The TCMAS BOD recently held a meeting to vote on some new and exciting changes for TCMAS!
All decisions in this announcement were passed with a majority vote from the BOD and have a targeted launch date of February 1st 2013 unless otherwise noted.
First off we addressed some upcoming benefits TCMAS members will be able to enjoy, we will be starting monthly giveaways that will take place in the members only section. We will also start running quarterly workshops, these workshops will be organized to not only benefit our members with materials to improve their husbandry but also to help us better understand different aspects of our wonderful hobby. The workshops will be announced in the members only section and only available to members on an RSVP nature as TCMAS will be providing the materials for our members to participate in the workshops. Official start dates for the workshops and giveaways will be announced soon so keep your eyes out for them. Items available in the giveaways will vary and change all the time, also the method in which these items are won will vary as well… we plan to have fun with this one.
We decided to revisit the classifieds issue that has been a hot topic for the current, and past BOD. We decided to close off the “Open Access” classifieds sections, this will result in only the current “members only” classifieds section being available which will then be relabeled removing the “members only” tag as these will be the only classifieds available going forward. This decision was made based on a motion that was voted on by the members at a Business Meeting.
There have been numerous requests, past and present, to find alternative means to become a part of TCMAS other than our current means outlined in the by-laws. There have also been numerous reportings of people showing up to meetings and simply signing in and leaving. The goal of the meetings is to be able to share our experiences with each other and learn from each other, at the same time the club has grown to be a strong community of reef enthusiasts and small meetings are not always practical, especially with social media and our forum as a big part of our lives. There will be no changes to the current method of obtaining membership via meeting attendance BUT we will be adding an alternative option to utilize.
To become a part of TCMAS without having the complete benefits of a full membership we will offer the option to become a TCMAS Supporter. This will be a paid option at the cost of $30 yearly or $50 for 2 years. If you choose this option this will include most but not all of the benefits of a full membership. Once this option is utilized, the yearly or bi yearly cost is non refundable regardless of club event or meeting attendance afterwards.
We have also decided to limit the classifieds access in the following manner, members, lifetime members and supporters will be able to view all classifieds sections and threads. In order to post in the classifieds section the posting parties will need to have a minimum of 50 posts on our forums. If new members are looking to purchase items from the classifieds section but have not reached the 50 post mark then they are more than welcome to send the selling party a PM regarding their interest.
An outline of the benefits members, lifetime members and supporters will be able to enjoy now and in the very near future are outlined as follows:
Members, Lifetime Members, and TCMAS Supporters will have the following benefits:
• Participate in monthly raffles and give-aways
• Free admission to workshops
• Free table at our expo's
• Certain additional options on the new forum which we will launch at the same time we implement the changes.
• A free entry in our “Yellow Pages” (A new directory - launched with the re-designed forum) This is for members to advertise any non-reef related business or services that they offer.
• Access to the classifieds. You will be able to see the sales and contact the seller however, if you want to post a for sale/wanting to buy thread you need a minimum post count of 50.
Member and Lifetime Member exclusive benefits include:
• Voting rights at business meetings as outlined in the bylaws
Early January 2013:
A thread will be opened for the upcoming elections
The elections, business meeting, and speaker’s event are being planned for the same day
Elections for the following positions will be open:
• President, currently held by Michael (Maxreefer)
• Treasurer, currently held by Angie (Acharpenter)
• Director, currently held by John (Patent)
Once the thread is opened members will be able to nominate themselves for these positions.
Elections for these positions and the 2013 Business Meeting will be held in April 2013.
All decisions in this announcement were passed with a majority vote from the BOD and have a targeted launch date of February 1st 2013 unless otherwise noted.
First off we addressed some upcoming benefits TCMAS members will be able to enjoy, we will be starting monthly giveaways that will take place in the members only section. We will also start running quarterly workshops, these workshops will be organized to not only benefit our members with materials to improve their husbandry but also to help us better understand different aspects of our wonderful hobby. The workshops will be announced in the members only section and only available to members on an RSVP nature as TCMAS will be providing the materials for our members to participate in the workshops. Official start dates for the workshops and giveaways will be announced soon so keep your eyes out for them. Items available in the giveaways will vary and change all the time, also the method in which these items are won will vary as well… we plan to have fun with this one.
We decided to revisit the classifieds issue that has been a hot topic for the current, and past BOD. We decided to close off the “Open Access” classifieds sections, this will result in only the current “members only” classifieds section being available which will then be relabeled removing the “members only” tag as these will be the only classifieds available going forward. This decision was made based on a motion that was voted on by the members at a Business Meeting.
There have been numerous requests, past and present, to find alternative means to become a part of TCMAS other than our current means outlined in the by-laws. There have also been numerous reportings of people showing up to meetings and simply signing in and leaving. The goal of the meetings is to be able to share our experiences with each other and learn from each other, at the same time the club has grown to be a strong community of reef enthusiasts and small meetings are not always practical, especially with social media and our forum as a big part of our lives. There will be no changes to the current method of obtaining membership via meeting attendance BUT we will be adding an alternative option to utilize.
To become a part of TCMAS without having the complete benefits of a full membership we will offer the option to become a TCMAS Supporter. This will be a paid option at the cost of $30 yearly or $50 for 2 years. If you choose this option this will include most but not all of the benefits of a full membership. Once this option is utilized, the yearly or bi yearly cost is non refundable regardless of club event or meeting attendance afterwards.
We have also decided to limit the classifieds access in the following manner, members, lifetime members and supporters will be able to view all classifieds sections and threads. In order to post in the classifieds section the posting parties will need to have a minimum of 50 posts on our forums. If new members are looking to purchase items from the classifieds section but have not reached the 50 post mark then they are more than welcome to send the selling party a PM regarding their interest.
An outline of the benefits members, lifetime members and supporters will be able to enjoy now and in the very near future are outlined as follows:
Members, Lifetime Members, and TCMAS Supporters will have the following benefits:
• Participate in monthly raffles and give-aways
• Free admission to workshops
• Free table at our expo's
• Certain additional options on the new forum which we will launch at the same time we implement the changes.
• A free entry in our “Yellow Pages” (A new directory - launched with the re-designed forum) This is for members to advertise any non-reef related business or services that they offer.
• Access to the classifieds. You will be able to see the sales and contact the seller however, if you want to post a for sale/wanting to buy thread you need a minimum post count of 50.
Member and Lifetime Member exclusive benefits include:
• Voting rights at business meetings as outlined in the bylaws
Early January 2013:
A thread will be opened for the upcoming elections
The elections, business meeting, and speaker’s event are being planned for the same day
Elections for the following positions will be open:
• President, currently held by Michael (Maxreefer)
• Treasurer, currently held by Angie (Acharpenter)
• Director, currently held by John (Patent)
Once the thread is opened members will be able to nominate themselves for these positions.
Elections for these positions and the 2013 Business Meeting will be held in April 2013.
I don't go to all meetings but I have been to a couple of meetings where I spent more time talking to the host and others after a brief peek at the tank.. mainly because the ones crowding the tank wouldn't budge.
