MRC March Meetings

[gflat65]

Hey everybody. We've got a double shot of reefer madness this month. In preparation for the upcoming frag swap, tentatively set for April 25th at the Drury Inn, we've moved the meeting at Aquarium Fantasies to this month, also. This gives everyone an idea of how to frag numerous different coral types with enough time to be able to frag their own corals for the swap.

First meeting-

Saturday, March 14th at Cam's (bamalatino) house. More information will follow with directions to Cam's house. I think Cam has some refreshments in mind for the meeting, so I'm really looking forward to it. I hope to be able to eat like I want to by then.

Second Meeting-

Sunday, March 22nd at Aquarium Fantasies. The plan is to frag any coral type from Jim's tanks to show everyone how a little bit of everything is done. Jim said he'd do 1/2 off any frags we cut at the meeting for club members (more on membership details later). These prices do not include certain corals (chalices, dendros, etc.). Generally, in house cut frag prices are $25 for SPS and $30 for LPS, so with half off, $12.50 and $15.00. The intent of this is to give everyone another chance to see how to frag their own items with enough time to try their handiwork before the swap. We'll likely do a fragging demonstration at the swap in April, too, but you won't see as many different types of corals potentially being fragged as at Aquarium Fantasies. If only a few show up, we likely won't frag a little of everything (just a little of several things), so bring everyone. Jim will also have fragging kits available for purchase. Should be a great time.

We'll set up a meeting in April, also, to make sure we have everything covered before the swap. I can always do it at my place if no one else is available.

Well, I hope to see you all at both meetings this month. Both will be a treat. If I've missed anyone, or you run across someone who wants to be on the distribution, let me know and I'll get you added. I just sent an email out, so if you thought you were on the list, but didn't get one, let me know and we'll remedy the situation.

More details to follow on all of the above items.

 

[gflat65]

Okay, we've discussed everything except the meeting times... I forgot to ask Jim (and also need to get with Cam) about the meeting time for his meeting.

We are hoping for this meeting to help build the club, and to help bring in some money for the upcoming frag swap, tentatively set for 4/25 (pending confirmation of availability of the Drury). For those who sign up for club membership, there will be a $20 annual due. The dues will run current through 12/31. We basically will have renewals in the January and July time frames (prorated to $10 from July to December). In Nashville, we originally tried to have everyone's membership be a calendar year from the date they signed up, but that almost requires a full time job for the treasurer to keep up with who's dues are due when, etc. I was treasures (among others), and can say it was work. To simplify, we started a system like the one above.

For the meeting at Aquarium Fantasies, all club members will receive a 50% discount on any frags we cut in the store that day, for fragging demonstrations. Once again, this will not include some of his more expensive corals (chalices, dendro's, etc.). Non members will receive a 25% discount on the frags cut during that day. Savings over regular cost breaks down so that if you pay $20 for club membership and buy two frags at Aquarium Fantasies, you'd have saved your dues cost plus $5 in one night (normally $25 per frag-$12.50 at 50% off on SPS, for example).

We wanted to be able to offer a discount to those not in the club, so as not to exclude anyone, but also need this meeting to help build the club. We'll print out some cards for the meeting so that as you pay, we can give you a card to show at checkout. We'll later get a laminated card out to you.

Both meetings should be a lot of fun, so I hope we have a number of people come. Cam is planning on some tasty treats (I'll come off my food allergy diet for a night for that, regardless of the consequences). If enough people show up for the Aquarium Fantasies meeting, we'll get to see a lot of different things fragged (SPS, softies, LPS, etc.) so you can have things ready for the swap. Hope to see you all there. Let us know if there are any questions.

 

[Eddie Baby]

Just an update - the time for the April meeting at Jim's is 2PM on the 22nd (Sunday).

(The meeting at Cam's was cancelled - not a bad thing in this case, because it meant good things for Cam!)