Waikato Fish keepers update 24 June

[Adrienne]

For those of you living in Hamilton who have thought about joining a club but haven't as yet the below is an email sent to the Waikato Aquarium Society members re the club going in to recess due to not enough interest and no one to take the reins (names removed). Please read and if you are interested in joining or stepping up and taking on a role send me a pm or email with your name and telephone number and I will pass your information on to the current treasurer.

'Some of you may not be aware of the state of our club so here goes. Our last meeting we had was last year in November. About 4-5 members turned up and this has been a common theme with numbers slowing declining over the last couple of years. Our Secretary resigned in December and then our President stood down.

I would like to thank them for stepping up and holding these positions over the last year or so.

That leaves me left as the only office holder being Treasurer.

In my personal opinion I believe there is no current interest from other club members to hold office or more importantly to take the reigns and revive the club. Personally myself I am happy to hold a treasurer or

secretary position but not president as my current employment is keeping me rather busy and I am not that knowledgeable in fish keeping.

I have also been speaking to key committee members from FNZAS.

If there is no interest shown in the responses to this email then we will place the club into recess. What this means is that our funds are transferred to a holding account that FNZAS has set up for these situations. If at any time later on there is interest then the club can be revived. Any club property can also be stored for safekeeping in containers hired by the FNZAS.

If anyone has an interest in holding an office position on the committee or feel they would stay on and support the club as a member then please email me with your response. I will give it to Sunday 22nd June 14 for any

responses then we will decide from there. If there is any interest we will then have a meeting (Hamilton Commerce

Club) see how many turn up and hopefully have elections to form a committee. Adrienne from FNZAS has also indicated that she may be able to attend and support this process.

Lastly I hope we can revive the club considering it has had a long history and what I believe a very large membership in the day.

Thanks'

As above, if anyone has any questions please pm or email me and I will forward your contact details on.

Thank

Adrienne Dodge

FNZAS Secretary

[Adrienne]

Copy of latest email sent by WAS Treasurer to club members and posted on the WAS Facebook page -

'Thanks everyone for the feedback on whether the club should continue or go

into recess. We have had more positive than negative feedback from emails

and the WAS Facebook page.

No one as yet has indicated that they would take on the responsibility of

president but some are happy to do other roles. I may be prepared to take

up that role so long as I have good support from a strong committee and

knowledgeable fishkeepers to help out with those tricky questions. The key

to a healthy club is for all ideas to be considered and that the club is

for everyone to enjoy. Also using good Communication tools like emails,

FNZAS website and social media will be the key to ensuring everyone knows

what’s happening within the club. So far most people have indicated that

the reason for joining the club is so they can talk to other people

passionate about fishkeeping and also having a sales table. Tanks crawls

were also another reason for joining. Personally I think we came

accommodate all of these.

What I propose is we hold a meeting at the Waikato commerce club and see

what response we get. The meeting will be open to current, former and any

new members who wish to join. I need to talk to the Commerce club first and

book the meeting room. Will probably be a Wednesday starting at 7pm. Date

TBA.

An outline agenda proposed is as follows

· *Welcome. *

· *Background/Current state of club including financials*, (How

membership works, Affiliation to FNZAS, FNZAS Capitations, and Affiliation

with Commerce club, etc)

· *Discussion on future of club*. (What do we what to do? How to

attract and retain Members)

· *Election of committee* (If decided to continue) – Don’t let this

process shy you away from attending. We won’t force anyone onto the

committee.

· *Sales table and General discussion.*

If we do elect a committee and carry on it is important that minutes are

taken therefore I require a volunteer to initially take these.

Please get the feedback coming and I will get back to all with a firm date

to hold a meeting'