Re: NEC Convention, Membership issues

[krandall@world.std.com]

At 09:47 PM 3/8/99 -0500, Jack O'Leary wrote:
>Hi, folks!
>
>Just a couple of discussion items:
>
>The Northeast Council of Aquarium Societies Convention is coming up
>soon.  In past years, the AGA had a Friday afternoon meeting and set up
>a display table.  This year, neither Karen nor I plan on attending the
>whole thing.  I don't know if Neil or Dorothy, or any other MCM member
>plans to attend.  Does the AGA intend to have a presence there?  I would
>be willing to set up an unattended membership display there on Friday,
>and take it down on Sunday, if the MCM thinks that it is worth it.
>Let's discuss.

I think it would be wonderful!  We always seem to pick up a few new members
from these things.  You are welcome to use my "picture posters" if you
want.  If you can't make it up here to pick them up, remind me when I get
back, and I'll mail them to you. (I have a big, thick mailing sleeve for
them)  And of course, I'll help you with it on the day we all go together.
I can bring T-shirts and pins along that day as well. (we could have a note
with the display saying that items could be purchased at that time)

>The idea of an introductory kit being sent out to new members is getting
>more appealing.  Most communications with members have been positive,
>but I do get a never-ending stream of letters and email from
>recently-joined members wondering if I received their application and
>where the first issue is.  Sometimes they get a little testy.  If anyone
>wants to volunteer to make up a mailing (even just a postcard will do),
>I'll try to handle the rest.

I think this is a great idea.  I wonder if Merrill would be willing to help
with the wording?

>And just so you all know, I'm handling most of the membership duties on
>a "batch"-style basis.  I am sending out renewal notices on a bimonthly
>basis, and I am processing incoming memberships on a roughly bimonthly
>basis as well.  What I do is wait until I get word from Neil that labels
>are needed, and then process all of the applications received by that
>time in one mad rush.  This is done partly to make sure that anyone who
>sends in their application will definitely get the next issue.  I would
>rather do the membership stuff on a daily or weekly basis, but it just
>hasn't happened yet.

I don't think it's realistic to expect that anyone can handle this stuff
daily.  We all have "lives". (of sorts<g>)  I know Dave handles book sales
the same way. (and I used to too)

>Everything is going fairly smoothly except in one area - email.  I
>apologize for being a terrible correspondent.  My excuse is that I have
>an enormous flood of email daily, from a number of sources, and it's a
>lot of work to keep up with it.   If you must reach me in a hurry, then
>it's best to use my alternate email address, joleary@col-col.com.
>Please don't give this out to anyone else, though.  My personal email
>address is already being flooded by a lot of "annoyance" AGA membership
>questions.

It's nice to have the other E-mail address, and if we really need you, I
can always give you a call.  Just knowing the membership is being well
taken care of is wonderful!

Karen