SIG Event equivalent?

[loismustdie]

I recently hosted a SIG Event (Special Interest Group) for the Brooklyn Aquarium Society. I don't know why they call it a special interest group, but it was basically a group of people came who over to my house and we went over my system and techniques (theoretically).
Along with that, I have had quite a few MR members come over my house and pick my system apart looking for ideas, whether they they were going into a new set up, or an upgrade. Most of the people who have been here to look at my tank typically say that they have already gone or are going to other homes to look at their systems. Most notably would be Jim and Pierce.
How would the membership feel about hosting their own meetings? I don't know if this idea has been brought up before, but I think this would be beneficial to the membership as well as the hosts.
Since you run it out of your home, you can hold it as formal or informal as you would like to. You assume the responsibility of arranging the meeting and making the guest list.
I see this as a benefit to the site:
-easy on hosts to set aside 1 day, rather than having one person at a time.
-allows those who are here for the community to get together.
-allows members to meet.
-gives MR another monthly article where hosts and members discuss what went on for other members to read, rather than just a TOTS.
-if our vendors hosted, they would probably do very well for themselves.
I can name a hundred benefits, but there are disadvantages as well:
-fairness to those who wish to attend due to space constraints in someone's home.
-busy schedules may not allow some to host or attend.
-another day with something to do.
-fairness to the host (if you say you are going to show... you need to show)
-many other disadvantages logistically and practically.
So, with a lot of people busy enjoying the summer, maybe this is something we can start off in the fall. I would be more than happy to volunteer my home to host an event.
1 host a month?

 

[scarf_ace1981]

cool idea chris. believe me it will turn into a small frag swap @ your place. LOL

 

[marrone]

Chris

This was something we tried a while back. Basically we would have a get together at someone house, Jim was the first and only one that we did.

It's a very good idea but part of the problem was the distances that everyone lived from one another. In some case you would get a lot of people and in other only a few.

M

 

[pnoyreefer]

Chris,

NJRC Club has been doing this for some time now.We currently have meetings every month at one of our members house. I hope they can chime in here to elaborate everything. This is a good way to see eachothers set up, share ideas, talk about reefs.

 

[fritz]

That's a great idea!

 

[loismustdie]

Mike, I figured it was tried and no surprise that Jim made one happen. I've been up to his house a couple of times and the ride for me is no fun. If more were willing to volunteer, that would distribute the weight a little better. If a guy in Manhattan hosted an event, I'm pretty sure it would be heavy with the membership from Manhattan.
Jon... they would be doing me a favor if they emptied out my tank a little.
Just though I'd throw it out there. Again, I figured it was tried as all local reef clubs have similar events.
I'll still be opening my door for this for MR members. I'm not trying to make this something ran by MR. I'm just looking to do something for MR members.

 

[fritz]

So start it off, when's the event?

 

[cali_reef]

Chris, it's called "Tank Tours".

My old fish club in California did that in the summer months, we sometime do only one tank on a saturday with the club paid BBQ at the member's house, or we would do 3-4 tanks within a short drive from each other and have a group dinner at a local restaurant.

 

[loismustdie]

Chris, it's called "Tank Tours".

My old fish club in California did that in the summer months, we sometime do only one tank on a saturday with the club paid BBQ at the member's house, or we would do 3-4 tanks within a short drive from each other and have a group dinner at a local restaurant.

I'm not reinventing the wheel guys. I'm aware that ALL clubs do something like this. I also don't think MR should have to pay for anything unless it is an MR organized event. (that is up to the hosts to debate if they wish, me personally, I'll be covering the costs of food and some beverages).
Again, MR members would run the event as they see fit. If you want a BBQ at your house, go for it. If 3 members want to arrange something for 1 day, that's cool too. The host decides.
I'm thinking for me personally, 10 to 15 people, 4 hours, BBQ and drinks (bring a DD) and have a relaxed atmosphere. Do what the rest of the day whatever you want.
I feel that MR as a whole has enough responsibility running the events that they do. If members would like to add to it by hosting events, I believe it can be done without our hands being held.
Pierce, the member who was here last night has already been to Jim, and he will be going to your house soon. I have no problem having people here, but with so many, so often, it would be easier for me to have a group at once rather than one at a time.

