As far as the MDG meetings have gone, I believe they where all just meet and greats and differnt places. I have only been to 2 of these so far, one of which I hosted. I do plan on hosting more in the future and would like to see it become a little more formal but I see a few things that can be a problem.
Some of the biggest problem is the size of the area your local group covers and how many meetings you have per year. With beign part of the MDG, we are covering Il, In, Oh, Mi, Ks, and I belive Iowa. This is a large area to cover for one group. Then you have to take into consideration how many people in your group would be interested in it becoming a little more formal. I know for one, I would like to see some of it become a little more formal but not to formal.
I believe that almost all of these groups are sort of a miniture IAD or NWFF without all of the formalities. I would love to see more of these types of Shows with lectures and all in differnt states since everybody can not make it to either one of these shows. This only brings up another problem as far as becoming more formal with the groups. Not every local group has a place Like NAIB to host such behind the sences or personal to give lectures. We could always start small with class such as Terrarium building 101 or advance Terrarium building and so fourth.
Well I think you can get what I am trying to say. It has been a long day for me and just starting to ramble on. Hope you all have a good day and good eve.
Mike P.