Ideas For Next Year
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Main
Forum Name: Suggestion Box/Recommendations
Forum Description: This is the place to submit recommendations to the WMAS presidency.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=29793
Printed Date: June 14 2025 at 3:27pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Ideas For Next Year
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Subject: Ideas For Next Year
Date Posted: December 03 2008 at 3:12pm
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Will and I have sent the following pm to Jerry and Crystal. We're hoping they will each pm us back with their input.
Of course we are always open to hearing what other ideas are out there. So anyone is welcome (and encouraged) to send us pm's with ideas, or to post them here.
Adam
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Jerry & Crystal,
Above all else, thank you so much for your concern, care, and efforts to better the club. We're both very pleased and appreciative of the campaign you put together. Certainly nothing bad to say about either of you.
We believe that everyone running for a presidency position did so for three reasons
1) they support the club
2) they possess skills to help the club
3) they see potential for progression through some sort of positive changes
We would very much like for the two of you to share with us all the ideas you have had regarding the future of the club. Obviously we are aware of the more publicized ideas but we're sure that you have many things in mind, and we're excited to incorporate those ideas into the club's directive.
We're confident that this coming year will be the best year yet for the WMAS, and we thank you again for your efforts to better the club.
Adam Blundell
Will Spencer ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Replies:
Posted By: Summertop
Date Posted: December 03 2008 at 3:36pm
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The meetings are fun...but the Dinner afterward is best. Sitting down with friends, talking about nothing and everything... Last night was AWESOME. We had a lot of people there. But...having people sit at different tables, I was afraid some would feel left out. I suggest, contacting the restaurant (wherever we decide) before the meeting and ask if they will reserve us a spot. ------------- =========== Shawn Winterbottom |
Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: December 03 2008 at 3:41pm
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Does anyone out there know of a nearby restaurant that will sit 27 ???? I think that is how many were at dinner last night (unless I'm forgetting someone)Adam ------------- Come to a meeting, they�re fun! |
Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: December 03 2008 at 3:54pm
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I drove past IHOP on 21st by I-15 last night. I wonder if they might have a bigger room / tables where we could meet. Its not as close as Dee's, but the free way access may help. Just a thought ...
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Posted By: Kahuna
Date Posted: December 03 2008 at 5:16pm
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Rock Creek Pizza has a room that actually closes off. I used it before for other clubs. Its worth looking into.
------------- Cell 801 860-7333 |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 12:14am
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Ideas: (some may have already been mentioned before)
A) Meetings - based these on some comments I've read regarding whether or not newcomers feel "neglected" or "welcomed" at meetings
1) name tags - disposable paper type for guests; Members get a "permanent" plastic one, (maybe with a WMAS logo on it?) with a place on the tag for the persons MB name as well
2) Short "introduction" period at start of meeting where President (or someone on the Council) asks if there are any first-timers at the meeting, hands raise, each person gives a brief intro of themselves, everybody says "Hi _____!" like a chorus, so the newbies feel all warm & fuzzy inside... I will be attending my first meeting ever in January
 so you can all practice on me  ...B) Message Board
1) A "New to the Hobby? - ask Questions Here" type of Forum where beginners can ask Qs without trying to figure out which of the other Forums their question fits into
2) LFS of the Month - a review of a different LFS (with photos) every month... doesn't have to be a new Forum; maybe just a 'sticky' on "Pet Store Specials" Forum or even the GP Forum
C) Reef Tour
1) A Pre- or Post- Reef Tour for Tour hosts ONLY... being ON the Tour is great, but I have NEVER seen many (most) of the Tour homes because, well, I'm ON the Tour... have all the Tour hosts meet and then go "house-to house" from Home #1 until Home #?
2) IF - big "if" here based on 2008 results - if we get a decent # of host homes (like the 50+ we had in '07) then break the Tour up by geographic locations; maybe Cache, Davis & northernmost SL Counties one weekend, rest of SL & Ut. Counties the next...if gas stays reasonable I think the Tour numbers will rebound from '08
D) Other Events
1) A "DIY Day" meeting where a project is completed 'hands on' by participants. Materials were ordered / paid for in advance by participants. Post the event on the "Upcoming Events" tab, maybe 60 days in advance; 45 days out post a sign-up thread with details on materials, pricing, etc. so you can ensure everyone interested is aware and you get don't too many 'last-minute folks' complaining they didn't know about the event... maybe schedule 2 or 3 of these per year...could even be done not at a "regular" Thursday night meeting; maybe even, say, an occasional Saturday?
