Volunteers Needed THIS Saturday

[Fishnut]

A number of goldfish and another unknown species of fish has been released into a creek in Kanata.  There are well over 50 of these fish.  I need volunteers that are able to help catch them all.  We need people, nets, buckets and anyone who has a pair of hip waders.

If I have enough people, I want to give OVAS some exposure on the local news.  If you're available, please volunteer here:

http://ovas.ca/index.php?topic=50744.new#new

[HappyGuppy]

I wish you all success in catching them all.  Unfortunately I cannot attend as I will be out of town on saturday, but otherwise I would be there too.

Great idea to call CBC & CTV & others to cover the story.  Might bring awareness to the "no dumping of aquarium stuff".

Question - couldn't flushing (toilet) of living fish and FW aquarium plants also cause such problems?  I remember reading in SW hobbyists living near the ocean to never flush tank water, especially caulerpa, as it gets into the ocean.  I know that many of us flush water changes (fresh water) in the toilet, and so isn't it possible that even use "responsible hobbyists" be contributing to adding alien species into our waters?  If so then I think that this aspect of the broader issue should be expressed as well.  Tank water should be dumped on lawns/gardens.  FWIW, most of the time I did dump my water in my yard, but over the years I have flushed dead fish (diseases) and tank water changes (containing plant fragments for sure), so I'm certainly not holy either - but I seriously doubt that many ovas member can claim to be perfectly innocent either.

[dan2x38]

Where does the creek run into? Is it just goldfish that need to be caught? Do you know how wide the creek is? Could a net be used? This is the reason for my questions.

[Darth]

great effort here guys I applaude you all, wish I could help but I am working sorry

[drboeing]

Im limited in my physical abilities as I recently had surgery, but if anyone has a job for me that dosent involve lifting or bending, Ill gladly help.

[Janny]

Im limited in my physical abilities as I recently had surgery, but if anyone has a job for me that dosent involve lifting or bending, Ill gladly help.

I hereby nominate you for cheerleader/spirit bunny.

[Hookup]

I think this is a great idea and gesture, but given past decisions from OVAS executives about events and gatherings not being OVAS approved or sanctioned I'm wondering where the executive weighs in on this? 

I reported the post in the other thread, not to try to stop the good deed, far from it, but to bring this OVAS representation to the attention of the entire exec.  The report was turned green, yet where is the the executive comment?  Where is the vote/geoup decision on this?

The executive should be, like in other events, gatherings, and meetings, weighing in on this.  Now that the media has been suggested to attend to represent OVAS it's a lot more critical than a simple breakfast, salty event, or web-chat yet this still goes unadressed. 

The point is why when some events, gatherings, etc are proposed does the executive step-in saying the organizer MUST publish that the event or gathering is NOT OVAS approved, yet in other cases this is not done. 

With a new executive I'm sure you do not wish to repeat the same indescressions of the past, so I'm trying to bring attention to this, first through the private message via reporting, given the timing and speed of this event, and now thru a more public venture.

Let's save the goldfish and protect the environment, but also, let's bring equally and a sense of fair play to this organization.

[Fishnut]

I'm an exec...this year and next year.

[Hookup]

I'm an exec...this year and next year.

Your point?     Is it that you speak for the entire exec?  I doubt it.   

Fishnut, you have great energy and positive intent.  I respect you and your efforts, this year and last.  I'm glad my membership money is supporting your efforts.

But common, you are not the entire exec, and they have made it clear that many events are not OVAS events...  So why is this an OVAS event, or why is it not?  I don't believe the program chair holds the sole, independent decision on this or other events...  But I'm happy to be corrected...

[robt18]

While not being an 'OVAS event' in the sense that it isn't an organized monthly meeting with ovas funding, etc, it is being run by OVAS exec members with other ovas members doing it. I think it looks great on the club and is a great thing to do! Also it gets us some exposure.

Another reason this is not and OVAS official event is liability. If someone gets hurt during the fish catching, OVAS cannot be held responsible.

Great job though everyone

[Hookup]

While not being an 'OVAS event' in the sense that it isn't an organized monthly meeting with ovas funding, etc, it is being run by OVAS exec members with other ovas members doing it. I think it looks great on the club and is a great thing to do! Also it gets us some exposure.

Another reason this is not and OVAS official event is liability. If someone gets hurt during the fish catching, OVAS cannot be held responsible.

Great job though everyone

As I said to fishnut in a resonse to her PM, I also highly support this event.   As a member, I vote yes to this, just like many other events, that OVAS should claim it is a member run club event.

However it is now clear that this is not a club event and possibly should have the thread moved from here to the lounge.


I'll offer that maybe this is a point in which the club could change past policies about ad hoc events being club sanctioned.   I understand for some liability reasons this has potential challenges, but I'm sure they are addressable.  Shouldn't the club want this kind of activity, along with the breakfasts, gatherings, web-chats and any other event to fall under the broad list of great things the club does?


One final comment assuming this is not the turning point, if Fishnut is infact successful in having the media attend and/or report on the event, what will they be told?

[Brent Shaver]

This is very much different then a gathering, it is intended soley to save some fish from entering the fresh water system due to someone elses neglect.

