>perhaps a national Rainbowfish showing scheme
>> is something that ANGFA(National) or the individual regional groups might need
>> to look at if showing fish ever becomes as popular here as in the USA.
>
>I think I need to point out that showing fish is not really "popular" in
>the USA.
>
>In a typical club only ten percent off all the people in the club do all
>the work, I think we can all agree with that.
>
>About 25 percent ( and I am guessing high here) show fish in club fish
>shows.
>
>But the real statistic is that there is only one member in each club for
>each fish store in the area.
>
>So what we have here is a real tiny number of people raising fish,
>showing them.
>
>Our area for example. Approximately 150 fish stores serving 200
>customers each (probably a low number) for a total 30000 people keeping
>fish. In a metropolitan area of two million.
>
>So our club has 150 members with 40 showing fish.
>
>40 people showing fish out of thirty thousand. I am sorry my calculator
>does not go that low, but surely not a popular thing. SHowing fish that
>is.
>
>So let us not spend too much time with the small amount of aquarists
>that show fish.
>
>Give them what they want. SHow sanctioning of course.
>
>Thing big. Raise your fish.
>
>THink small. Show your fish.
>
>Fishcerely,
>
>Mr. Fish
All good points. Not many people show fish out of the total fish
keepers. But how many people show dogs, cats or even plants? Now lets
look at the other extreme. When a show is held, how many people pass
by and learn an appreciation for these fishes? A show is one of the
best ways there is to promote a hobby or interest. Any club that holds
public shows, quickly finds this is one of the best ways to generate
interest and obtain new members. How many of those 30,000 people in
your area even know there is a fish club? How many would join if they
did know? I do know my metropolitan area has about half the fish
stores that your's does, but we have many more members in the area
club and a couple of spin off specialty clubs. My local holds shows on
a regular basis. It's how I found them over 25 years ago and how many
active members have found the club.
Because of the benefits fish shows bring to the hobby, I feel it is
good to through in a little extra honors to those that participate.
Cary Hostrawser
My Rainbowfish Home Page
http://pw2.netcom.com/~caryho/home.html
Rainbowfish Study Group Web Page
http://home.stlnet.com/~gwlange/rainbowfish.index.html