New Invertebrate Club in Southern California!

[checkmate]

Awesome @wetwork! I'll keep you in the loop, and if you can't come perhaps we can see you at the next meeting!

Thanks,

Arthroverts

Thanks. I'm coming from OC so I'll be about 1 hr away depending on the meeting spot.

 

[lostbrane]

It's been quite a while since I've been around Rancho but I can't think of a space that might be ok with bringing in inverts. I am rather skeptical that the manager of IHOP would be cool with it, but who knows? Maybe in the future we could rent out a meeting/conference room?

 

[chanda]

It's been quite a while since I've been around Rancho but I can't think of a space that might be ok with bringing in inverts. I am rather skeptical that the manager of IHOP would be cool with it, but who knows? Maybe in the future we could rent out a meeting/conference room?

I suspect that it would be cost-prohibitive to rent out a place, unless there are a LOT more of us than are responding to this thread?

Probably the easiest, most cost-effective, and least restrictive way to do it (from the standpoint of being able to bring in whatever we want and transacting any sales or trades or whatever) would be to run it kind of like a book club, where various members host meetings in their homes.

Of course, that eliminates the possibility of finding a central meeting point that is at least semi-convenient to everybody, because we are spread over a pretty broad geographic area, so meetings would generally only include people who live relatively close to one another. Also, there is the potential issue of whether people want to invite a bunch of strangers into their home - and if they have the space to do so. Roommates, parents, or other family members might have problems with it.

 

[Arthroverts]

@lostbrane, I agree with chanda that renting out a space would be prohibitively costly, and while I know there are at least a dozen more Southern California AB members, that still wouldn't bring the cost down low enough per person even if they all joined.

@chanda, I thought about hosting meetings for the club in members houses, as I have been planning this club since October, but like you said, it would be problematic for some members, both distance wise and having family not wanting a bunch of strangers invading the living room or something.

Anyway,

I have come up with two solutions: The first is we leave our creatures inside our vehicles during the meetings, and then conduct our trades and sales in the parking lot, as suggested by chanda. We could keep our original meeting place (IHOP) if we do this. Or we could try and find a local library that might be willing to host "Entomological Study Group, AKA ICSC" meetings. Libraries don't have the same health code standards as restaurants, and I know some libraries have semi-private meeting rooms for local groups to meet in (at least mine does).

What do you think?

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[chanda]

Or we could try and find a local library that might be willing to host "Entomological Study Group, AKA ICSC" meetings. Libraries don't have the same health code standards as restaurants, and I know some libraries have semi-private meeting rooms for local groups to meet in (at least mine does).

I'm starting to think my role in this newly-formed club is Official Party Pooper!

While the library does not have the same health code requirements as a food service establishment, they may still be unwilling to host live animals - particularly anything even remotely venomous.

I have personal experience of this as an unpaid volunteer at a Geography Day event that our local library held. The featured region was South America, so they had a variety of performers, foods, activities, and displays. I brought in an assortment of South American tarantulas, along with various educational materials about tarantulas in general - and NW/South American species in particular.

In order to bring in live animals, I had to prove to them that I had one million dollars of liability insurance coverage, even though none of the species had a potentially medically significant venom, and all of them were in locked cages and were not removed from said cages at any time during the event - and that was as a hobbyist bringing in my personal pets, so I was able to cover it under an umbrella policy on my homeowner's insurance.

For the other guy who brought in live animals as part of his "traveling zoo," they also needed permits and a copy of his business license, in addition to the insurance coverage - and a homeowner's policy that covers personal pets would not be adequate. It had to be a specific business liability insurance policy. If we plan on buying/selling/trading animals, that might push it over into "business" territory for your library.

It comes down to their potential liability in a worst-case scenario, if something were to escape and/or possibly bite a patron or launch an infestation. They don't want to expose themselves to any potential risk, however remote. As a publicly funded organization, they do not have the liberty of a private facility and must abide by a stricter set of regulations.

