Some feedback from this year please?

[akunochi]

I would love to hear from everyone some thoughts about this year in the PSAS.

Perhaps 3 things or events you loved and 3 things you would like to see differently. It can be anything you want that you would like to see. However, I would ask that we leave the location of meets to another time as it has been beaten to death over the last year.

 

[krisfal]

I like the speaker events as I always learn something new, I know they are not well attended, but those of us that go appreciate them (it was a speaker event that drew me into the PSAS in the first place)

Frag swaps are always great

DYI workshops-I was able to build my own acrylic sump and refugium with what I learned from a couple acrylic workshops

I like the club as is or as will be, a time to get together with other reefers and share, formally or informally . . . the BOD does a lot of work to put together the events and I am happy with the results!

 

[returnofsid]

Great topic of conversation! I'll participate in this conversation, being a PSAS member, even though I'm unable to attend very often at all, but would really like to be able to.

I've only been able to attend 1 event, which was the most recent Bob Moore Frag Swap, in Tacoma. It was a grand event! I felt it was fairly well organized and had a great attendance.

There have been other recent events that I've really wanted to attend, but living in Spokane, just haven't been able to. These have included some of the speaking events, the field trip and "back of house" tour to Rainforest Cafe, and a few of the DIY workshops that have been organized. I'd really like to attend the BBQ, this next weekend, but we're just not able to. Family in town and Madison has a dance recital, that I hope she's able to participate in, since getting stitches on her foot, 2 days ago!

I guess the only complaint I would possibly have, if I'm allowed to have one, is the lack of recent participation. However, I'm fully aware that this is actually a common occurrence, in most clubs, this time of year, reef related or otherwise. This time of year, there's usually so much going on, it does make it difficult to devote as much time, to club events.

At events, such as the upcoming BBQ, I'd like to see all members be eligible for the raffle event, able to attend or not, as long as they're willing to buy raffle tickets...lol.

It'd be nice to see a more detailed set of policies, outlining certain things, such as what I just mentioned and the reasoning behind it. Also, it'd be nice to see the reasoning behind the policy that only paying members are allowed to attend meetings.

Okay, Maybe I should have left the last 2 sentences out. Let's please not allow my (possibly unwarranted comments) derail this thread, from it's intended purpose!

That's all I've got! I plan to spend some time at the PSAS Club booth, at SeaMax. See y'all there!

 

[akunochi]

Thanks,

The above posts are exactly what I am looking for. The purpose of starting this thread is to try and see what is working and what isn't. One of the reasons I volunteered this year was to try and add some fresh eyes and hopefully get some more participation.

To answer a couple of the above statements.

I will address the policies and try to get a copy to review the guidelines. I will discuss the having to be present for raffles at the next BOD meeting and weigh in with my thoughts there. I think it will all come down to the purpose of the raffle as each one varies.

Also I believe the purpose of making meeting only open to paying members (Which there are some that are open to the General Public) is that a large portion of the funds for the club come from the membership dues. If you were able to get the benefits without paying then no one would (Generalization) and the club would be left without the funds to pay for locations and raffle prizes.

I think the idea that you can sign up at any meeting at the door is a good practice that should continue so you can sign up at your first meeting.

I have a couple ideas that are brewing that hopefully will come to fruition over the next year to increase participation.

 

[Myteemouse]

SOME meetings are open to public like the one next weekend. But some are members only (like speaker meetings that cost us 600+ ) Depends on the meeting.

 

[Myteemouse]

"""such as the upcoming BBQ, I'd like to see all members be eligible for the raffle event, able to attend or not, as long as they're willing to buy raffle tickets.""
you gonna pay some one to package ans ship it to you along with the shipping cost??
One reason is to raise attendance at the meetings mike

AND STOP LAUGHING AT ME!

 

[Myteemouse]

""""That's all I've got! I plan to spend some time at the PSAS Club booth, at SeaMax. See y'all there! """

We have the right to refuse service to anyone. LOL

 

[akunochi]

I honestly think the raffles are a case by case. Is the purpose of them like next month a fundraiser or is it just a "Hey thanks for being a PSAS member" raffle. If the GOAL is to raise money for the club then anyone should be able to buy raffle tickets and have the option to either pick it up or pay for shipping costs. (Be careful what you bid on...you may just have to mail it.)

