Re: Audio Tapes (fwd)

[Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com>]

Remember folks, only send mail to aga-mcm@thekrib.com, otherwise it will
go either to me, or in the trash, or both... 

You should read this e-mail back to front if you wish chronological order.
:)

I still would like to videotape the conference, with my usual caveat that
they won't leave my home unless decided otherwise by all involved later
(speakers, and this forum).  I think we should take a "let's see how it
goes" approach rather than pre-determine what we do with it.  Could turn
out none of the speakers want this (well, I guess all the speakers are in
this forum, so they could say what they want here).

I very much understand John's point.  As I've mentioned before, Kathy and
I made excellent use of taped shows we've attended, especially when we
were first getting started with dwarf cichlids.  We probably wore out the
tape on Kurt Zadnik's talk, going back over to figure out species names.

I do think it's quite reasonable to make a copy for a local club with the
condition that it STAYS with the local club.  I think a "Property of Local
Aquarium Society, Inc.  Do not duplicate" should be OK.

I am not in favor of advertising to ANYONE that we are taping speakers, as
per the "no need to go, just watch the rerun" problem.  But I do not see a
problem with taping all the speakers (who agree to it) and giving copies
to a local club or two (who requests it).  If we do agree, we should ask
John not to spread it around that we're doing it.  I suspect if we do
this, there will be no other requests.  I suspect we are making a big
deal out of a small issue.

  - Erik

PS: Though the discussion ended, there was no vote.  I think Dorothy
proposed a motion, but that was one of those mails that got swallowed up
because she included the entire digest.  I feel like such a pest. :(

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 26 Sep 2000 11:05:05 -0400
From: Karen Randall <krandall@world.std.com>
To: Charlene Nash <ecn@tennis.org>
Cc: MCM - Digest <owner-aga-mcm-digest@thekrib.com>
Subject: Re: Audio Tapes

I know Erik called for an end to the convention taping discussion, but this
is new information that I think needs to be considered.  Therefore, I'm
forwarding her message and my response to the list.

Karen

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Charlene,

I know who John is, and, in fact, corresponded with him several times both
concerning the start up of his local group, and on an article he
sebsequently wrote for PAM.  I think he has worked very hard to organize a
group of people interested in this segment of the hobby who otherwise
probably would not have come together.  I also think it is a group who, at
least at this point would not come to a function like this whether the tapes
are available or not.

Now I have even more mixed feelings.  I really would like AGA to do its part
to support small local planted tank groups, and John has certainly attacked
the organization with an enthusiasm that only a couple of other groups
(Vancouver and San Francisco) have matched.  I would hate for AGA to cut
themselves off from these local efforts.  OTOH, do we start a flood gate if
we set a precident by letting one local club do it?

I think my inclination would be to allow it on a case-by-case basis with
prior committee approval for use by a specific local club only. (and, of
course, subject to the agreement of the individual speakers)

I'm not sure of the usefulness of audio-only tapes, since most presentations
of this kind are pretty graphics intensive, but I guess that's up to the
individual club to decide. We can tell people who are given permission right
up front that we are allowing this on a trial basis only, and that it
doesn't mean that this will be allowed at future events, particularly if we
find that tapes are mis-used in the future.

I guess I'm also a little reluctant to turn away a donation of $1000,
particularly since the donor seems sincere in his motives.

----- Original Message -----
From: Charlene Nash <ecn@tennis.org>
To: <krandall@world.std.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2000 10:14 AM
Subject: FW:


