Some of these programs have been presentations by fellow club members. For example, last year Mike Kirda showed us slides of his diving trip to the Philippines and John Brandt told us of his trip to American Samoa to address the Coral Reef Task Force, and one year John Vanore gave an outstanding slide show presentation on some of his diving trips. Another year, Bryan Bortman spoke on how he nets and collects his own fish during his early diving excursions, and way back in 1993, Steve Kossack and Dennis Gallagher each gave presentations on protein skimmers and the nitrification cycle respectively. There have been hands-on demonstrations of propagating soft corals and gorgonians, swap meets, raffles, and field trips to such places as the Shedd Aquarium and supporting dealers' stores. Although these special guest meetings bring out the largest attendance, the regular monthly meetings are really what CMAS is all about.
Information exchange is the heart of our society.
CMAS also has a good relationship with many pet stores throughout the Chicagoland area, as many of these stores offer our members discounts on livestock and supplies. Supporting dealers are listed in our newsletter, Ocean Currents , and we urge members to visit them.