From: DDoyle9570@aol.com
Date: Fri Mar 07 2003 - 18:19:06 PST
I have read this thread with interest for some time, and withheld my opinion as long as I can (my friends know what a challenge this is for me).
Now let me be very clear...I am not involved in this rally in any way, and all that follows is suposition on my part, based on my experiences organizing other events (MV shows, train shows, model shows, etc.) but hopefully food for thought for others.
A group of fellows set out to put on a show....something that they would enjoy, those attending would enjoy, and that would send a few dollars to a worthwhile cause.
As the amount of work that needed to be done, the number of friends and volunteers who so sincerely said "you can count on me" months earlier suddenly are finding all kinds of reasons that they "just can't help you out with that, but I'll be there on the day of the show to help."
And the workload on those remaining increases......
And they begin to telephone calls and emails...not a one of them saying what a good time they had last year, or asking "what can I do to help?" No, the phone calls will be along the lines of "Are you gonna cut the grass lower this year." "Whose doing the judging this year, those guys last year just didn't....", and vendors saying "I'll be coming this year, but I need three extra extension cords, I need to unload two days early, and must pull our middle of the day, and I don't want to be near ______."
And the show organizors try to accomodate.....and loose time with their families, job or sleeping trying to accomodate the attendees, do the job they originally volunteered to do, and the two extra jobs dumped in their laps by their friends who "un-volunteered."
Then they hear about this big military vehicle convoy "GREAT" this is MV show, this involves MVs, and we didn't have to do ANYTHING to organize this...some other group of poor devils are loosing their sleep to put this together.
We should provide them a place to pull in....so it doesn't disrupt the vendors setting up, doesn't provide a hazard to pedestrians, and shows a little respect to a group of folks doing what this hobby is all about. This is almost a no-brainer-----just move a few tables, and we have a neat instant motorpool. No need to conduct a federally funded impact statement.
The result? Not a GREAT this a neat unexpected plus for those attending....not a great, this means more work for somebody in the host group. Nope, instead just a series of complaints....gee...what was it two years ago the whole event moved? Did anyone want to sue APG 'cause they couldn't get the same spot they had since McArthur proclaimed it theirs?
In general, those vendors who through the biggest "I'm picking up my toys and going home if you don't give me the sandbox" fit are the same ones who NEVER say "how can I help you with your event?", never say "man, this was a great show, thanks for having me", never say "Here, grab a cool one and take a breather, I'll take tickets/give directions/flip the burgers." In fact, they are usually the ones who find something to complain about anyhow. Too hot, too much traffic, to little traffic, table rent too high, not as good as _____ show. The customers may miss vendors who do this, but I assure you that the organizors won't.....I once ejected a vendor from a train show I was running due to his incessant complaining during the show..."here's your money back, there's the door, and this officer will hold it open for you."
The folks that try to do these things are as a group overworked, underappreciated amatuer volunteers who does this for FUN and the love of the hobby, and their efforts should be lauded more than condemned.....don't like the way something is being done....fine, bite your tongue and next year YOU volunteer to do that aspect of the show YOURSELF....it will then be done in a manner pleasing to you, and I assure you this years volunteers will be thrilled to have the help next year.
Regards,
David
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