[GSAS-board] GSAS October 2004 Board Meeting Minutes - Preliminary Copy for Review

["Rick Rose" <rick-rose@comcast.net>]

Greater         

  Seattle

    Aquarium

      Society                Board Meeting Minutes:  October 21, 2004

                                                (at the home of Paul Winchester)           

 

 

Board Members        Present                                                                       Absent

 

                                                Bob Holmes                                                     Susan Welenofsky

                                                Rick Rose                                                       

                                                Sandu Simion                                                  

                                                Paul Winchester

 

Membership Observers

 

·        (None)

 

 

Preliminary Business

 

·        (None)

 

 

Executive Committee Reports

 

Ø      The Minutes of the previous Board Meeting (September 23^rd 2004) were approved.

 

Ø      The Treasurer’s Report

 

1)      Current Primary Account Balance:        $1,426.39

2)  Money Market Account                       2,001.46

3)  Cash Box:                                                40.00

                                                                        _________

                             $3,467.85

 

4)      Outstanding Bills – Jim Atchison’s Plane Fare

 

 

 

Meeting & Program Schedule

 

Month             Topic / Activity                                                                       Fish-o-the-Month

 

SEP 14^th           Steev Ward – Fish Pathogens                                                    Small, Community Fish

OCT 12^th          Jim Atchison – Live Foods                                                         $35 Live Food Items

NOV 9^th Michael Goumas – Breeding, Selling & Trading Fish to Local Stores                        Rummy nose Tetras

DEC 14^th          Christmas Party                                                                        (None)

JAN 11^th           Tom Waltzek – Leafish                                                             (______________________)

FEB 8^th             Plant Auction   

MAR 8^th          

APR 12^th          General Auction

MAY 10^th         Tim Hovanec                                                                            (______________________)

JUN 14^th          

 

(2005-2006 Club-Year)

 

SEP 13^th          

OCT 11^th         

NOV 8^th          

DEC 13^th          Christmas Party

JAN 10^th          

FEB 14^th           Plant Auction   

MAR 14^th        

APR 11^th          General Auction

MAY 9^th          

JUN 13^th          

 

(*)        Tentative, Special Dates

 

Special Dates (in Red)

 

List of possible speakers:

 

ü      Pam Chin

ü      Steve Lunblad (African Cichlids)  FOTM:  Tanganyikan Cichlids

ü      Steev Ward (Freshwater Fish Diseases from a Practical Standpoint) FOTM:  Any nice tetra, barb, catfish, otocinclus

ü      Wayne Liebel – Cichlids, or History of the Aquarium Hobby

ü      Paul Louiselle

ü      Mel O’Meare (sp?) – Large Central American Cichlids (Dave) FOTM:  New World cichlids – NO CONVICTS, Blue Rams would be good.

ü      Lee Findley – Catfish

ü      Yohan Fernando – Wild Bettas – Part II

ü      David Spector – Show Bettas

ü      Tom Waltzek – Fish Disease, Leaf fish, Cichlids

ü      Oliver Lucanus (www.belowwater.com) FOTM: (Variety)

ü      Takashi Amano (will be here in the US in November 2004)

ü      Sandu Simion – Breeding Fish Techniques (Corys, Neons, Angels)

ü      Anthony Calfo – from Pennsylvania – Saltwater/Beginner Reef

ü      Dave Sanford/Kate Breimayer - Advanced Killifish Presentation

ü      Frank Tompko - How to Sell on AquaBid

ü      Betty Goetz – Autoliths (sp?) – after established and comfortable

ü      Rick’s Friend from Fred Hutch Lab

ü      Mike O'Brien – PSAS – Beginning Saltwater Aquaria/Reef FOTM:  (3) $10.00 gift certificates

 

Meeting Ideas:

 

• Field trip to African NW (South Park Industrial Area – weekend activity) (Sam is willing to set up – let him know when ready)
• Videos from Erik’s library
• Home Video Night (10 minute presentation by various members)
• Rain Forest Aquarium Presentation by Sandu
• Florida Aqua Farms Presentation

o       Livebearers

• South American cichlids (broad selection. could be subdivided into dwarf,pike etc.)
• Asian fish (loaches, barbs, rasboras etc.)
• Gold Fish
• Anabantoids (again, subdivide into bettas, gouramis etc.)
• Round-Table – Bring something to trade

 

Action Items:

 

• Sandu is in contact with Oliver Lucanus for June (depending on Oliver’s recovery.)

o       Bob will contact PSAS (Paul Hamby) to see if they want to share – PaulH@LastingCredit.com

o       Bob will contact Vancouver to see if they want to share.

