the decline of Reef Clubs nationwide

SynDen

Administrator
Staff member
M.A.S.C Club Member
M.A.S.C. B.O.D.
M.A.S.C President
M.A.S.C Webmaster
#1
So MASC is one of the last few remaining local clubs that is still active and putting on events, but even we have seen, and been impacted, by the decline in membership, and event participation. I certainly dont want the club to fold like so many others around the nation have, as I love this club and the people in it.
So to that note, I want to hear your thoughts on the issue and listen to any ideas anyone has for reviving or embracing it. What do you see as the issues and do you have any idea to turn it around?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/why-are-local-forums-clubs-struggling.462621/
 

zombie

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#2
On the embracing side of things, maybe we could get in touch with some of the local facebook groups and at least get them to help promote some of the events.

Sent from my SM-G965U using MASC mobile app
 

Archit

Cleaner Shrimp
M.A.S.C Club Member
Platinum Sponsor
#3
personally I think it's the lack of "fun" involvement (from a hobbyist point of view), and not being able to reach enough people (from a sponsors point of view). I know when I was a sponsor in Boston, I used to do these fun raffles, polls, etc all the time, and response from people was amazing. On MASC, I've noticed that there really aren't too many people active any more. In hindsight, maybe when I did the last raffle, I could've advertised it on the Colorado facebook group, and get people redirected here.

From my hobbyist point of view: I'd love to see more raffles and fun things I can participate in to be more involved without having to leave my house because it's just tough to get out with 2 little ones. Also I hate facebook ... with a passion.

From a sponsor's point of view: I'd love to see more people be on this forum because it's a lot more personal than facebook ... and I hate facebook ... with a passion ... but unfortunately, need to post/market at the place that'll drive the business the most.

I am more than happy to donate corals or gift cards if MASC would like to run their own raffles / contests / other stuff and advertise it at such ... I'm not the most creative person and I think MASC, as a group, can come up with more creative and fun things than I can :) -- I think that's something that'll be great to pull people back on to the forum from FB as long as the people on FB know about it. After all ... who doesn't like free stuff? :D

Hope that helps!

- Archit
 

Lmmchops

Cleaner Shrimp
M.A.S.C Club Member
#4
As you said I to have come to love this club I have only been in this hobby and in this club for a year but have found a lot of help and value in the knowledge here.
I enjoy the meetings I have attended and enjoy talking to fellow reefers. As far as trying to get more people to attend events I read on the R2R post from jda that he couldn't attend a lot of our meetings due to them being on the weekends we could try to do smaller get togethers out at dinners or go to the downtown aquarium on weekdays. I had noticed prior to this last year MASC had a booth at Reefstock maybe we could pursue that again I know I would not mind volunteering for it to help get us more out there.

Sent from my SM-G892A using MASC mobile app
 

Bdk1786

Butterfly Fish
#5
As stated above, unfortunately, social media is just too convenient for people and easier to access. While the organization of information isn't there like it is on a forum, most people I have met with over Facebook are looking for quick kills. Easy sales, trades, etc... While that is all housed here and more, it's just not where people want to access information casually and quickly. Most people I come across over FB have not heard of MASC or thought to seek a local forum/club. How can we change this? Like @Archit said, have a heavier presence on FB to pull people into the forum. I know I discover more groups through friends that are posting, commenting, or liking other groups/posts, i.e. @AllysonP 's FB group.
 

whyamisofly

Tang
M.A.S.C Club Member
#8
Get a Colorado sunburst auction it off to members only. Bet our quota would go up by a lot.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
Andrew and I met someone in the hobby at my house and he had heard of MASC, but only follows via Facebook. Not sure why he won't join the actual page.
 

TheRealChrisBrown

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
ex-officio
#9
To me it seems like when I have genuine questions I would never really think to post them on FB only here on the forums....I trust in the MASC opinion as I've gotten to know everyone here over the years. I also know if I posted "Help! My tank busted a seam" I'd probably have 4 or 5 of you at my house really quickly. Try that on FB sometime, lol....you'd probably get 15 offers to buy that fish flopping around on the carpet for $1.

I like the idea of "how to's" at the meetings. I know we've done drilling a dank a few times, but making your own frozen fish food, or building a sump, even a photography demo would be pretty cool. I've heard rumors that there used to be tank tours, where we'd go to several houses in a row and check out their tanks....maybe we would turn that into something like a poker run for prizes? I see the potential for the silent auction we tried this weekend as well, would be cool to see it on a larger scale.
 

