bob Lemke agreed that the membership should vote [21 May], Rob Sweet felt we should vote at the June meeting [21 May], Charles Kuene called for a members only forum vote [21 May], Jenn had no objection to a poll to see how the club felt [21 May], Curtis felt a membership vote would generate interest in BOD and finances [21 May], Rob Sweet was in favor of a poll if the BOD did not have a clear opinion [23 May] [25 May]. Obviously I felt the decision was with the club's membership [15 May].

Rick was the only voice saying the BOD has ultimate power and no need to consider the membership in the decision. He immediately proceeded to quarrel with Jenn over his opinion about being elected to make all the decisions. "This should be a BOD decision. The general membership is not involved in how we spend the clubs money as well as they are not responsible for making sure there is enough money to take us through the end of the year. That's the Atlanta Reef Club's money. ARC is their club and they put their faith in the BOD by way of a vote to manage and run the club."

It is an attitude far too prevelant in my profession, I will not accept it in my personal life. I have mentioned before that I feel discussing these items in the ARC or members only forum is appropriate and the opinion of our members is important. I wish the club the best.

Specifically relating to Newnan school, the teacher mentioned that a new light fixture / ballast setup is one of the items to be purchased. This could easily tie into the June meeting at AquaticCo lighting factory.

 

[Rick O]

Re: I cannot believe this happened again.

But Rick has censored my post over the Memorial Day weekend.

I didn't censor anything. I just moved the thread to a private forum until we could reach a consensus on weather or not to poll the general membership. You posted that on your own as if it was coming from the BOD. The club president can move it back if he wishes.

I did not fight to leave Reef Central just to experience the same moderator arrogance again.

Fine. I'm out of ARC and Andy can mod the ARC forum by himself. I'll only step in in a TRT capacity if need be.

This is supposed to be a hobby club yet all we ever do is bicker. This isn't fun. Andy and Charles have done a great job in making this club something hobbiests want to take part in, yet there are some that just want to make rules and bore the crap out of people. This isn't why I joined ARC or volunteered to be treasurer.

 

[MyReef]

Let's simmer down people.....I think we need to step back and decide what the hell we are doing here. Are we trying to run the club for the members or for our own gratification? I don't want this topic to divide us.....If we can't decide what to do as a group over an issue like this, then GOD help us if something really came up.

I am tired of reading the bickering and what not that has been going on lately. This is ridiculous....almost every thread has a jab or two about something that ticks someone off. Whether it is the website or the School project or meeting locations or whatever. I don't give a rats *** about who gets ticked off. We were elected to do a job....PERIOD.

I want everyone to think about what they want to do....I do not want to read anymore threads saying I am ticked because of so and so....

IF you have a beef with someone or something, send them a PM before you write in a thread....you may be misreading the intent of the content.

This thread was to be constructive....but it is not even close to that.

If we can't decide what to do, then I say forget the entire project....is that what everyone wants?

 

[wasabi]

since this seem's to be such a touchy subject. the members vote would take it out of the bods hands and make this a club decision. personally i say give them a hundred bucks and be done with it. i dont care, really this is way to much time on a simple matter. i'll give 50 if the club gives 50 semi- anonymously

 

[wasabi]

what ever donation we make as a club it should be free of any strings. give them what they want and be done with it. i dont think anyone of us wants to drive to newnan and get involved with there tank setup. and thats assuming they would want us to get involved. if we make a charitable contribution or cash gift we dont give it with any stipulations other than for it to help the recipient. jmo. were making this whole thing to complicated, either give them the money, or dont. take a vote

next.

 

[Lifestudent]

In sum, I think it would be premature for the us to make a club donation now.

****
I recommend that we not donate any the club's funds on this at this point. We need to ensure that we have the expenses of the club covered first.

Until we have a budget of what this yr's expenses [(e.g. Calfo's expenses (~500), 2002's reimbursements (~200), D&O insurance, domain name, webspace, demo supplies, desired fund balance to begin 2004, etc.] will be, I do not believe that we should donate any of our club's money to this cause; albeit a good cause.

I want to support a project like this, but my first priority is to ensure that we have taken care of (provided for) the club's interest first.

Once we have a projection of this yr's expenses, I'd be willing to reconsider making a cash donation to the Newnan reef.

Meanwhile, I do believe that we should let the membership be aware of this educational project (as well any other) and let them decide for themselves as to whether they would like to make a donation.

I recommend that we bring this to the attention of the membership either as a post on the ARC membership forum or at the next meeting.

Humbly submitted,

Bob

 

[JennM]

I'm in favour of a poll of the membership. IF (big IF) a cash donation is one of the options in the poll, the BOD should decide what the club can afford. This is the same opinion I've held throughout this discussion.

I get the distinct impression that there is often misunderstanding between "discussing" a situation, and "arguing" one. A discussion constructively looks at all sides of a situation and is a discourse of everyone's ideas, feelings, and input -- an argument is just being contrary for the sake of being contrary. I get the feeling that sometimes I am misheard. I also get the feeling that often, others are misheard. Seems that it becomes more of a personality thing, than an issue thing. We can't all pick up our toys and go home every time somebody has a different idea, or somebody's opinion differs with our own. We really should be able to discuss things without being offended.

As the club grows and diversifies, issues are going to come up - the way we, as a club, manage and deal with things now will shape the way that we deal with them in the future. If we can't get past ourselves to figure out this -- we're going to have a hell of a time on bigger issues. Unfortunately, it usually happens in these clubs, that the same folks play musical chairs in the BOD from one year to another, some new ones come, some old ones go, but the same core folks seem to keep coming back for more. We all need to stop taking it personally (I'm doing my best - and sleeping better at night ) and just do what we need to do.

I was going to suggest we support the MSI Net fund, but I just donated my own $50 and left it at that. :funny:

Jenn

 

[robsweet]

I can definitely see the wisdom in Bob's post. Why don't we find out what they need equipment-wise and see if we can get any of our sponsors to donate one or more of those items? It's not cash coming out of the club and still lets us help them out.

 

[MyReef]

Until we have a budget in place and we know what our expenditures are or will be....I honestly don't feel comfortable giving a cash donation. If we want to talk about this at the next meeting we can to the general membership and pass the hat, I have no problem with that.

If we go this route of passing the hat, I would like someone to volunteer to speak on behalf of the school that is more familiar with the nuances of the deal than I am.....I would think William or Bob should talk, but won't put anyone on the spot.

Thoughts or concerns?

 

[Lifestudent]

First, I've spoken to William and he's agreed to talk about the Newnan School project during the upcoming general club meeting.

Second, I will miss both the June and July meetings due to vacations. (I know ... I know)

Thanks,

Bob