• Bob will contact Lee Findley
• Sandu will put out a request on the email list for spawning pictures (to be emailed to him off-list.)
• Bob will ask Mike O’Brien if he can speak at the March meeting.
• Bob:  Anthony Calfo can only be here in May and we don’t have May open.  Sandu asked Mike O’Brien (of PSAS) if we can establish a relationship with their club to let our members in free (by showing membership card.)  If they are reluctant, we could offer to pay $100 to Anthony as an honorarium.

 

Ø      Email from Sandy re: FOTM

 

From: Cichlidqueen <cichlidqueen@yahoo.com>
Subject: Fish of the month
To: jbholmes@nwlink.com

Hi Bob, Mike the guest speaker for next month is bringing 12 small discus for donation to the club.  I am writing to you about this now so there is no confusion at the meeting.  Since discus require special care and cannot be thrown into a comunity tank, I do not think we should offer these as the fish of the month.  Maybe we should just sell them to the club members at a reasonable price or have a mini auction for them.  I can always get some companion type fish for the fish of the month.  Cardinals and rummynoses and clown loaches, fish that can be kept with discus.  Anyways these are just suggestions.  What do you think?  Sandy

 

Bob will respond to Sandy, asking her to get $30-40 worth of rummynoses for November FOTM.

 

 

Ø      Email from Frank Tomko (originally sent to Rick and now forwarded to Bob.)

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Frank Tomko [mailto:kpnfish@yahoo.com]
Sent: Saturday, June 14, 2003 10:01 AM
To: Rick
Subject: Re: GSAS Livebearer Speaker - Name?

 

I have two suggestions for speakers.  If you need more names, you can contact ALA Chairman, Greg Sage or any other ALA Officer for suggestions.  Their contact information is posted on the website livebearers.org.

 

My first choice is John Lyons, Principal Ichthyologist for the Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources and Curator of Fishes at the University of Wisconsin Zoological Museum.  A leading research scientist studying ecology and conservation of Mexican/Central American freshwater fishes, primarily Goodeids and poeciliids.  As part of his recently concluded field study in Mexico, Dr. Lyons has compiled a list of the current status of goodeid populations in the wild (posted at livebearers.org)  and is maintaining a database  on captive populations in the US and Canada.  His presentation at this years ALA Annual Convention on

Goodeid habitats was very interesting.

 

Also, Dr. Steven Kazianis, Co-director of the Xiphophorus Genetic Stock Center located at The Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos Texas. The Center maintains over 60 populations of 22 of the 23 Xiphophorus (platties and swords) species known to exist and provides fish and information to scientists and hobbyists alike.  Info about the Centers and their work with Xiphophorus in genetic and cancer research in on their website, xiphophorus.org

 

John Lyons

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

1350 Femrite Drive

Monona, WI  53716-3736

Phone: (608) 221-6328

Fax: (608) 221-6353

e-mail: john.lyons@dnr.state.wi.us

 

 

Dr. Steven Kazianis

e-mail: sk13@swt.edu

Southwest Texas State University

601 University Drive

419 Centennial Hall

San Marcos TX 78666-4616

Phone: (512) 245-0358

 

Bob will contact these men about speaking at a future meeting (without specific dates, for now.)

Next Meeting:  November 9^th 2004

 

 

o       The November General Meeting topic is a Presentation on Breeding, Selling & Trading Fish to Local Stores by Michael Goumas from Chehalis Washington.

 

Old Business

 

Ø      Recap of October General Membership Meeting – Jim Atchison, Live Foods

 

1. 28 members signed-in plus 3 guests
2. Email feedback…

 

> Thanks for inviting such an interesting speaker! Although I've done live food for years, there are several critters I haven't tried. Still can't get past the white nematode thing (too much like parasitic worms), but it's great to learn new things. And thanks (I guess) to Dave S. who clued me into a reference I don't have on my shelves yet <G>....a little googling today found me a copy that wasn't TOO pricey. You are right....this book (Encyclopedia of Live Foods - TFH) isn't common (sigh).