 

[Arthroverts]

This is good @chanda! I am glad you are pointing out the weak points in the plans that I didn't see. I am glad we have your experience!
I believe we are going to have to compromise, as I wanted to have an area where we could bring in our creatures without restrictions, as well as it being inside a building. However, I think we should stick with our original location (the Archibald IHOP), and leave our stuff in the car. If the temperature is really truculent, maybe we can bring them inside in a box, and then take them back out to the parking lot to work out our deals.

In other matters, I still need @NYAN 's, @wetwork 's, and @BoyFromLA 's emails to start the club email thread.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[chanda]

This is good @chanda! I am glad you are pointing out the weak points in the plans that I didn't see. I am glad we have your experience!
I believe we are going to have to compromise, as I wanted to have an area where we could bring in our creatures without restrictions, as well as it being inside a building. However, I think we should stick with our original location (the Archibald IHOP), and leave our stuff in the car. If the temperature is really truculent, maybe we can bring them inside in a box, and then take them back out to the parking lot to work out our deals.

If the weather is a bit on the chilly side, one way of protecting the animals would be for those who want to bring live animals to bring an ice chest into the house in advance and leave it open for a few hours (just to bring it up to room temperature), then place the inverts inside the ice chest and close it up before placing it in the car. The extra insulation provided by the chest should keep them from getting too cold for the hour or two they are unattended in the car while we are inside the IHOP. If you don't already have an ice chest, there are cheap styrofoam ones available at most grocery stores.

 

[Arthroverts]

Good idea! I have a largish one that I will be using if I bring any animals, and I would be more than willing to share it with someone else if need be.
Same time, same place for the meeting! I will send out more details later.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[REEFSPIDER]

I am interested in this, the aforementioned problems regarding venue and actually having our collections, or pieces of them on site may be difficult to overcome, hopefully there is a solution. Also is there any way you can make a flyer or something printable/sharable to get word out to invert people locally, i can put one up in my local shop also.

 

[Arthroverts]

As you can see from the above posts, we have resolved selling/trading animals at the location, but I do hope that we can find a place where we can actually display our animals onsite, for sale or otherwise, sometime in the near future.
In regards to the flyer, thank you for the offer! I am actually working on that right now for another shop, so I can definitely find a way to get them to you once they are finished.
What business do you own/manage if you don't mind me asking?

Also, can you send me a PM with your email so I can add you to our club email thread?

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[sr20det510]

I will send you my email.
If I'm free I would be willing to participate.

 

[Arthroverts]

Awesome! We'd be happy to have you join us!

@BoyFromLA, @sr20det510, @REEFSPIDER, @chanda, @lostbrane, @wetwork, @RTTB, I have just sent out the club email to all of you, please be sure to let me know what you think!

@NYAN, if you would like to receive the email, please be sure to get me your email address so I can resend it to you.

And if there are any other SoCal members interested in joining, please let me know and PM me your email address so I can keep you in the loop.

Thanks all,

Arthroverts

 

[SamanthaMarikian]

Hello all, the new Invertebrate Club of Southern California (ICSC, this will be the name of the club unless otherwise noted) is forming now! All hobbyists who can attend are welcome!

This club will seek to increase the understanding and knowledge of invertebrates of all kinds (roaches, tarantulas, true spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, ants, butterflies, insects of all other kinds, isopods, crabs and other crustaceans, slugs and snails, Echinoderms, Cnidarians, and pretty much all other kinds of invertebrates: Note, this list is not arranged according to how much preference will be placed on discussing the various invertebrate groups above) amongst invertebrate hobbyists as well as the general public. We will have monthly meetings on such subjects as:

(1) The care of certain species propagated in the hobby,

(2) Creating and maintaining habitats, plants, and materials for our creatures,

(3) Discussions on new species entering the hobby,

(4) Discussions on certain aspects of the hobby,

(5) Promoting understanding of the various regulations regarding importing and propagating certain species,

(6) Reviewing invertebrate vendors,

And hopefully, we will be able to host guest speakers to talk on various issues and aspects of this amazing hobby. We would also like to be able to display our own creatures at these meetings, and provide a space to trade and sell our livestock amongst each other.

