[Killietalk] Maybe the poll we should take. :)

[Scott Davis <unclescott at prodigy_net>]

I would like to thank Gary for his observation on the decentralization of the AKA something which is sometimes seen as a weakness, but can also longterm be a strength. Ultimately it can plug more people into the process.

The poll (and this is academic, because effectively the AKA board does take this poll annually when calling for convention bids) what we probably should ask for is, "Who is willing to put on a convention?" They get to figure out...

if a two day weekend convention will draw as many attendees as a three day and how much can be put into the agenda (in terms of speakers, meetings and hospitality time) and whether there could be Monday, ancillary activities like collecting in Florida or visiting local aquarists or a public aquarium.

if off season hotel rates and air fares will compensate for less desirable travel times and weather.

what hotel accommodations and price and what banquet caterer and prices can they find and will that meet the approval of potential attendees.

how they will raise the resources (tanks, stands,  willing and able bodies, working capital, PR, even decent water) to present such an event. The AKA does more for local groups than some specialty groups. There still must be considerable work done in-house.

how 10-20 people locally and a number of others nationally (speakers, the judging team recruited and organized by the judging committee chair...) will be drawn into the process and "utilized" in such as way as hopefully they will still get to see some of the show.
**********

There's probably a lot more which I have forgotten. But with advanced negotiation needs, as Tom has pointed out, this is a two+ year process (some would say albatross) which some individuals would need to endure.

Even local shows may put a fair amount of pressure on organizers. In 1981 the local general aquarium society offered to lend their name to a one-day killie show, but didn't offer a whole lot more. Ron Coleman and Bill Fackert (both of whom would play important roles later in the AKA) had to ante up $500 of their own money, with no guarantee of any remuneration, and with their wives, do most of the initial organizing. Nearby killie groups did their best to send attendees, entries, tanks, stands, speakers and the like, but that is how the Michiana Killifish Karnival got started. Members of the Michiana A.S. today, who have enthusiastically embraced the 2-day Karnival, would probably be surprised at the initial reluctant support given the event.

Another reason for local shows is that it trains for, or warns off people from, attempting a national. Regional groups have thrived and strong friendships have grown as a result of working together on a national. However as a result of sponsoring nationals, verbal fights have broken out, friendships have been trashed forever, results were thrown out in an immediately regretted act of passion, locals have had to work off debts and at least one local affiliate folded, partly, because of sponsoring a national convention.

My supply of such stories is pretty limited actually and the goal is not to air ancient dirty laundry, but it takes A LOT of trust between organizers to sponsor a local. There are considerable risks to committing to such an adventure.

I'm as guilty as the next person in wanting to tell people in authority or sponsoring a show how I would like them to do "it". When we make recommendations we need to stop and think about how much those recommendations can be followed through on by a group. Would WE be willing to do those things?

Brainstorming for new ideas and venues is terrific. Ideas will be raised which might never have been thought of without the discussion. "Just because we have always done it that way" is a recipe for the demise of any organization. But some things which sound great at first - such as the occasional suggestion on AKA secretary's surveys to have the national in Las Vegas - sound great until we consider some of the practical ways the idea can be out to work. (In the Las Vegas analogy again, who would do the work, where would the tanks and stands come from, is there a good local supply of "killie water"?)

So when we are making suggestions for nationals, when they should be and what they should consist of, ask yourself if you would put yourself on the line to do those things. Ask what the consequences of a particular approach would be on a plus, minus and maybe basis for the local group and the hobby as a whole.

Thanks for putting up with this ramble,
Scott
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