Betty Goetz (book addict)

 

-----Original Message-----
From: gsas-board-bounces@thekrib.com [mailto:gsas-board-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of DonaldR
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 2004 10:10 AM
To: Greater Seattle Aquarium Society board members
Subject: Re: [GSAS-board] Meeting

 

I enjoyed the presentation very much!  His humor was interesting at times ;-)

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Atchison [mailto:jim@atchison.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 8:56 AM
To: Rick Rose
Subject: RE: [GSAS-board] FW: The Talk for the Group

 

Rick,

 

The plane flight was $230.20. I can fax a copy of the electronic receipt up to you if you want me too.

 

The receipt was easy to find. It was in one of the bags...still haven't completely unpacked. I'm hoping to be caught up with "stuff" by tomorrow evening...we'll see.

 

When you are talking tonight, please let the board know how much I enjoyed the trip. It's a great opportunity to speak with the group of course, but it gives folks like me the chance to re-examine process, techniques, tips and tricks. It's a learning experience on both sides of the street.

 

Thank you for inviting me and taking care of me along the way.

 

Take care,

Jim

Rick will forward Jim’s mailing address to Susan so she can send his reimbursement check.

 

Ø      June Olberding (from the membership) requested that the kid’s coloring contest winning entries be displayed on the table near the entrance.  Rick will do this.  (Outstanding)

 

 

Ø      Library Handout – Bob will contact Woody to go through the cabinet and update the inventory - producing a handout based on the new book list.

 

 

Ø      Fire Safe – The Board unanimously voted to direct Rick to purchase a fire safe in which to store the club’s official documents:  Insurance policy, Incorporation, Contract with SPU, etc. - Done.

 

Ø      On-line Banking procedures for all board members yet to be established. - Outstanding

 

Ø      We need to notify Vancouver and Portland of our new location – Bob will email the presidents of these two organizations and ask them to announce our new location to their membership. – Done.

 

Ø      Rick will begin sending an email reminder when membership is expiring. (Process Outstanding)

 

Ø      Susan will ask Kate B. about our using her fish painting to create T-Shirts for sale to club members.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: gsas-board-bounces@thekrib.com [mailto:gsas-board-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Susan Welenofsky
Sent: Tuesday, August 24, 2004 3:34 PM
To: GSAS Board
Subject: [GSAS-board] Fw: Fish Painting

 

Kate said it would be fine for us to use her picture. Can we give her some kind of compensation for its use? It's a beautiful rendering.

 

Susan

 

v     It was decided that we will give Kate a free shirt to thank her for donating her artwork to the T-Shirt project.

Here's what I thought we could do for the back of the t-shirt.

---

GREATER SEATTLE AQUARIUM SOCIETY

2004 - 2005

 

Since 1977

 

www.gsas.org

 

 

The Board discussed Susan’s proposal (above.)  It was decided that we will have the artwork alone on the back of the shirt.  Then, on the front, in the pocket-area, we will have the logo along with the name of the club, in the font Nadianne in the four-line, gradually indented format that has become standard over the past three years – as shown below. 

 

Greater

  Seattle

    Aquarium

      Society

 

 

If the cost would go up significantly to have the logo printed in its typical black and (whatever color that is?) then it could be printed in dark blue with white (no color) for the embedded letters GSAS.

 

It will not have the years, or “Since 1977,” or the website url.

 

The shirt will be White.

 

Sizes will be mostly large and extra-large, with a limited quantity of small, medium, and XXL.

 

Rick will email Shawn (of GPAS) to get info on how they produce t-shirts with art – Outstanding.

 

 

Ø      Sandu suggested the idea of establishing a “Sister Club” in some foreign country.  Bob is already in contact with Daryl Hutchins from Brisbane Australia.  An English-speaking country would be much preferred.  Bob will email to exchange newsletters first; then, if that works, he will propose the idea of a “Sister Club.”  Rick will send copies of the pamphlets to Bob. – Done.

 

 

Ø      Sandu was recently exposed to a situation where an incorporated group lost their incorporation status because they did not fulfill certain “common” requirements such as…

 

o       Following through with additional paperwork prescribed by the State – on HOLD

o       Including “, Inc.” on their letterhead, business cards, checks, etc.

 

Bob will talk to his neighbor who is an attorney and also to Rich Elliot.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob and Judy Holmes [mailto:jbholmes@nwlink.com]
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 8:02 AM
To: Sandu Simion; Rick Rose; Paul Winchester; Susan Welenofsky
Subject: Rich Elliott

 

I Had a nice conversation with Rich, and he was very encouraging in regard to our liability situation. He is willing to help us resolve our uncertainties and it would be "pro bono" unless it should become very complicated, which he felt was doubtful.

