Greater

Seattle

Aquarium

Society Board Meeting Minutes: December 16, 2004

(at the home of Sandu Simion)

Board Members Present Absent

Bob Holmes Susan Welenofsky

Sandu Simion

Rick Rose

Paul Winchester

Membership Observers

· (None)

Preliminary Business

· (None)

Executive Committee Reports

Ø The Minutes of the previous two Board Meetings (October 21^st, and November 18^th, 2004) were approved.

Ø The Treasurer’s Report (Unavailable)

1) Current Primary Account Balance: $___,_____.___

2) Money Market Account ___,_____.___

3) Cash Box: 0.00 ($40 missing from cart safe)

______________

$___,_____.___

4) Outstanding Bills -

· Rick – Reimbursement of 103.65(*)

· Paul – Reimbursement of 66.83

* - Bob will send request for postage reimbursement to Tropical Fish Hobbyist for 90 stamps used to send the December mailing which included the magazine promotion.

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 (Mike O. or Oliver L.?)

APR 12^th General Auction

MAY 10^th Tim Hovanec – Water Chemistry & Filtration (______________________)

JUN 14^th (Mike O. or Oliver L.?)

(2005-2006 Club-Year)

SEP 13^th )

OCT 11^th ) - John Lyons? – Livebearers Livebearers

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:

Bob will ask Tom Waltzek about Thai food for a possible pre-meeting meal.
Sandu is in contact with Oliver Lucanus for June and will offer March or June 2005.
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 or June meeting after Oliver L. has chosen.
Sandu: 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 for this meeting only.) We have offered to pay $100 to Anthony as an honorarium.

Ø Suggestions for Livebearer speakers from Frank Tomko (originally sent to Rick and now forwarded to Bob.)

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.) – Done – John Lyons is a possibility for the Fall of 2005, No response from Steve K

Next Meeting: January 11, 2004

o The January General Meeting topic is Leafish presented by Tom Waltzek. (We will find out from Tom which of the many commonly used spellings for leafish is correct.)

Old Business

Ø Recap of December General Membership Meeting – 2004 Christmas Party.

29 members signed-in plus 4 guests

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. (Outstanding) Rick will make a poster promoting the library with Woody’s picture on it. (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.

The Board again discussed Susan’s proposal (above.) It was decided that we will have the artwork aon the back of the shirt with the Latin name in small letters (Voted 3-to-1 in favor of adding the Latin Name.) 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.

Some shirts will be on white material and some on black with the color of the letters and logo adjusted accordingly.

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

-----Original Message-----
From: gsas-board-bounces@thekrib.com [mailto:gsas-board-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Susan Welenofsky
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 4:15 PM
To: gsas-board
Subject: [GSAS-board] FW: t-shirt prices from shirtworks, ellensburg

Okay, I found a much better deal in Ellensburg. Here it is. Kate requested a black shirt, as she would like something that would show stains. The black shirts require an extra color, making it a 5-color process, and the shirt itself is more expensive. So are XXL, XXXL t-shirts.

Susan

-----Original Message-----
From: Kyle Williams [mailto:shirtworksembroidery@elltel.net]
Sent: Monday, November 08, 2004 2:54 PM
To: welenofsky@comcast.net
Subject: t-shirt prices from shirtworks, ellensburg

Susan-

Hello, this is Kyle from Shirtworks in Ellensburg. Karen requested that I e-mail you some prices on t-shirts that you were interested in. Please let me know if this information is what you were looking for and if you have any further questions.

The board voted unanimously to select the thicker material in this option - 75 pcs. Hanes Beefy t-s 6.1 oz. with 2 color front logo and 5 color back logo, sizes small - x-large. (Including a pocket.)

Black = $10.33 - White $8.72

~~75 pcs. 5.6 oz cotton t-shirt, 2 color front logo 5 color back logo, sizes small - x-large.~~

~~Black = $9.47 - White $7.86.~~

Thank you and once again please don't hesitate with any questions you might have.

Kyle Williams

509-925-3469

Shirtworks, inc.

Ellensburg, WA

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

------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: Kate Breimayer <kate@munat.com>
To: Susan Welenofsky <welenofsky@comcast.net>
Subject: Re: T-Shirt
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 19:53:03 +0000

Hi,
You get up early! (:
I think at least letting the club know we are working on this project is
a good idea, getting some input, and seeing if anyone asks about voting
would be a good idea. Like we could announce the project exists on the
email list and let people respond, if anyone offers design service take
them up on it, if noone raises their voice about voting or design offers
then continue forward but not offer to put it to vote outright.
See if Rick will agree to that.

Who designed that old logo? I can do NW native style graphics... maybe I
should just whip one out. Argh, another project.

Kate

! Susan Welenofsky wrote:

>So, deal right now is the GSAS logo with the Nadinne font of "Greater
>Seattle Aquarium" on the front pocket, then your painting of the killifish
>on the back, with the Latin name of the fish underneath.

