RE: Robert's Rules/Board Meeting

[Kathy Olson <kathy@thekrib.com>]

Hello all,

I just got home from work and was able to read all the messages.  I think
most of it has been said/unsaid/cleared, but just gotta add my piece.

My main issue with last night was NOT having a full discussion.
Just writing the email I came to the conclusion that it wasn't such a bad
idea....check that first post that part is in there.  It allowed
me clarification and closure just being able
to write it.  I am okay with the philanthropy....I just wanted more
discussion, and felt cut off..and the justification was Robert's
Rules...Scott even appeared to have more to say, also at other meetings we
have discussed it more.  I don't usually feel so cut off, and this was a
brand new topic, and a controversial one.

On the speaker note.....several issues....last night was a heads up for
thoughts...no plans have been made.  Feelers have been put out just to
find out what speakers were interested, and they were told that I would
talk with the board on whens/whats/etc.  At NEC (and email), I had people
volunteering
to come out and speak and told them I wasn't sure we had the budget
because it was three non local speakers a year and we may have those
already and I needed to talk to the board (Dave Herlong was one of those
volunteering, along with Gary Lange, Vinny, Pam).

Rosario LaCorte is a LEGEND, and one of the LAST Founding Fathers of the
Fish hobby that gives an awesome talk, and would be willing to come.  I
could ask Axelrod as well, not sure he would be willing to come, or how
interesting he would be, or even if I could get to him.   I have had other
clubs, ie HOUSTON, say that
this was the BEST speaker they ever had, and think "oh yeah" and ignore
them.
Then Erik taped his Rosario's in NJ, it was AWESOME, one of the Best I had
heard, then I saw him at NEC, again ONE of the BEST.  I don't even know
who to compare him too.  We could have a NJ party and watch the video at
our house.  I asked him out, and he hymmhawed, wavered, and sort of
agreed.  He is getting up in years and probably won't travel at all in a
few more years, and
doesn't like leaving his wife (who he adores and shows pictures of in his
talks), and it is a long flight.  It doesn't get easier with the years.

I have seen him talk, I don't have to see him again.  Erik and I will
likely see him again next year.  He is just sooo good, I think he would be
awesome for everyone to see.  Erik and I go to these things and see
someone really good, and think "wouldn't it be great to get him for the
club".  For Rosario, it will take coaxing, encouragement and
bending over backward to get him out.  If the club wants him to talk, I
would be glad to pursue it...but we may have to step out of our usual box
to get him, or he may just come out like everyone else does, I don't know.
I wanted to talk with you guys before I even started to approach it more.
It may take putting him up in a Hotel room, or bringing out his wife, or
coordinating with the whole west coast, I am willing to do it.  He is
really good.  But if you guys are not, then no sense in me trying.
The thing is, I don't mind trying, the worst he can say is no, and if he
says yes we get a really good speaker.


My plane ticket (19 day) advance to Philly 2 weeks ago was $850, all the
tickets I checked for wayne were 600-700.  It is more expensive to fly
right now, and I would definitely check with the board before spending any
money.  (ps I have now seen Waynes History of the Hobby talk at least 3
times, but again think it is a classic talk in the hobby and not something
you see everyday, it is a treat if you have never seen it, that is why I 
want to promote it HEAVILY).

I just usually pick the main target and work speakers around them.
ie Rosario LaCorte, is HISTORY, is LEGEND, and IS VERY HARD To get out, so
I would go for him and see how it works....if he wavers or takes more
time, I start filling the fall talks and work for spring or next fall 2001 
to get him....etc.  That is how I fill the year.

....come on....it took me two plus years to get Diane Elliot to talk on
Fish Diseases.

....it has been 8 months of trying to get Mike Schadle on
livebearers...now I have an OK.  By the way I have seen his talk, no
reason for me to hear it again, but it is excellent and great for the club
members to hear.  I learned tons listening to him at NEC.

....my ideas...pick a bunch of speakers....pick our top choices....and
then let them fall as they may with guidelines.  If I don't start working
now on Oct, it won't happen.  I always try to check it all out with you
first...this year our big out of town person was Wayne, all the rest were
locals (except for Lee Newman who is sort of local)

As for the benefits.  I get 3 weeks of vacation a year.  This year in
order to accomodate Wayne being out one week is broken up and two days are
there.  Hence Erik and I could only take two vacations of a full week out
of town.  
For Lee Newman's talk, I traded call, and have two extra ICU calls,
and less weekends off to accomodate his schedule.  I don't mind, and don't
bitch about it because it is my choice, also when I have needed someone
for a speaker to hang out with I have asked and someone has been there.  I
think wayne spent two days with Heather practically.

Heather has been tour guide in the past for our speakers.  I would feel
bad just letting them sit home all day so Erik and I juggle days off or I
ask for help/volunteers...sometimes I probably haven't been so public
about it. Wayne did not pay for a meal last year when he was out...except
one Dick's burger because he insisted.  Typically we do one meal on the
club, the rest on us.  I try to let everyone know when/where we will be so
everyone can hang out with the speaker too.  I have heard most of these
guys before they ever get here, so I am not inviting them out on a private
agenda.  It would be fine for them to stay at someone else's house, I feel
sort of responsible for them I guess and so take it on myself.  We do get
to spend time with them, but I don't mean to do it to take them away from
anyone else...so I hope the general feeling is not that.  Anyone is
welcome to camp out with us, or if the speaker wants they can stay with
anyone, I think usually I am the one they have had the most contact with.
Exceptions are Kurt Zadnik who I think stayed with Dave, and Steve
Lundblad who said next time he wanted to stay with Anne and Bob (after
sleeping in the Capitol Hill apt).  I am open for any suggestions.  Like I
said, we have seen most of these guys at outside conventions, and we go to
those to see new people.  I would like to bring in people we have never
seen to the club before....but not sure who that would be right now.  
Yes, wait, Vinny, and Pam Chin...there we go!  :)

On another note I do need to say that part of my reward for doing all the
speaker wrangling is getting to hang out with them...it can and sometimes
is a pain (and some guests I have been dying for them to leave), and
sometimes it is a blast.  If anyone else wants to take it on, I am totally
willing to share, or take on a new job, this one does fit my
abilities/talents and time. I am good at talking to total strangers and
understanding their lives....now why could that be????  :) (ie it is my
job/career).  (waking up at 4 am after one hour of sleep to bring Lee
Finley to the airport on a night I was then on call and got no sleep was
not my idea of fun, but it is all a trade off...by the way when he spoke
here I had seen him at Portland twice and Sacramento, it was not a new
talk but one I thought the club would enjoy.)

Now that I have said my piece, and repeated myself a few times.  I also
want to say I respect our right to disagree. I would much rather be in a
group with dissention where I knew someone would confront me on things
they didn't like than a group that always agreed and I never knew when I
was stepping on toes.  It is too hard to take care of my life, let alone
worry about how I may be silently affecting another.

Okay, end of diatribe.  Open to suggestions.

I will talk to the BOARD before all speakers either via email or at the
meetings.

What is okay to discuss with Rosario? Do we want to try on that one or
should it wait another month. He won't talk via email, so I was planning
on sending an letter inquiry, and wanted to get started early...so we
could get fall planned.  I am not committing, just inquiring.

Kathy 


(ps, I don't think the speakers will want to stay with us for too long,
Erik and I are considering (not final) family if all works well in mid
2002, screaming kids are not fun, so someone else may need to step up to
the plate then.  Erik don't kill me for talking about it, but our time may
be limited.)