Member Hosted Event Rules

[Josh]

Here is the first public version of the site rules pertaining to Member Hosted Events.

It is open for questions and comments. In no way is it considered complete until the members have had a chance to offer up ideas for improvement.

The goal of these rules is to provide a framework for organizing events that is fair to members, guests, vendors, and the hobby in general. It is not the administration's goal to stifle social outings, merely to make sure they are run appropriately so that everyone has a good time.

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New Guidelines for creating events (i.e. Meetups, Swaps, Meet & Greets) - Please Read

As you might have noticed Manhattan Reefs is growing, and with growth comes change. We'd like to take this opportunity to clarify the guidelines for organizing an event and introduce some new rules that will aid in the planning and execution for the organizer and all participating members.

Event Rules:

Manhattan Reefs does not permit Events without Administration approval prior to posting. Manhattan Reefs is not responsible for the organization of any Event posted in this forum unless otherwise stated by the administration of MR. The Event forum is only provided as a convenience to site members. Any issues should be handled between the event participants, event organizer and vendor. Any and all issue threads will be deleted.

Organizers are NOT PERMITTED to represent Manhattan Reefs. Any member that has been confirmed as representing Manhattan Reefs in any way during an Event without permission of MR Administration may be subject to suspension or permanent removal from the site.

Event threads must state the following in the 1st Post of the Event Thread:

• Who is organizing the event
• Where is going to be
• Any vendors, group buys, etc
• Breakdown of what the event will include as far as itinerary or possible food/entertainment.

Events have been categorized as follows:

Small (2-10 attendees) (BBQ, roadtrip, caravan, tank tours)
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• No vendors (if vendors then follow group buy rules as well)
• No admission, no membership fees, no dues
• Shared costs for food, potluck, or BYO
• Auctions allowed
• Event cannot take place in LFS (see vendor section below)

Medium (11-30)
--------

• Swap only, no vendors (if vendors then follow group buy rules as well)
• No admission fees unless through a third party (i.e. admission to aquarium, zoo, etc)
• No auctions, no raffles
• Event cannot take place in LFS (see vendor sponsored section)
• No bulk sales (fish, inverts, drygoods - follow group buy rules)
• After approval, MR may supply food/drink/supplies/guests when possible

Large (30+)
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• Must be registered and approved by MR moderator
• Vendors - must solicit from different vendors for each event, in the case where only one vendor is interested you may use that one vendor after making reasonable efforts to get other vendors (i.e. rotate when possible)
• One thread in regional reefs (unless approved by moderator otherwise i.e. bus trip, casino night, public aquarium visit)
• All selling/trading must take place in the one thread
• If a vendor is selected, all vendor sales must be in the vendor's forum
• After approval, MR may supply food/drink/supplies/guests when possible
• Event cannot take place in LFS (see vendor sponsored section)
• Contact moderator for guest speaker recommendations
• No bulk sales (fish, inverts, drygoods - follow group buy rules)
• No admission, no membership fees, no dues
• No admission fees unless through a third party (i.e. admission to aquarium, zoo, etc)

Vendor Sponsored (all sizes)
---------

• All communication must take place in the vendor's forum
• No auctions
• Raffles allowed (ideally to pay for food/drink)
• Vendor should cover most of the costs of the event
• Event can take place anywhere

Manhattan Reefs reserves the right to adjust or change these rules as needed in order to protect the integrity of the site.

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If you would like to organize an Event you must do the following:
Contact any Moderator via Private Message and provide the following information:

1- Name of Event organizer
2- Name and address of the location
3- Name of vendor(s) attending
4- Expected event date
5- Speakers, Pricing of food or any other items, etc

Wait for a reply from a Moderator (usually with 24 hours)
If the Event is authorized, you will be given instructions on how to start your thread.
If the Event is declined, you will be given a reason why it was deemed ineligible.
If it was for lack of information (for example: you didn't include the dates) you may re-submit the corrected information to your Event Moderator.
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If it is found that any of these minor stipulations have been circumvented then the threads surrounding these events will be deleted and the vendors will lose all rights and privileges to their forums from the time of discovery and for the duration of this sites existence. If members wish to incorporate sales or vendors to their "meet and greet" event then prior approval from the site administration will be required.

As a courtesy, please do not plan an event a month prior to the MR Frag Swap unless it is not related to reefs.

Any Event threads posted that do not adhere to the rules above will immediately be deleted from the MR site.

 

[jay1335]

I am just making sure I have this right. So for a group/meet/event, whatever you wanna call it, wants to do a "group buy" for said event is it ok for the vendor to deliver the group buy to the event location? Assuming mods have been contacted and approval has been given and there is no selling or exchange of money at said event......
and if this is approved is this to be posted in the event thread or in the vendors thread?

