Why is it still called CMAS?

The biggest complaint people had with cmas swaps used to be they were in a small location and the swaps were too packed so they started finding bigger places to hold the event. The swaps were held in west Chicago for years and the new location is not that far from where they have been held for a long time.

That's true, that old place was very cramped. The Odeum seemed a little big, I'd like to see something in the middle. But is it really fair to everyone that it's held in the same location forever? Shouldn't it be moved around to be more inclusive?
 
I would bring that idea up to the board or make some suggestions on a location.

Personally I dont care where they have it at as long its a decent place. I drive 2 to 3 hours for some events so driving is not an issue for me.I just appreciate they spend the time to create the events. Its a lot of work and they get nothing out of it.
 
Lets just meet in parking lot at like soldier field, Im sure we have all done way worst stuff in a parking lot, its chicago we can get away with it. FRAG SWAP.
 
I find it interesting that they didn't post prices or anything yet. I am guessing they didn't want to stir things up so early like they did last year.
 
I find it interesting that they didn't post prices or anything yet. I am guessing they didn't want to stir things up so early like they did last year.

I hope they don't charge members again, especially since they're doing just one a year now apparently.
 
Its a lot of work and they get nothing out of it.

I will be willing to help out a Chicago swap but time is limited. Since attending 3 swaps this year already not in this state but most already have a 2nd or 3rd swap already in the works for this year. Most of these States have more than one club running a frag swap, not sure why more Clubs like Rockford Reefers, Joliet Reef Club, and others don't try to host there own Frag Swaps to bring people out it's seems everything falls on CMAS to host a frag swap. This group is well capable of hosting there own Frag Swaps without waiting for a club to host there own. JMO
 
BigKev23;233360 said:
I am guessing a lot of us (including myself) didn't renew membership, so this shouldn't be an issue.

Yeah them charging their members to get in after they promoted members get in free to swaps was the worst thing they could have done to the club. A ton of people including myself didn't renew memberships because of that stunt
 
Also there has been some talk about possibly having a cr frag swap. If any one with experience planning one is interested in possibly helping us plan one please get in contact with myself or another cr team member
 
I will be willing to help out a Chicago swap but time is limited. Since attending 3 swaps this year already not in this state but most already have a 2nd or 3rd swap already in the works for this year. Most of these States have more than one club running a frag swap, not sure why more Clubs like Rockford Reefers, Joliet Reef Club, and others don't try to host there own Frag Swaps to bring people out it's seems everything falls on CMAS to host a frag swap. This group is well capable of hosting there own Frag Swaps without waiting for a club to host there own. JMO

I know with the Rockford Club as I am the president of it we do not do them anymore because it takes too much time to set them up, and promote them. We also struggle to get people who are willing to drive to Rockford from the Chicagoland area. CMAS has people complain how far the drive is to their swaps and they are in the Chicagoland area. We just cannot get people to get involved with the club. It all falls on 2 or 3 people to do all the work and in our case mostly me. Everyone wants to join but no one wants to help out with events and go to meetings. It makes no sense to me, why you would be willing to pay $20 to say your part of a club but won't get involved otherwise. We have people who want to join but never so up to a club event or help out when requested for projects.
 
My 2 cents - I've helped with a several of the CMAS frag swaps/events in the past, and I can echo that it was largely a thankless job. People will always find something to complain about; some things legitimate, some things trivial. The problem is that there is really nothing in it for you besides the satisfaction of helping other reefers. When you or the club is constantly slammed and the internal politics look like something out of D.C., it's just not worth it. Unfortunately there are too many people in the hobby that don't play well with others or are in it for financial gain, and they ruin it for the rest of us. So like others, I let my CMAS membership expire. Now I am much happier just having a small group of reefer friends.
 
I know with the Rockford Club as I am the president of it we do not do them anymore because it takes too much time to set them up, and promote them. We also struggle to get people who are willing to drive to Rockford from the Chicagoland area. CMAS has people complain how far the drive is to their swaps and they are in the Chicagoland area. We just cannot get people to get involved with the club. It all falls on 2 or 3 people to do all the work and in our case mostly me. Everyone wants to join but no one wants to help out with events and go to meetings. It makes no sense to me, why you would be willing to pay $20 to say your part of a club but won't get involved otherwise. We have people who want to join but never so up to a club event or help out when requested for projects.

I understand - I think some folks pay to just get the discount and not care to much to help the club and flash that Club card saying hey I am a member to save what 10%? But in order to run a succesful club you need community and not alot of that happens here...
 
I know with the Rockford Club as I am the president of it we do not do them anymore because it takes too much time to set them up, and promote them. We also struggle to get people who are willing to drive to Rockford from the Chicagoland area. CMAS has people complain how far the drive is to their swaps and they are in the Chicagoland area. We just cannot get people to get involved with the club. It all falls on 2 or 3 people to do all the work and in our case mostly me. Everyone wants to join but no one wants to help out with events and go to meetings. It makes no sense to me, why you would be willing to pay $20 to say your part of a club but won't get involved otherwise. We have people who want to join but never so up to a club event or help out when requested for projects.

Man, I miss the old Rockford swaps.... those swaps were great!!! I know that Rob and the rest of you guys used to put a lot of effort into them.
 
Man, I miss the old Rockford swaps.... those swaps were great!!! I know that Rob and the rest of you guys used to put a lot of effort into them.

I agree those where off the hook- I looked forward on making the trip out esepcially knowing it was more than just a 1 day event. :)
 
Man, I miss the old Rockford swaps.... those swaps were great!!! I know that Rob and the rest of you guys used to put a lot of effort into them.

Yeah they were a lot of fun but four or 5 of us would but 10-20 hours a week for months ahead of the event planning them. It became too much for all of us to handle
 
Just a thought, this is where they hold the indoor Logan SQ Farmers Market during the winter months. http://www.koenigstrey.com/commercial-for-sale/IL/Chicago/60647/2755-N-Milwaukee-Avenue-74091394
I wonder if we could do an independent event there or even do the event the same day as the FM. It would expose new people to the hobby too.

We need somewhere with good running power, do you know if that place has it?

But speaking of Farmer's Markets, I have a friend that does a lot of them, if there is enough interest, I could send him an email and he might be able to suggest some places.
 
I've hosted a swap at my place with just local refers, no vendors and it was awesome. U get awesome prices at amazing deals plus u get to hang out with all your reefer friends and eat bbq. Maybe that what we need to do again. Anyone that came to the swap at my place can vouch it was a good time
 
I've hosted a swap at my place with just local refers, no vendors and it was awesome. U get awesome prices at amazing deals plus u get to hang out with all your reefer friends and eat bbq. Maybe that what we need to do again. Anyone that came to the swap at my place can vouch it was a good time

Those are fine to do but what happens when 300 people want to come out and bring family? You have to limit the amount of folks that can come to your place.
 
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