2) An organized outing down South to show Mark, Kyle & Crystal, etc. some "WMAS love"...
(if they'll have us
 )Hopefully gas will still be a buck-fifty and then it won't be such a big expense. Carpool and the passengers split the gas tab...If you take 3 -4 people per vehicle (plus the driver) the gas cost for each person should be only $10 - $15 round-trip, unless you are 'Hummerpooling'... we stop and get breakfast going in, lunch on the way home...
E) Elections
1) An Independent Committee that is in charge of the vote tallying process. Remove any conflict-of-interest concerns, and cut the 'drama' factor in half
OK, I believe I've emptied my head for the time being. Besides, I really should be working here at work ...
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: mr_tongate
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 12:16am
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i wish that i could attend dinners but with such a long trip home ( and a early bedtime...lol) it would be hard to attend all of them but i guarantie that ill be at some...
------------- 220 reef cell# 760.684.6122 POSTING PIC'S http://zip-zero.com/wmas/imageUpload.php |
Posted By: Mrs Viper
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 9:12am
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I also enjoyed the dinner afterwards. We have never been able to attend this before because we have had to pick up our daughter from work at 9:00. Hopefully this has now changed and we will be able to attend more of them.
Gaylyn ------------- I need more cash to keep up with my husbands hobby. Actually its mine too! 125G reef - 20G sump/refug 29g reef 15g - jellyfish 2 cats - 1 dog - 1 snake 2 kids classroom full of little *&^% |
Posted By: cl2ysta1
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 11:11am
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wow bob!!!!! you really summed it up. I'm planning on getting our southern people involved in the reef club. Many people down south just dont know about it. I was wondering if maybe the presidency could send me a banner for our LFS to advertise the reef club. They are already willing to work with me and will allow the meetings to be in their store which is pretty central for all st. george people. I'd like to get the southern forum going a bit more and possibly start having regular meetings down there. We might try monthly but maybe bi monthly will work out better in the southern region because there are so few of us. We'll see how it goes I"m planning on getting started January 1st when I get back from Ohio.
There are also a ton of reef tanks in southern utah believe it or not and I think we should be able to get a southern utah reef tour together which maybe you all can carpool to like you do the idaho tour. You'd be suprised what we can grow in the desert ;) ------------- I <3 Boxers Achilles tang lover |
Posted By: Debbles
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 11:31am
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Crystal, I have a cousin with a tank that lives in St. George. I can give you here info. She is the one that got me started in salt water.
Deb
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Posted By: cl2ysta1
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 11:53am
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Sounds great ------------- I <3 Boxers Achilles tang lover |
Posted By: sukie
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 12:07pm
I have an idea for this for 2009 - for the ppl on the tour and can't see the tanks. We have a progressive tour for them.  Assign a date and a time for each tank. That way everyone can see each others tanks. Maybe that way we'll have more participants. Because one of the main reasons why ppl don't want to be on the tour is to see tanks.NO MORE EXCUSES PPL!! |
carlso63 wrote:Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 12:21pm
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I like yours and Bob's Idea. That would be great. ------------- Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands. |
Posted By: Debbles
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 3:40pm
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2) Short "introduction" period at start of meeting where President (or someone on the Council) asks if there are any first-timers at the meeting, hands raise, each person gives a brief intro of themselves, everybody says "Hi _____!" like a chorus, so the newbies feel all warm & fuzzy inside... I will be attending my first meeting ever in January
so you can all practice on me ... AWESOME IDEA. Shane does ask if there are any new people but intros would be a great addition to that. 2) LFS of the Month - a review of a different LFS (with photos) every month... doesn't have to be a new Forum; maybe just a 'sticky' on "Pet Store Specials" Forum or even the GP Forum We actually try to have a LFS highlight in the Seastar
D) Other Events
1) A "DIY Day" meeting where a project is completed 'hands on' by participants. Materials were ordered / paid for in advance by participants. Post the event on the "Upcoming Events" tab, maybe 60 days in advance; 45 days out post a sign-up thread with details on materials, pricing, etc. so you can ensure everyone interested is aware and you get don't too many 'last-minute folks' complaining they didn't know about the event... maybe schedule 2 or 3 of these per year...could even be done not at a "regular" Thursday night meeting; maybe even, say, an occasional Saturday?
