Vendor Guidelines

As part of the process of simplifying things, the approach to Vendors is being revised. This is just a new starting point - things may be changed over the course of the year.

In the past we have attempted to define "Commercial Members" "Sponsors" "Premium Members" with various dues and privileges attached to each role. It's been too complicated, so we're making a fresh start.

The only definition we will have moving forward is "Vendor" which is simply someone posting in a commercial manner (i.e. making a "commercial post"). These take effect immediately.

• No Cost: There is no fee, cost, or donation required to become a Vendor - it is simply a declaration of status. Donations/fees would only be in connection to an event (fest, contest, giveaway).

• Forum/Website: The current "Sponsor" forum here on the website will be simplified so that there are no dedicated sub-forums for each Vendor - it will be just one section for all. Vendors may post freely in the Vendor forum. We suggest no more than 2-3 posts per week as a guideline, but that's not a hard rule.

• Facebook: Vendors may only make a commercial post on the GIRS Facebook Group on Fridays. EXCEPTION: For any GIRS event, vendors that have a space at the event may post once daily in the Facebook Group during the 2 week period prior to the event.

• Live Animals: No one, including Vendors, may post corals with prices for sale in the GIRS Facebook Group. Any forum post can be shared to the Facebook group; this is the way to advertise your live animal sales

• Facebook has a policy regarding the sale of live animals, but enforcement is hit or miss when it comes to corals. Facebook uses an algorithm to detect live animal sales and people try to work around it. Technically, businesses accounts may post corals for sale with prices without restriction or without causing a group to get "dinged". However, that gives the impression to those unaware of that condition that it is OK for anyone to post corals for sale. Therefore we are disallowing this for all.

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Note that sharing or posting about an event is not considered a commercial post.

We are aware that many consider the forum is less user-friendly than social media. We will be upgrading the forum software to the latest version to improve things.