I'll volunteer to run the weapons check booth at MOTD'07.

 

How about this, no more registration. If you want to have an event, talk to Mark (NAM) and talk to Fontana and charge for your event or not. That way DCMM's whom spent most of their time working this year can have fun @ MOTD next year.

 

 

A forum on NAM could be setup, so that evryone could see the discussions going on, but only people on the list could post.

Then if someone outside the planning committe wants to interject they could send a PM to a group address, that everyone on the committe would get.

Or there could be a public forum for commentsw, that the organizers could watch.

Just a thought.

Steve

 

I would have to disagree with that for the simple reason that the more opinions you get, the better the ideas will be. Limiting discussion to purely the "organizers" has ... at least from reading this thread ... not been a good idea.

I know for a fact that DCMM did its best to get other people to step up and volunteer. The more Ideas UP FRONT ... the less complaining in the end ....

Some people will complain there are TOO much discussion. You can't please everyone all the time

Just a thought since two heads are better than one ...

 

Well see that's part of the problem... This event isn't NAM's, and I know a LOT of people would be upset if it even remotely appeared that NAM was taking any sort of control over the event. While something could be done so that NAM can continue to be the bulletin board and potentially assist with some logistics, it should be done carefully.

As for Fontana, they have made it clear in the past that they want a central person or small group of persons to deal with as the event is put together.

Although honestly, with the amount of venom being spit in this thread, I'm not sure why anybody would want to put up with the aggravation that is sure to come with an event next year... Some of you have been down right viscious. Are you guys actually reading what you're posting before you submit it?

The ONLY people who were paid to put on this event were the ones who worked at Fontana, Tapoco, Crossroads of Time, and the other hotels, gas stations etc in the area. Every body else who was involved was a volunteer. They gave up A LOT of their own time, money, and effort to put on this year's event.... They didn't have to do it... Did the event go perfectly? No... Are there places to improve... Absolutely.

This thread was started to solicit useful, constructive feedback. It looks like it's finally getting back on track... Let's keep it that way please...

 

Hey Greatbear! Empty your Private Message In/Out boxes! LOL! I tried to PM you, but got this message:

"Greatbear has exceeded their stored private messages quota and cannot accept further messages until they clear some space."

 

I have a quick question for the previous dinner planners...

Does Fontana require that all food come from them? Can food be brought in from an outside source...i.e. BBQ??? My husband is a chef and is a partner in a catering business that does large parties. I am just curious if anyone knows what Fontana will allow (room rentals, etc.).

 

This has been mentioned a number of times, Steve. See https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...&postcount=290

Actually, open threads discussing things are a great idea, but the Coordinators could have a forum where the actual plans are made, so they don't have to wade through all the inevitable banter and tangents. See the link above.

 

I tried...

PM me and will give details

MD STREGA2

 

vargasgal, when MKO organized the Welcome Dinner in 2005, we didn't have to pay any fees for the Dam Room. Now that Fontana has new owners, I do not know what their policy is, but they have always been incredibly generous in offering venues for our various MOTD events at no charge.

BBQ! Mmmmmmmm.....

 

Yes, I know it was, I was giving suggestions for how it could be setup.

Forum where all can see but only organizers can post and...

another where people can post ideas and comments based on whats in Forum #1

Steve

 

I agree, but there should be a place where only official organizers can talk and share.

Read my last post before this one.

Steve

 

That's a good idea, Steve, to have an Organizing forum where all can see, but only Coordinators can post. People can have open threads of discussion in the MOTD area, and PM folks with ideas, too.

 

I try.

 

I just did. I cold not even reply to you. I hope this does not result in me getting another 'advice thread'. :impatient

BOT:
It makes sense that Fontana expects some sort of coordination during an organized event, especially one that takes over their entire facilities like we do. It is necessary for them to be able to allocate their facilities properly as far as events go (taking over the restaurant or adventure center, providing a car wash area, allowing unusual use of the facilities like a drive-in on the ball field or taking over an entire parking lot for vendors). If there is no coordination both ahead of time and during the event itself, it's doubtful that they would allow anyone to suddenly want to 'repurpose' a major area for some other use. So if anyone thinks they can just all show up on the first weekend in May and expect Fontana, Tapoco and what have you allow what we want to do, you'll probably be disappointed.

 

I don't think anybody has seriously suggested anarchy, Phil.....yet!

Many of us who have organized events the past 3 years have built relationships with the folks at Fontana and Tapoco, and they already know we'll be contacting them to plan things. I think a planning committee of organizers from various clubs could select a few folks to be the MOTD reps to Fontana/Tapoco, to keep communications and arrangements flowing.

 

DCMM is still working out whether we have any left over money after the Dragon this year.

We did not announce that any of our events would have proceeds donated to charity because we really were not sure we would make any proceeds. We decided quite a while back that the vasty majority of proceeds would go to charity. And then we got bogged down and never picked one!

So, we plan to make a contribution to charity (most likely the Make a Wish Foundation, but we are still getting suggestions and have not decided) with the vast majority of any proceeds. We had hoped to annouce this at the farewell dinner, but as been said, the event was just taking way too long and I could not stomach holding people any longer. Once we know what we are doing we will post about it. Proceeds remaining go to pay our insurance policy and misc. club stuff and a thank you event to keep us going until the next Dragon. No one takes home money. We are not in this to make money -- we are in this to help put on a fun event for the MINI community nationally.

The tone of the thread has really changed in the last 48 hours. I am leaning toward asking that it be locked too. Many many fine folks have stepped up wanting to help next year. As the event grows, we will need as many people as possible to help out. Several suggestions have been made about how those folks could keep in contact. Perhaps we have gathered enough feedback.

 

geezzz..as Maurice Sendak said, "no fighting, no biting".

 

Is that like "a barking dog doesn't bite?"

 

no, it's like "stop fighting!"

 

Ahh, then thats like the opposite of:

"The dogs stopped barking .... RUN!!!!"

 

Moderators,
How about anything in this thread that has nothing to do with suggestions for MOTD 2007 gets deleted?
I am indeed for great discussions in public forums, but my pet peeve is when folks do not stick to the thread title. IE in this case here, let's stick to suggestions.




H

 

While I agree the thread should remain on topic, I am never a fan of deleting posts, unless they are in flagrant violation of forum rules (e.g. talk of illegal activity, unchecked rogue advertising, etc.). Censorship can be a really bad thing. Ideally, in my opinion all "off-topic" posts (mine included, of course) should simply be moved elsewhere - not deleted... but I appreciate that may be easier said than done. But what's said is said, and deleting them doesn't take them back, nor does it help anyone else who really does want to know what happened.

Of course, it's all just my opinion... I am not a content moderator here.

 

I am sure the MakeAWish Foundation is very nice, but have you considered donating to the Counterfeit Mini Victims Foundation? I keep thinking of poor Octane Guy, showng up year after year in what he thinks is a MINI... and it just breaks my heart!