On the other hand if it is just a door prize scenario then it needs to be for people present only.

 

[akunochi]

46 views and only two opinions? This is your club and we can only improve with good input by the members. So lets hear those thoughts. Everyone has an opinion.

 

[cadillactattoo]

well im pretty new to psas , but there are a few things i might add .
i really like the idea of diy get togethers , ,
and speaker events , sound cool as hell , any time i can learn some thing new im down !

would like to see more stuff happining on maybe a sunday or mondays ,
and i realy like seeing others tanks

realy loved the auction . .

here is an idea for ya . ......
maybe set up an area for "loner equipment " or such in case a member has an emergency .
lights sumps tanks etc , that are not being used . but available to members .
maybe a list of skill sets of members willing to help out other members . ie . sump builder . acrylic guy or gal . plumbing . electrical . etc

 

[returnofsid]

PSAS does have some loaner equipment, though I'm not sure if any member really knows where it all is...lol.

 

[cadillactattoo]

Haha I have some equip I would be willing to donate for loan also

 

[Husker12181]

I personally really enjoyed the Auction, I was impressed how everyone made my wife and I feel welcome.

I don't get to attend many meetings due to schedule conflicts and I am pissed that I wont be able to come to this upcoming BBQ I had it on my calender to attend But work had different Ideas for my Saterday.

I understand the reasoning behind "you must be present to win" raffles, but I would be happy to buy a few tickets for them if that option was available.

I have noticed recently that there are a lot of posts that pertain to The PSAS being posted here rather then the PSAS website, I look at the PSAS website for PSAS content and didn't even notice some of the conversations going on here until like a month or two after they happened, The north end reefer discussion comes to mind. So I guess my one comment is that if there is an important discussion on the Reeffrontiers website post it on both, (like you did with this post) or at least make a comment linking the thread from the PSAS website to this one.

Thanks

Steve

 

[akunochi]

Hey steve that issue is benh discussed and I will be sure to post links but here and the psas boards. Look for updates over the next 2 to 3 months

 

[saltwaterfishes]

I can't attend BBQ coming up, but also would like to buy raffles too.
I attended a couple tank tours and that was really fun.

 

[akunochi]

i really like the idea of diy get togethers , ,
and speaker events , sound cool as hell , any time i can learn some thing new im down !

would like to see more stuff happining on maybe a sunday or mondays ,

and i realy like seeing others tanks

realy loved the auction . .

here is an idea for ya . ......
maybe set up an area for "loner equipment " or such in case a member has an emergency .
lights sumps tanks etc , that are not being used . but available to members .

maybe a list of skill sets of members willing to help out other members . ie . sump builder . acrylic guy or gal . plumbing . electrical . etc

:target: < I like that emoticon

Okay so let me reply to your ideas one by one.

- The DIY get togethers are always fun and educational. We will be asking the I will be asking members for ideas to implement over the new year.

- The speaker events are a difficult subject. They are informative, but also very expensive to the club and usually have low turn out. Perhaps if people shared subjects they would like to hear about we would have a better turn out, but until then we are left guessing.

- Meetings will continue to be predominately Saturday i would imagine because people tend to have church etc on Sunday and work on Monday. Sat is the most universally available day.

- Last year there was a tank tour, but I missed it so I am not sure how the turn out was.

- The auction was great! It is a shame that there was no donations made to the club at all not that that is the main purpose but it would have been a nice gesture. Any other auction takes between 10-25% off the top of your sale price plus auctioneer fees and several others. Just an FYI for anyone that has never attended a true auction. You usually leave with about 60% of the money you made from selling. I fully plan to push for another one this year and hopefully the turn out will be bigger.

- The PSAS used to have lots of loaner equipment, but it has all disappeared over time. It is really a shame because I know the fish traps were really popular. I think if the program started again there would need to be more control over the equipment. Perhaps like a autozone program where you pay x amount when you check the item out and get it all back upon return.

