I feel just the opposite. I think we're getting so many new members some people might be intimidated at having a meeting at their house. If you haven't been to Custom Reefs, it's a good design for something like this. It's just one big open room.
I think I'd feel pretty funny at drinking a beer at B&B's though. But he's got a big screen tv and karaoke hooked up, so you know Peter likes a good party
I think it'll be a hoot. I know I'm ready to turn a few up after all this Ivan crap we've been through... Might even entertain you with my lovely singing voice, no that might break a few tanks.
- A wookie is nothing more than three ewoks duct taped together.
I'm personally mixed on this... one one hand, I wouldn't feel as comfortable, in a "social party" kind of sense at a vendor's place, however I would definitely like to see local vendors getting involved in the club... I dunno! Like I told deanna, I kinda wanted to do the meeting at the store this once, and see how everybody felt about it, afterwards.
I don't know..... I am just apprehensive, I don't want to turn it into a debate, I just don't know about the commercial aspect of it.
If there isn't any sales pressure being placed on the meeting then maybe it would be alright but I don't know what the ultimate agenda is for a Store to host a meeting? Do you understand what I mean? I am not trying to knock custom reefs for wanting to host but I don't want the meeting to turn into a what can you buy from me kinda deal?
Please don't be offended but this is the first thing that popped into my head.
We have mainly been a what can we trade kinda club and I don't want to lose that.
I don't see any problem with it. They (Peter and Lee) are offering to provide food and beer, have some sort of entertainment and have some sort of raffle. These things alone tell me that it there isn't too much of a hidden agenda. It will advertise Peter's store but it doesn't appear to me to be their main reason for hosting. It will give some of us who never seem to be able to make it to Pascagoula to shop a chance to check out a new store and maybe even buy something.
I have not been able to go anywhere but the places in Mobile since long before my daughter was born and think the opportunity to see a new place would benefit me more than Peter.
Would anyone not come just because it is at a store?
As long as he is hosting the meeting as a hobbiest and not as a salesman there is no problem with me.
"When they was no meat we ate fowl, when there was no fowl we ate crawdad. And when there was no crawdad to be found, we ate sand."--Cellmate
"You ate what?"--H.I.
"We ate sand."--Cellmate
"You ate sand?"--H.I.
"That's right."--Cellmate
I have stayed quiet up to now but several good points have been made about "conflict of interest". I personaly will not attend. Peter attended one meeting a yr ago at my house and has not attended since. He is also sponcering his own club or was when I last looked at his web site. I agree with we have always had it at a members house where we usually have the host give a history of their reef. We have in the past turned down or discussed ads on or page and decided not to so we could stay out of "conflict of interest" issues and stay where we can speak openly about all our trades and purchases. Now if Lee wants to have it at his house or apartment as a member that would be a different issue but then again he has of yet attended a meeting so I would still feel a little funny about the situation..... Personaly I feel this is more of a "fellowship" than anything else...Just a lot of great reefers getting together to give away their knowledge and frags to new-comers and old-timers and have a good time. I have met many great friends in the past yr and a half and do not want to go comercial or have rules, presidents, or anything formal. I think our fredom from any comercial aspects of this hobby is one of our greatest assets. JMO
"When they was no meat we ate fowl, when there was no fowl we ate crawdad. And when there was no crawdad to be found, we ate sand."--Cellmate
"You ate what?"--H.I.
"We ate sand."--Cellmate
"You ate sand?"--H.I.
"That's right."--Cellmate
I only partially agree with Terry. I don't think that having a meeting at a vendors place of business could be thought of as going commercial. On the other hand if Peter himself had joined, participated and offered to host himself there might be less apprehension about this meeting venue. But if Rich or another hobbiest/lfs were to offer to host would we want to reject their offers also. Also, what if I started to sell corals and fish out of my house as a business or even opened a store of my own (hypothetically of course), would there be any debate as to if I could host a meeting or who would attend?
Prob not....but you are already established as a member....What would be nice is a open house or party other than our club meetin....just another option....then no ties...simular to what b&b had this weekend....
I guess I'm with what Brandon said on this. I don't know many people very well and feel intimidated going to peoples homes whom I don't know. I am in total agreement that this should be done purely on a hobbiest level but at the same time I will be "checking out the wares" while I'm there and would feel offended if Peter would not sell me something I wanted.
I guess come if you want, don't if you don't, or leave early if you are not enjoying yourself. Enough debate has prob allready arisen to sink this idea anyway.
Joe
Last edited by Phisher on Sat Oct 02, 2004 9:26 pm, edited 1 time in total.
I just like a good reason to get drunk. I don't care where the meetings are held at just as long as they allow drinking. Just because it is being held at a lfs don't mean I have to buy anything. I think it's good that the local fish shops are trying to take interest in our club. This is a very small hobbie compared to hunting or fishing for example. I just don't see how it could hurt anything in the club if the local fish shops want to host some of a meeting. They are the main suppliers of our hobbies and it would be a good way for them to get some feedback from the folks that buy form them and to give something back in return. I love going to see every bodies tanks but I also love going to lfs because they usually have more tanks to look at. Ryan and I will be there.
RENTON: I chose not to choose life. I chose something else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you've got Heroin?
I think it is pretty common with other sports and hobbies for stores to host meetings, parties and other events. It does not mean that they have to be a regular member and come to all the meetings.(That might be weird, then we couldn't talk about them). It is a way for them to promote their business and give back to their customers. I think it is at least worth a try. Of course if it turns into a high pressure sales pitch I may be singing a different tune.
aka Goldschlager
30 gallon vivarium
2 japanese fire belly newts
2 random fish
Snakeman wrote:I just like a good reason to get drunk.
I have always liked the way this man thinks.
"When they was no meat we ate fowl, when there was no fowl we ate crawdad. And when there was no crawdad to be found, we ate sand."--Cellmate
"You ate what?"--H.I.
"We ate sand."--Cellmate
"You ate sand?"--H.I.
"That's right."--Cellmate
I don't know..... 
