RE: A Modest Proposal

["Hess, Clay A" <Clay.Hess@PSS.Boeing.com>]

Erik.

I agree with the fact that the auction did not go as I would have wished.  I 
was disappointed that there were a few people that spoiled it for the rest.  I 
like the idea of having a monetary limit, unless, otherwise cleared with the 
Treasurer ahead of time.  This would limit the Club's liability and give others 
a chance to get some of the more interesting items that are for sale.  

Provided all checks clear from the Auction, I see no problem with doing the 
plant order as you propose.  I would suggest we go through Africans, this time, 
for the plants, as it seems they would like to help us out.  

As for the System we used to do the tagging and bagging and all.......well, I 
do think that we need to improve a few pieces of the process, but, mostly it 
worked fine.  I believe we will need a way to do multiple sales items for the 
General Auction.  I also think that if we can get a couple more people set up 
on computers that would help.  Perhaps, dedicate one computer to checking 
people in or items in as we near the start of the Auction.  Those people that 
arrive first would have the opportunity to sign in and get their stuff into the 
Auction the smoothest.  Anyone arriving late, will have to stand in line and 
wait their turn.  I would like to review any suggested changes to the Auction 
process at this coming Board Meeting at Erik and Kathy's house.

Finally, I would like to thank all of you that helped with the 
Auction....without you all, the Club would not be Possible!  You all make my 
job much easier and more pleasant and I really appreciate that!  

Again, thank you....and see you soon...

Clay 

> ----------
> From:         Erik Olson[SMTP:erik@thekrib.com]
> Reply To:     gsas-board@thekrib.com
> Sent:         Wednesday, February 14, 2001 6:59 AM
> To:   gsas-board@thekrib.com
> Subject:      A Modest Proposal
> 
> I don't know about the rest of you guys, but Kathy and I both left the
> auction feeling "used".  Though things were moving way too quickly DURING
> the auction, after it was over those feelings started creeping in.  We can
> tell others must have been feeling similarly by the way everyone cleared
> out so quickly instead of the usual lingering, talking, etc.
> 
> The purpose of the plant auction is to provide our memberS with some cool
> plants that the otherwise might not have access to.  This was undermined
> by the the two people in the front who outbid everyone else, irregardless
> of the specimen being offered.  While I am sure Heather will take care of
> the plants she bought, I have no doubts that many of the rare specimens
> will end up as Arrowana food in Sasquatch's tanks.
> 
> I would like to propose two things to the board.
> 
> First, by way of apology to the members, I propose we order 20 or 30
> potted Anubias nana (wholesale around $2-3) to distribute free to anyone
> who attended the auction and who actually shows up next month.  Kathy and
> I will bring some of our own cuttings for free as well. Also, I propose we
> order a set of "unusual" anubias (like that A. congo) for each of the 10
> runners, recorders and auctioneers & others who helped that night. This
> would be contingent on Sasquatch's check actually cashing.
> 
> Second, I propose that we amend the rules of the auction to "cut people
> off" at, say, $300 or 25 items, whichever is more.  Kathy suggested
> another possibility of voluntary cutoffs value to be entered at
> registration time.
> 
> 
> Anyway, that said, everyone did an excellent job running the *&!@ thing.
> We were supposed to have four computers, which would have handled the
> registration simultaneously with the bidding, but two of the computers
> didn't work with the scanners.  I promise to test the "extra" systems
> BEFORE borrowing them next time!  I didn't see how the runners managed
> with the tagging system; maybe Don or Bob can comment on how that ran.> 
> 
> From memory, we cleared just over $1600 -- $400 of this was in splits, and
> $300 is owed to Delaware Aquatic, and about $100 to Sam for the driftwood.
> So if Sasquatch's check clears, we will have netted around $800.  (If his
> check bounces, we will net about $100).
> 
> Hey, just thought of something -- we could accept payments via PayPal in
> the future.  We can talk about that at the board meeting.
> 
>   - Erik
> 
> -- 
> Erik Olson
> erik at thekrib dot com
>