- I really like the idea of the skills list. Perhaps that is something we can work on.

PSAS does have some loaner equipment, though I'm not sure if any member really knows where it all is...lol.

- Yeah I answered that above. The loaner equipment was great, but I think if it gets rebooted it will need a revamp like I mentioned above.

Haha I have some equip I would be willing to donate for loan also

- SWEET.

I personally really enjoyed the Auction, I was impressed how everyone made my wife and I feel welcome.


I understand the reasoning behind "you must be present to win" raffles, but I would be happy to buy a few tickets for them if that option was available.

I have noticed recently that there are a lot of posts that pertain to The PSAS being posted here rather then the PSAS website, I look at the PSAS website for PSAS content and didn't even notice some of the conversations going on here until like a month or two after they happened, The north end reefer discussion comes to mind. So I guess my one comment is that if there is an important discussion on the Reeffrontiers website post it on both, (like you did with this post) or at least make a comment linking the thread from the PSAS website to this one.

Thanks

Steve

Steve it was great meeting you and your wife. You guys jumped right in and took part and I love to see that. Hopefully you can make it out more this year!

- I already touched on the auction above.

- The Raffle tickets keep being brought up and I will make sure it is something that is discussed and decision posted here once we meet.

- The PSAS website is a huge can of worms and has been an issue for (apparently) awhile. I tend to be more direct about making my point and it is on my front burner. I also have a very extensive computer background prior to my military time. I plan to use both of these to address the forum and hopefully see some sort of revamp in the future. Even if I have to do the leg work myself. The forum is a critical part of the PSAS organization needs to be utilized more.

Part of that means that the forum needs to be regularly updated not running on software many updates behind, current members need to be put under member status on the forum to get to member section, and the website itself needs to be tied into search engines (which is part of coding it) to increase traffic.

I can't attend BBQ coming up, but also would like to buy raffles too.
I attended a couple tank tours and that was really fun.

Caitlin,

Like I mentioned I will bring up the raffle ticket issue in the future, but Adam did bring up a good point that the raffle is also used to increase attendance. If everyone could just buy the tickets via paypal....then why come out at all? I'm sure there is a middle ground somewhere and hopefully we can find it.

PS did you see the girl shirts I made lol

 

[Tecnomage]

I'm not a member but I will be signing up shortly, if not at the BBQ then at Sea-Max.

- The PSAS website is a huge can of worms and has been an issue for (apparently) awhile. I tend to be more direct about making my point and it is on my front burner. I also have a very extensive computer background prior to my military time. I plan to use both of these to address the forum and hopefully see some sort of revamp in the future. Even if I have to do the leg work myself. The forum is a critical part of the PSAS organization needs to be utilized more.

Part of that means that the forum needs to be regularly updated not running on software many updates behind, current members need to be put under member status on the forum to get to member section, and the website itself needs to be tied into search engines (which is part of coding it) to increase traffic.

As an outsider looking in, I don't want to step in this can of worms but this was the largest reason I haven't signed up yet. It can be hard to find info on the psas website, forums and members seemed more active here and I figured if I wanted to sign up I should do it at an event and things would go smoother. When I do sign up I'll offer my time to help with the forum and website. I already setup one forum and help admin it, just don't ask me to do design work, I'm tech only with no creative talent. :redface:

-Jim

 

[akunochi]

I'm not a member but I will be signing up shortly, if not at the BBQ then at Sea-Max.



As an outsider looking in, I don't want to step in this can of worms but this was the largest reason I haven't signed up yet. It can be hard to find info on the psas website, forums and members seemed more active here and I figured if I wanted to sign up I should do it at an event and things would go smoother. When I do sign up I'll offer my time to help with the forum and website. I already setup one forum and help admin it, just don't ask me to do design work, I'm tech only with no creative talent. :redface:

-Jim

Jim,

I would love to be able to tap you for some help when that time comes. I hope you do come out and sign up and we'll make sure it goes smoothly.