Forming The Uk Aquatic Plant Society(ukaps)

If we go with our own website i'm happy to front the cost for it and get a forum up and running on my server. will take a couple of days from registration and another 1 for me to configure the server.

if people think a public, web host would be better then dont buy anything without speakign to me first. theres loads of pre built apps which could be used for this and changing after somethign is paid for is a bugger!

I have some good ideas for software (all prebuilt) which would give us all we need.
 
HI guys if any money is needed to get this up and running i dont mind donating some cash , because long term with our own society we will all save in the long run . :thumbs:
 
John et al, use plant pounds only:)
We use it somewhat like currency. It's used to support your hobby, pay for ferts and traces, electric bills etc, club buys and events.

Also, for open houses, reimbruse the host for chips and food cost, generally about 50-75$ here in the USA. If you like fine wine, brie, smoked salmon etc perhaps more. The host's call really.

Meetings should be held at public places otherwise where food is served.

Take a look at the forum I created there.
It has some content that helped form several clubs after the SFBAAPS model.

I started going after recruiment for SFBAAPS folks about 3-4 years ago agressively, it's snowballed and I do not know 1/2 of the people that come these days, I and Alan are the only charter founding members left, well Dave Gomberg when he shows. Alan and I seldom go also.
It's the oldest local club in the USA that meets regularly for aquarium plants.

There are few of the problems that exist in the fish aquarium clubs.
Plant swaps are free, no book keeping or paper work, not much money in the bank account(less to worry about), no membership dues.........cannot whine about not getting enough out of the club for the cost etc.........don't have to remain and maintain the account etc, and less book keeping once again............

So there's just not a lot of hassle or cost involved with this model and it works and does the purpose of what a club should do: promote the hobby, mentorship, save you lots of $, not cost hardly anything, easy to run etc and sharing info about local deals/issues.

You can try doing it the old way, you know, begging for 15 pounds a year annual dues, electing a BOD, complaining, sitting at auctions for hours and getting a few pence for your weeds, may as well just give them away and if you want to make $, put them on line for sale etc............

I've helped form several local clubs over the years, 4 or so I think now.
You guys are due, so set up some ideas and ground rules you think will work to your benefit.

Get folks over there and start seeing where every one is living and where there are core groups of folks in specific areas.


Regards,
Tom Barr
 
John et al, use plant pounds only:)
We use it somewhat like currency. It's used to support your hobby, pay for ferts and traces, electric bills etc, club buys and events.

Also, for open houses, reimbruse the host for chips and food cost, generally about 50-75$ here in the USA. If you like fine wine, brie, smoked salmon etc perhaps more. The host's call really.

Meetings should be held at public places otherwise where food is served.

Take a look at the forum I created there.
It has some content that helped form several clubs after the SFBAAPS model.

I started going after recruiment for SFBAAPS folks about 3-4 years ago agressively, it's snowballed and I do not know 1/2 of the people that come these days, I and Alan are the only charter founding members left, well Dave Gomberg when he shows. Alan and I seldom go also.
It's the oldest local club in the USA that meets regularly for aquarium plants.

There are few of the problems that exist in the fish aquarium clubs.
Plant swaps are free, no book keeping or paper work, not much money in the bank account(less to worry about), no membership dues.........cannot whine about not getting enough out of the club for the cost etc.........don't have to remain and maintain the account etc, and less book keeping once again............

So there's just not a lot of hassle or cost involved with this model and it works and does the purpose of what a club should do: promote the hobby, mentorship, save you lots of $, not cost hardly anything, easy to run etc and sharing info about local deals/issues.

You can try doing it the old way, you know, begging for 15 pounds a year annual dues, electing a BOD, complaining, sitting at auctions for hours and getting a few pence for your weeds, may as well just give them away and if you want to make $, put them on line for sale etc............

I've helped form several local clubs over the years, 4 or so I think now.
You guys are due, so set up some ideas and ground rules you think will work to your benefit.

Get folks over there and start seeing where every one is living and where there are core groups of folks in specific areas.


Regards,
Tom Barr


Hi Tom some very good sound advice there , I see your point about the cash thing the meeting at peoples house sounds a great idea too especially the food :drool: Some exciting times ahead me thinks :good:
 
Sounds like a great idea :) Will definatley help the hobby here in the UK

By the way, www.ukaps.co.uk is available for £2.59/yr

James
 
It's free and there are plenty of folks from the UK anyway already on the site.

My forum also has no advertisers. I do not like dealing with them.
The forum is for hobbyists funded by hobbyists and done by hobbyists.

By doing things in new and innovative ways, I've manage to take a $$ losing model and change it around, as well as reinvest back into the hobby to help promote it more. Most sites lose $ in this hobby. I want my hobby and site to make a little rather than losing a little.
A club should likely try that same approach no?

Same deal with the club formation, I do not use the older Aquarium society models of days since past. I reduced it down, well, it was not just myself, there where others that got the ball rolling here in our own local club, I just took the message out to the masses.

Often you folks will see the location of various posters, wrangle them into the club, threaten them, whatever it takes, if they are in your area or the UK, ask them to come over, it cost them nothing to join and they will save a lot of $$$ and be provided witha network of resources that is not available anywhere.

Forums such as TFC, TFF, AE, PFK etc all gain as well on the link's and discussion.

Note: you can change the color and design templates on the site also with the tab at the lower bottom page to suit your taste.

Good food, good friends, good plants and good resources all for very little cost if any.
Not a bad deal.




Regards,
Tom Barr
 

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