From: Joe Shannon (fordpart@bellsouth.net)
Date: Sun Mar 09 2003 - 13:18:36 PST
It does seem that way.
Frank Robertson wrote:
>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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>
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>
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