From: Frank Robertson (tankdriv@gte.net)
Date: Sat Mar 08 2003 - 21:44:48 PST
Hey Dave,
Are you speaking from personal experience?
-----Original Message-----
From: Military Vehicles Mailing List [mailto:mil-veh@mil-veh.org] On
Behalf Of DDoyle9570@aol.com
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 6:19 PM
To: Military Vehicles Mailing List
Subject: [MV] Aberdeen
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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