Do Aquarium Employees Get Free membership still?

[scuba steve]

GAI employees had been allowed free membership to ARC since GAI's opening, ARC changed this policy within the last couple months without announcement or reason given. There are still some GAI employees who are ARC members but many have been driven off by drama and such, some of those remaining choose not to make their occupations public.

 

[ralph atl]

this is a non-profit organization that should be generous & giving...............my 30 bucks means nothing, why fret over 30 bucks people!

 

[mojo]

I tend to agree with Ralph here. This is the ARC's way of supporting our local public Aquarium. The 3-4 memberships given to GAI employees won't hurt the club, and will likely only help it.

No, the GAI doesn't really care about ARC, but that doesn't mean we can't show our support of it.

 

[ralph atl]

however, it would be cool to do as a "donation", eh? anyway.........no lost sleep here! lol!

 

[ralph atl]

 

[lilrobb]

Scuba Steve;564194 wrote: GAI employees had been allowed free membership to ARC since GAI's opening, ARC changed this policy within the last couple months without announcement or reason given.

I am not aware of this - I will make this a point in tomorrows BOD meeting.

Steve, thanks for your help - you know what I mean!

 

[scuba steve]

I believe that many GAI employees who were driven away were often because they were getting overwhelmed by such requests, even harrassed. Not making public your occupation doesn't mean not giving advice, they're just able to do so discretely.

On the other side, there can also be issues for a GAI employee making a post on any public forum which could be mistaken or interpretted as a statement on behalf of the aquarium, which it is not. Identifing employees increases the potential for this and could lead to consequences for the employee.

We're not taking about a large number of memberships, there are only a small handfull of employees on ARC, but they can be valuable additions to the club, even if they're not announcing their credentials.

 

[ralph atl]

sometimes giving is without expectation of return, only then...................

 

[mojo]

Scuba Steve;564209 wrote: I believe that many GAI employees who were driven away were often because they were getting overwhelmed by such requests, even harrassed. Not making public your occupation doesn't mean not giving advice, they're just able to do so discretely.

On the other side, there can also be issues for a GAI employee making a post on any public forum which could be mistaken or interpretted as a statement on behalf of the aquarium, which it is not. Identifing employees increases the potential for this and could lead to consequences for the employee.

We're not taking about a large number of memberships, there are only a small handfull of employees on ARC, but they can be valuable additions to the club, even if they're not announcing their credentials.

While I support the idea of giving a free membership to GAI employees, I feel that not showing the reason for it is being a bit disingenuous. The reason for the free membership is to give props to those who work at the aquarium, and to make that known within the club. A new badge under your name or a signature line or something would be sufficient, IMO.

However, if that is too much of a burden to bear, then pay the $30. You can't have your cake and eat it too... Just my opinion, of course.

 

[mrsmojo]

I think that if we are going to give free memberships to GAI employees then the club should receive some benefit in return for that generosity. I actually like the idea of the free memberships to GAI employees, but I think that to receive that benefit they should be identified as GAI employees on the site.

Maybe we could have the option of a free membership to those that are willing to have a GAI employee button under their avatar. And those that are not willing to have the GAI employee button don't get the benefit of the free membership.

I'm a veterinarian - I have it listed under my occupation - I occasionally get PM's asking for advice about a pet. In fact anyone on the site would have the opportunity to ask me questions about a pet - seems like the same thing the GAI employees would face. Not that big of a deal in my opinion. And a response can always be sent via PM if an employee is concerned about their opinion getting them in trouble with the aquarium.

 

[ralph atl]

mojo;564241 wrote: While I support the idea of giving a free membership to GAI employees, I feel that not showing the reason for it is being a bit disingenuous. The reason for the free membership is to give props to those who work at the aquarium, and to make that known within the club. A new badge under your name or a signature line or something would be sufficient, IMO.

However, if that is too much of a burden to bear, then pay the $30. You can't have your cake and eat it too... Just my opinion, of course.

I agree here!

 

[ralph atl]

dawgdude;564248 wrote: Ive pmed you multiple times for veterinary advice and thank you for your help and generosity!

me too!

MrsMojo;564244 wrote: I think that if we are going to give free memberships to GAI employees then the club should receive some benefit in return for that generosity. I actually like the idea of the free memberships to GAI employees, but I think that to receive that benefit they should be identified as GAI employees on the site.

Maybe we could have the option of a free membership to those that are willing to have a GAI employee button under their avatar. And those that are not willing to have the GAI employee button don't get the benefit of the free membership.

I'm a veterinarian - I have it listed under my occupation - I occasionally get PM's asking for advice about a pet. In fact anyone on the site would have the opportunity to ask me questions about a pet - seems like the same thing the GAI employees would face. Not that big of a deal in my opinion. And a response can always be sent via PM if an employee is concerned about their opinion getting them in trouble with the aquarium.

 

[ralph atl]

dawgdude;564249 wrote: Man you change sides faster than a politician! So much for no expectation huh Ralph

let me splain before you condemn................too late!

free membership doesn't equate to anonymous membership


I didn't change my opine, thanks though!

 

[mrsmojo]

I have no problem giving veterinary advice - that's my point. If the GAI employees don't want to be bothered with questions then maybe they shouldn't expect the benefit. I don't get any benefit from answering veterinary questions - but the animal does - that's worth any "bother" to me.

 

[ralph atl]

I think we are on the same page.

 

[dragoon]

holy samolians people. I was just asking a simple question. Didn't demand anything for goodness sake , and yes I agree with Mrs mojo about being a vet and posting it is one thing, but posting where you work is another. There's only one aquarium around here and many a vet office. Scuba Steve has some points and I got more than my fair share of BTS tour requests and free ticket requests........ I have no problem with helping on specific issues related to the hobby, but handouts are a bit much sometimes. Not saying that's what I'm asking for either. I was just asking if we got free memberships as I did every year since 2006.

Still I would be up for a nice power point presentation on water conservation and perhaps an indepth explaination of some of the systems in return for some memberships for the guys.

BTW according to several peeps I've spoken too, they know nothing of the loss of free memberships for GAI employees so somehow this has fallen through the cracks, or was never announced publicly.

 

[mojo]

This was addressed at the BoD meeting tonight. Ill let the leaders post the official stuff. In short, it was</em> offered before, and it was</em> rescinded last year. However, a new vote was made to reinstate it, as long as its requested and the employee agrees to have a GAI badge under their name. If there are more requirements / conditions, they'll be in the meeting notes.

 

[ralph atl]

mojo;564579 wrote: This was addressed at the BoD meeting tonight. Ill let the leaders post the official stuff. In short, it was</em> offered before, and it was</em> rescinded last year. However, a new vote was made to reinstate it, as long as its requested and the employee agrees to have a GAI badge under their name. If there are more requirements / conditions, they'll be in the meeting notes.

:yay::thumbs::yay::thumbs::yay:

 

[smoothie]

That's really cool. Thanks guys and gal

 

[dragoon]

Thanks peeps! Most Appreciated!!!