AMDA Elections

[JT]

I honestly don't see any reason for any non-retailer to join, but that's just my opinion.

Ok then, why is Randy soliciting me to join again and Steve telling me to get my company to join?

 

[Anonymous]

Because we need all the help we can get? It's like what, fifty bucks?

 

[JT]

Because we need all the help we can get? It's like what, fifty bucks?

Money isn't the issue.

You just told me you didn't see any reason for a non-retailer to join.

Also, Steve told me on Sunday that he is still worried about wholesalers joining membership as a way to infiltrate and take over.

*shrugs*

 

[dizzy]

I cast my vote for making it an all retailer organization. We may not be able to save the industry, but at least we should be able to achieve unity in our efforts. I don't think y'all realize how serious the situation truly is.
Mitch

 

[clarionreef]

Good idea Mitch,
And importers should make their own also.
Importers and retailers live in different worlds and have alien mindsets on things between themselves.
Importers choose the fish they order, determine much of the selections offered, determine packing strategies and are the front line of defense against the invasion of ;
unsaleable species...
I mean undesireables... :?
I mean unsuitables :x
I mean unsustainables :!:
Unsustainables is the only one that makes sense actually...and they are to be seriously adressed in the central question of to collect or not to collect in a region.
This is determined more by locals then not and in conjunction with them.
Importers have not an organization and if they could agree to do it they could make a more serious contribution to the resolution of these issues.
Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Because we need all the help we can get? It's like what, fifty bucks?

Money isn't the issue.

You just told me you didn't see any reason for a non-retailer to join.

Also, Steve told me on Sunday that he is still worried about wholesalers joining membership as a way to infiltrate and take over.

*shrugs*

I don't think AMDA currently offers sufficient benefits to it's members to really warrant a bonafide *reason* to join other than to see what happens. Cuirrently AMDA is nothing more than 4-5 volunteers trading emails and infrequent mIRC chats about what direction we want to head in, and what kind of an organization we would like to become. That's it. So if you are looking for a good reason to join, the only one I can give you is because you are interested in being involved in an organization that is interested in maintaining and protecting the independent retail segment of this industry (your potential customers), and acting as a watchdog for all of the eco groups that are popping up. Nothing more, nothing less.

 

[MaryHM]

I cast my vote for making it an all retailer organization. We may not be able to save the industry, but at least we should be able to achieve unity in our efforts. I don't think y'all realize how serious the situation truly is.

Wonderful idea, Mitch! The situation for the INDUSTRY is serious, so let's fragment the industry, call it unity, and make it be all about the retailers! Lucky thing this MAMTI junk only applies to retailers. Whew! I can breath a sigh of relief now. :roll:

That, folks, is AMDA's problem. And why AMDA will continue to be a go no where, do nothing group. Please, please make me eat my words.

 

[JT]

So if you are looking for a good reason to join

I'm not looking for a reason to join. I'm trying to determine whether AMDA has reformed itself enough over the past two years to give me the confidence in their ability to do anything to help reform the industry. If so, I'd support them.. if not, I won't. This is ALL I am after.

It's looking like I won't be supporting them as I continue to get the same runaround and conspiracy theories I got when I left two years ago. The run around I speak of is evident in this very thread. Only Rover has answered any of my questions in any kind of detail.

 

[dizzy]

I cast my vote for making it an all retailer organization. We may not be able to save the industry, but at least we should be able to achieve unity in our efforts. I don't think y'all realize how serious the situation truly is.

Wonderful idea, Mitch! The situation for the INDUSTRY is serious, so let's fragment the industry, call it unity, and make it be all about the retailers! Lucky thing this MAMTI junk only applies to retailers. Whew! I can breath a sigh of relief now. :roll:

That, folks, is AMDA's problem. And why AMDA will continue to be a go no where, do nothing group. Please, please make me eat my words.

Mary to my knowledge there is only one current member of AMDA that is a wholesaler anyway. When the planned wholesaler coup failed you guys left and never came back. All I have seen since is criticism of AMDA. I agree with Steve that wholesalers should probably form their own group. All the diversity of retailers/service/wholesalers ever did was divide us.
Mitch

 

[JT]

If you ask me, AMDA is a joke. It, even as just a retailers only association, will never work. Retailers in this industry have never banded together and they never will.

AMDA should just disband and those who are serious about reform form an association for just that. That's all that AMDA is doing right now anyway.

 

[dizzy]

Somebody needs to introduce JT to Drew. He has what you seek.
Mitch

 

[MaryHM]

Mary to my knowledge there is only one current member of AMDA that is a wholesaler anyway. When the planned wholesaler coup failed you guys left and never came back. All I have seen since is criticism of AMDA. I agree with Steve that wholesalers should probably form their own group. All the diversity of retailers/service/wholesalers ever did was divide us.

Hmmmm. You only have one wholesaler, yet you are still continually divided and are unable to accomplish anything. It's not a wholesaler vs. retailer problem, Mitch. It's an ego problem and a disorganization problem. Coupled with the severe problem of a pathetic/apathetic membership.[/quote]

 

[dizzy]

Mary,
Were not really all that divided anymore. Be on the lookout for the upcoming issue of Pet Product News. The editorial in the October issue was agreed upon by the entire BOD. We also agreed on quite a bit a MACNA. It's a pity most were to busy socializing to attend the two industry sessions.
Mitch

 

[MaryHM]

It's a pity most were to busy socializing to attend the two industry sessions.

At least with beer, you know you're going to get a buzz. So if one was to choose industry sessions over beer, what would they have gotten out of it?

 

[dizzy]

It's a pity most were to busy socializing to attend the two industry sessions.

At least with beer, you know you're going to get a buzz. So if one was to choose industry sessions over beer, what would they have gotten out of it?

A chance to meet Drew Weiner of Reef Protect up close and personal. I'm going to introduce him to JT. Drew has some new vision for reform where AMDA has failed. :wink:

 

[JT]

It's a pity most were to busy socializing to attend the two industry sessions.

At least with beer, you know you're going to get a buzz.

Exactly.

AND, I'd much rather be looking at these two cuties all night than Randy Goodlet and Mitch swapping conspiracy theory spit.

 

[dizzy]

Too bad you're such a bridge burner JT. Your not working for the wholesaler the CCIF has picked as the chosen one. I'll hook you up with Drew tomorrow. Perhaps he can help you.

 

[JT]

Too bad you're such a bridge burner JT. Your not working for the wholesaler the CCIF has picked as the chosen one.

Sounds like a good thing to me.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd have to say I side with JT on this one - how many MACNA's have come and gone with AMDA having meetings and then nothing getting done. Hell I remember Rick Oellers telling me in my shop "Man you gotta come to MACNA, the drinking is great!" Seems to me Rick at least had the right idea - 12 ounce curls with friends is alot more productive than pissing into the wind and seeing who gets wet.

AMDA hasn't done anything productive in the past 5 years - why would anything change now? Some new idea on reform? pahleeze - everybody wants reform but nobody wants to reform.

I see the challenge:

"Well how come you aren't a member, join us and help change"

Thats such a specious argument. The answer to that is so easy:

"How come you haven't changed a damn thing in the past 5 years?"

"How come AMDA still doesn't police it's own members?"

"If AMDA is such the instrument for change how come after almost 10 years of existance it's still merely a window sticker organization???"

 

[Anonymous]

JT,

Looks like Boston treated you well. Or is that pic from a recent coffee bean collecting expedition in Columbia?

Inquiring minds want to know,
-Lee