SkyShark

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#10
Thanks for getting the discussion going, Angel. I know it’s a combination of things that has club participation down around the country, so there isn’t one silver bullet.
It can be a little nerve-wracking going to your first meeting when you don’t know anyone, but we were all there at one point and I hope we make meetings as welcoming as possible.
What types of meetings would you guys like to see more of?
 

Balz3352

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#11
Membership and participation is on the decline definitely. Unfortunately i dont see a way to reverse this. Facebook is too convenient and the age of forums is dying. I hooe we can continue to do group events to keep the community alive because thats what keeps it going. I feel like the club could do a better job of being there upfront at meets like reefstock to try to get membership up. Im sure Jake wouldn't say no to a shout out or two during the event. Maybe we can have him or another youtube type giy come and do a masc tank tour. Try to get some help from the big boys.

Facebook is too convenient and most people like the convenience of it. Unfortunately the information there is hit or miss and impossible to organize. Perhaps masc could rss feed to facebook and ig or something. To get people from there to here. We're just in a tough spot. Id love to hear how the national forums are doing. I feel it used to be 4 or so big national forums now its pretty much r2r and rc.

Ive thought about this a few times which is unfortunate. Scmas is almost nonexistent now.

I do think it helps having these conversations and that the club president is active on the fourm (no hard feelings to chad).

It might help to post up on fb to do a build thread competition (or update) to get new people here with a sweet prize. (Make it a drawing because noone could beat halmus that im aware of.)
 

Legonch

Butterfly Fish
M.A.S.C Club Member
#13
Masc should talk to some vendors that have tables at reef stock. Offer to waive event fees for vendors at MASC events or something like that and the vendors could advertise at their table during the event. Obviously having a dedicated Masc booth at reefstock would be ideal, but the costs may be to high or space not available


Sent from my iPhone using MASC mobile app
 

Andrew_bram

Tiger Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#14
What if we did a one year tank trial plumb them all into same sump so parameters are stable and all same corals in same places. Say 3 40 breeders. Light each one with a lighting system. t5,led,and 150/250 metal halide. Link Facebook or you tube and start a bra type of series. Run for 1 year. I have a 40breeder I could donate. I also have a 150 metal halide in basement and I am sure some other stuff. At end of grow auction or raffle the corals. Or we could do it with flow showing how low or high flow affects corals.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk
 

kchristensen8064

Sting ray
M.A.S.C Club Member
#15
personally I think it's the lack of "fun" involvement (from a hobbyist point of view), and not being able to reach enough people (from a sponsors point of view). I know when I was a sponsor in Boston, I used to do these fun raffles, polls, etc all the time, and response from people was amazing. On MASC, I've noticed that there really aren't too many people active any more. In hindsight, maybe when I did the last raffle, I could've advertised it on the Colorado facebook group, and get people redirected here.

From my hobbyist point of view: I'd love to see more raffles and fun things I can participate in to be more involved without having to leave my house because it's just tough to get out with 2 little ones. Also I hate facebook ... with a passion.

From a sponsor's point of view: I'd love to see more people be on this forum because it's a lot more personal than facebook ... and I hate facebook ... with a passion ... but unfortunately, need to post/market at the place that'll drive the business the most.

I am more than happy to donate corals or gift cards if MASC would like to run their own raffles / contests / other stuff and advertise it at such ... I'm not the most creative person and I think MASC, as a group, can come up with more creative and fun things than I can :) -- I think that's something that'll be great to pull people back on to the forum from FB as long as the people on FB know about it. After all ... who doesn't like free stuff? :D

Hope that helps!

- Archit
I'm with you on hating FB! I deleted my account a couple of years ago. I love this forum. I have learned most of the little bit I know in the hobby from reading threads here. I really enjoy going to the meetings that I'm able to make it to, and I have really enjoyed meeting quite a few of you! I personally would be really disappointed to not have this forum/club, I think the meetings are a great way to get the community together. I think exposure is a good way to get more people involved. Like others have suggested ReefStock and advertising on social media. Word of mouth has its advantages too. I have a buddy with a reef and he is slowly coming around to joining the club. I just try to tell him how amazing of a resource you all are.
 

