If we still plan to hold a big event we should really think twice about the timing. Doing something big in September or October will draw few people from other regions if they are all planning on FC at around the same time. Keep in mind that for two people, this event sets the couple back at least $500. Plus the folks from the south and west may need an extra day or two to get here, taking up vacation time. Two such events back to back will be a problem for many members.

I'm not really sure what Rick meant by "splintering" the event. Jerry (Pas2k) raised that possibility over in Vintage, but that WAS NOT my idea or view of how the event should be run and I don't think there was a lot of support for the "splintering" idea. I think the event should be held in a different region every year, with that region being the host club that makes all the arrangements. This way, no one club or group is burdened every year and each region gets the honor and opportunity to show off their part of the country. Plus, members get the opportunity to explore a new place, and the convenience of occasionally having the event within an hour or two of the house. Moving the location every year is not "splintering" it into many small events. Having FC in Pittsburgh every year is like holding the Olympics in Lake Placid every year. It may be nice once, but there's a whole world out there we might want to see.

Sorry about the rant. I guess I feel bad about being right back where I was last year at this time; trying to decide if I want to shlep my ass all the way out to Pittsburgh in October....

 

Well, I agree with you, Bill. We should have a discussion with John (jfo) to move things in the direction you mentioned perhaps for future events beyond this year. The great news is that FC05 is back on.

John is a terrific guy. I spent quite a bit of time with him last year at FC04, and I really like him as a choice for leader. My only concern is that I don't see that he's "connected" into the community in the way that Rick is/was. Nonetheless, this appears to be Rick's wishes...

 

why have any talks with john (jfo)??? we don't owe him or Rick a damn thing (sorry Charle i'm not a very good diplomat)

what bothers me is that Rick says he's out - ok then a bunch of folks start discussing what can and will be done and then Rick says oh John will run a FC event we've been talking about this in the backround ... what the heck is that all about?? - F-um - I'll run my own event - you want to go to FC05 great have fun - you want to come up to the New England event and do something different Great

I don't want to go to PA every year and we really did come up with some good plans / drives / events etc etc etc

 

with Steve and Bill

Let's do our own thing. Sorry I missed the meeting... Someone email me the details.

 

Steve, I agree about the hullaballoo, and I think that was wrong of Rick to just bow out like that and then hand the event over to John as a fait accompli. To go from nothing to "we have a date and a place" is really pretty unexpected. Oh, and, I didn't really mean that we owe anyone anything.

I guess my point is that Bill's idea to move FC to different venues is right on. How do we do that given what Rick did?

As for this year, I'm completely in favor of having our own event. I sympathize with Bill, as there were only a handful of NE people at last years event anyway... Pittsburgh was a complete day of traveling.

 

Steve, I think New England should have a large, "everyone is welcome," pull out all the stops event. We just need to reconsider the timing if we want to draw from other parts of the country. If we want to have our own regional event around the same time, that is fine, but we won't pull from other regions if we are within three or four weeks of FC.

We may want to think about a July or August event. The weather will be great and folks from mid Atlantic, Ohio and down south might like the idea of going north in the middle of the summer. We could shift the loction to the White Mountains area or start in Southern NH and drive up to the White Mountains. We can call it The Summer Nor'easter and include a canoe race!

 

Maybe the first year, we can find a big parking lot. Invite vendors, like Scott. People can show case their products and service. To just hangout and do some tailgating BBQ.

In terms of logistics, I think this is the easiest way to go. It will be a good "first time" NE mega meet.

Hey, you gotta start somewhere right?

 

Thomas we already came up with some GREAT ideas (and a big parkling lot meet where we have a BBQ is not one of them - Thanks for playing though!! )

 

Damn it! I still like mine better