Chat transcripts

[20:05 30/01/2004] <@craig> Good evening everyone, welcome to our regular Friday night Fish Chat.
[20:05 30/01/2004] <@craig> Russ has volunteered to give a presentation on aquarium societies and why you should become a member of your local chapter.
[20:06 30/01/2004] <@craig> During the presentation please hold your questions until Russ is finished.
[20:06 30/01/2004] <@craig> At that time, if you want to ask a question, please type: /query craig I have a question
[20:06 30/01/2004] <@craig> You will be given voice in the order I receive the requests.
[20:07 30/01/2004] <@craig> After the Q&A period is over I will open the floor for general discussion.
[20:07 30/01/2004] <@craig> So, without further adieu...
[20:07 30/01/2004] <@craig> Russ, welcome aboard and thank you. Please begin when you are ready.
[20:07 30/01/2004] <+russ> Does this mean I get to break a leg now?
[20:07 30/01/2004] <@craig> Start shaking it. ;-)
[20:10 30/01/2004] <+russ> My personal interest in becomming active in a aquarium society was two-fold. First, becoming a member in national and international clubs allowed me access to the shared knowledge of fishkeepers from all over the globe. The educational opportunities presented, allowed me to increase my success in keeping fish. Secondly, becomming active in a local club/society allowed me to help new folks to the hobby increase their success
[20:12 30/01/2004] <+russ> With the emergence of the world wide web, communication between established clubs and members within the club allowed for easy and accelerated ideas, information, and programs to be shared. There are aquarium societies/clubs that cater to most fishes and aquatic classifications.
[20:14 30/01/2004] <+russ> Even the most prominent of national and international societies would be too numerous to detail here tonight, so I will provide a couple direct links at the end of this presentation that will help you in obtaining information on these clubs and local clubs that provide a contact.
[20:15 30/01/2004] <+russ> So, why join a club?.....Because this hobby is fun! It's even more fun when you can get together with fellow hobbyists in a social atmosphere to learn, share ideas and experiences, and make friends. Your committment to a local organization is only limited by your desire to learn and share.
[20:21 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> hey russ - any sites of preference?
[20:21 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> no adverts please :-D
[20:21 30/01/2004] <+russ> Yes, the one I just named:-)
[20:22 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> ok - got me - can i have a stupid link?
[20:23 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> can't see it above
[20:23 30/01/2004] <+russ> What to if you are a social person, love this hobby, wish to share your interests and experiences, and have the desire and means to make a committment?.......Why, you put an extra cherry on top of your sundae or buy a new car!......No! You start your own club in your area of coarse! Unless you live on a mountain or your own island, chances are there will be more folks in your local area just like you!
[20:24 30/01/2004] <+russ> In the realm of aquarium organizations there is no such thing as a one-person club. Don't plan or expect to do all the work in forming a club by yourself. Recruit an interested person or two, or three, in the initial planning. There is an organization that specializes in aiding you and your cohorts in this endeavor. The Federation of American Aquarium Societies (FAAS). Here is their website:
[20:25 30/01/2004] <+russ> www.gcca.net/faas
[20:26 30/01/2004] <+russ> Hmm, I highlighted that with the rest. Don't know why it didn't appear.
[20:27 30/01/2004] <+russ> Here is another website that lists various clubs and organizations (thanks Craig): http://fins.actwin.com/dir/clubs.php
[20:28 30/01/2004] <+russ> An additional source would be your LFS or petshop. Also Freshwater and Marine Aquarium magazine, TFH magazine, and Aquarium Fish magazine, all have club/society sections.
[20:29 30/01/2004] <+russ> The experiences I've shared and entertained within the various clubs and organizations I have been involved with are many that I will keep for the rest of my life.........Thank you.
[20:29 30/01/2004] <@craig> Ready to answer some questions Russ?
[20:30 30/01/2004] <+russ> Yes, I still have one leg left:-)
[20:30 30/01/2004] <@craig> Folks, if you have a question the Q&A portion of the chat will begin now, type: /query craig I have a question
[20:31 30/01/2004] <@craig> Russ, I have a question for you..
[20:32 30/01/2004] <+russ> :-)
[20:32 30/01/2004] <@craig> Were their any fees or dues at the clubs that you have been involved with?
[20:33 30/01/2004] <+russ> Yes, there was. They were all nominal fees and were pro-rated as of the month one joined...They ranged from $12.00US - $25.00US
[20:33 30/01/2004] <+russ> per year
[20:36 30/01/2004] <+Noname> in your experience, what was the age demographics like in the club, and were older members usually accepting of younger ones, if any?
[20:37 30/01/2004] <+russ> Glad you asked that one....Two of the local clubs had junior memberships and the age range was from about 12 to 60
[20:37 30/01/2004] <+Noname> ^_^
[20:38 30/01/2004] <+russ> The younger members loved it
[20:39 30/01/2004] <@craig> Russ, thank you for giving your time this evening, it is appreciated.