Some benefits of this club, hopefully, would be:

1. An area where we can get information and help from each other for the creatures within our care.

2. A fun time to collaborate and talk with each other about the invertebrate hobby.

3. Club trips to collecting sites.

4. Importing our own creatures from abroad.

5. Hosting a table at reptile/invertebrate shows and expos where members can sell their livestock.

6. Regular raffles for equipment and animals.

7. Outreaches to the community to educate the public on this incredible area of creation, invertebrates.

8. Make visits to each others homes to view their collections (with consent of the owner of course).

Hopefully this list will get larger in time.


Requirements to join the club would be:

1. One must have an interest in invertebrates (obviously), whether just observing them in the wild or keeping them in captivity.

2. One must treat others in the club with respect and honor, even if you disagree with them on certain styles of care, collecting, or handling, and since this is an invertebrate club, religion, politics and other such subjects will not be discussed at all during club functions.

3. You must be in good standing with the invertebrate community, scammers or people who are found to cheat others will be stripped of their membership. Also, people who fight invertebrates against each other, dramatize invertebrates in a way that promotes fear and misunderstanding, or regularly mishandle their animals in a way that is dangerous to themselves or others, will not be allowed to join. Honesty and integrity are expected here.

4. A willingness to participate in club activities and to advance the invertebrate hobby with respect and kindness.

(a note on communication: it would be helpful, if not necessary, to have an Arachnoboards and/or a Roach Forums account and an email address that we can reach you by).


This club will be law-abiding in every way possible. We will not illegally import nor take endangered species from the wild without the proper permits.

A yearly entry fee will be discussed at the first meeting, and, if it is decided to be used, it would be reasonable ($20-$30 a year), and the money would be used to purchase raffle prizes, import animals, and rent tables at reptile shows. All members will hold each other accountable when it comes to money and other such things.


Our suggested first meeting time is February the 23rd, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, at IHOP, 7228 Archibald Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701. This would be a sort of planning and get-to-know-each-other meeting, figuring out where we want to go as a club, discuss entry fee (if necessary), and invite local reptile and invertebrate shops to support us. Also, you are encouraged to bring along your livestock to trade, sell, or display (not too many creatures, unless you are making a large trade arranged beforehand, and no highly venomous species please)!

Any suggestions, comments, or constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Arthroverts

Could we get more younger people interested in joining too? Im really interested in joining considering i live close but i feel like i’d be the only one under 18 joining

 

[Arthroverts]

You are not the only one under 18 joining, there is at least one other person under 18. We are open to everyone with an interest in invertebrates, young or old, and it is mostly the under 18 people who will be making the new discoveries and observations in the future. Just make sure you have parental permission. We would certainly love to have you join us!
If you would like to get in on the club action, please PM me your email, and I will add you to the club email thread.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[SamanthaMarikian]

Hello all, the new Invertebrate Club of Southern California (ICSC, this will be the name of the club unless otherwise noted) is forming now! All hobbyists who can attend are welcome!

This club will seek to increase the understanding and knowledge of invertebrates of all kinds (roaches, tarantulas, true spiders, scorpions, centipedes, millipedes, ants, butterflies, insects of all other kinds, isopods, crabs and other crustaceans, slugs and snails, Echinoderms, Cnidarians, and pretty much all other kinds of invertebrates: Note, this list is not arranged according to how much preference will be placed on discussing the various invertebrate groups above) amongst invertebrate hobbyists as well as the general public. We will have monthly meetings on such subjects as:

(1) The care of certain species propagated in the hobby,

(2) Creating and maintaining habitats, plants, and materials for our creatures,

(3) Discussions on new species entering the hobby,

(4) Discussions on certain aspects of the hobby,

(5) Promoting understanding of the various regulations regarding importing and propagating certain species,

(6) Reviewing invertebrate vendors,

And hopefully, we will be able to host guest speakers to talk on various issues and aspects of this amazing hobby. We would also like to be able to display our own creatures at these meetings, and provide a space to trade and sell our livestock amongst each other.

