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Questions concerning starting a Herp Society/Club in North Central FL

snakechaarmer

snakechaarmer

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Hi all -

After asking around the area for a bit, I've realized that what used to be the Gainesville, FL Herp Society is probably not ever again going to exist. From what I was told I guess the group dispersed years ago while I was still living in Jacksonville, FL..and someone tried to start it again, and failed, but this could be misinformation. I don't really know all the details as to what happened, why it's not here anymore, etc..

I guess the bottom line is - I want to re-start a Herp Society or Club for the Gainesville, FL area and surrounding cities (Chiefland, Trenton, Alachua, etc). Is there anyone even here that would be interested in starting such a group that lives in the area?

I also don't really know much about starting a group except you need a charter, rules, funds/fundraisers, etc..And I think that the bigger you get the possibility of a non-profit organization exists, but I'm pretty clueless about all of that :)

I guess I'd just like to meet more herpers in my area and it seems like nobody is taking any initiative to try and band back together or make some kind of a group, and I think it's an invaluable resource and way for people to make friends and get help and become more educated, so..

Thoughts?

If this isn't allowed in this forum, or would be better suited someplace else, please let me know. Thanks :)
 
I have recently started a herp society here in Mobile, AL, although we welcome members from nearby states/counties in NW Florida, as well as east MS. Its called the Gulf Coast Association of Reptile Keepers.

For now, don't worry so much about charters, by-laws, etc. As the society grows in numbers and organization, that kind of stuff will get done as the needs arise. Focus on getting fellow herpers involved with it, and establishing a meeting location.

As far as locations go, look into nature centers, colleges, etc. Most of these places are usually willing to offer their facilities for little or no cost, especially if you stress your focus on conservation of native herps as well as captive stuff.

Advertising is simple enough. Most vet offices and pet stores are okay with putting up flyers and what not. After all, you're just an organization group, no "competition" to their business.

Once you get a name down, start the paperwork as far as getting a non-profit org status. That may take some time and a little $$ (I started GCARK in May and we still haven't got ours!)...but then again, we have little or no expenses. Right now, we don't charge any form of membership fees or anything. The place we meet at allows us there for free, and most speakers are more than willing to come and speak for free.

We do have GCARK shirts that people can buy, but that's no requirement to be an active member.
-----------

Let me know if you have any questions. I'll be more than happy to help you out (I'm still learning myself). It's definitely a little effort here and there, but if you're passionate about it, and you got a dozen or so people who feel the same way, its not too hard to get things going.
 
Looking to move east? I'd love sumthin like this in Daytona. Of course it would be nice to have a herp vet too...
 
If I'm able, I'd love to participate also. I'm not particularly a "people person" but I love all of my herps! I'm just outside that area, but within driving distance depending on when you hold meetings.
 
Thanks for the interest and help, guys. I've taken into account everything that MDC_Ophiuchus mentioned, and I think that my friend Jeff and I are probably going to make up some flyers, and give them to you guys to spread around if you like and also we'll put them up around ourselves - It won't be like the "Gainesville" society - I was thinking something like "North Central FL" - I was gonna put stuff in like Ft. White and Ocala and Chiefland and so on. I'd have to pick a central location (or as central of one as possible) to maybe hold meetings, and as soon as I get enough interest maybe we can all plan a weekend to get together either at my home or a location to hold us all to discuss plans? I'm really not sure how to proceed but I think as soon as we can maybe find 15 or so people we can maybe start something!

I'm excited!
 
I live in Alachua for a long time, and I always wished there was a herp society that was close by... I know they used to have the one by the college, but I never went to that one :)
 
I have a few people here and locally that have said they would be interested. I'm just not sure where to go from here on trying to find a meeting place and time to see what everybody wants/is interested in.
 
Thanks, and good luck up in Jax - I'm hoping we can get something started for the locals down here in the Gainesville/Ocala area, though :)
 
Hi all -

Okay, I got off my arse and made a flyer and also a website for people to easily submit information.

I distributed flyers to both stores in Gainesville, have e-mailed the file to a few others for distribution, and if you'd like the flyer e-mailed to you please PM me your e-mail address.

Thank you so much, hopefully we'll get something started soon!

Here's the website:

http://www.snakechaarmer.com/ncflherp/
 
Hey Leigh- I thought I'd check in here. I'm in Alachua, I'm interested! I'd love a Friday night meeting, if that's okay with everyone else. I get up at 5:00 on weekdays.
 
Hi Nanci, I'm not sure when the meetings will be or if there will even be one - I can relate, I wake up at 430 am on weekdays!

Unless I get a little more commitment, I don't know that this will be worthwhile. So far, I have only a few people that I know for sure would be interested, and after posting all the flyers and stuff at stores, I've only gotten one e-mail from an interested college student.

The people I have listed so far, and please correct me if I'm wrong here, for potentially interested in the club:

Leigh Propper
Travis Smith
Jessica Wagers
Jeff Culp & Family
Wolfy-Hound
rcpreis3 (if he moves to the area).
chamgirl
Nanci
Ben Cole
Student that e-mailed from UF

and possibly Hogtown Reptile Store.

If any of you have the flyers and have put them up, I haven't received any emails or calls at all :/
 
I used to date a guy named Jeff Culp in HS! Up in MN. Wonder if it's the same person...He turned up at a job I was working at in Minneapolis like 20 years after we graduated.
 
I'm the Jeff Leigh referred to, and nope - wasn't me :). Never been to MN. But I sure hope we get some good interest. Maybe the ones that have shown interest so far would be a good start?
 
Hey guys,

This is still nagging in the back of my mind, but I am kind of at a loss as to how to proceed at this point.

I haven't really heard from any of you about getting this started other than a "Yeah, I'm interested.".
I've made a website to send interested people to, to fill out a information form to be contacted about the club and meetings, and I've gotten ONE reply.

I have made 50+ flyers and taken them to the reptile stores in Gainesville, to which Pangea Pets apparently made a new rule after I took flyers to them where nothing can be hung on the windows or doors or walls which isn't store related, and Hoggtown Reptile Shop didn't hang any up at all, or at least I haven't seen any of them the 3 times I have been there since. I e-mailed them a copy of the flyer and they promised to print it out and hang it back up, but when I went by a few weeks later, it still wasn't hanging up in the store.. I think Jeff (zn394) put up a few flyers in feed stores in the area, but I haven't gotten a single call or e-mail or interest from anyone that isn't currently reading this thread.

So I am rather discouraged. I was really excited about the possibility of getting something together but it seems like I am being worked against and not worked with. I am still willing to try, but I can't do it all on my own and it honestly feels like the reptile community in this area wants to stay huddled in their own little private sectors, at least from what I have observed.

So I am at a loss. As I said, I'm still willing to try but don't know what else to do at this point. I guess the only thing I can say is you know if you guys ever wanna get together and hang out or go to a show or a movie night or something or just hang out, that could be fun too. I was just really hoping to rally everyone together and get something started.

Sorry to be so emo, I'm just disappointed :(
 
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