SynDen

Administrator
Staff member
M.A.S.C Club Member
M.A.S.C. B.O.D.
M.A.S.C President
M.A.S.C Webmaster
#16
Membership and participation is on the decline definitely. Unfortunately i dont see a way to reverse this. Facebook is too convenient and the age of forums is dying. I hooe we can continue to do group events to keep the community alive because thats what keeps it going. I feel like the club could do a better job of being there upfront at meets like reefstock to try to get membership up. Im sure Jake wouldn't say no to a shout out or two during the event. Maybe we can have him or another youtube type giy come and do a masc tank tour. Try to get some help from the big boys.

Facebook is too convenient and most people like the convenience of it. Unfortunately the information there is hit or miss and impossible to organize. Perhaps masc could rss feed to facebook and ig or something. To get people from there to here. We're just in a tough spot. Id love to hear how the national forums are doing. I feel it used to be 4 or so big national forums now its pretty much r2r and rc.

Ive thought about this a few times which is unfortunate. Scmas is almost nonexistent now.

I do think it helps having these conversations and that the club president is active on the fourm (no hard feelings to chad).

It might help to post up on fb to do a build thread competition (or update) to get new people here with a sweet prize. (Make it a drawing because noone could beat halmus that im aware of.)
We have done Reefstock before, and really never saw much from it. Jake would likely give us a booth at a discount, but we have found it to be just as effective to go around and hand out flyers, and not be tied to the booths. Not to mention, keeping it manned is a bit of an issue too.
Masc should talk to some vendors that have tables at reef stock. Offer to waive event fees for vendors at MASC events or something like that and the vendors could advertise at their table during the event. Obviously having a dedicated Masc booth at reefstock would be ideal, but the costs may be to high or space not available


Sent from my iPhone using MASC mobile app
Did that last time, and it didnt bring any new vendors, and created more hassle then it was worth really. Likely, wont do it again.
 

Balz3352

Reef Shark
M.A.S.C Club Member
#17
Flyers are great. Perhaps flyers at events and business cards with qr codes to the site at vendors such as aa, mbc, Ambrosio, emerald, etc. Maybe incentive for the businesses to tell people. Every 10 member a free month of advertising. Or premium space on the site?

Have a section for who told them about the site to give credit to.

Maybe end of the year person who has most referral props gets a gc to a local vendor or coral or whatever the club chooses.
 

Roxborough Reefer

Turbo Snail
M.A.S.C Club Member
#18
So MASC is one of the last few remaining local clubs that is still active and putting on events, but even we have seen, and been impacted, by the decline in membership, and event participation. I certainly dont want the club to fold like so many others around the nation have, as I love this club and the people in it.
So to that note, I want to hear your thoughts on the issue and listen to any ideas anyone has for reviving or embracing it. What do you see as the issues and do you have any idea to turn it around?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/why-are-local-forums-clubs-struggling.462621/
I just joined the forum and I was not able to attend the meetings that has been announced, the auction and at Syndens. The meetings were on Sunday afternoon. My weekend job is at that time. I would be able to attend weeknight meetings when I am not traveling for my weekday job.
I believe for some newbies such as myself, we don't have much to contribute since we lack knowledge and experience in the hobby. In my other hobby club, we have an existing member sponsor a new member by giving contact information and personally introducing them to other members at activities they might be interested in. So, if we attend, we might be over excited and ask too many questions. The social connections are what make the club worthwhile. Have hands on clinics (brief) such as water testing, mixing salt, DIY projects, etc. My 2.5 cents worth.

Sent from my SM-G950U using MASC mobile app
 

SkyShark

Dolphin
M.A.S.C Club Member
#19
I believe for some newbies such as myself, we don't have much to contribute since we lack knowledge and experience in the hobby. In my other hobby club, we have an existing member sponsor a new member by giving contact information and personally introducing them to other members at activities they might be interested in. So, if we attend, we might be over excited and ask too many questions. The social connections are what make the club worthwhile. Have hands on clinics (brief) such as water testing, mixing salt, DIY projects, etc. My 2.5 cents worth.

Sent from my SM-G950U using MASC mobile app
Thanks for the feedback. I like the member sponsor/mentor idea. I don’t want anyone to not come to a meeting because they feel like they don’t have anything to contribute. Your presence is all the contribution we need from you! New reefers are essential to the club - veteran reefers were all there once and newbies are exactly the people we want to interact and share our experience with.
I hope to meet you at a future meeting or event.
 
Top