Goodbye

[charlie]

Besides having our meeting at Kim's house next Saturday, you will also be electing a new president, my time has come to step down, 5-6 years is long enuf. The August-September meeting is already set for the annual visit from Kevin on September 5th, I will get you more details on that as the time comes. It will probably be a joint meeting with the Spokane club. If needed, I will assist in the setup.


We have also been invited over there for one of their summer meetings, I believe that they are having their meeting every other month, the next one being at Kevin's shop on March 13th. I am going over for that one, and I think anybody else would be more than welcome.


So, anything that happens in between is up to you guys. I have had more fun than I imagined getting this thing going, I hope whoever follows can do the same. I will assist in any problems that the new President has when it comes to contacting folks, my e-mail list is your e-mail list.

Thank you for all your help over the years,

Charlie

[Sarmo]

Hey Charlie,

it's hard to imagine this "club" surviving with out you at the helm. i want to thank you for your time and un-ending energy that you have devoted to growing a reef club in Northwest Montana. i hope our group can stay together.

rob

[Shrink]

Not sure who would preside after you, Charlie. But I have appreciated your warmth and welcome since my first of the few meetings that I have been to. You and a few others, who are patient and knowledgeable, have been a big help. Thank you.

[Parrothead]

Posting to stay up on this

[DevonM]

Hey Charlie,

it's hard to imagine this "club" surviving with out you at the helm. i want to thank you for your time and un-ending energy that you have devoted to growing a reef club in Northwest Montana. i hope our group can stay together.

rob

I am on board with Rob. I wish you would have let us, the members, take a poll before you made your decision. I think it will be difficult to find someone with enough time, energy and devotion to run the show. Also, "Goodbye" means that you are stepping down from your position, right? Not the Club...

[lostcreekreefer]

Ditto to Devon's thoughts...and thanks for getting us all going in the same direction, never an easy task.

[charlie]

I believe I should clarify, I will stay if you folks decide that way.

[cdearing]

I wish I knew who the people were who thought you were keeping others from joining. I thought we have been very welcoming to new members. What do I know? Maybe we can talk about that at the Feb meeting. I vote that you stay. That's what, 4 or 5 so far in your corner? I don't know anyone else who has the motivation or whatever it takes to keep this club going. Guess we'll just have to wait and see. I think you've done a great job putting together all our meetings and keeping this club going. Oh well, I know where you live.

[charlie]

Algae bubbles how do i get rid of them

Take a read thru this thread.

Thanks for comin by this afternoon

[DevonM]

I think there is a need/want for two separate clubs types, an Undergraduate level and a Graduate level. Right now we operate as more of a Grad level club. Many of the current members are Graduate level students that have stuck it out, worked hard, lost their fair share of creatures and are continuing to refine their methods. Most new members are still in the first stage of taking their first steps and learning the hard lessons of reef keeping. We could probably provide a more "new member friendly" club if we posted some rules or expectations for our new members to be "initiated" with.

1. Take everything Charlie says with a grain of salt and realize that he is a wealth of information and is really dramatic when stating his point of view, . A few others have also been know to state our true feelings but again, it's only because we care and we want to see more people take up the hobby responsibly.
2. When someone asks you to research the creatures you want before you put them into your tank, do it. Many of the Grad members have gone down the same path, messed up and are more than willing to elaborate on it, now read step one again. Wetwebmedia.com and Reefland.com has taught me a lot!
3. Be proactive! Posted questions, opinions and expectations more often in our forum. An outsider looking in on our live meetings would probably see a group of friends having a great social hour but it's mainly because we use this online forum pretty religiously to update the group and/or ask questions.

I'm sure we could add a few more but the bottom line is that it's difficult to mix Freshman with Grad students without someone getting their feelings hurt. If you're not willing to at least do the three steps above then this forum/club probably isn't right for you. JMHO.

