PintoHawk
Dec 9th 2008, 08:19 AM
(If this is not the correct board to post this under, I apologize, please feel free to move it to a more appropriate location, thank you.)
Ok…. I have a big project going on, that I wanted to share with my fishy friends here on the CAC forum, because I figured some of you would understand the motivation and perhaps a few of you might have suggestions as well.
I have been frustrated with the fact that my city does not have a fish club of any sort. The closest one to me is the Calgary Aquarium Society, and that's a 3 hour drive for me. Not so long, but not very convenient either. I would prefer a local club. So I have decided to start one. * chews fingernails*
I have spoken with a few fish-keeping friends here in the city about the possibility of doing this, and have received very positive and encouraging feedback. I called City Hall and asked a lot of questions. I printed off a bunch of different forms from the Alberta government website. I read a lot Bylaw information. I phoned the library and asked about meeting rooms. I took a lot of notes about other clubs and what they offer, I thought about what I want to offer, what I expect as a member. I think I have a decent grasp of what it will take to get this going. I put together a big binder of notes, documents, contact information, forms, etc. to keep myself organized. I made posters with my name & number on them and put them up all over this half of the city (the other half of the city will get posters tomorrow) at the pet stores and community boards I could find. My mother-in-law will be putting up posters in one of the small towns just outside the city. I put ads online on some free classifieds sites. I emailed City Hall and asked them to put up an ad on the city website under "community groups & clubs". So far my posters/ads basically say "call me if you are interested, will be scheduling the first official meeting for end of January…". They have little images of fish on them to catch the eye. They are printed off my computer (they have little convenient rip-off tags with my name & number at the bottom) and I think they are eye-catching and not sloppy-looking. Going for a professional and organized impression here. :)
I am hoping to meet some hobbyists before the end of January and get some help to organize all of this. We'll put up a new set of posters in mid-January advertising the first meeting - when, where, what time, etc. At the first official meeting, I hope to have a nomination/vote to establish the Board of Directors (Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer), and talk with the people who show up about what they expect from the club, and decide what we will offer, and get the ball rolling even more.
I think this being the Christmas season, a lot of people will see my posters and they'll plant a bug, get people thinking, at least a little. I don't think anyone will have time for a meeting this month, so I chose to mention January instead. The New Year makes more sense. People will be out and about shopping right now, so more chance to notice my posters. When the time comes for the first official meeting, I want to try for an ad in the local newspapers, too.
This is where I sit, waiting for a few pone calls (hopefully), and planning the first meeting, and talking to everyone I meet in the pet stores about their interest in a fish club. I have met several people who said they'd be interested, or would pass the information along to friends. It is sounding good, hopeful. I am excited to meet other hobbyists in the city! I am really looking forward to the first meeting. :)
What are your thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?
Thanks! At the very least, wish me luck! LOL
Ok…. I have a big project going on, that I wanted to share with my fishy friends here on the CAC forum, because I figured some of you would understand the motivation and perhaps a few of you might have suggestions as well.
I have been frustrated with the fact that my city does not have a fish club of any sort. The closest one to me is the Calgary Aquarium Society, and that's a 3 hour drive for me. Not so long, but not very convenient either. I would prefer a local club. So I have decided to start one. * chews fingernails*
I have spoken with a few fish-keeping friends here in the city about the possibility of doing this, and have received very positive and encouraging feedback. I called City Hall and asked a lot of questions. I printed off a bunch of different forms from the Alberta government website. I read a lot Bylaw information. I phoned the library and asked about meeting rooms. I took a lot of notes about other clubs and what they offer, I thought about what I want to offer, what I expect as a member. I think I have a decent grasp of what it will take to get this going. I put together a big binder of notes, documents, contact information, forms, etc. to keep myself organized. I made posters with my name & number on them and put them up all over this half of the city (the other half of the city will get posters tomorrow) at the pet stores and community boards I could find. My mother-in-law will be putting up posters in one of the small towns just outside the city. I put ads online on some free classifieds sites. I emailed City Hall and asked them to put up an ad on the city website under "community groups & clubs". So far my posters/ads basically say "call me if you are interested, will be scheduling the first official meeting for end of January…". They have little images of fish on them to catch the eye. They are printed off my computer (they have little convenient rip-off tags with my name & number at the bottom) and I think they are eye-catching and not sloppy-looking. Going for a professional and organized impression here. :)
I am hoping to meet some hobbyists before the end of January and get some help to organize all of this. We'll put up a new set of posters in mid-January advertising the first meeting - when, where, what time, etc. At the first official meeting, I hope to have a nomination/vote to establish the Board of Directors (Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer), and talk with the people who show up about what they expect from the club, and decide what we will offer, and get the ball rolling even more.
I think this being the Christmas season, a lot of people will see my posters and they'll plant a bug, get people thinking, at least a little. I don't think anyone will have time for a meeting this month, so I chose to mention January instead. The New Year makes more sense. People will be out and about shopping right now, so more chance to notice my posters. When the time comes for the first official meeting, I want to try for an ad in the local newspapers, too.
This is where I sit, waiting for a few pone calls (hopefully), and planning the first meeting, and talking to everyone I meet in the pet stores about their interest in a fish club. I have met several people who said they'd be interested, or would pass the information along to friends. It is sounding good, hopeful. I am excited to meet other hobbyists in the city! I am really looking forward to the first meeting. :)
What are your thoughts? Suggestions? Ideas?
Thanks! At the very least, wish me luck! LOL