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We want to introduce you to a new group called “Growing The Aquarium Hobby” (GTAH)! GTAH was created out of an increasing lack of younger individuals willing and able to carry on the organized aquarium hobby. You may have a talent, ability and/or connection that can help us grow the hobby and ensure the survival of volunteer tropical fish clubs and organizations. We will not hide our intentions; we are a Grass Roots organization and we are soliciting people who are capable and who are willing to work with GTAH. We need your help and we ask you to please read through this as we believe you will be interested in this effort!



We all love the fish keeping hobby, and GTAH’s goal is to keep our beloved hobby overflowing with new and old hobbyists alike who are interested in furthering the fish keeping experience through education and through the organized hobby! (Please read more about GTAH and our Initial Mission Statement below.) We all know how the organized hobby is lacking younger people and we think steps need to be taken to prevent a void of hobbyists willing to run the clubs, share their knowledge through programs at club meetings and promote the continuation of the organized hobby in the future. This can be accomplished by growing the interest in tropical fishkeeping with the public.



We are not asking you to do anything at this point; we only want to see if you are willing to support our endeavor in one capacity or another. We are looking for interested individuals to fill the needs of GTAH in the following capacities:



- Thinkers: Individuals who are well-versed in the fishkeeping hobby, who have been active in the organized hobby, and who would be interested and capable of furthering the GTAH goal of simply, “Growing The Aquarium Hobby.” We are looking for people to be GTAH advisors and potentially join our initial slate of officers and BOD. (See officers and descriptions listed below)



- Activists:

Activists will be the face of GTAH. They are the ones who will visit audiences in the community, be in the public eye, and generate enthusiasm for the fishkeeping hobby. GTAH needs people interested in presenting programs to schools, colleges, public television stations and other public arenas. With GTAH providing the equipment and documentation, the presentation will be designed to educate and encourage fishkeeping.



- Core Manufacturers:

Manufacturers and retailers understand that educating future generations will bring them more business in the years to come. Through sponsoring our needs, manufacturers and retailers would have a hand in breathing life into the hobby. Such needs for sponsorship include traveling expenses, equipment costs, as well as presentation supplies and donations. Other advertising capacities are available as well. Please note we are looking for individuals with potential connections to manufacturers; we are not specifically soliciting sponsors at this time.



- Advocates:

Magazines - Your magazine would be willing and able to support us through advertisements, columns or articles on furthering the hobby and furthering the organized hobby. Possible sponsorship of Activists presenting programs.

Authors - you would include GTAH in your articles, encourage participation in local clubs and in national tropical fish organizations.



If we have peaked your interest, please continue to read on!



Below is initial information formed by the current, and limited Officers & BOD of GTAH. We are looking for your input! Please feel free to reply with your thoughts!



Mission Statement

As Growing the Aquarium Hobby, we are a committed group of experienced individuals from all aspects of the aquarium hobby. We seek to educate and encourage the general public of the positive aspects in keeping a home aquarium. With the proud sponsorship from various sources we develop presentations for our membership to give at various appointments. Through demonstration and explanation as well as active involvement we establish the basic and or advanced process that is involved in caring for an aquarium while promoting the organized hobby. Our goal is to revitalize the hobby and encourage the continuous growth and assemblage of the organized hobby while educating the public on “Here’s how, “ and “Here’s why” and “Here’s what the organized hobby can do for you!”



OFFICERS:

Chair: (Position currently held by Christopher Boulanger)

Oversees entire operation, moderates and initiates voting, addresses public and organization, represents organization where necessary, Calls for conferences both live and virtual, Director of all chairs.



Vice-Chair: (Position currently held by Susie Clapsaddle)

Default chair in the absence of the chair, addresses public and organization when needed, keeps check on the progress of other chairs and their respective duties, reports to chair with the overall progress of the organization.



Operations Coordinator: (Position currently held by Janine Banks)

Default chair in the absence of the chair and vice-chair. Head of operations, sees to the open communication internally as well as between the organization and the public. Contacts and assigns arrangements with public (non-sponsoring) individuals and parties such as but not excluded to Schools, Communities, and Hosts as well as Members and Potential Members (to be forwarded to the Membership Chair). Presents critical issues and goals to the organization. Works closely with Resources Chair, and Coordinators of International Affairs.



Resources Chair: (Position currently held by David Banks)

Default chair in the absence of the chair, vice-chair, and operations coordinator. Lead contact person for non-public (sponsoring) individuals and parties such as but not excluded to Manufacturers, Places of Retail, Government Officials, and Publications. Arranges sponsorship contracts with sponsoring parties, as well as gathering information for and from government officials such as Individual State Boards of Education and periodical publishing groups. Works closely with Operations Coordinator, and Coordinators of International Affairs.



Recording Secretary: (Position currently held by Julie Ann Quinn-Paquet)

Recorder and Issuer of notes taken at both live and virtual conferences. Reports presentable work(s) to Vice-Chair before being forwarded to Chair for Broadcast

and Publication Chair for Newsletter.



Coordinator of International Affairs (CIA): (Position currently held by Julie Ann Quinn-Paquet)

Works with both Operations Coordinator and Resource Chair to assist in the translation of laws and language where necessary. Active representative of either USA, Canada, or Mexico. Reports changes of government and conditions to organization.



Treasurer: Head of Budget and Finances. (open)

Addresses and conforms to governmental tax and registration laws on behalf of the organization. Reports Budget, not expenses, to the organization when ever requested. Reports to both the Officers & Board of Directors. A Certified Public Accountant is requested for this position.



Membership Chair: (open)

Contact person and coordinator of Activists, inquires, registrations, and directories. Works closely with all chairs.



GTAH was created out of a need to have people willing and able to carry on the organized aquarium hobby. As Chairman of the NEC’s Annual Convention, I see the need for this organization – there is so much media competing for our time these days. Aquarium club participation has dwindled and we need to rekindle and highlight the relationship building capabilities of the local clubs. We need to encourage people to keep tanks, to join local clubs, and to Grow The Aquarium Hobby!



If we can increase the interest in the hobby and promote the clubs, we can do more within the clubs, which will in turn keep more people in the hobby. A “Win Win” for everyone!



As a valued person in the organized aquarium hobby, we are enlisting your guidance and we sincerely thank you for your assistance!!



Sincerely,

The Initial Founders of “Growing The Aquarium Hobby”



Janine & David Banks (802) 372-8716 dbanks@together.net

Christopher Boulanger (860) 380-7634 icysithmaster88@yahoo.com

Charles & Susie Clapsaddle (361) 645-2252 Goliadfish@goliadfarms.com

Patrick Lin zapisto@gmail.com

Julie Ann Quinn-Paquette pictus30@hotmail.com

Douglas Patac (webmaster) dpatac@gmail.com



GTAH!!