anyone else find it ironic that this thread has more action than all the pre-dragon threads

 

We need to be careful handling money with or w/o np or nfp status!

I didn't realize that there was any distinction between "non-profit" and "not-for-profit" and thought they were synonymous. The difference between 501c3 and 501c7 is that the former is a charitable organization and latter isn't - it appears that np vs. nfp maintains the same basic distinction. (Thanks for the edu-micating me! )

PittStop MINI is also a 501c7 and is incorporated as well - but yes, we have to file a tax return since our gross receipts exceed the federal limit. Anyhow, with the appropriate purpose and corresponding charter I'm sure we could establish either - but 501c3 would definitely be a harder kite to fly. Even though it might seem intimidating and like a PITA, it would certainly kick things up a notch in both external perception and internal organization as well as add a layer of liability protection to the volunteer organizers among other benefits. It would also add cost and complexity. It is not a decision to be made lightly.

And about the National MINI Club.... I keep hearing rumors about it. But why does everything seem to be (from my distant, casual perception):

1. Cloak-and-dagger
2. West Coast based?

 

Cause it's all about modding... whether it's your mini or next year's get together, it's the modding/planning/preparing that's as much fun as having the actual car/event.

I think it's still got everyone pumped, I'm sure it'll calm down in a few weeks and then 6-7 months from now, it'll emerge it's head again.

Mark

 

^^^ What he said. Similar thing happened last year, IIRC. Lots of discussion afterwards for a few weeks, then it died off again until October-ish.

 

I think it's great to keep the ideas flowing, but maybe chill on some stuff like handling the money,etc. Think it would be best to see what role Mark is going to take for 2009. This will affect if we need a plan to handle money at all.

I'm a big fan of keeping it simple, but not opposed to rolling up my sleeves and doing what has to be done either. If Mark is willing to process the funds via the NAM store or simillar, then I think that would be the way to go

 

I must say that as one of the lead drivers I was a little bit worried that if someone drove
off the road they would get their lawyer and say that it was because the were following me.
I don't have much but I would like to be able to keep my MINI..
In any case a blanket exemption waiver for the entire MOTD event and affliated drives, dinners,
car shows and anything else to do with the event should be considered.

 

The bulk of the conversation is on MC2 if you want to call it bulk. 63 posts since Dec 06. There seems to be some issue between NAM and MC2 that is holding up this and many other things that could move the community forward.

 

Excellent point. I know the Brew Swap has required a waiver each year, but we should likely implement something more. While anyone hates to think that something could arise, we shouldn't wait to do what we can to protect ourselves until it does.

Of course, the best thing we can do is already being done: using common sense in our event planning to avoid negligence. But a waiver would help point that out.

 

I agree, it would be much simpler if everyone used common sense but with this many people.... you get your share of "potential problem" people.

For me, to think someone might try to sue someone because they were "following" someone is absolutely ridiculous. I'm adult enough to know that if I go into a ditch because I was following someone, well, I'm an idiot.

Unfortunately, there are those few that could do something like that so I can completely understand any cautiousness necc.

Mark

 

I had spoke to Mark about implementing a click thru waiver for the drives, but kinda forgot to follow up on it. Anyone that wants to sign up for a drive would be directed to a waiver page, then would have to click "I agree" to continue on and sign up. Think that is what the Brewswap had this year. Maybe we could do that for 2009.

Bottom line, with or without a waiver, doesn't mean someone can't get a lawyer, sue ya and make your life hell

 

true waivers do nothing for you, but they may make people stop and think....

 

They do something, they just don't prevent lawsuits. It eliminates the argument that they weren't aware of the risks. Doesn't mean you can't still be liable though.

 

I noticed that too. I think it is because everyone is so eager to help, but unfortunately I think that the enthusiasm will die down after a while.

I wonder if it would be possible to open the Dragon 2009 boards a little earlier (Jan or Feb). It might help get people more excited about the event and make them more willing to volunteer if they had more details aboout what was happening.

 

Quote:

anyone else find it ironic that this thread has more action than all the pre-dragon threads

Quote:

I wonder if it would be possible to open the Dragon 2009 boards a little earlier (Jan or Feb). It might help get people more excited about the event

How about if we open the thread now of "Things you didn't like about MOTD7?

 

"I didn't like that MOTD7 was a WHOLE YEAR after MOTD6. Frickin A... you volunteers should git off yer butts and put these things on monthly instead of annually. Slackers."

 

1.This was my first MOTD so I don't have anything to compare it too. I think the tent was a little odd in that some of the vendors where there and the rest where waay at the top of the hill. It seemed alittle too spread out. I think having a tent is nice incase it rains so it seems like putting the tent in front of the Adventure center would be a good place for one. then just have the vendors who are doing installs outside where you can drive up to them. I understand that people want to drive through and park where people can see there car but while my car was waiting for an install it got hit from the lack of space.

2. I think music would be great! often there are local bands (that sounds good) and are willing to pay just or some gas money and food.

3.MORE SIGNS!!!

4. I loved the car show!

5. Loved the car wash station

6. loved the group picture. . 86 the rain!

and this may be a fontana thing but is there any way to get some food vendors? i didn't really care for the food and hated to drive for an hour just to get lunch.

But I had a great time and am coming back next year and am very willing to do some voluntering aswell!