Susan forwarded the above message from Kate B. to the board email list for further discussion at the board meeting. After discussing Kate’s ideas, Bob moved to stay with the plan that was originally approved by the board in October and again ratified by the board in November – including that the board is NOT interested in changing the club logo. Sandu seconded this motion and it passed unanimously.

Quantities and sizes were set as follows:

2 – Small

3 – Medium

4 – Large

4 – X-Large

1 – XX-Large

1 – XXX-Large

15 of each color (black and white) for a total of 30 shirts to be done and ready to sell at the February auction. The 15 white shirts will each be sold for $15 and the 15 black shirts will each be sold for $17.

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. Bob has mailed items to Rich Elliot for his review. Bob wrote him a follow-up letter on Dec. 15^th to check on the status.

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. Rick will ask Erik for feedback.

-----Original Message-----
From: Erik Olson [mailto:erik@thekrib.com]
Sent: Thursday, December 16, 2004 4:38 PM
To: Rick Rose
Subject: Re: Affiliate Program through Jim Atchison's website/business

I don't like it, makes it kinda like buying support. I've always been for

putting links to people's websites for free, but I am always a little

antsy about going further and basically making money by providing

advertising. Just me, though.

- Erik

After discussing Erik’s concerns, Rick moved and Bob seconded to proceed with the affiliate program by placing a link on our website. The motion passed with unanimous support. Rick will contact Erik to find out how to proceed.

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 Philanthropy Project

Bob,

This sounds interesting. To consider sponsoring Thai I think the club should be provided with a proposal from Thai on exactly what it is he is trying to accomplish, the schedule of the project and the precise use of the money he is planning on spending. He could present this to the Board I think, in 15 minutes or less. Just some of the things I feel are needed.

Clay

-----Original Message-----
From: Bob and Judy Holmes [mailto:jbholmes@nwlink.com]
Sent: Friday, October 29, 2004 2:07 PM
To: gsas-board@thekrib.com
Subject: [GSAS-board] Fwd: Senior Project

I received this email a couple of days ago and, with Thai's permission, am forwarding it to both the board and member lists.
This might be a worthwhile philanthropic opportunity. Thai sounds to me like a kid with a lot on the ball.
Bob

Hello, my name is Thai from the Bellevue International high school. As a senior at the school, I am required to do a senior project that requires me to explore and to go in depth on an educational subject. Being a fish enthusiast, I have decided to learn and explore more about ichthyology and fish keeping. I've chosen to write an essay on matter of "how does society ensure the well being of aquatic zones while at the same time ensuring the well being of the ornamental fish collectors who depend on their jobs for a living." Therefore, I was wondering if there were anyone who is experienced and has extensive knowledge on the field, who I can possibly consult the subject with and someone who I can possibly rely on as a mentor. Secondly, one of the other goals for my project is to become involved with the community. I've chosen to teach an elemenatary school class about the fundamental science and art behind fish keeping. I wish to broaden their views about the aquatic world and show them that there is a lot more to fish keeping than just having gold fishes in a bowl. As a result, I plan on teaching an interactive learning class where students learn how set up a fresh water community fish tank and how to maintain and take care of it. To do so, I would have to raise enough money for the proper equipment and material (about 200-250$). I was wondering if the Greater Seattle Aquarium Society does any sponsoring and could possibly sponsor my project to make the project possible. My phone number is (425)861-7902 and my email adress is Thaichicken162004@yahoo.com. If anyone can help out, that would be awesome. I hope to hear back from you. Thank you.
Cincerely; Thai

Rick and Bob will locate the Philanthropy Project Procedures that were established by the board two years ago and refer this issue to Clay. Bob found details of this item in March 2003 minutes. Rick will email Clay about the form he was planning to make. Bob will email Thai to let him know that we are interested and will soon have a form for him to fill out.

New Business

Ø Newsletter Update

We are looking for a newsletter editor.
Aqua-Tips from Sandu

Rick will email gsas-member about the Newsletter Editor position.

Ø New Members since last meeting – Susan

Harry Tolen

Ø Since $40.00 was found to be missing from the safe in the library cart, it was moved and seconded to begin keeping only $10 in $ones in the safe and to watch it carefully. There was some possible damage on the cart door near the lock area, but not immediately evident whether it was new or old.

Ø Sandu shared an idea to raffle a significant item at one meeting per year – possibly the Picnic, September meeting (to encourage attendance,) or at the December Holiday Party.

Announcements for the next General Meeting

· Bob – February Meeting Topic – Annual Plant Auction

· Need Newsletter Editor

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.

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. Bob will continue correspondence re: “Sister Club” specifically to establish some common activities and a video exchange.

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. – (Still waiting on catalog delivery – moved to low priority and ongoing issues at board direction)

[GSAS-board] GSAS December 2004 Board Meeting Minutes - PreliminaryCopy for Review

Greater

Aquarium

Society Board Meeting Minutes: December 16, 2004

Preliminary Business

Meeting & Program Schedule

Old Business

Greater

Aquarium

Society

New Business

Announcements for the next General Meeting

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.)

Next Board Meeting Location

The location of the next meeting will be at Paul’s home. The date will be Thursday, January 20, 2005, starting promptly at 6:30 pm.