Some benefits of this club, hopefully, would be:

1. An area where we can get information and help from each other for the creatures within our care.

2. A fun time to collaborate and talk with each other about the invertebrate hobby.

3. Club trips to collecting sites.

4. Importing our own creatures from abroad.

5. Hosting a table at reptile/invertebrate shows and expos where members can sell their livestock.

6. Regular raffles for equipment and animals.

7. Outreaches to the community to educate the public on this incredible area of creation, invertebrates.

8. Make visits to each others homes to view their collections (with consent of the owner of course).

Hopefully this list will get larger in time.


Requirements to join the club would be:

1. One must have an interest in invertebrates (obviously), whether just observing them in the wild or keeping them in captivity.

2. One must treat others in the club with respect and honor, even if you disagree with them on certain styles of care, collecting, or handling, and since this is an invertebrate club, religion, politics and other such subjects will not be discussed at all during club functions.

3. You must be in good standing with the invertebrate community, scammers or people who are found to cheat others will be stripped of their membership. Also, people who fight invertebrates against each other, dramatize invertebrates in a way that promotes fear and misunderstanding, or regularly mishandle their animals in a way that is dangerous to themselves or others, will not be allowed to join. Honesty and integrity are expected here.

4. A willingness to participate in club activities and to advance the invertebrate hobby with respect and kindness.

(a note on communication: it would be helpful, if not necessary, to have an Arachnoboards and/or a Roach Forums account and an email address that we can reach you by).


This club will be law-abiding in every way possible. We will not illegally import nor take endangered species from the wild without the proper permits.

A yearly entry fee will be discussed at the first meeting, and, if it is decided to be used, it would be reasonable ($20-$30 a year), and the money would be used to purchase raffle prizes, import animals, and rent tables at reptile shows. All members will hold each other accountable when it comes to money and other such things.


Our suggested first meeting time is February the 23rd, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, at IHOP, 7228 Archibald Ave, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701. This would be a sort of planning and get-to-know-each-other meeting, figuring out where we want to go as a club, discuss entry fee (if necessary), and invite local reptile and invertebrate shops to support us. Also, you are encouraged to bring along your livestock to trade, sell, or display (not too many creatures, unless you are making a large trade arranged beforehand, and no highly venomous species please)!

Any suggestions, comments, or constructive criticism would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,

Arthroverts

im probably gonna end up joining, being younger its kinda difficult with getting a ride n so forth n im trying to get a friend to join too. Hes more into aquatic inverts n has a stick insect n fish n some isopods i sold him n is startinf to get more into inverts as a whole

 

[lostbrane]

I mean, I don't really have any ideas. My plan was to see how the first one went before thinking about future meetings.

 

[SamanthaMarikian]

also can we bring any inverts or pets or anything to the meeting to share n stuff? I dont have many inverts just isopods n a centipede but i have more reptiles n stuff. if youre interested in what i have i have an ig @herps_n_memes

 

[Arthroverts]

@lostbrane, sounds good! I will be doing the same...

@SamanthaMarikian, awesome! I look forward to talking with you at the meeting! In regards to your friend, I am also interested in aquatic invertebrates and stick insects, and I would love to have some meetings discussing such creatures. Also, if you look at some of the previous posts, you can find that we will bring animals to the meeting to sell/trade, or just to display, but until we find another location where we can bring in invertebrates we will have to leave our animals in our vehicles and do our business/displaying in the parking lot.

Hope this helps,

Arthroverts

 

[Arthroverts]

New email out regarding communication! Please respond when you can.

In other news, we have got 15 people interested in the club, and its not even February! Let's keep it up! Thank you to @BoyFromLA and @SamanthaMarikian for doing some recruiting, and to @chanda for helping out with discrepancies in our plans. Thank you to everyone else as well for supporting the club and spreading the word!
I am also searching for a guest speaker to come and speak for a portion of our meeting, possibly an entomology professor. If anybody knows a professor or author or renowned keeper/breeder who could come and speak at our meeting, please let me know.

Thanks,

Arthroverts

 

[Jasonic]

Sure! Count me in Been forever since I joined a club, since the ATS back in the day

I've already got a Veiled Chameleon, but if I come across somebody who wants one I'll direct them to you.

@Jasonic, are you interested in joining us?

Thanks,

Arthroverts