Re: [GSAS-board] GSAS Board Minutes 11/09

[Kathy Olson <kathy@thekrib.com>]

Hi all,

I know I just all of sudden showed up on the board list.

I used to be on the board list but just had so much going on, I asked Erik 
to make me inactive.

If there are any objections, please let me know.

I have just been working with Paul on speakers for the past several 
months.  I was speaker coordinator in the club for several years and was 
asked to be president but that was when there was just too much going on. 
Between kids, health issues (on going chemotherapy to boot), I just 
decided to focus on survival.  Things are going better now, so I 
felt like I could step up again.  Still I am still getting chemo and on 
immunosuppressive meds so we take it day by day.

When the topic of speakers was coming up today I told Erik "you know, 
maybe I ought to get on the list again, since I am have been helping 
arrange speakers".  Several months ago Ad Koning sent me a list of topics 
he could speak on, I sent the list to Paul.  I assumed it went to the 
board.  I didn't hear anything back.  So, I chose one that I haven't heard 
him do in the Pacific Northwest or at ACA before (we have heard him speak 
several times at Portland, GSAS, ACA, Northeast council etc).  It is Lake 
Tanganika Sand dwellers.  I know we have several folks that go to ACA as 
well or Portland, and thought that would give some variety.  Ad's talks 
are always very top of the line.

Hence, that was the reason I asked Erik to re-activate me. There was just 
so much stuff going with the speaker questions, I kept relaying it to Erik 
and then thought, really, I ought to just get reactivated it and handle it 
myself.

Tom Barr was asked to speak in March, he just hasn't replied yet.  I 
wasn't going to push it, if you want other folks.

So...this is what is going on.

Mike Hellwig-was going to be asked on livebearers or one of his other 
topics, but his mother just passed away.

Tom Barr would love to come speak, but couldn't do Jan/Feb/and Mar is 
marginal.

Wayne Leibel has accepted for June but just has a conference date he has 
to check before he can give a firm yes.  I think he was asked to do his 
species, and what is a hybrid talk but if you have other opinions let us 
know.

Oliver Lucanus is interested in Sept/Oct of 2010.

Pam Chin would do a weekend but Tues is pretty hard for her.

Paul Loiselle would come speak but likes summer, which we have taken up 
and he is mostly cichlids.

Wayne Leibel and Ad Konings, like to do a Portland/Seattle/and possible 
Vancouver canada thing (Wayne definitely goes to Canada).  So in the past 
when they were here, we would often pick them up in Portland/Vancouver or 
drop them off there.  That was in the crazy young days before we had kids. 
I think we could do one (ie to Portland or vancouver but not both).  Lee 
Newman is curator at the Vancouver aquariums and a good friend of all of 
us, and often he will bring Wayne down if he flies up there.  Also, he 
would probably do a behind the scenes tour for the club if we ever wanted 
to come up (but I haven't really talked to him about that in a year or two 
so I would have to confirm).

Initially, I was asked to talk to Mike Schadle as well about talking.  He 
does some good livebearer and other talks....but with everyone potentially 
stepping forward to speak, I talked with Paul and we were holding back on 
that.

In general, I am happy to ask anyone to speak.  Give me a topic, and I 
have enough connections across the US that I could probably find someone 
to talk on it, or get some references.  Having 6 mo advance notice is very 
nice.  Minimum 3mo.  If you ask a speaker with less than 3 mo they can get 
very offended and sometimes will blacklist the club.

The other things speakers have educated me on over the years is "never 
make them ask for their airfare check".  They really hate that, one told 
me he would never come back to a club he had to do that with.  (and then 
proceeded to have to ask for a check).  So whoever is treasurer, we would 
need to make sure you talk with them before the meeting and get them a 
check.  Otherwise I guess sometimes at clubs the treasurer has left (not 
our club) and left a speaker in a lurch or working to get their airfare 
back for months.

In general these guys are taking off work to go to the meetings.  They 
don't get honorariums.  Often stay at peoples houses or hotels, and spend 
lots of time before hand prepping a talk (but don't ever really get money 
in the pocket for it).  They do it because they like the hobby, teaching 
others, speaking, or they want to see the area (or have family or friends 
there).

Okay, enough of the details.

Jan-local person

Feb-plant auction

Mar-?local or Tom Barr, let me know if I should pursue Tom, and likewise, 
if I need to let him know we are saving him til next year.  Or home show 
(Roy-often speakers plan for a 1 hour talk, and last year the slides/video 
was 45 min, and I have a feeling you might have more people this year.

April-gen auction May-Ad Koning Lake T. sand dwellers

June-Wayne Leibel-species/hybrid talk or does someone have ideas for 
others.

Sept/Oct ?Oliver Lucanus

Other topics I have heard desired, Aquascaping (what kind?), live 
bearers?, etc.

Let me know what everyone wants, and Paul I don't want to step on your 
toes here either, so let me know what you want.  No egos here for me, I 
just thought I would help, but if someone else has a burning desire I will 
finish up what I have started and step aside.

Thanks,
Kathy

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