Meeting today.

[PondmaninAL]

Well, we had our first meeting at our house today for the club. Three folks showed. I was happy with it because the club is finally growing. Next month, we will have our meeting at the newest members house. She brought me some giant sensitive plant, seed pods for that plant, and Castor bean seeds. Her pond has a unique liner, an old billboard. She is going to pick up more this week. It's a thick vinyl material by her description. She jokes about her having Kenny Chesney at the bottom of her pond because the bill board had his pic on it.

The third person just dropped by at the end and picked up some plants and an old cell phone. She is a real newbie to ponding and I help her whenever I can. Her family is young and struggling. I gave her the pump that she is using. She got the pond kit for Mother's Day and her husband helped her install it. They've done a good job. I delivered three goldfish to her and had a look.

I am so excited about this club and it's future, it kind of takes away some of the depressed feeling from not having a job.

Happy ponding,
Scott

[mcp]

Scott, Great to hear your club is growing. How long ago did you start it? How do you soliciate new memebership?

[ponderer]

 :-)Sounds like a god beginning. Helping people is the best !  Hope that it expands for you. I know I have just lost a ponding buddy here. Moved away, and I have no one to exchange ideas with.
Will look forward to hear how it goes for you.
Mary

[PondmaninAL]

MCP, I started out 2.5-3 years ago with the idea and did the first plant festival. From that, I got one member. He stuck with it and after we moved, I kinda neglected the meetings as no one would show. We would of had one more there but she was having car trouble. There may be two more new ones at the next meeting.

Happy ponding,
Scott

[Esther]

I hope your "club" continues to grow. And goodness!!! How long have you been without a job? So scary!!

[Julles]

Pond clubs are a little difficult, I think, because people live so spread out.  Here in Houston, members could feasibly live 50 miles apart, which makes driving to a meeting rather difficult, depending on where it's held.  Also, people's free time is so limited, and there are so many other things they need to do.  Our pond society has very few people show at meetings, too, for many reasons.  One thing that does get people to come is - FOOD.  While I wish our meetings had a speaker or a chance to learn something, our meetings tend to be mostly about socializing, drinking wine, and chowing down.

One nice thing about a small group is you get to know one another so much better.

Do yu have the meetings always at the same place, or do you switch from home to home, or even to a public place like a garden center?

[marla]

Good for you, I'd love to have a pond club in our area.....I know there are lots of ponders around the area, it's just finding them and trying to get something started.  Our area pond store has been saying for years they are going to get a NAWGS club started, I would just like something as it's fun to share ideas and experiences

[PondmaninAL]

Esther, I was laid off on May 16 of this year. I was able to draw unemployment though.

Julles, it use to be at a local park but this last meeting was inspired by how many were interested in this area. This time, it was here at my house.

Hey Marla, why not have a water garden party and invite all of them to your house. When you have a large group together, discuss organizing a club. If you get enough interest in it, it'll be all downhill from there.

Happy ponding,
Scott