[Parrothead]

Nicely put Devon, very nicely put, I wish more people through all of reeflands could read that, and actually pay attention and understand what you are saying.......I'm not a member, but I vote for Charlie too

[kamar]

If there's any negotiation possible on this, I would like to see you stay in your position as President as well. I would like to have a discussion at the meeting to see if we could possibly work something out. For those who don't know me, I'm fairly new to the club, and as a new member I have to say that Charlie was extremely enthusiastic in welcoming me - by allowing me to come over and see his beautiful reef tank, sharing his knowledge (which is extensive!!) and even some frags - all without even really knowing me very well. Just knowing I had a reef tank and was really into it, I feel, made me ok in Charlie's book. Not very many people are as passionate about their chosen hobby as Charlie is, and with that, you get someone who is more knowledgeable than most on their given subject of passion. As well, everyone has their own distinct personality, which also makes things more interesting. I guess the appropriateness of some of the comments made in the above mentioned thread was questionable, but the situation appears to have been resolved sufficiently for everyone to get along after that.

. . . it's difficult to mix Freshman with Grad students without someone getting their feelings hurt. If you're not willing to at least do the three steps above then this forum/club probably isn't right for you. JMHO.

Very good point, Devon. I think Charlie has set the tone for this club - being serious about this hobby. I mean, look at how much money and time we spend on it just for starters, and the learning curve is a steep one. Certainly this hobby isn't for everyone, and maybe this club isn't for everyone, and that's ok, but I agree that new members should feel welcome - I did. Maybe how it comes out isn't always the right way, but I know Charlie's heart is in the right place.

Kim

[returnofsid]

Charlie, I read through that thread. I think there might have been a couple emotional outbursts that had absolutely nothing to do with the topic, or the thread, or either you or the OP. Sounds like life's complications got in the way of the thread, or vice-versa. I'd try to not read too much into it.

Another thing to consider, on these forums, we are all lacking, in our ability to communicate fully. We can't communicate our feelings, emotions, or in most cases, SARCASM. We can't communicate those things because Microsoft, in all of their infinite wisdom, has still failed to create a Sarcasm Font!!! Damn them!!

I know I'm not an official member of your club, and I don't blame you for your refusal to grant me entry!! (read sarcastic font in last statement....) However, in the last 2 or 3 years, I've seen some of what you do for the club. I don't know the other club members as well as you, but I do think that they all appreciate your hard work. I also feel that the majority of the club members not only want you to continue in your leadership position, but NEED you to stay in your leadership position.

That being said, sometimes, a guy just gets tired of certain things. If you feel that it's your time to step down, I respect that as well.

Whatever, happens, I wish the best for you, as a friend, and I wish the best for the great club you all have!!

[lostcreekreefer]

Another thing to consider, on these forums, we are all lacking, in our ability to communicate fully. We can't communicate our feelings, emotions, or in most cases, SARCASM. We can't communicate those things because Microsoft, in all of their infinite wisdom, has still failed to create a Sarcasm Font!!! Damn them!!

!! Yet another reason for some people to hate Microsoft....but a sarcasm font...what a beautiful concept...where were you when they were making Windows 7??? You coulda been on one of those commercials!
As far as sarcasm goes, I know Charles to be an expert. My wife and I have also honed it down to a fine art, but it IS hard to convey in the typed word via a discussion forum. But we all keep trying in our own feeble ways!

[Sarmo]

well if that isn't overwhelming support then i guess i can't READ!
keep up the good work boss......
this club needs you more than it needs every member.

[cdearing]

well if that isn't overwhelming support then i guess i can't READ!
keep up the good work boss......
this club needs you more than it needs every member.

For those inquiring minds....
We voted Charlie back in as President of our club. Can we change the name of this thread now to "The Man With A Tan"?

[charlie]

The Man With A Tan"?

Can one of the enquiring minds please ge me a clue as to what the H*** this means??????

[cdearing]

You'll have to ask Vaughn. It was his idea.
We could always change in to BMOC.

[Parrothead]

Am I allowed a good ole southern - Hell yeah

Charlie for president of NWMRC 2010

Charlie for President - USA 2012, He's got my vote

[charlie]

You'll have to ask Vaughn. It was his idea.
We could always change in to BMOC.

We could change it to sh** head, does this mean I am still in charge of the give a sh** dept?