ERAS/TARAS meeting thread

[joeysgreen]

Hello everyone, I am looking for input on what we all would like to see at the ERAS/TARAS meeting. We also need an official name for the event. Lets use this thread for brainstorming and discussion. I want to blow people's minds with this and set a bar so high that we will be privilaged with many more extraordinary events as future planners try to meet or beat it.

So far, we have Bill and Kathy Love, coming to Edmonton for the weekend of June 11th, 2011.

We need:

An event name.

A venue. A hotel? Conference centre? Gymnasium, amphitheatre?

Do we want more speakers; local ones?

We should designate time for club discussion and things we may need to be working on. Any ideas of what should go on the agenda? CFIA/feeder bugs seems to come up often? Do you want a CFIA representative at the meeting? Town by-laws was a recent hot topic; perhaps we should discuss setting up a "help my town has gone nazi" sort of fail-safe?

How many people should we aim to accomodate? Remember that this is for the fun and learning experience of all ERAS/TARAS members, but is also a membership drive for both clubs.

Food? Do we want a BBQ? Catering?

Field Herping? Do we want field trips? What do you want to get out of a field trip?

Live animal exhibits? I am thinking of ways to set up an educational display of native herps; anything else?

Do we want an ERAS versus TARAS fun game (soft-ball, soccer etc)

Anything else?

Remember this is a brainstorming thread; blurt out anything! I won't be able to accomodate everything, and some things may not work with others - location is a biggie; so we will have to see how things play out.

*Note, I have this same thread going on both ERAS and TARAS sites. Please comment in only one so I can best keep track of how many people want what. Thanks!

[Spankenstyne]

Hot oil wrestling!

[KiKiKiKida]

I like the idea of field herping!
And a game would be fun.

[Faltang1090]

A game of softball, speakers from different fields would be pretty sweet. maybe some workshops on say probing and assist feeding, or breeding temps and conditions that are needed to begin the breeding season. Having some animal displays would also be a good break for anyone bringing their kids. Oh and for a location we could do hotel but they are pricey a school gym would work but we would probably need a different room for the speakers unless we could use the sound system.

[Spankenstyne]

So is this something that is already planned and happening or in the idea stage still? This thread is the first I've heard of it (missed a few meetings lately) but what a great idea. Some field herping would be a natural fit.

[slamjay]

It has been booked for dates and speakers, and now other details are being worked on and executed.

The idea is for each society to plan and host alternating years and ERAS is taking on the first one.

[joeysgreen]

Ya, Chris, I've been to two meetings of late, and missed you both times.

I"m trying to accomodate something for everyone here. What temperature should the oil be for optimal wrestling

[slamjay]

That depends Ian. As you would have to participate as ERAS pres, what temp would you prefer?

[zohariels]

Dodgeball!!

[Western Gecko]

Dodgeball!!

Hot Oil Dodgeball.....hmmmmmm