Re: [GSAS-board] Pet Store Donation Assignments / Donations Update

Hi again,

Well I stopped by “A Place for Pets” today thinking that Kevin wanted to give us their donation. We had a great lunch at the Pub next door (my treat). We talked about the club, the economy, and current trends in the hobby (aquascaping etc.). I thanked him for his support of the club this past year and discussed how our monthly mini-auctions help pay the rent and monthly expenses and how the Plant Auction and Big Annual Auction help pay for the guest speakers that we invite to our meetings. I gave him a CD that I had burned with copies of the four (4) talks that I downloaded with Bitorrent in MP4 format along with a copy of QuickTime for a player.

Kevin asked how the club was doing and I said that in my opinion attendance has grown in the last year. He said he sees very few members visit his store, or if we do we are not letting our membership be known when we visit. I asked how we could better support him as a “Store Sponsor”. We discussed the updating our GSAS website and a link from our website to the store website. (I confirmed tonight that it is currently in place in the “Sponsors/Donors” area of our website at that the link works.) I also confirmed that his is receiving a “hardcopy” of the monthly GSAS newsletter and asked if he would like additional copies or if he or his employees would like to receive it electronically. Kevin said not at this time, one copy was sufficient.

I asked if he would be interested, as a “Store Sponsor”, in a business size card “ad” in our monthly newsletter. He said that would be nice and he that would consider donating a fish or other item for our monthly mini-auctions if someone would come by and pick it up. I asked if he would be interested in taking out a ¼ page ad in our newsletter. Kevin said it had been discussed in the past, but instead of supporting the club with advertising it was decided to give members a 15% discount instead. I asked if possibly advertising for special events, like the “A Place for Pets” 4^th Anniversary Sale on April 25^th and 26^th would interest him. He said that might be a possibility.

Bottom line, no donation yet but I will go by again next week. In the meantime, what are your thoughts on the following?

1) Business Card size “ad” in our Monthly Newsletter for “Store Sponsor”, maybe put them all in a common area with a caption recommending our members support the stores that support our club and mention the discounts available?

2) Offering ¼ page ad space for Special Events at Stores (for a fee)?

Overall my meeting with Kevin was friendly and positive. I was interested in what we could do, as a club, to help support him as a “Store Sponsor” and Kevin was open, friendly, and very frank. I probably opened about a dozen cans of worms that everyone is going to get really excited about, so try not to all yell at once! I look forward to your input.

Roy

From: gsas-board-bounces@thekrib.com [mailto:gsas-board-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of Seattle_Aquarist
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 11:44 AM
To: 'GSAS board members and alumni'
Subject: [GSAS-board] Pet Store Donation Assignments / Donations Update

Hi all,

I visited with Kev at “A Place for Pets” last Friday, dropped off corrected auction flyers, and asked if they would please provide a donation for our auction this year. He asked me to come by on Tuesday. I will advise the board what is donated after my visit.

Maybe we could increase member interest if we posted on our forum what donations we have received to date?!! I know I am interested and I suspect others would be as well.

Thanks, Roy

From: gsas-board-bounces@thekrib.com [mailto:gsas-board-bounces@thekrib.com] On Behalf Of meredith crichton
Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 10:58 AM
To: GSAS Board
Subject: [GSAS-board] (no subject)

"
April Auction: request to Move date to the 18th (Opinions?) Meredith will check with SPU. Phil to be lead wrangler for advertisers inc fish magazines, split up local fish stores and coordinate with Diane.
• Blue Sierra Issaquah: Phil
• The Fish Store, TotemLake/Dennys/AGA: Paul
• A Place for Pets: Roy ?
• White Center Store: Steve
• Midway Pets: Steve
• Reef shop in Bellevue: Salt Water City: Phil

I think Susan said she could visit Conway

Phil:
I'd be happy to do the sierras: but I thought you and Jonah were buddies
I could at least go pick the stuff up
I've got some time this week, what do you think?
m

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