New members needed!

I agree. I think on the forums is easy to forget this is a club. The big difference is the chance to really build relationships and meet real people. The club puts together really great programs and events.

There are some folks with hundred of posts, who have been helped out a ton, and have bought and sold gear without paying the measly $20.

I just think it's a little like coming to a party with no beer and drinking everyone else's. Bad form, to say the least.

 

Agreed. Is it possible to make it mandatory?

 

Well I understand the helping part but should they be able to use it to sell stuff?

 

isnt that why theres a paid members section and a public section?

 

I dont know how much it costs to maintain this site but I do know that nothing is for free. I am quite sure that if there werent some members who volunteer countless hours to operate and maintain this site and we had to pay for them services this site probably wouldnt exist.I like the fact that it is a local organization and I find that if I need some help either by knowledge or hands on that usually I can find a helping hand. twenty dollars is a small price to pay for what I feel is a great place to visit.I do feel it is a great idea to allow people to visit for free because if that were not the case I probably wouldnt be a proud paying member for over Three years now. Twenty dollars .....Think about it.... A GREAT VALUE...I think so...

 

We've done some great community building in the last year, and we've really got some steam going ahead for 2013. I want to give my thanks to all the trustees and board members who, like me, have donated countless hours to the club. Many of us on the board do a lot of behind the scenes work (BOD forum is available to board members only). We spend so much time coordinating and deliberating we don't spend a whole lot of time on the public forums. But we're always here if members need us.


So what do you get for your $20 a year? I guess it's open to interpretation, and there are many who can chime in here and make note of what they've gained from this community. If you ask me, I get friendship, I need not look any further for like minded individuals. I get 2 GREAT shows every year to sell and buy corals at and meet the authors, researchers, and journalists whom I idolize for their work. I get killer deals at LFS because many of their employees are club members, and a number of stores give a 10% discount just for being a member of GIRS. I get a targeted audience to sell (all the extra aquarium crap in my garage I need to go through) and all the extra corals I produce from just keeping my colonies trimmed. I have a quick outlet for misbehaving fish I can pawn off on friends (hehehe David). I get access to a community that is a depository for old tanks and other supplies. Of course, I gain the insights of efforts with aquariums from a group of guys who have collectively been through it all. Its not always easy sailing for us all, but you can bet a seasoned club member can answer some really crazy questions, or point you to someone who has experience with the same problem. Worth $20? I've spent 5x that on coral this week!


And for all you out there just getting into the hobby. You can spend your weekends at Petco, or where ever, taking advice from a guy that doesn't even have a tank at home, or who has 2 years experience keeping guppies (no offense to any guppy lovers lol), or you can join a community which collectively has thousands of hours of experience, at all levels of engagement.


Look, if you haven't paid your dues yet because you haven't found sufficient reason, each non-member is allowed to attend one regional event (held monthly) for free. Visit your regional forum section, find out when the next meet is. Go. Meet people, make friends, discuss, learn, and you'll recognize that everyone in this group is just like you are. We're nerds, biologists, techies, compulsive...impulsive /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif


See you soon,

Andy

 

Not to single you out Travis G., but since your the only one who has responded this far that isn't a member from what I can tell. Have you been a member, if not, what are your reasons? This is all just for education so please don't take any offense to my asking.

 

I would imagine the $20.00 membership fee would pay for itself just in the member only buy and sell forum. Im sure there are deals in there that they dont offer on the public forum. Im setting up a paypal account just to pay my dues

 

Hey Andy that's not right I have a 125 full of guppies! It's my sons though. BTW well put.

 

That's awesome to hear Kim! And you are correct, most of the time I end up selling corals, I'll cut members deals that I may not be as willing to do with non-members. It's a small but nice perk for being a member! /DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default//emoticons/smile.gif

 

Well I am a member for 3 reasons - 1 I know what hosting costs and this site takes a beefy server to run it. I bet it probably takes a couple grand a year to keep the server online. Reason 2 - Discounts! There are a lot of vendors that don't just sponsor GIRS with a donation or advertising dues but they also throw in discount codes and crazy sales for us from time to time. I want to say such vendors would be more inclined to keep doing this and do it more often if there was a large paying member base. #3 members are typically given well I hate to use the words "better treatment" but they are in some cases. Member to member sales tend to go better in both persons eyes and well heck in some cases a member crying for help gets a faster response. I hate reason #3 but it is the case. I will help anyone that needs it, but if we're moving a giant tank please please please make sure it'll fit in your car and you have a game plan on how we're moving it. Such a pain just winging it.

 

And that is just for the website. That does not include the other things we purchased for the club like the sound system and projector.


The board does its very best to spend club funds in ways that will benefit its entirety. It is not cheap but it is very gratifying knowing we have a club and members worth taking the time and money investing in.