 

[mshur]

Since me and chris leave very close , we can combine this two events together.. But , i wount have my new tank till (hopefully) end of july.

mike

 

[ShaunW]

Sounds like a great idea Chris.

I would have like to have attended the one you just did, .

 

[prattreef]

Great idea Chris. I would certainly host small get together here at Pratt.

Randy

 

[loismustdie]

Sounds like a great idea Chris.

I would have like to have attended the one you just did, .

I wish you did, Shaun... I wish you did. BAS: :banghead:

Mike, I'm in. Do you want to go for the end of August/early September to give you time to get going? We can start at you and end up here? That way, after they look at your tank, they can oogle at the Blue Tort you're not getting back. (BTW, Slamajama, that is my babysitting policy... If I like it, I keep it :anger2:.) Mike and I are walking distance.

Randy, I'm glad you can hold a lot of people, because we will be fighting to get on that list.

 

[mshur]

Chris,
Slama's policy doesnt applly for me
I think by Sept. should be good...but, we can plan a few weeks ahead.

m

 

[loismustdie]

That's cool mike. I think it would generate more interest to go see more than one tank, like Pierce had said. It's going to be funny seeing members go from your Cadillac of a system to go look at my DIY go-cart tank. You know I'm only messing with you on the tort. I'm keeping the PM's instead.:theyareon

 

[meschaefer]

I like this idea.

Chris was nice enough to allow me into his home last night so that I could look over his system. I got alot of great ideas for my new system and had another dozen questions that I thought of while I mulled over his system on the way home. (good thing he has his tank thread filled out)

Jim has had me over and Peirce is opening his door to me as well. You can see pictures online and ask questions, but there is nothing like taking a good look at a system with the owner/designer their to answer your questions.

Count me in, assuming my wife hasn't already booked my weekend for me.

 

[mshur]

I know , i know)
I think your DYI system looks and works better then some premium systems..

 

[loismustdie]

My DIY system IS a premium system! LOL. I'm full of crap. I should have had Paul build it.
So here is what I'm thinking:
On the home page, in the featured article section, you would have the TOTS and under that would be the host tank article. Is it possible to put a library in there for past TOTS and Host tanks? That would be cool.
And then in the Stats box on the home page, you can put "Upcoming Events" where people can click on the host events and get on the list to go/cancel... whatever. Again, I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel here, just tossing around ideas.
There shouldn't be any other events during the months Frag Swaps are held. So is there any forcasted month the Fall Swap would be held so me and Mike could avoid that month?
I know that these events do tend to turn into mini-swaps. Hell, I went to a B-Day party for an MR member at a bar and guys showed up with boxes of coral (F'ing Kaesi!!! I drank $400 that night.) So if the board feels that it would conflict with the site, I have no problems if they say no.
Last is a name for these meetings. I'm not creative. I'm out, but I would like to cheat my way to the top of Randy's guest list.

 

[cali_reef]

My DIY system IS a premium system! LOL. I'm full of crap. I should have had Paul build it.
So here is what I'm thinking:
On the home page, in the featured article section, you would have the TOTS and under that would be the host tank article. Is it possible to put a library in there for past TOTS and Host tanks? That would be cool.
And then in the Stats box on the home page, you can put "Upcoming Events" where people can click on the host events and get on the list to go/cancel... whatever. Again, I'm not trying to reinvent the wheel here, just tossing around ideas.
There shouldn't be any other events during the months Frag Swaps are held. So is there any forcasted month the Fall Swap would be held so me and Mike could avoid that month?
I know that these events do tend to turn into mini-swaps. Hell, I went to a B-Day party for an MR member at a bar and guys showed up with boxes of coral (F'ing Kaesi!!! I drank $400 that night.) So if the board feels that it would conflict with the site, I have no problems if they say no.
Last is a name for these meetings. I'm not creative. I'm out, but I would like to cheat my way to the top of Randy's guest list.

Chris, post this in the MR suggestion thread. I think it is a great idea.

PS. I am already on Randy's VIP list :lol2:

 

[masterswimmer]

Chris, I like this idea. Granted not a newfangled innovation, but takes initiative nevertheless. Great that you've taken charge. Good luck with it and you know you can always count on me for ideas, help, whatever.

Russ