The ACA is what we as cichlid keepers make it. There is so much that can be done if we become active more often, organize/co-ordinate better, and help one another. I have seen aquarium clubs make differences with breeding, availability of the fish we keep, educating newbies so they don't get frustrated and give up, and so on.
The ACA is more than a club. It reaches Internationally and affects many. We need more active members. We need people like you to join and make a difference somewhere.(whether physically or financially thru donations). MO has a vision and plans but needs to be on the BOT to implement his goals. They will help the hobby and that IS important.
I recently have been running a poll on forums about the ACA. Boards with 30,000 members who keep cichlids and I see 12 posts or less.(votes in poll). That is a lack of participation. That leads to even less productivity to the hobby. I have tried to form breeding teams for the ACA, no takers. It is not the ACA that is a problem. it is us. We need to do more.
The real truth of cichlids in the wild, especially Africa is they are in a poor state for long term survival. FO stocks of many fish could really become unavailable. Ad Konings who collects them, discovers them told me live that reintroduction to the wild failed miserably with the Lake Victoria project. The reasons weren't as much environmental as financial and having other resources to succeed. That means we need to breed these fish to keep them available.
The ACA is the driving force behind keeping cichlids available to us here in the United States. We take far too much for granted. We need to participate.
I say join for nothing else to support the very cichlids we keep in our homes!
FYI to everyone so you understand the point of the post.
I posted this post on many forums to gauge the interest in the ACA.
No one asked me to do this, I just wanted to understand the opinions of the ACA and the hobby by as many people as possible. It is disheartening to say the least that so many people keep cichlids in the USA but do not support the association that supports them.
The ACA and your local clubs are much more than just a Annual Convention. The ACA supports research and conservation thru grants that they raise the moneys for. Bulletin Board forums are not issuing grants. Many forums do offer online articles. Thank you for that service. The convention travels to allow many of you to have a chance to get together and meet the people who have brought you the fish you keep. It can be very insightful and educational, not to mention fun!
I promote clubs nationwide in the SW hobby with Uberfrags to help members and hobbyists get as much as possible out of these experiences. I do it completely as a volunteer. Because I post on so many forums, I am able to reach more people and let them know what's going on and where.
I have been in this hobby for 25 years. Why should it matter to any of you? Because it shows all of you that I am a lifelong, serious hobbyist(and vendor), that is sincere in wanting to promote the hobby as a whole(not just cichlids) and that can help many of you. Especially new people.
I would appreciate this thread to stay open so the point of participating beyond your keyboards/monitors can be understood more! I joined the ACA at the 2006 convention. I belong to many local clubs and felt that I wasn't going to get anything out of supporting a national club. I was wrong. However, I agree that the club needs an injection of "new input" to evolve with this new era of the hobby.
For that to happen and for the BOT to hear our suggestions, and for them to be valid, we need to be members. By spending the $25 you are showing that you are willing to participate in their noble causes. It also affords you the "right" to help the ACA evolve into a bigger, better organization thru each of your individual efforts.
The ACA has had great impact on the cichlid hobby here in th USA. It can continue to with suggestions for the future.(from members ofcourse).
Please continue to comment, make suggestions, explain what the hobby is to you and what you want it to be. Just please be civil so the conversation and poll continues.
Thanks Rich
