The countdown is on!

[Rayman86]

Well its not that I dont think its fair I mean compared to other hobby clubs the fees are pennies. But at the same time when every penny counts... I do like the idea of a trial period but seeing as ive been on this site since about July or so? That my trial period is more or less done.

[sai]

This clubs been a big help and all but  paying 40 dollars for a club that i visit  from time to time doesnt see that  fair  and also im not planning to  show my  bettas. I only got into breeding for my own hobby and came here to share and compare my  spawn and  see what fellow breeders  do and from reading some of the replies i dont think much members are very interested in paying 40 dollars  since we have a total of 88 members and  just   a handful are   actually  leaving a reply.

Also i think if the  membership fee become manditory it will reduce the activity in this club  alot and i would hate to see that but i do understand the reasoning for wanting to make it  a legit  club.

[baycitybettas]

I am going to try to clarify the last few concerns.  

I think it is the primary nature of our club set up that is confusing to some people.  

Although we primarily meet online to exchange ideas and have "conversation", we are not a loosely based chat room with no function or goal.  The "net" is just a convenient vehicle for our Canada wide club to keep in touch.  

At the end of the day, we have one purpose.  To promote and educate interested parties in the breeding, keeping and showing of Bettas.  One of the most common promotions are shows.  Shows are neither cheap nor free.  Even if you are not interested in showing or feel that logistically it may not be possible, you cannot deny that this site has some serious value.  

Another purpose of this club is to grow and "spread the word".  You may not be able to picture a show in Halifax in the next year, but who knows...  It is absolutely possible with a greater membership.  Every club has to start somewhere.  Do you think the original members of IBC would of immagined that their little club would go global with dozens of chapters?  That is why it is imperative that this club is properly organized and the business end properly run.  

If you dont think that 11 cents a day is worth the investment, so be it.  I make no apologies and will do whatever it takes to GROW this club.  There are lots of freebie aqua-sites to "hang" around.  I am not adverse to some open areas for visitors and non-dues payers though.  Not sure about the logistics of it yet.  I am no computer expert, so this may take some time to figure out.  I warn you though, it will be skinny with very limited access.

Hope to see you all on the other side!

-Kim

 

[Katalyst]

If I'm unable to see what I'm actually getting membership wise before I pay for it, then more then likely I'm not going to become a member of any forum in all honesty. For me until my work visa goes through every cent counts unfortunately. I think a full access trial even for a weeks time would help you more then hurt you.

Good luck with the site!

[baycitybettas]

Sorry to hear that Katalyst.  This site has been totally open since February.  I think that is a pretty decent preview.    

[Katalyst]

Sorry to hear that Katalyst.  This site has been totally open since February.  I think that is a pretty decent preview.

It is to the people who have had the pleasure of knowing about it. Unfortunately for me I just found out about BBC through the banner on CAC. Mind you I'm not complaining just trying to voice another opinion is all.

[zenafish]

awww...Kate...that's too bad  http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' />

[Rayman86]

Yeah I dont think I will be staying. No offence to anyone but while I could afford it I live out here in the maritimes. Getting to shows and events would be hard on the budget and on my work schedule. Thanks again Kim for Excalibur (Turquoise PK) and maybe some time down the road when the Myth Busters bust the betta myths (being that there is never enough time or money for breeding and keeping bettas) ill return. And maybe if I do find time to check out a show ill deffinately show up. Heather could probably spot me from a mile away lol.

Crazy you know I frequent UB so just pop me a message there. Anyone who wants to add me to any messanger go right ahead:

MSN- adanuk1@rogers.com
Yahoo!- Pilot752003
Paltalk- Rayman86

[Ian Turkstra]

Sorry to hear about that Rayman and Kathleen.

Kathleen: I must say that I think a month and a half should be more than enough to determine if the club is worth it to anyone.  But, the last thing I want to do is pressure anyone into joining.  If you feel it is worth the 11 cents per day then we would love to have you as a member.  

[Jeradatar]

Gee that's too bad really that you as a forum have gone this route.

I guess I'm slated to be culled as well. This was a great place to be as a Canadian among Canadians. A really great resource.

I would have no trouble paying a $20 Canadian Membership. But to be required to also pay for a second $20 USD Membership is really more than I'm willing to do. That is over $40 yearly dues to belong basically to an internet forum. I just don't see that happening. I would consider maybe belonging to 1 forum but most certainly not 2 and since its the US one that is required rather than just paying for a Canadian Membership I just won't do it.

Although I would like to offer the admins a congratulations at accomplishing this as this is a great accomplishment in the world of Betta Breeding I guess. I offer my sad goodbyes.

Juanita and Krinkle (who is still looking for a lady)

[EclipseBetta]

Alright, here comes my two cents.