I brought this up at one of our presidency meetings and also had it in my election write up. I really like the idea and would be willing to head it up.
2) An organized outing down South to show Mark, Kyle & Crystal, etc. some "WMAS love"...
(if they'll have us
 )Hopefully gas will still be a buck-fifty and then it won't be such a big expense. Carpool and the passengers split the gas tab...If you take 3 -4 people per vehicle (plus the driver) the gas cost for each person should be only $10 - $15 round-trip, unless you are 'Hummerpooling'... we stop and get breakfast going in, lunch on the way home...
ROAD TRIP!!!!
E) Elections
1) An Independent Committee that is in charge of the vote tallying process. Remove any conflict-of-interest concerns, and cut the 'drama' factor in half
I can't even think about elections right now. I am just glad they are over
You have really got some great ideas. It will be really good to see you at the January meeting. I'm glad you be able to make it. Does this mean you will be able to start coming to all of them?
Deb
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Posted By: Mrs Viper
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 5:00pm
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When we first joined, that was a suggestion we made about doing introductions so we could know who it was we had been talking with on the board. Place names with faces. We still believe that is a great idea and for new comers to introduce themselves, then have a member introduce them around to others. That way people would feel more welcome. ------------- I need more cash to keep up with my husbands hobby. Actually its mine too! 125G reef - 20G sump/refug 29g reef 15g - jellyfish 2 cats - 1 dog - 1 snake 2 kids classroom full of little *&^% |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 5:13pm
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2) An organized outing down South to show Mark, Kyle & Crystal, etc. some "WMAS love"...
(if they'll have us
)Hopefully gas will still be a buck-fifty and then it won't be such a big expense. Carpool and the passengers split the gas tab...If you take 3 -4 people per vehicle (plus the driver) the gas cost for each person should be only $10 - $15 round-trip, unless you are 'Hummerpooling'... we stop and get breakfast going in, lunch on the way home...
ROAD TRIP!!!!
Corey and I did this but when it came down to it nobody else was able to make it.
Jeremy (Banshy) and I also visited Utah county Reef Tour hosts after normal hours and had a great time, but again, nobody else was able to make it though the invitation was open.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 5:17pm
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I think it would be great for 3 or so families to organize their own mini-reef tour/progressive dinner. All of them start at one of their homes for a tour of the tank and hor d'oeuvres then they all go to the next house for a tour of that tank and the main course then on to the last house for another tank tour and dessert.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 5:20pm
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An idea for next December's meeting could be a Party! Everyone could visit with old friends and new comers and get the voting done too while enjoying eclairs! Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Debbles
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 5:26pm
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I like the December party idea Mike. That could be a lot of fun. Deb |
Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 5:33pm
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I like the idea og having people stand up and introduce themselves. My sugestion would be to have like a newcumber section like a link or something where a pic a bio-would be placed there. I'd be happy to if implemeted and needed to head this up. Kinda like helping out with the new membership guru. ------------- Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands. |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 5:41pm
Right now the only reason I don't get to the meetings is work. I work nights
 Ironically, I work only 10 minutes away from the meeting place... I will certainly try to make it to every other meeting in 2009 for sure; if I can get my work schedule rearranged (about a 50 - 50 chance of that right now) then I will be able to attend every meeting...------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 5:51pm
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That would be great Carslo63 if you could come. It was fun to take a trip out to get rock and sand with you. ------------- Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands. |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 5:55pm
Crystal -
Believe it or not we are in a similar situation here in Utah County, as far as having many hobbyists who still don't know about WMAS... we (Ut Co.) also end up underrepresented on things like the Reef Tour - last year I was the only stop on the Tour for Utah Co... And I mean it's not like we are hundreds of miles away like you (no offense); we've got Aquatica and Reef Runners and Wheres Nemo and Jays Jungle that all deal heavily in SW stuff - plus the usual assortment of Petco's and Petsmarts - so the "demand" for the hobby is obviously alive and well in Utah County...
I'm not sure exactly how to go about getting Utah County to "represent" but I believe that it should be a goal for the Club to improve our presence in Ut Co. for 2009...
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 6:03pm
I remember that Mike, trust me!
