Re: AGA memorial fund for Vicki Costley (fwd)

["S. Hieber" <shieber@yahoo.com>]

This is touchy. How can we not want to honor someone that
died tragically that was known and well liked in the hobby?

This sounds like a nice idea but it seems that some of the
most important matters have yet to be addressed.

I see two issues here, one re who and the other re how.

As for who, a slightly less sensitive version of the issue
came up for the convention with the suggestion that we
announce a  moment of silence for . . . .

But once one name was mentioned, others came up (Merril
Cohen, and others). I think we ended up with only a handful
but it wasn't a broad survey for names as I recall.

So who picks who gets memorialized? There's at least a few
great people that have passed away after giving a lot to
the hobby, no?

*************************

Re how:  

Financial How:
Is this a one time thing or to be annually funded? If
annually funded, by who, and who collects the funds? Or are
we looking at an offer of an endowment? At current interest
rates, it will take over $600 to endow a $25 annual prize,
and with AG costs exceeding revenues, can we gaurantee that
the endowment won't be put at risk? Well, I suppose if we
get down to our last $600, we have other things to worry
about -- although by then it will be too late :-\

But it sounds like the endowment is $400, if I'm reading
the message correctly? And the proposal is to take from the
$400 for the $25 each year until the $400 runs out (16
years) and then Aquaden and Aquabotanic members will come
up with more money. I think it's hard to say who will
donate to what 16 years from now. I suggest that, unless
the prize takes on a life of its own and draws donations,
donations beyond the initial funding are unlikely.

Btw, Aquaden has about 400 registered users and AB claims
close to 1,500. So the $400 collected so far works out to
an average of about a quarter per registered user.
Undoubtedly the sum came from fewer individuals.

Opereational how:
Who judges? Who picks the judges. What are the criteria for
assessing potential recipients? Who will actually
administer these things?


--- Erik Olson <erik@thekrib.com> wrote:
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> Date: Mon, 1 Dec 2003 23:20:57 -0500
> From: Lana Lawrence <lana.lawrence@verizon.net>
> To: erik@thekrib.com
> Subject: AGA memorial fund for Vicki Costley
> 
> Dear EriK,
> 
> I am writing on behalf of Aquaden.com and
> Aquabotanic.com's Wet Thumb Forum
> to request that the AGA consider establishing a award in
> memory of Vicki
> Costley, a beloved member of both communities who was
> tragically killed in
> an auto accident last month.  Both communities have money
> that they would
> like to put toward this potential award that would honor
> excellence in
> Aquatic Gardening.
> 
> Vicki Costley was an avid aquatic gardener and encouraged
> many fish keepers
> who she encountered on a daily basis to delve into
> planted aquaria.  She
> inspired people with images of her own tanks and she was
> generous with her
> advice for those who needed it on establishing planted
> tanks.  She was
> well-read on the subject, not to mention talented with
> her ability to
> aquascape.
> 
> We envision this award being given online on an annual
> basis, with possibly
> a $25-$50 dollar prize.  Aquaden has expressed an
> interest in sponsoring the
> award even after the initial funds of around $400
> (combined) run out and The
> Wet Thumb community might be willing to do the same.  She
> was a special and
> beloved member of our communities and we feel that this
> would be the most
> fitting way to honor her.  I have also received
> permission to establish such
> an award from her immediate family.
> 
> Please let me know if the AGA would be willing to
> establish such an award,
> and what procedures would need to be taken in order to
> put it in place.
> 
> Sincerely,
> Lana Lawrence
> Aquaden.com


=====
S. Hieber

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