I am really disturbed by the lack of widespread membership participation after seeing the volunteer schedule for ToadSuck. Why do you think this is? There are three days that folks could have volunteered. Were the time frames for working too long? Was there a lack of communication? Does this type of event not interest the membership as a whole? Other reasons?
This is something that Chris and I have discussed at length. In any club I have been associated with there are a few core members that do 90% of the organization and work. If the members of the BOD stopped all activity for even a month the club would cease to function. Most people are in the club for the enjoyment and information, not to spend their time working. Maybe we could have had 2hr shifts and asked more members to participate, but there you have it......who does the work to make all the arrangements. Maybe there should be more committees formed to delegate some of the work. Maybe a committee for each event we put on, ie reef splash, wholesale order, reef fest, toad suck, etc. This would involve more of the members and lessen the load on the BOD.
I do not see things as negativly concerning the Toad Suck Schedule, Joe. There is no need to have more than a few people at the booth at any given time. The booth will house sponsors form NSA and Pet Country selling merchandise while we will be promoting the club. Our tent is only 10X10 and 75% of that is taken up by tables so lagistically I do not know where you would plan on more participants setting up camp. I only somewhat agree with Norman in that the officers do a majority of the work. Infact - David O'Neal, Tracy and Bill Brey and Tony Cloud - all newer members are helping staff the booth. I do not know what your expectations for participation of club members is but I am very encouraged by the members participation to date and while we will always be working to include more members in our activities the current level of participation is adaquate to sustain the club and think about its gowth - what is the average life span of a buisness 5-7 years. I think we are doing pretty well.
