This might be the right time and place to throw out some thoughts and suggestions about sponsorship in general. As far as I'm concerned, (personal opinion, not BOD) ...
1. Club sponsorship is a 2-way street. Sponsors help us out, but they want something in return. Business reality. So, we're somewhat obligated to return the favor. It's nice to be independent, but when you take on a sponsor, you are beholden. No other way around it.
2. So, what can we do for sponsors? Patronize their businesses, at least for some of our needs. No, I'm El Ceapo Numero Uno and won't pay $40 for an $18 Maxijet. But at least I can buy some fish food or even a frag or two locally.
3. Use them for group buys, if at all possible. Some of them will do it for little or no profit just to help as out and also to generate interest, awareness and if possible, foot traffic to their store. At least give them first right of refusal.
4. Should we pursue the "discount" programs with participating LFS? Maybe the "coordinators" being recruited here can help negotiate this after we, as a club, have made a decision on where to go with this.
5. Many LFS owners/employees are dedicated reefers themselves. Let's hear from them and find out what they want, where they're coming from. Please invite them to this thread so we'll have better guidance on how to proceed.
Which brings up the Membership ID issue. I think we have the template, etc., but might need a vounteer to take this on and institutionalize distribution as part of the membership application/renewal process. Dunno, this was before my tenure at the BOD.
Please add more ideas. Thanks.
Jim