I believe as a club, should this bring positive attention from the media, we can help introduce the club to more people with a very positive impact.  Considering this is a time sensitive situation waiting until the next exec meeting would be too late.

That being said, as members we should be happy people are stepping up to help solve a problem that we try so hard to eductate people in.

I seriously hope this does not turn into a debate and is left for what it is,  a good natured attempt by some of our members to help protect the invasion of foreign fish or worse to our fresh water system.

Thank you to all who have and are going to volunteer in this task.

[Janny]

Far be it from me to make club proclamations, but what is the objection to simply stating that the issue came to the attention of some members of the OVAS community who came together as people with a common goal? It doesn't need to be an OVAS sanctioned event for people to come together as OVAS community members to do a little good deed.

I'm not even a member yet, so take my input however you like, but without knowing any of the personalities at play here it does seem a little like stomping feet although whether it's "fair" or not isn't my call to make.

Jan

As I said to fishnut in a resonse to her PM, I also highly support this event.   As a member, I vote yes to this, just like many other events, that OVAS should claim it is a member run club event.

However it is now clear that this is not a club event and possibly should have the thread moved from here to the lounge.


I'll offer that maybe this is a point in which the club could change past policies about ad hoc events being club sanctioned.   I understand for some liability reasons this has potential challenges, but I'm sure they are addressable.  Shouldn't the club want this kind of activity, along with the breakfasts, gatherings, web-chats and any other event to fall under the broad list of great things the club does?


One final comment assuming this is not the turning point, if Fishnut is infact successful in having the media attend and/or report on the event, what will they be told?

[Hookup]

This is very much different then a gathering, it is intended soley to save some fish from entering the fresh water system due to someone elses neglect.

I believe as a club, should this bring positive attention from the media, we can help introduce the club to more people with a very positive impact.  Considering this is a time sensitive situation waiting until the next exec meeting would be too late.

That being said, as members we should be happy people are stepping up to help solve a problem that we try so hard to eductate people in.

I seriously hope this does not turn into a debate and is left for what it is,  a good natured attempt by some of our members to help protect the invasion of foreign fish or worse to our fresh water system.

Thank you to all who have and are going to volunteer in this task.

I only see happy people, including non-members, that are stepping up to help Brent, and that is great.

As for not waiting for the next exec meeting, well in perspective it is goldfish...The dame gold fish that have been flushed, dumped and discarded since they entered the trade... Doesn't make it right, good or acceptable.   But I'm sure there are methods for emergency meeting if and when necessary, if not maybe it's something to discuss?

As I suggested above, let's use this as the opportunity to include ALL types of proactive events, using that term broadly, in the OVAS club umbrella.  Instead of excluding all non-exec managed and approved events, we could include them...

I know I drool at the idea of our club in the local news doing this good deed!  It's what I want from my club, but I also want equality.

Btw, a simple waver as part of the membership agreement would cover the club from gatherings such as these and others from liability...

[Hookup]

Far be it from me to make club proclamations, but what is the objection to simply stating that the issue came to the attention of some members of the OVAS community who came together as people with a common goal? It doesn't need to be an OVAS sanctioned event for people to come together as OVAS community members to do a little good deed.

Actually that would make it an OVAS event, legally, as you are stating the association and the founding of the idea and its relationship, promotion and subsequent existence is based upon the community of OVAS members and their interaction, without the club that would be impossible and therefore it is a club event.

And it should be!

We should get out there and get the gold fish! 

[Fishnut]

The exec are now discussing it.  Until I post otherwise, the gig is still on.

[Janny]

Actually that would make it an OVAS event, legally, as you are stating the association and the founding of the idea and its relationship, promotion and subsequent existence is based upon the community of OVAS members and their interaction, without the club that would be impossible and therefore it is a club event.

And it should be!

We should get out there and get the gold fish! 

Agreed about the goldfish and I am not trying to pick at anyone.

I should have made the distinction between OVAS Members and forum members. I do disagree that by discussing it on the forum, with OVAS members and non-member forum users it becomes a defacto OVAS event, but maybe we can agree to disagree?

[Hookup]

Argee! 

And your suggestion and bringing it forward should be encouraged.  Don't anyone let this rambling detract...  I didn't get to 2000+ posts cause I didn't speak my mind! 

[Janny]

Argee! 

And your suggestion and bringing it forward should be encouraged.  Don't anyone let this rambling detract...  I didn't get to 2000+ posts cause I didn't speak my mind! 

Great advice.

I'm comfortable sharing what's on my mind, and when I do I sometimes feel the need to add a disclaimer. 

[Hookup]

Great advice.

I'm comfortable sharing what's on my mind, and when I do I sometimes feel the need to add a disclaimer. 

Lol... I should add my own disclaimer.  "Sometimes I drink... Sometimes I post on OVAS... Sometimes I drinks andr posts in the oVrASssss...

I do have waders, and if we are not gone to the cottage I will help on Saturday too.  Infact I have a stack of four butterfly nets with 3foot poles that I could bring which are destined for the kids at the cottage...  Got them at the barrhaven dollarama.