 

I told him I would send him copies of all pertinent paperwork along with any questions and comments that we came up with at the next board meeting. He will review same and advise us.

 

Bob

 

This item is continuing.

 

Ø      Babblefish.com? – No one present at the board meeting could remember why this item was in last month’s minutes.  Paul may know.

 

Paul recognizes this as a website translator.  Whatever its mention was at the last meeting, it was not intended to be an item of business, so it will be deleted.

 

 

 

New Business

 

 

Ø      Newsletter Update

 

1. Dues Increase
2. Aqua-Tips
3. Rick will get masthead information to Victorea – Done.
4. Discus lovers – prepare your tanks!  Mini-auction of discus donated by Michael.
5. Rick will get names to Victorea (if it’s not too late for her October Newsletter.)
6. Rick emailed Victorea for a newsletter update earlier today – probably too short of notice to expect any response before the meeting, but none has been received thus far.
7. Bob will email Victorea to see if she’s planning to produce a newsletter.
8. Rick will be ready to produce a pamphlet if needed.

 

 

Ø      New Members since last meeting – Susan

 

• Anita Jacobson
• Michael Goumas
• Elisabeth McMahon

 

 

 

Ø       Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine Society Contest

 

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-gsas-board@thekrib.com [mailto:owner-gsas-board@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Bob and Judy Holmes
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2004 2:55 PM
To: gsas-board@thekrib.com
Subject: Fwd: Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine Society Contest

 

 Something to chew on.Might be worthwhile. Good magazine.

X-Original-To: jbholmes@nwlink.com
Delivered-To: jbholmes.nwlink.com@mx6.pacifier.net
Subject: Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine Society Contest
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 11:51:12 -0400
X-MS-Has-Attach: yes
X-MS-TNEF-Correlator:
Thread-Topic: Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine Society Contest
Thread-Index: AcRwA7bRqVNgss4HRPC1luz1BcMYYQ==
From: "Courtney Baran" <cbaran@tfh.com>
To: <jbholmes@nwlink.com>

Dear Valued Organization:

My name is Courtney Baran and I m the Advertising Coordinator for Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine.  I d like to tell you about our bigger and better Magazine Subscription Commission Program where you can earn money for your club while competing for a very special prize!

This program works as follows:

       For every subscription to Tropical Fish Hobbyist sold, your organization earns 25% commission!  In addition to earning this money, we re running a special contest.  The organization who sells the most subscriptions between August 1^st and December 31^st will win a great prize:  3 premium titles from T.F.H. Publications, Inc.

       We would like to have all of your members participate in this contest!  Not only will they receive Tropical Fish Hobbyist, the leading aquarium magazine for over half a century, but they will help their organization earn money!  The contest kit provided to you at your request includes letters and subscription cards to be sent out to each member.  Not only are we providing you this kit but for each contest letter sent out, we will also pay for your postage!  Send us your receipts and you will be reimbursed!

       The prize will be mailed to the winning society in January 2005.  The winning society will be announced in Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine.  What great publicity for your club.
Our relationship with your organization is considered invaluable.  We d like to help you in any way we can!  Please respond via email/phone to request your contest kit.  Please include the number of members in your society so we can send you the right number of letter/subscription cards

If you have any questions, please don t hesitate to contact me!

Sincerely,

Courtney Baran
Advertising Coordinator
Tropical Fish Hobbyist Magazine
The Leading Aquarium Magazine for over Half a Century
One TFH Plaza
Third and Union Avenues
Neptune City, NJ 07753
800-631-2188 ext. 152     cbaran@tfh.com

 

Rick will pursue this. – In Progress

 

 

Ø       Affiliate Program of www.livefoodcultures.com (Jim Atchison)  Affiliates! For clubs with web sites, we have an active affiliate program which is a simple way to raise funds for the club. It doesn't matter if your club is a fish club, a herb club or a bird club...we support all our affiliate sales with the same level of customer service and your club gets a check.

 

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Atchison [mailto:jim@atchison.com]
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 1:25 AM
To: Rick Rose
Subject: The Talk for the Group

 

Rick,

 

…

 

Also, I know you have looked through our WWW sites. Did you happen to pick up on the hot link that we created for "affiliate" groups? Essentially it's a way for groups to place a link from their site to ours and sales that might be generated from the clicks on the link result in a 5% donation to the group. If the GSAS would be interested let me know.