I like the idea of a few boards still being open to non-members, like the spawn log, an informational board on the club, and the breeders directory section. That way, everyone can still stay somewhat connected, and new people will have somewhere to be directed to. Plus, it wouldn't hurt the breeding end of things, because all in all, that's what everyone wants to promote. People could still use the breeder directory to locate breeders, and the spawn log to show others and to boost enthusiasm about breeding and their new babies. The information/questions board would explain the club, benefits of membership, what to do, who to talk to etc, plus have some room for people to post questions.

    There can be two kinds of members, official and unofficial, and of course official IBC and BBC members would have access to the entire forum and other benefits previously mentioned, while unnofficial members could still stay in touch, but would just be locked from viewing all boards except the above three I mentioned (or whatever you decided). This gives people who aren't really sure about the membership fees a chance to think about it, wether it be weeks or years, and another option besides "take it or leave it". Also, new betta lovers aren't just going to cough up $40 when they have no idea what the BBC is, and like a few of you have mentioned, if it would have meant paying in the beginning, you wouldn't be here. Once new people get to know official members, through the spawn log, information/questions sections, they would feel more secure anyways. Once you get to know some names, it might lead to a membership and showing later down the road, and if not, at least a connection that might help the BBC grow in Canada.  http://209.85.62.26/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif' />

Anyways, those are just my views. It takes the pressure of time off of everything, and that's what I like about it. For me, I don't have any bettas right now, and haven't for a few years. I am trying to get into it again, and if I do, and I get a spawn, I would be interested in joining as an official member, but right now, since I don't have any stock, I'm not ready to make a commitment.

[Katalyst]

Sorry to hear about that Rayman and Kathleen.

Kathleen: I must say that I think a month and a half should be more than enough to determine if the club is worth it to anyone.  But, the last thing I want to do is pressure anyone into joining.  If you feel it is worth the 11 cents per day then we would love to have you as a member.

Right now its really not a matter of worth, its really a matter of finances being extremely tight for me. A month and a half might have been enough time for me if I was really perusing the site daily, due to health issues on my part and being American I have been spending a lot of time in the US dealing with other matters as I still do not have medical coverage in Canada.  

Perhaps in the future when money isn't such an issue I would love to be a member, but currently until my work visa goes through we are on one salary and things aren't getting any easier.

Also when I was referring to a trial based membership I was referring to people who join the site after Sept 30th and not myself.

[baycitybettas]

I will be going through the site to try and come up with some sort of viable option for "Guests" .  There is only one type of membership, that would be a paid one.  

[jawfish]

Actually Kim the forum already has a guestbook section...

I think many here are missing the point of setting this forum.

First and foremost We are the Canadian chapter of the IBC...

You do not become a member of the Forum...The forum is one of the many advantages of the BBC. Remember that this is a young club, it will get better with time if people believe in it. There are plenty of dedicated betta forum on the WEB. This forum is not one of them, it is for the Club and it's members,  to be part of the club implies that you are an IBC member... So yes you need to pay your IBC dues and BBC dues....

The BBC has certain goals, such has holding a Betta Show... If this is not a goal that you personnally share, well I respect that, if you do not whish to pay dues, I respect that also, but you can't have your cake and eat it... So I don't understand the big fuss in not having access to the BBC forum.

Also what about the people that have paid their dues, they have made a financial commitment to this club. They believe in this... It wouldn't be fair to them. Yes I understand that on October 1st we will most likelly be only 20-30 people, but that's life.  

Some people are busting their butt here, I'm talking about the BBC Board... I applaud for your efforts in taking this Club to the next level and hope that they will not go back on their ways of achieving this !!!!!

I do not wish to offend anyone, and I hope that some of you may understand my point of view...

Fred

[CCBettas]

Hi,

Actually have posted nothing regarding this matter as i had no idea what to think. But after thinking, I have made a decision.

When I first found this forum, I was very excited. I had been a member of the yahoo group but never frequented it because the layout was difficult for me to follow and it never really seemed active at all. I even was this groups secretary for a short period of time. It just seemed that the meetings popped up when I was busy though so I was never in attendence to fulfill my duties.
I see this forum as a great way to keep connnected with other breeders in Canada. And as mentioned, there are other ways of getting information and plenty of free sites. Being a member here in British Columbia seems pretty much pointless at the moment. Everyone is in the east. There are a few members here in British Columbia and the number is growing...but seeing as how the executive of the club is in the east, there is little likelyhood of having great involvement from me, a member from the west. I can not even imagine travelling to Toronto to attend a show and shipping of fish is very expensive as well.
There is a growing number of people here in BC who are interested in breeding bettas including a member here in the same city as me. I will continue to communicate with them via another message board. Possibly we will one day have enough people to hold a small show ourselves...or have a mini show with an aquarium club here or something.
I believe that the club should have a website. One which is similar to the ibc website...has club sales, links to canadian breeders and includes a site with the benefits of joining the club. Then there should be a link to the forum.


Carl Archie