I think this is a VERY good starting point!! Im sure it will change as different issues come up. The only issue I see as of right now is.....
Why are there different regulations per the size of the group? I say this because it makes it a little tougher for the organizers. For example with the westchester event that just happened.....We had 15+ scheduled to come, but we had under 10 there. So we would have fallen into the medium group originally and then only been a small group. This could also be negative from mr's side as well. What if you guys had supplied food for a 15+ event and it actually turned out to be a small event? Its also difficult to figure out how many you are going to have there before the event actually happens. Maybe try thinking about changing it to event type instead of size.
For example:
Maybe a meeting at someones house falls under a certain set of rules. Then a event where you went to a zoo, aquarium ect has a diff set. Then a member only frag swap has a diff set. It might be easier to regulate the size. Maybe say this type of event is allowed this many slots for attendance.

 

[wonderballz]

Good start for guidelines. I am also curious why there is a different set of rules for different sizes. We know that people can't always make events that they RSVP for, so there may need to be a little wiggle room.

 

[THEDLO]

I am just making sure I have this right. So for a group/meet/event, whatever you wanna call it, wants to do a "group buy" for said event is it ok for the vendor to deliver the group buy to the event location? Assuming mods have been contacted and approval has been given and there is no selling or exchange of money at said event......
and if this is approved is this to be posted in the event thread or in the vendors thread?

I think this is a VERY good starting point!! Im sure it will change as different issues come up. The only issue I see as of right now is.....
Why are there different regulations per the size of the group? I say this because it makes it a little tougher for the organizers. For example with the westchester event that just happened.....We had 15+ scheduled to come, but we had under 10 there. So we would have fallen into the medium group originally and then only been a small group. This could also be negative from mr's side as well. What if you guys had supplied food for a 15+ event and it actually turned out to be a small event? Its also difficult to figure out how many you are going to have there before the event actually happens. Maybe try thinking about changing it to event type instead of size.
For example:
Maybe a meeting at someones house falls under a certain set of rules. Then a event where you went to a zoo, aquarium ect has a diff set. Then a member only frag swap has a diff set. It might be easier to regulate the size. Maybe say this type of event is allowed this many slots for attendance.

maybe an reimbursement system should be set up, this would allow more flexibility.

one thing, I'm having a hard time understanding several parts of this.

1. can not advertise its self as an MR event yet it is subject to MR rules.

2. "All selling/trading must take place in the one thread" this sounds like a mess. i think it should be changed to prearranged trades and sales, or have a marketplace section that specify events.

3. "After approval, MR may supply food/drink/supplies/guests when possible" when possible? when is it not possible?

 

[tosiek]

Keep this thread on topic please.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

maybe an reimbursement system should be set up, this would allow more flexibility.

one thing, I'm having a hard time understanding several parts of this.

1. can not advertise its self as an MR event yet it is subject to MR rules.

2. "All selling/trading must take place in the one thread" this sounds like a mess. i think it should be changed to prearranged trades and sales, or have a marketplace section that specify events.

3. "After approval, MR may supply food/drink/supplies/guests when possible" when possible? when is it not possible?

1 Because you are using MR to arrange it we have rules to follow. This is also for liability reasons. If you fall and crack your head open MR will not be held liable civilly for that.

2 This is done for swaps and works nicely already. It is also a way to keep things from fragmenting off into a mess for us mods to moderate.

3 When is it not possible? When there are no funds to accomplish this. Contrary to popular belief the mods annual salary is $0 and we can't afford a pay cut. When it is refused by the organizers as has happened before.

 

[THEDLO]

the mods annual salary is $0 and we can't afford a pay cut.

hahahaha

ok thanks for clearing up 1+2 but im not sure the first part of 2 makes sense. ill rb to discuss. i dont want to open another can o'worms

 

[afernandez]

I think since MR has so much to do with it and we all must fallow all the rules and being that it is thruw MR that we are meeting, MR should also at least pay for the cost of food. i honestly think a "MAY" is a "if we feel like it" or "if we can" . MAY also means "depends" to me, its like you have a job and you do it to expectations and your boss tells you well "i may pay you" idk about you but im not ok with that.

"Organizers are NOT PERMITTED to represent Manhattan Reefs. Any member that has been confirmed as representing Manhattan Reefs in any way during an Event without permission of MR Administration may be subject to suspension or permanent removal from the site."

Honestly that makes no sence. We fallow MR RULES & REGULATIONS and MR is aware of the event, and if by any chance someone asks us by intrest of joining us "what community are guys from?" we cant say MR???. thats make sence??

