Info on starting a Herp society?

Looking to get information anyone can provide on what might go into starting up a herp society. There is indication from a few hard core herpers up here in cooooold North Dakota, that we'd like to get something going, and I am looking for information on what steps need to be taken.

Is starting a herp society something that needs to follow 'official' paths and regulations, or is it just a bunch of people that get together and do 'whatever' is basically what I'm looking for.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. You can either post here, send pm's, or email.

Thanks for any insight in advance!
D80

Just start off with a few posters, thats all i did to get my group started.

You have 2 options as I see it...(I am in Canada, but it shouldn't be much different). You can get together with your buddies and call yourselves a society (think Dead Poets Society), or you can get together, form a charter, and keep minutes. If you want to look for research money, or keep any kind of "dues", I would suggest going the 'official' way. I have had some experience with setting up boards (although not for herps specifically), and would be happy to give you some pointers if you would like. Feel free to pm or email.
Hope this helps

All ya really need is people.......and beer! :cheers: (The added perk of hostin a meetin is not havin to buy. )

It really aint gotta be fancy. We usually jus meet at someones trailer and visit with one another. One person brings tha Herp a da month and we all talk about the husbandry needs and then sit around an tell war stories about field herpin. I suppose you could get a fancy website an all, but I opine that the simple basics are what makes it so much fun (an tha beer. )

cornman1979 said:

Just start off with a few posters, thats all i did to get my group started.

Click to expand...

Oh boy, I'll bet that's one happenin' group.............. :grin01:

Thanks for the help . . .I think!! Sounds like we're already a 'herp society' then other then the getting together part to meet, which has been tough with everyone's schedules.

The beer sounds about the best idea right now, this week has been one long month!

Daisy, a couple of the other guys interested in getting this going already have a website forum up, but definitely thanks for the offer!

D80

Yes, I think any of us would rather visit Cooter's herp meeting's than Cornboy's! One has interesting people with field herping knowledge (and beer), and the other has a snitty twit with a few goth buddies that showed up at his mom's basement b/c he put poster's up. Anyway, I'd suggest contacting the nearest Nature Center, zoo, anything around to see if something exists already. I found nothing on the net regarding a herp society here, and there was a group looking for members! If you do have to do a more "door to door" type route, ask local pet shops about customers who are serious hobbyist. I wish you luck, the herp soc. here has been loads of fun and helped me sell (and find) animals and a few friends. Oh, wait. Not that I buy or sell friends...

Our meeting are one of the highlights of my month.

The meetings are very casual, highly entertaining, a great place to find a steal of a deal on new reptiles, and its BYOB!

Hors-d-orves (crackers and cheese, Chip, not crackers being cheesy) and social hour is first, followed by a formal presentation (some really unique guest speakers) and concluding with a Herp of the Month discussion. Here are a few of our upcoming topics:

"Florida Herping & The Apalachicola National Forest"

" VENEZUELA: A land of great diversity"

"Herps of Paraguay"

"Vivariums and Dart Frogs"

"An Overview of Lampropeltis (kingsnakes & milksnakes)"

During the year, we also do field hunts and species counts in local hot spots. It is a great way to network and become quite savvy on your local herp fauna. Here is the User group link: Austin Herp Society

Cooter is famous for his frog darts! I can't wait to tell him all about the dart frogs south of the border!

After knockin back afew at a good herp meetin, ya starta talkin about fart drogs and try to lickin those toadies! :cheers:

(Ima sorry Lord for talkin bout farts in the forum. Bless all tha pigmies in New Guinea. Amen.)