 

…

Jim Atchison

 

The board is interested in participating as an affiliate.  We need to get input from Erik to see if he has any concerns.

 

 

Ø       Susan proposed that we look into producing “Club Buttons” for events or as a possible fund raiser.  She brought an advertisement from a company called “Badge-A-Minit.”  Rick will request their catalog.  If we decide to pursue this idea, we might save money by simply purchasing the supplies from this company and using the machine that Rick’s church already owns to produce our buttons. – (Waiting on catalog delivery)

 

Ø      We should have a kids’ coloring contest at the December Christmas Party. 

 

Ø      Bob will come up with a “Where’s Nemo?” or “Loach-o” patterned after the popular “Where’s Waldo?” game.

 

Ø      The subject of hosting/providing food for the board meetings was revisited.  In consideration of those who come directly from work to the meeting, we will continue to have food.  However, we will now ask that each board member contribute $5.00 to the host to help pay for the meal.

 

 

Announcements for the next General Meeting

 

·        Bob – Christmas Party

·        Victorea – Articles for newsletter

·         BAP/HAP

 

 

Low-Priority and On-going Issues

 

(The following issues which may or may not have been addressed above will continue to be listed here until they are completely resolved.)

 

 

Ø      Official Bylaws - Rick

 

1.      Dave has obtained a copy of GPAS bylaws and passed them on to Rick

2.      Erik has obtained a copy of AKA bylaws and passed them on to Rick

3.      Erik found a copy of the GSAS bylaws, scanned them, and gave them to Rick

4.      Rick has produced an editable text file from the scanned images – a copy given to each board member and one to June Olberding.

 

Ø      Promotional Materials for GSAS – Rick

 

·        Poster Boards (for Fish Stores) and GSAS fliers are still outstanding. 

·        Business cards will be produced for all board members plus the Newsletter Editor.  All new board members and June agreed to have their phone numbers and email addresses included on their card.  Paul would like his cell phone number (206-383-2910) used rather than his home phone. – Rick to have sample at next (September board meeting) - OUTSTANDING

·        GSAS Fliers

·        Standard GSAS Thank You cards - Done

·        T-Shirts and Caps with GSAS logo

·        A-Frame Sign(s) – check using “shower board.”

·        Mugs, Pens, Window Decals

 

 

Ø      Historian Project(s) – Rick

 

·        History of Philanthropy Projects

 

q       Probe the minds of Clay, Dave, Bob, and Erik

q       Look for old article (on the 30-years CD), written by Laurie Hess, about the “Providence Tank”

 

Ø      Committee Chair – “Job Descriptions” – Rick has no progress to report.

 

Ø      Discussion on a future Philanthropy Project - Clay

 

Ø      Clay has asked Diane Elliot how Rich (a lawyer) would advise us to proceed with regard to Liability Insurance – Waiting for an Answer.

 

Ø      Meeting Activities for younger kids – Dave, Bob, and Rick

 

1.      Dave - coloring book update – gave a folder full of artwork to Rick.

2.      Rick - pages for the coloring book that promote GSAS

3.      Rick – Aquarium-related word searches, puzzles, mazes

 

Ø      Sandu - a presentation to introduce his idea for an “Aquascaping Award Program.”  Brief discussion highlights from last month’s meeting are as follows: - Moved to “Low Priority” items at Sandu’s request.  Sandu will prepare a short “blurb” for the January Newsletter.

 

o       Submissions/entries would be pictures

 

o       Entrants should have the option of being/providing their-own photographer or requesting that a “club photographer” (one person, to be determined) take the pictures.  This would alleviate the potential problem of “blaming” a non-winning entry on “which photographer was assigned to take their picture.”

 

o       The contest could accept entries during the entire club-year, culminating in a slide presentation at the June meeting, at which time the membership would judge the entries and vote for the winner(s).

 

o       Sandu will asked if there is enough interest in this idea at the last general meeting.

 

Ø      The “show of hands” of those interested in receiving an electronic version of the newsletter was positive at the December 2003 meeting.  June will continue to investigate on a low priority basis.

 

Next Board Meeting Location

 

The location of the next meeting will be at Bob’s home.  The date will be Thursday, November 18th, 2004, starting promptly at 6:30 pm.

 

_______________________________________________
GSAS-board mailing list
GSAS-board@thekrib.com
http://lists.thekrib.com/mailman/listinfo/gsas-board