[20:39 30/01/2004] <@Fletch> Thanks Russ :-)
[20:39 30/01/2004] <+Noname> thanks ^_^
[20:39 30/01/2004] <@craig> At this time I am going to open the floor, please feel free to talk amongst yourself.
[20:39 30/01/2004] <+Noname> Great job russ, Craig, who is up next, yourself?
[20:39 30/01/2004] <+russ> Thank you for this opportunity....any time:-)
[20:40 30/01/2004] <Jessica> Samantha's next
[20:40 30/01/2004] <Jessica> russ, sorry i missed it
[20:40 30/01/2004] <+Noname> oh, right, some sort of cichlids
[20:40 30/01/2004] <Jessica> yup, malawi
[20:41 30/01/2004] <Jessica> i take it everyone was awed to silence?
[20:41 30/01/2004] <+Noname> lol
[20:41 30/01/2004] <+russ> I was prepared to answer a few more questions if anyone had difficulty getting one in before.
[20:41 30/01/2004] <@craig> I'll be following that chat up with mine on dwarf chain loaches or Botia Sidthimunki. :-)
[20:42 30/01/2004] <+Noname> I am still a little un certain about this whole aquarium "club" thing, I am none to social
[20:43 30/01/2004] <+russ> Noname...you are here chatting now? You can do it!:-)
[20:43 30/01/2004] <+Noname> lol
[20:43 30/01/2004] <Jessica> lol
[20:43 30/01/2004] <+Noname> thats the problem with many people from my generation, more comfortable online than in real life
[20:43 30/01/2004] <+Noname> myself included of course ^_^
[20:43 30/01/2004] <+russ> But I think they will require a name for membership purposed;-)
[20:43 30/01/2004] <+Noname> LOL
[20:44 30/01/2004] <+Noname> thats the first time I have actual laughed out loud from an internet thing in a while
[20:44 30/01/2004] <Jessica> loll
[20:44 30/01/2004] <Jessica> nice one russ
[20:44 30/01/2004] <@craig> The club would be a perfect place to start meeting people wouldn't it?
[20:44 30/01/2004] <Jessica> yup
[20:45 30/01/2004] <@craig> You'd have a common interest and that usually helps.
[20:45 30/01/2004] <+Noname> yah, I guess...
[20:45 30/01/2004] <+russ> Some clubs have large meberships and a zillion commities. Some are much smaller and conduct business in a 'lodge meeting' atmospher. The clubs I was involved with were in the middle:-)
[20:45 30/01/2004] <Crash> are there typically a llot fo good looking girls that attend the meetings?
[20:45 30/01/2004] <+Noname> I like happy medians ^_^
[20:46 30/01/2004] <@craig> Crash. :-D
[20:46 30/01/2004] <+russ> You bet!
[20:46 30/01/2004] <Crash> howdy
[20:46 30/01/2004] <+Noname> hey Crash, ^_^
[20:46 30/01/2004] <+russ> Its not what car you drive however, its what size tanks you have;-)
[20:47 30/01/2004] <Karen> thankyou rus - helped me
[20:47 30/01/2004] <Crash> but i thought size didnt matter? ;)
[20:47 30/01/2004] <+Noname> (internal Noname)- must build pond...
[20:47 30/01/2004] <@craig> Russ, what were some of the typical meetings like?
[20:49 30/01/2004] <Karen> russ - good talk - thankyou
[20:49 30/01/2004] <+russ> The formal stuff, like minute readings, etc., were knocked out quickly. There were times for a program or two, a bowl show or mini-auction, refreshements, literature and all kinds of other info passed out, and of coarse general discussion
[20:50 30/01/2004] <+Noname> I am liking everything but the discussion ^_^
[20:50 30/01/2004] <@craig> NN, I am sure lurkers are accepted at the meetings too. :-)
[20:50 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> ahh - tastes differ :-D
[20:50 30/01/2004] <+Noname> yay
[20:51 30/01/2004] <+russ> The three clubs I was mainly involved in was composed of about 45-50 members, w/Pres, Vice Pres/ Sec, Treas, and three committies
[20:52 30/01/2004] <+russ> Editorial, Membership/PR, and Projects committies
[20:53 30/01/2004] <@craig> I had another question and forgot it.
[20:53 30/01/2004] <+russ> The names of the clubs I helped formed were ....more,,,,
[20:55 30/01/2004] <+russ> Chattahootchee Valley Aquarium Society, GA., Flint Hills Ichthological Society and Hobbyists(F.I.S.H.), KS., and Mid-America Cichlid Association (MACA), KC, MO.
[20:56 30/01/2004] <+Noname> lol, F.I.S.H......
[20:56 30/01/2004] <+Noname> clever...
[20:56 30/01/2004] <+russ> The one that I am still most active in is, F.I.S.H.