Small (2-10 attendees) (BBQ, roadtrip, caravan, tank tours)
--------

• No vendors (if vendors then follow group buy rules as well) POST RULES TO BE CLEAR
• No admission, no membership fees, no dues
• Shared costs for food, potluck, or BYO "if i invite you to my house and say well can you give me 10 bucks for pizza .....what do you think will happen?
• Auctions allowed (for two or ten ppl to have a action dosent even makes sence)
• Event cannot take place in LFS (see vendor section below)

Medium (11-30) this should read Swap only

• Swap only no vendors (if vendors then follow group buy rules as well) so i know vedors allready give us a discount of 10% (or discounted )you want them to give us another 10% on top of that??? i think they would be at a (-negative to no profit)
• No admission fees unless through a third party (i.e. admission to aquarium, zoo, etc)
• No auctions, no raffles (it would make be a good thing to pay for the food incase MR "MAY or MAY-NOT" provide us with food.)
• Event cannot take place in LFS (see vendor sponsored section)
• No bulk sales (fish, inverts, drygoods - follow group buy rules)
• After approval, MR may supply food/drink/supplies/guests when possible

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

What makes sense in this situation with representation is this, in the past people have represented MR as the MR administration making false promises in order to get great deals for themselves. They then walked away with their deal and left us holding the bag with an angry vendor or corporation.

 

[prattreef]

I think what people need to remember is that these rules are addressing a number of potential situations that have at times cropped up over many years. You'd be amazed at the crap people have pulled/tried to pull in the past.

Regarding clarity and the actual wording--yes it still needs a lot of work.

 

[afernandez]

What makes sense in this situation with representation is this, in the past people have represented MR as the MR administration making false promises in order to get great deals for themselves. They then walked away with their deal and left us holding the bag with an angry vendor or corporation.

care to say who? & what vendor? and why they where upset? lets be open about it so IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

No. those issues have been put to bed and as the rules state no member will represent MR at all. I find that it is odd that it has been in the sites rules for years an now we have a problem with it, very odd.

 

[afernandez]

Why would i go thruw all this effort and time to make an even?
i rather call up a couple of guys get food and drinks out of my own pocket and talk reef because thats what it is all about for ME. IM not here to make a buck, Ive learned alot thruw ppl and forums and i thank everyone. it's just a shame that reefers have to go thruw all this to personalize their experiences.

 

[jcs11236]

i agree with you.. all these rules makes people not even bother setting up a meet..

Why would i go thruw all this effort and time to make an even?
i rather call up a couple of guys get food and drinks out of my own pocket and talk reef because thats what it is all about for ME. IM not here to make a buck, Ive learned alot thruw ppl and forums and i thank everyone. it's just a shame that reefers have to go thruw all this to personalize their experiences.

 

[afernandez]

No. those issues have been put to bed and as the rules state no member will represent MR at all. I find that it is odd that it has been in the sites rules for years an now we have a problem with it, very odd.

:lol2: my point exactly. im done talking to the wall.

good luck with your rules

 

[nanchil]

Why would i go thruw all this effort and time to make an even?
i rather call up a couple of guys get food and drinks out of my own pocket and talk reef because thats what it is all about for ME. IM not here to make a buck, Ive learned alot thruw ppl and forums and i thank everyone. it's just a shame that reefers have to go thruw all this to personalize their experiences.

+1.

Do I have to get MR approval to meet a fellow MR @ a LFS too?

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Yes, thanks, good luck with the rules. Instead of pulling them apart why not help make them better and contribute to them. That is why this thread is open and that is why it is here. For input not to be bashed by people.

 

[James]

+1.

Do I have to get MR approval to meet a fellow MR @ a LFS too?

I think this type of feeling is what this thread is trying to alleviate. It is giving us members a chance to give our input, something they do not have to do. Clearly things happened recently that set this all in motion. It is not fair to try to use this as a rallying-point to demonize MR when they try pretty hard to be fair. Most of the people on this site have no idea what is happening and are only seeing the backlash which is not pretty but at least MR is letting us members be part of the solution instead of banning everyone involved and moving on (which is what I would do if I ran this site).

On a related note,
Perhaps if you do not like the way MR is run you could join one of the countless other internet forums or local clubs that are around and be done with the tyrannical and oppressive manhattanreefs.com, this site is obviously run by people who exploit and make boatloads of cash off the reef enthusiasts of the tri-state and beyond!!!!!!! FEAR MR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! what will they do next!! HIDE YOUR WIFE, HIDE YOUR KIDS, HIDE YOUR HUSBANDS TOO!!!!!!:sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin::sgrin:

 

[TRUKINGNY]

Honestly people need to stop telling other people if you don't like it leave because that one person you ask can lead to more and it's us little people that make the site interesting and wanting to keep coming on so why can't the BS talk stop it's getting tiring


Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[afernandez]

hey chief, like josh said in the first post
"It is open for questions and comments"
Thats what i did. you think i was bashfull thats your OPINION and your entitled to it.

and educator.....take a number

IM DONE. peace and love