Reptile & Amphibian Forums

can someone please tell me what the deal is with the society?
i mean no one seems to be active on here...i asked another simple question months ago just below and not a single response.
i would just like somebody to give me some incentive to remain with the herp society. i can't go to meetings because they are over 100 miles away from me and there's no online activity and such. so, i mean what reason do i have to keep paying to be a member when no one seems to really care?

The LGCHS is really sliding downhill. Depending on your location, the Southern Herp Society currently meets in Bossier City the first Tuesday of every month. I am somewhat the interim president and this is an up and coming group. If you were close enough to make the meetings, we would love to have you aboard!

Robert Charvat
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Robert Charvat
1.1 het albino Western Hognose

So is it not a good idea to join LGCHS?

bossier city is even further away. we just need more chapters.

...the fact that no one directly from LGCHS has responded to anything is a pretty big red flag.

I know, I havent seen any one from the club reply in a while. I wonder whats happening? Is it just the online part that is bad or is it the whole club?

The management of the LGCHS, since Katria, did not want any expansion. In fact, they shut down my efforts to put chapters in Shreveport and Baton Rouge. The President & VP were not proactive in any way and allowed the Society to slide badly. It was not to the Board of Director's credit to allow it. Many members have commented on how membership has dwindled and the lack of enthusiasm at gatherings. Joe Mathis is the new president and hopefully he can get the LGCHS back to where it was before Katrina. Please give him your support. ~Bill~

Thanks Bill,

To start off, On January 16, 2008 the new Board of Directors held a meeting to elect our new President for 2008. I was chosen to lead this organization for the 2008 year and I am proud to accept this elected position.

Past presidents have built a sturdy foundation for this society, which has lasted over the years including 2005 where our members were devastated by hurricane Katrina. Although this may have damaged our membership by moving people away from the gulf coast it could not dissolve our core values. I would like to assure our members that these values still represent our purpose.

1) Responsible captive husbandry of reptiles and amphibians
2) Field observation and responsible collecting of reptiles and amphibians
3) Public education about reptiles and amphibians
4) Conservation of reptiles and amphibians, especially in the gulf south
5) Increase public awareness of the society.

With this being said, my vision of the upcoming year is to cater to our existing participating members. The plan is to increase social and educational activities for our existing members and to improve communication within the organization. Plans for this year in addition to our monthly meetings, our May Kisatchie trip and our annual April crawfish boil include a June cookout and a November BBQ. Also plans are in the works for various field and herping trips. I think our motto for 2008 should be “If we build it they will come.”

Our 2008 Officers and directors are

President Joe Mathis
Vice-President Mitch Allen
Membership/ Secretary and web master Fred Mattingly
Treasurer Troy Day
Program Director Eric Marquette
Outreach/ Public events David Chaisson
Regulation/ Legislator Watchdog Peter Zipperer
Herping field trips/ Apparel David Heidel

The LGCHS is looking forward to member participation to bring this society to a new level. Like the gulf coast the rebuilding process will take some work but we have good people and a good foundation to start with.

I hope this clears up any concerns that any past or present members have about our existence. The web page is being up dated regularly for up coming events and is the best source for information at this time. Any input from members is welcome as well as questions concerning the LGCHS. I can be reached at swampman@bellsouth.com

Sincerely,
Joe Mathis

Sorry, that email address is swampman@bellsouth.net

Do you have plans for adding or aiding chapters throughout the state?

I believe Bill helped start the Southern Herp Society that meets in Bossier City, but the members that were previously running it have stepped aside and asked if I would take over for awhile. I was just a new member with lots of ideas and insight into helping the SHS grow and gain members, but until just recently had no knowledge of the inner workings. There was a great disconnect and lack of communication between our group and Bill and the rest of the LGCHS, which I am hoping can be ameliorated. I was given the choice of moving forward as a separate entity from the LGCHS or working as a sister society in the northern part of the state. We have trouble getting members to be fully active and participate, but that could change if the LGCHS would consider including our group in future plans for trips, outings, meetings, events and so on. The biggest problem our group is facing is that no one knows we exist and meet in the northwestern part of the state. I'm sure there are more people out there that would enjoy attending meetings, but are unwilling or unable to make the drive for the LGCHS meetings. If you could put word on your website that a sister society also exists in the northern part of the state, we might be able to gain more members as a whole to benefit all existing members and the two groups collectively.

Although I am a new member, I have great ideas and motivation, but we could use a little more help from the established LGCHS. I hope to get things back on track for our small group, but I also look forward to bringing the two societies closer to better serve the members of the state.

Robert Charvat
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Robert Charvat
1.1 het albino Western Hognose

Robert, the group in Shreveport was originally organized by myself & Cindy Colbert as an LGCHS chapter. But, when it became apparent that the Board of Directors, particularly the President & Vice President, were not going to support or recognize the Shreveport chapter, it was reorganized as the Southern Herp Society. To bring forth programs and benefits for members requires a strenuous effort. Officers at the LGCHS found this out when they discontinued benefits & communication with me and thought that the Society would run on auto pilot. When I was the Secretary, the Society had over 100 sustaining members every year. Membership is but a fraction of that now. This has created a downward spiral of the Society that will continue unless Joe and the current Board can fix it.
The problem in Shreveport is not uncommon for any organization. It takes unselfish leadership and ENTHUSIASM to make it work. I was unable to travel to Shreveport on a monthly basis and Cindy is a very busy Mom that has a reptile wholesale business to run. Robert, don't give up. If you need some help with meetings or activities get in touch with me and I'll help. ~Bill~

Thanks Bill. Cindy and Glen have been very busy, and I was trying to help out as much as possible. Due to unexpected events and illnesses, they have asked that I take over for awhile. If you have any ideas for reaching out to the community to make other herpers aware that we exist, please let me know. To my knowledge, we only have limited resources at our disposal, so widespread advertising would be difficult, save by word-of-mouth. How could I get word out to people that may live outside the Shreveport-Bossier area? We may no longer entertain the benefits from the LGCHS, but I'm sure our members would still like to be informed of special events, outings, etc. Is there a way that we could be cc'ed for these events? I greatly appreciate your help, and feel that our next meeting (Feb. 5th) will be crucial to keeping our group alive.

Thank you again,
Robert
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Robert Charvat
1.1 het albino Western Hognose

Feb. 5 is Mardi Gras.... I'll let you know... ~Bill~

You are right! Guess we will be rescheduling another month's meeting.
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Robert Charvat
1.1 het albino Western Hognose

The first Tuesday of every month has always been a little early. Consider the second Tuesday. That gives you additional time to prepare & notify eveybody. ~Bill~

Robert, you can contact me through my email address.
Joe