 

Niiiiiiiiiiiiice! I bet Fontana would give us a better rate if it happened monthly. Maybe I could move to NC and become a professional drive tour guide or open my own Fontana radio station!

Unfortunately, as these larger events become more popular (AMVIV, MOTM, MTTS, MOT and others), it dilutes the ability of people to attend. I know that I can't make it to more than one of these a year... probably more like one every other year given my other motorsports ambitions. That may be one of the issues contributing to the general decline in MOTD excitement on the board.

 

Last year the area you're talking about was where all the vendors were. Just about everyone complained at the loss of the road usage and especially the parking lot as a place to congregate and have fun. I don't think you'll see that area blocked off again unless there's absolutely no other alternative.

There's also about zero chance Fontana would allow any outside food vendors. Next year you'd be better off bringing your own food since you don't like the food onsite. It'll probably also be cheaper and more satisfying. The price we all pay for meeting in a remote location.

 

This comes up a LOT, so to clarify here is some information about vendor location. There may be even more, but this is what I am aware of after attending 4 MOTDs and participating as a volunteer at 3 of them.

There is not an acceptable, large enough area at Fontana that can accomodate all the vendors together sooooo the vendors are separated into two groups - installers and merchandisers (plus there are usually one or two that are at the car wash because they sponsor it). This year the merchandisers were in the tent and the installers were in the lot by the Adventure Center.

A lot of people get the impression that we are missing the boat on some obvious solutions to this problem, so here are the reasons we cannot do what a lot of people come up with - if you have another idea, please, please, please share.

1. Even with a large enough tent, we cannot put them all on the ballfield, the installers need to be on asphalt so they can jack up cars.

2. For obvious reasons, we cannot use the parking lots by the Inn - I doubt the people staying there would appreciate it. (Nobody has made this suggestion so far this year - I am heading it off at the pass. hee hee)

3. We cannot put them in the General Store area, not only because of space constraints, but this area floods when it rains. Been there, done that, learned not to do it again.

4. They can fit in the lots in front of the Adventure Center, but there was an overwhelming negative response to having them there (another been there, done that, learned not to do it again ) because of everyone losing the ability to congregate there and use it as a thru-way.

All of this was one of the big contributing factors that resulted in us trying a tent. Which did end up serving its purpose. I am sure it can be even better utilized, but for the first time having it, I think it was put to pretty good use.

 

To keep all vendors in the same spot, I suggest Fontana turn the tennis court into a go-kart track or an R/C area. But during MOTD, installers would use the space.

Of course I love tennis. But I've not once seen anyone use that designated space appropriately (and I've intentionally left racquets at home).

 

I suspect the tennis courts get some use during the summer "resort" season... but "Hellbender Karts" would still be a blast... they'd make a frickin FORTUNE off those from the various car events throughout the year, I bet... though they would disrupt the peace and quiet some poor misguided souls go up there for...

 

OK, I've been offline all week, catching up with a mountain of stuff at work, but let me try to reply to a few things here (LONG POST - sorry!):Ryan, do you really think that registration is only about the swag? Did you enjoy and benefit from the overall planning? The vendor attendance? The existence of the tent (which helped to keep the parking lot in front of the Adventure Center open)? I'm just trying to understand how you can summarily label the registration as little more than a bag with some swag & vendor stickers. The $10 registration existed precisely to fill the demand for those who don't care about that sort of stuff.And what do you think brings the vendors in, with a framework that allows them all to co-exist? Central coordination, that's what!Any event with restricted attendance most likely was a paid event, like the dinners. Do you really expect the doors to be wide open when food is being served to those who paid for it? I agree, a worthwhile idea that is a very good goal for next year. Donna, same question as Ryan - how come you didn't register? (even the "basic" $10 registration?) Do you not see any value in the central coordination?And yet we still get people that gripe about the registration, or flat-out refuse... in spite of all the hard work that goes into coordinating everything. Amazing. Phil, great minds think alike! On the last day of MOTD (Sunday), Ashley and I were chatting with Mark Ferguson about how the event went, and the idea of some kind of broadcast system using a specific 2-way radio channel was something we discussed. FM is another way... but the same idea.

I like the way you think. I can understand that is tough... but yes, the fact it is all volunteer-based does make it tough. I have run out of fingers for the number of activities and events I missed out on at MOTD because I was involved in registration every day. At least I was able to participate in the car show and in the panoramic photo!

We'll see about trying to have a "late night" check-in on the first night next year... maybe for 1 hour after the welcome dinner or something.

 

Thanks everyone! At least on behalf of the registration volunteers, it's really great to know that our hard work was appreciated.

 

My desire to volunteer and register has diminished greatly over the last 6 years for a variety of reasons that I don't care to outline in this thread. The desire to register this year withered to nada with the public shaming that was attempted here. MINIs would be at the Gap the first weekend of May, organized or not. It's not all about NAM. That fact is not being respected when you demand registration. If you think about it, a number of vendors would be in attendance too, with no registration.

My hats are off to all who give their time freely in any capacity. I have issues with how the event organization has evolved over time. It doesn't mean that I don't think it is a great event or that those who volunteer don't deserve our respect and gratitude.

And don't forget.....you asked.

 

Please, lets not turn this thread into another registration argument.