[20:57 30/01/2004] <+russ> Their newsletter was titled, F.I.S.H. Tales
[20:57 30/01/2004] <Carl> danke rus
[20:57 30/01/2004] <+russ> :-)
[20:58 30/01/2004] <+Noname> I really should pay one of my "local" clubs a visit one time..
[20:58 30/01/2004] <Crash> lol pay...nice pun
[20:58 30/01/2004] <+Noname> one of them has an auction in the spring, I may go to that, and if I like the atmoshpear, I may pay a visit to an actual meeting
[20:58 30/01/2004] <@craig> That's good thinking NN..
[20:59 30/01/2004] <+russ> During the auction, they may also have several display tanks and a membership drive going at the same time
[21:00 30/01/2004] <@craig> I really should get in contact with GLAS (Greater Lafayette Aquarium Society) here.
[21:01 30/01/2004] <+russ> One of the favorite things we had during our meetings were fish quizes. One for beginners, and one for regular aquarists. Then awarded cool prizes to the winners in each category:-D
[21:01 30/01/2004] <+Noname> ooooo prizes...
[21:02 30/01/2004] <@craig> See, there's another reason to go. :-D
[21:02 30/01/2004] <+russ> As either the Pres or committee head, I was able to contact aquarium industry reps and get a whole bunch of free stuff that included filters, lights, water conditioners, literature, t-shirts, etc.
[21:03 30/01/2004] <+Noname> I envy the man at the LFS with the corydoras shirt....
[21:03 30/01/2004] <+russ> Some LFSs and petshops may be leary about local clubs
[21:03 30/01/2004] <+Noname> leary?
[21:03 30/01/2004] <+Noname> what does that mean?
[21:05 30/01/2004] <+russ> I have encountered very harsh resistance from some, and more than complete cooperation from others. The ones that resisted acknowledgement feared the club(s) for some strange reason
[21:05 30/01/2004] <@craig> You'd think that they would be more inclined to get involved wouldn't you?
[21:06 30/01/2004] <+russ> Now this is an important note here about local clubs, at least the way they are supposed to work in the States...more...
[21:07 30/01/2004] <+russ> They are non-profit, educational organizations and have to formally declare that with the Feds(IRS). Also adopt a constitution and bi-laws with their respective State Govs
[21:07 30/01/2004] <+Noname> I wonder what such things will be active in Canada...
[21:08 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> so they're deductable?
[21:08 30/01/2004] <+Noname> I have never seen an advertisment in any of the Big Al's and have only been in one non chain store, and they are mainly a tank building operation
[21:08 30/01/2004] <+russ> They need to opperate in a non-prefit status. Thats the formal difference between having a club meeting or a lodge meeting;-)
[21:08 30/01/2004] <@craig> Russ, there was a question earlier that never made it to this channel...
[21:08 30/01/2004] <+russ> from Steph?
[21:08 30/01/2004] <@craig> Are there any clubs that you know of outside this US?
[21:08 30/01/2004] <@craig> (yes)
[21:09 30/01/2004] <+russ> The link you provided me with that I posted and also the FAAS link provides club contacts all over the world.
[21:11 30/01/2004] <+russ> FAAS, which began as an organization supporting North, Central, and South America, I'm sure supports clubs that wish to join outside that region
[21:11 30/01/2004] <@craig> If there was one thing you could pick, out of all the benefits of a club, what would be at the top of list?
[21:11 30/01/2004] <+russ> Indivuals do not join FAAS. Newly forming and established clubs and societies become members
[21:12 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> especially -0 how does a newbie start?
[21:12 30/01/2004] <+russ> Craig....that would be FUN!
[21:12 30/01/2004] <+russ> Nigel, you mean starting a local club?
[21:13 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> no - just starting a tank - with help
[21:13 30/01/2004] <@Fletch> lol crash
[21:13 30/01/2004] <Crash> what i do?
[21:13 30/01/2004] <@Fletch> nothing lol
[21:13 30/01/2004] <@Fletch> just reading back...
[21:13 30/01/2004] <@Fletch> <Crash> are there typically a llot fo good looking girls that attend the meetings?
[21:13 30/01/2004] <Crash> um...ok?
[21:14 30/01/2004] <Crash> lmao
[21:14 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> tried that -= grew algae
[21:14 30/01/2004] <@Fletch> ROFL
[21:14 30/01/2004] <Crash> u know where my priorities are
[21:14 30/01/2004] <@Fletch> girls that grow algae are to be avoided at all costs
[21:14 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> yep
[21:14 30/01/2004] <+russ> I'm sure members from any local club will assist in any way they can . Our club did, whether the person was a member or not. After-all clubs are supposed to provide a type of 'community service' twords the hobby within their area
[21:15 30/01/2004] <@Nigel> cool
[21:15 30/01/2004] <@Fletch> it sounds alot like the radio clubs I used to frequent
[21:17 30/01/2004] <+russ> there is just so much more that a good club/society can provide, that I couldn't even scratch the surface here. Its one of those things that you just have to be there:-)