Recipe for the ideal NCKA Member?

Hi all,
I've been a member since 2010, but before I even get a chance to read any responses to this inquiry, I know there are many ways I can be a better member of this community. Just wondering what your thoughts are about what makes an quality contributor?

I'll admit, i'm inspired by BigJims recent post about reaching the 13,000 post mark. This is a significant milestone to be sure, but I have a feeling there is far more to his value than the sheer volume of his posts, knowledge shared etc... (not to mention the contributions and the efforts of individuals like Sailfish, Bushy, LoletaEric, Clayman and many others)

Things I know I can do more of that at the very least would allow me to meet more members and learn what THEY have contributed to the community include;
1. participating in more events and tournaments
-I feel that sometimes my finances influence this, but there are many tournament options and ways to make participating in them affordable

2. participating in AOTY
-again, I wonder how much $$$ influences doing something like this seriously, I tend to go overboard when committed to something.

3. doing more hook-ups
- My nature is so independent that I sometimes avoid hook-ups for fear of being limited in what I have the freedom to do on a given day, I also never want to inconvenience another. I often feel like I would be a burden as many of the very popular fisheries (coastal) are ones I have limited experience/expertise in...so what do I have to offer? good company iI suppose (or would at least like to think)

When I reflect on the past 7 years of experiences with NCKA, I feel tremendously grateful for everything I have learned through the members of this forum and realize I would like to do more for our community and sport to show this appreciation, and pay it forward. There are also many things I wish I could have done differently. I suppose this is my late resolution for 2017... to find a way to make past wrongs right, and move forward as a grateful and valuable NCKA'er!

Thanks for any feedback or responses about how you feel you have gotten the most out of your experiences with the club.

Don't over think it and be yourself 

Go to a hookup, do your own thing and meetup at the end to chill and meet new friends.

Enter AOTY/DOTY and don't take it seriously but try to at least do more than you did last year.

Teach a newb something and make a lasting friendship 

be yourself 

Please be yourself, no matter how much of a jerk that makes you be.  CdM is a perfect example of how you can be a contributing member but have so many people hate you so much.

I also tend to fish alone most of the time, as I just don't have the time to plan trips and they're usually a morning of or evening before decision to go.  Entering AOTY/DOTY is optional, but the main benefit of it is to compete against yourself and to contribute to a great cause while doing so.  Going to events/hookups is just fun - don't feel like you have to hang with those folks all day on the water. 

I've been part of plenty of hookups and the only time we see each other is in the morning - but we do keep the radio on in case someone needs help and to share info.

Share reports and share some tidbits of info that you think may make others successful.  Don't be an overt braggart and don't threadcrap on others' fishing reports by saying that you catch more or better fish and that they should drive up to whatever county you live in.

Evan, you do quite a few crazy runs up to the mountains, and I'm sure others would love to join in.  So don't be afraid to post those hookups if you get a chance.  Might be a way to meet fishing friends who fish the same way you do.

Ultimately, there is no recipe for an "ideal" member, as no one person is perfect and we're all examples of that.  Do what you can to contribute to the community and others will appreciate it.

How about sending some cash my way
Have fun on your way to 13k post.

be yourself 

Please be yourself, no matter how much of a jerk that makes you be.  CdM is a perfect example of how you can be a contributing member but have so many people hate you so much.

"even bad publicity is good" 

Give more than you get ...

-Allen

Give more than you get ...

-Allen

This.....

Really kind of you to lump me in with such great folks, Evan!  I'm humbled.

The "be yourself" and "give more than you get" attributes mentioned in previous replies are the ones I admire most in members.  Given that I can't make it to many events due to my distance from most of the "popular" NCKA fishing haunts, I've aimed to provide useful info on my local fisheries over the years in hopes that they could help visiting anglers in some small way.  Plus, I just plain enjoy writing about fishing and taking photos  .

I've fished with you a number of times dude, and I know you'd fit in just fine with the anglers who are willing to tough out inclement weather and fish from morning to sunset.  There are a lot of those types here.  You just need to be explicit with interested parties when you post a hookup, ie "it'll be cold as shit, I plan on fishing for 8+ hours, etc.".  As long as you're upfront about it, that should weed out the fair-weather types.

The recipe is no different than anything else in life.

1.  Bring a net positive
2.  Leave it better than you found it
3.  Never stop learning
4.  Don't suck.

You may be a bit calcified, Doug, but you have some good points for a bivalve!

KA, good list.

Be yourself, unless yourself resembles BMB in any way shape or form.

Post pics! Inspire us to get out more.

Find a need and fill it. There are lots of guys who do lots of work behind the scenes of events, HOW, AOTY etc.

Great thread. I'm new here and I was wondering myself what makes a go NCKA member? I will monitor this thread closely...

Just have fun and fish as much as possible.  It's great therapy. 

Post up questions if you got them and good info you are willing to share.  You never know who could benefit. 

Don't become a member just to sell something.  I hate that.  But I have met some great guys buying older gear at a discount and have given away a bunch of stuff myself so there is a time for it. 

If you are a drinker at events be respectful of others. 

Not everyone likes to post so that is not a requirement.  I have noticed some folks will private message you for trips but they don't like to post where or when they are going to a certain location.

Don't give out info on secret spots even if they are not really secret. 

4.  Don't suck.

This!

Good advice here, but what I'm most impressed with is your message, Evan.  The fact that you want to give more to this community speaks to the strength of what we have here - thank you! It's real!

When we give our positive heart to communication online we stand to benefit greatly - this is what I have learned for myself.  There are pitfalls for sure, but for the most part I feel that being friendly and sharing your true feelings allows anyone to experience enrichment on a basic emotional level.

I've found, specifically, that when I focus on going on an adventure that I can share (which is always), I end up having an even better time than I would've had in the first place!  I am self-actualizing the adventure to some extent, and it's largely based on my desire to post it here (and Facebook and maybe YouTube) for the community to share.  I focus on these things:  describing my actions in true detail, and expressing how I felt and how I feel while I write it out.  I have no qualms with myself for acknowledging that a huge part of my time in the outdoors is about my desire to share it.

"Be yourself" is great advice.  I'd add - be ready to find out more about yourself.  The more you put in, the more you get out.

Thanks for posting this up. 

Maybe we'll meet at Shelter Cove.