Because (if you remember) You & Jeremy were the only visitors I got that time on the Tour (oh, and Steve "the Butler" sent his wife, too)Maybe if we do it again a little more planned out (like maybe pick a month, put it on the "Upcoming Events" tab as "Southern Reef Tour" a couple of months ahead of time, post a sign up thread maybe 45 days prior, etc) maybe we'd get a bigger response? Maybe Crystal ties it in with a Tour of her local LFS..?
Plus (of course) keep our fingers crossed gas stays cheap
...------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 6:11pm
Exactly. As long as the newcomer is willing to stand up and introduce themselves for a minute or 2. Which they should be willing to do. If the aren't, then they should complain later that "nobody came up to me..."
Newbies, don't "chicken out"...take the first step!
 ------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 6:11pm
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As of now I have a natural gas surbabn. It get 18 miles to the gallon, but it hols 8 and is only 79 cents a gallon to fill up. It would be cheap to go down. ------------- Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands. |
Posted By: Debbles
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 6:16pm
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Bob, I came and saw you for the reef tour this year. It really isn't that far. We actually started at Adam's and ended at your house. I wish we would've had 8 more hours that day that though. Deb
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Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 6:19pm
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My GF ended up liking Bobs the best out of all the ones we saw. ------------- Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands. |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 6:21pm
I think that should be the "slogan" for 2009
- Don't come to a meeting, hide in a corner, never speak to anyone, then complain "no one made me feel 'welcome'..."
- Don't decline to participate in the Reef Tour and then complain "how few houses there are this year..."
- Don't decline to participate in any event and then complain "how it wasn't done right..."
- If you are going to complain, be tactful - and try to suggest a solution or better idea along with the gripe
- If you are gonna post up big, long lists of ideas then you better be prepared to get involved implementing some of those ideas...
(Ooops, that last one sounds like me
 Well, don't worry, I promise I'll help out and not just blabber on the whole of 2009...)------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: BobC63
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 6:35pm
Debbie - Of course I remember you and Jeff coming over!
Matt - I am glad she liked it - it's even better now
Interesting to note that although I had the highest amount of Tour visitors of all the homes on the Tour in 2008, you three were the only SL County WMAS Members that came by me - the only ones... and Deb is the only Presidency member who has ever come by that I am aware of.
Other than Mike, who did the pre-tour photo shoot the day before the Tour...
P.S. - Hey Mike! What happened to all those pictures ??!!
------------- - My Current Tank: 65g Starfire (sitting empty for 2+ years) - * Marine & Reef tanks since 1977 * |
Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 6:47pm
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Carso63 I'll have to come and check it out again. ------------- Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands. |
Posted By: tazman1982
Date Posted: December 04 2008 at 7:14pm
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I loved your tank carlso63. and it realy isnt that far out of the way.
I have been from "BFE" (brigham city) twice and spanish fork and all in between for tank stuff already!
take an hour from your day and enjoy seeing others tanks. although most make mine feel inferior... but I am working on that. Getting better every day. ------------- 75 Reef 55 Reef |
Posted By: Bluespotjawfish
Date Posted: December 05 2008 at 8:51am
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Mugshot Thread - Helps newbies know who everyone is, and helps the rest of us know who they are. Maybe even have a mugshot drawing (put your pic on the thread and you are entered in a drawing).
Group rates for an overnight stay! If I go to a meeting down south, I'd probably prefer to stay the night and make a nice weekend out of it.
------------- Home of the baby Picasso! |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: December 05 2008 at 5:37pm
I've got them.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: DeepFriedOprah
Date Posted: December 05 2008 at 11:06pm
Bob:
" Hi my name is Bob, and I'm a reefaholic"
Crowd:
"HELLO BOB"
That reminds me of other meetings I have attended (court ordered of course). ------------- "So, Just right in half? I have a very large one, Like 4" that I would like to frag, as well as a few smaller ones" Cameron |
Posted By: Cameron
Date Posted: December 05 2008 at 11:15pm
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I was thinking the same thing Jason...LMFAO! ------------- [COLOR="Red"](801)664-4240 |
Posted By: Mark Peterson
Date Posted: December 06 2008 at 6:11pm
"Come into my office Bob. You and I need to have a little talk about priorities." ------------- Reefkeeping Tips, & quick, easy setup tricks: www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=9244 Pay it forward - become a paid WMAS member 
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