Why not?

As GIRS's Membership Coordinator, I'm looking for your input as to why you haven't become a (paying) GIRS Member.  I'm hopeful that your responses will help us as a club better meet your needs to become a (paying) Member.  Thanks in advance for your input/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif

 

That's right Bud ;-0) Non-members voice your opinions now on why you have not joined GIRS. This is the only way that we can help answer any questions you have, complaints addressed, etc... We can't meet needs until we know what they are! Keep talking! ;=0)

 

That's right Bud ;-0) Non-members voice your opinions now on why you have not joined GIRS. This is the only way that we can help answer any questions you have, complaints addressed, etc... We can't meet needs until we know what they are! Keep talking! ;=0)

 

Yes Bela, I think that is a question many have...I did when I first visited the site.  Although I can't give specific amounts, I have learned a few things where the money goes.  Although I haven't made it to past business meetings, I hope to for the meeting Saturday in Coralville which may give more answers to this particular question.  Maybe some of the Meeting minutes can be posted for those unable to attend which can provide more Club transperancy/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif  Attendees can also post information, experience they had, etc. as the annual meeting is open to everyone./DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/wink.gif


Generally speaking, Club money is used for hosting this website...although it is free to registered individuals, it is a club expense.  Funds also go to each region (Interst Groups) which is used for expenses incurred from the monthly meetings and the Christmas party.  I believe a very large expense is incurred for holding the Frag Fests.  The facility charges the club for the usage and guest speakers' are paid also.  Things like raffle tickets and other incidentals (signs/advertising/etc) are incurred by the Club..  I know when I was first learning about the Club, I often wondered what about the Vendor fees and Sponsors' fees-  where does that money go?  Vendors and Sponsors are not charged alot...Sponsors also donate raffle items and other items during the year which are giving to the Regions and/or used as raffle items at the annual Business Meeting.  Because Membership ebbs and flows, the Club's inflows are unpredictable whereas there are some recurring expenses (like the website), the Fest venues).  I know that many Trustees and Board Members have paid for things for their Regions/Club without asking for reimbursement.   These are a few things I have learned along the way and I'm sure there are other things which I have left out.  If I have misstated anything, I'm sure a Board Member will correct me/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif Going to the Business Meeting will further help answer this often asked, "Where does the money go?"

 

I believe the BoD has considered in the past your idea of getting new members.  It is not an easy task to sign up members at the Fests.  The 'usual' volunteers are busy helping at the Fests by taking admissions, selling food and various other tasks involved. As has been stated, holding the Fests are expensive.  I may be wrong but the cost of just renting the building we will have for this year's Spring Fest is $900.  I believe that was a "discounted price" because we are a non-profit organization.  As I'm sure you and others know, things are not cheap!  For members who attend SpringFest, this year they will get some free raffle tickets instaed of a discounted price.  I can tell you this but not show it to you unless you become a Member before the Fest occurs/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif  Saturday at the Annual business meeting, financial information will be presented. The meeting is open to everyone, Members and those registered here. This is a good time to hear about the clubs' finances/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif  I know when I first came to GIRS, I had many questions such as where does the membership dues go?, who is on the BoD, why this-why that and so forth. I still ask questions and get the information needed/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif Some people are okay with not knowing where the funds go, others not.   It's not an issue of trying to conceal information about any club matter.  Why give out information about things that Board members manage?  I personally wouldn't want to know where MASNA, Reef Central, Reefers Paradise, etc. spends their money or any other information that their Board Members/Administrators are privy to.  If I wanted most or all the information from them, I'd seek a Board postion.  If I wanted to know generally, I'd attend their business meeting or ask.  Noone is paid or given money as GIRS is All Volunteers!




Your suggestion for a "beginner's" thread is noted.  I don't know what that would take but the webmaster might.  All beginners' tend to be unduly uncomfortable asking questions.  I have not ever seen/heard of anyone here being intimidated.  We all were "newbie's" and had questions. I'm sure we thought we had stupid questions so we either researched the information or asked. To this day, I will ask questions which others may feel are stupid...oh well. Sometimes I even ask the same question many times/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/whistling.gif  It's either a matter of old age/loss of memory or my brain just doesn't understand/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/unsure.gif Everyone I know here is more than happy to help newbies'.  As far as having a question unanswered here, don't give up!  Someone will help even if it's as simple as "I don't know" but you might want to go here___________. What I have noticed, although "very rarely", some people do not want to do their homework;they want to be spoon-fed. Reefkeeping has a learning curve and there is alot of information to learn. With that said, everyone has a unique tank. Some cannot keep chalices, they just won't live...some have large swings with their nitrate and phosphate levels, others do not, etc. Some believe that deep sand beds work, others don't...so everyone has their own opinion on various aspects of reefkeeping. It is a matter of a newbie finding someone(s) whom they trust that gives accurate information and relevant to their tank/situation.  I have seen numerous times on reefsites where inaccurate information was given so it's important to not accept all information until it's verified.  Although our website doesn't have a beginners' section, many websites do.  Those that have been in the hobby for some time, frequent other websites also.  Reef Central and Reefers Paradise are a couple examples with beginners/newbie childboards.  It is impossible for anyone to give out all the information needed by newbies and, some have answered the same questions so many times, they are leaving it to someone else.  Using the search function on the website often will lead to the information one is needing as well.


Hope to see you at the Annual Business Meeting in Coralville on Saturday!/DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/biggrin.gif