> Here is a message from the guy interested in our audio taping the
> conference. Thought it might help clarify his position for some of the
> committee. Charlene
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: John Glaeser [SMTP:jglaeser@facstaff.wisc.edu]
> > Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2000 9:06 AM
> > To: Charlene Nash
> > Subject: RE:
> >
> > Charlene,
> >
> > Motivation for the donation:  I recently retired and have some money
> > and time I choose to share with projects and organizations with noble
> > purposes.  I don't expect anything in return. Some people simple give
> > to their church and to civic organizations with the intent of helping
> > build up the vibrancy of the community.
> >
> > I've developed skills in the art of planted aquariums.  I share these
> > insights freely, with some schools and a good number of hobbyist in
> > our community, Madison, Wisconsin.  This is volunteer work. It is
> > pleasing to see hobbyist grow in their pursuit of excellence.  They
> > are eager to learn. And last year, they asked me to organize a
> > planted aquarium club. Our first meeting was January of this year.
> > Our group numbers about 35. Tapes of the conference would enrich our
> > meetings for months to come.
> >
> > I see this as an outreach opportunity, and as a way having hobbyist
> > benefit from the good examples of experts. Some folks who don't have
> > the resources or time opportunities to travel to the conference would
> > benefit.
> >
> > When I was active in my former career as a scenic designer in
> > television broadcasting, I attended a few design conferences. Some
> > made audio tapes of the sessions for sale to those who attended and
> > for those who were not able to make the event.  I regarded this a
> > thoughtful decision on the part of the conference organizers.
> >
> > The committee may be suspicious of my motives and may think
> > availability of tapes will compromise the conference.  People should
> > follow their convictions on an issue such as my proposal. I think
> > folks coming to the conference will be there to enjoy the
> > presentations, the association with people, the aquarium venue and
> > the the community. This whole package a lot more than the stand alone
> > presentations.
> >
> > Respectfully....................John Glaeser
> >
> >
> > >The committee had some questions like who you are and why you would
> > donate
> > >that kind of money and what you expected in return?  Some thought it
> > would
> > >be a good idea and others thought that we should not sell the
conference
> > >recordings so people would just attend the conference and not wait on
the
> > >tapes to come out (cheaper). So I really don't have an answer yet.
> > Charlene
> > >
> > >  > -----Original Message-----
> > >  > From: John Glaeser [SMTP:jglaeser@facstaff.wisc.edu]
> > >  > Sent: Sunday, September 24, 2000 10:59 PM
> > >  > To: Charlene Nash
> > >  > Subject: RE:
> > >  >
> > >  > Hello Charlene Nash,
> > >  >
> > >  > Have you been able to review the idea of making audio recordings of
> > >  > the conference presentations?
> > >  >
> > >  > Though some of these might be illustrated, it still would be
valuable
> > >  > to capture words.
> > >  >
> > >  > Making a CD incorporating slides and recorded words would be very
> > >  > cool!  These days, the way technology is upon us............indeed,
> > >  > this would be a very contemporary gesture on the part of the
> > >  > conference event. What an outreach opportunity!
> > >  >
> > >  > Sincerely..................John
> > >  >
> > >  >
> > >  > >wow! That may be an offer we can't refuse! We are really wanting
to
> > get
> > >  > this
> > >  > >conference off the ground successfully so we can do this every
year
> > and
> > >  > next
> > >  > >year invite international speakers, etc so your help will be
> > appreciated.
> > >  > >Will get back to the committee and let you know. Thanks! Charlene

> > >  > >
> > >  > >  > -----Original Message-----
> > >  > >  > From: John Glaeser [SMTP:jglaeser@facstaff.wisc.edu]
> > >  > >  > Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2000 7:59 AM
> > >  > >  > To: Charlene Nash
> > >  > >  > Subject: RE:
> > >  > >  >
> > >  > >  > Charlene,
> > >  > >  >
> > >  > >  > I would be willing to make a straight out donation of $1000 up
> > front
> > >  > >  > to help support the costs of recording the presentations and
for
> > tape
> > >  > >  > duplication.  Just let me know and I'll send a check.
> > >  > >  >
> > >  > >  > The Madison Aquatic Gardeners Club is building a library. A
set
> > of
> > >  > >  > tapes would be an excellent addition.
> > >  > >  > ..........................John
> > >  > >  >
> > >  > >  > >Maybe that is a good idea, I will bring it up to the
committee
> > and
> > >  > we
> > >  > >  > just
> > >  > >  > >might do it. Good fund raiser to sell them at a reasonable
> > price
> > >  > since
> > >  > >  > this
> > >  > >  > >conference is going to cost the treasury a bit!
> > >  > >  > >
> > >  > >  > >  > -----Original Message-----
> > >  > >  > >  > From: John Glaeser [SMTP:jglaeser@facstaff.wisc.edu]
> > >  > >  > >  > Sent: Tuesday, August 29, 2000 10:11 AM
> > >  > >  > >  > To: Charlene Nash
> > >  > >  > >  > Subject: Re:
> > >  > >  > >  >
> > >  > >  > >  > Hello Charlene,
> > >  > >  > >  >
> > >  > >  > >  > Is the conference going to make audio recordings of the
> > >  > >  > >  > presentations?  I head a planted aquarium club in
Madison.
> > >  > Hearing
> > >  > >  > >  > some tapes would be a great hit with
them.............John
> > >  > >  > >  >
> > >  > >  > >  > >Hi John, thanks for your registration for the AGA
> > conference in
> > >  > Nov.
> > >  > >  > Let
> > >  > >  > >  > me
> > >  > >  > >  > >know if I can answer questions, etc or help with your
> > >  > arrangements.
> > >  > >  > Call
> > >  > >  > >  > the
> > >  > >  > >  > >Clarion directly for your hotel reservations and let me

> > know if
> > >  > you
> > >  > >  > need
> > >  > >  > >  > any
> > >  > >  > >  > >transportation from the airport. See ya in Nov! Charlene
>