A draft of an attempt to document the process that is followed to organize the next RV.net Class B Rally has been posted on the B-Rally.org web site.
Click on the above link to read the draft document and please use this thread to comment and suggest changes, corrections, and additions to the document so we can use this process for organizing B6.
We will be on the road for the next 5-weeks, but will try to address comments to have the document useful for guiding the upcoming selection of site, date, and leader for B6.
* This post was
edited 05/18/08 02:47pm by AsheGuy *
Knowing that you have worked on this process for a very long time, I think you have it well outlined here.
I hope that another detailed page can be established by each past rally organizer and list all of the steps (time lines, sub-committees and responsibilities, helpful hints) they used in setting up their particular rally. I think this would encourage people to volunteer a site if they know that they don't have to re-invent the wheel each time. Obviously, no two rallies are the same and each organizer will pick and choose what information they will use but at least it will be all in one place. Specific, Sponsor contact information could be collected and added to a traveling guide that goes from one Rally to the next (I don't think we want this personal information on a web page). As I remember from the past Rally site selection process, this was the number one question from potential organizers.
ibthebest wrote: I hope that another detailed page can be established by each past rally organizer and list all of the steps (time lines, sub-committees and responsibilities, helpful hints) they used in setting up their particular rally.
Michael, very good suggestion. But rather than more detailed pages separate from the draft that is up now, I hope that those with input will post it here on this thread for discussion so that we can combine all the collective wisdom from past rallies into the "process" page on the web site that can be used as a future guide for all. Sort of like a Wikipedia process where different aspects of the rally process can be documented and discussed and then made part of the web site "process" page.
Well...as the primary organizer of the first two rallies, it seems that I am one of those requested to provide input.
I'll do my best to provide some information as soon as possible, but I'm running a business, have a house on nearly an acre of land to maintain, am getting ready to pack a house full of stuff into a POD and have a couple of camping trips planned over the next couple of weeks.
Yes, you can read the above paragraph as whining.
Seriously...for the first rally I pretty much threw out a vote for a location, just hoping that the winning location would be within reasonable driving distance for me. I think I pushed for Kentucky since it seemed to be a reasonable driving distance for most folks who were active on the forum at that time. I also took a vote on the dates for the rally. All of the voting was done through a web page set up for the purpose.
After the location was chosen I went online to scout for a campground. I found about 5 that seemed adequate and had everyone vote for the campground (I provided web site links for all of the candidate campgrounds). I'm not sure if the campground that won the vote ended up being the site of the rally, but I'm sure there was a good reason why Oh! Kentucky Campground was finally chosen.
Sally and Ron offered their help at some point, but I'm not sure when (it was pretty early on), and they really helped me get through the planning process and the rally itself.
I knew that I wanted a catered dinner on Friday night, and I found a conveniently located caterer by doing some online research. I chose fried chicken for the dinner because the rally was being held in Kentucky, and the entire rally was supposed to have a Kentucky and Kentucky Derby theme.
I also charged a $10 rally fee, and had all participants mail their money to me.
The rally fee also covered the cost of a continental breakfast on Saturday and Sunday. I got up at a quarter 'til dark on both Saturday and Sunday morning to go out and buy donuts, pastries and OJ at the local Wal-Mart (I had rented a car for the weekend).
We had a pot luck dinner on Saturday night, and had video horse racing on Saturday night (with prizes). We also had Mint Juleps and a Kentucky Derby hat contest at some point during the rally.
I'll get into the second rally later this week or this weekend.
If anyone has specific questions, please ask in this thread.
You may want to put a lot more emphasis on the underlined phrase in item #6, maybe put it in all bold caps & red text (dripping blood, perhaps ... ). It may not be apparent to some folks that if they make a nomination and it's selected, _they_ automatically become the primary organizer.
The vital importance of recruiting at least one 'web-skilled' person to the organizing team may need to be added. Someone with web-site skills is gonna be a necessity for success. I know better than most B-5 attendees how much serious & skilled work David Rose (AsheGuy) & Lynne (Lynne Jayzee) did. Those neat web pages with directions and lists of attendees and maps of distances didn't just materailize out of thin air. There's a lot real work and commitment and on-going dedication and skill and knowledge there. (Much thanks to both.)
I'll shut my face now....
Jim, "Hamsters... so much more than just a breakfast food!"
'06 Tiger CX 'C Minus' on a Silverado 2500HD 4x4, 8.1 & Allison ('Loafer's Glory'); '07 Forester 2.5 ( the 'HANDBSKT'); '95 Toyota SR5 V-6 4x4 pickup, ARB locker, Bilsteins, Warn hubs & M8000, etc;
'94 968, M030 swaybars ('DOPPLER')
Thank you David for this post and for the computer skills you demonstrated when doing B4 and now this for B5!
We will respond about B4 and B5 when we have wifi time and a flat surface. I am standing at a post with a computer screen on it, at the Good Sam booth here at the museum!!!
Great museum.
Sally
Salianron --Sally and Ron
2003 Roadtrek 200 Popular
After reading the B6 thread, I decided it was time to do an update on B3 and B4.
B3 was organized in Branson, because no one stepped up to organize the third rally. A group of Bees were not willing to let the B rally dissappear, so we did it. The location was decided by Ron and I because it was in the "middle" and we had checked out the area campgrounds. The BPT (b planning team) assisted.
It ended up being Memorial Day weekend, because we waited so late to make reservations. The dates were not anyone's choice, but it was all that was available.
Our sponsor was Van City. Ray picked up the tab for all meals and brought various B's for us to look at. He also did on the spot repairs on any brand B he represented.
The location was in the middle of the US and the weather was hot and it was a bad date, but those in attendance still enjoyed it. We had a huge conference center to gather in when it was hot and a great pool to get cool and wet!
B 4 was organized per the guidelines now in place. David and Margaret (ashguy) made B4 happen!
B 3 was the only B Rally that has not followed the guidelines.. only because we did it to keep the rally from dying.
The B Rally's can be a simple or as much work as you want to put into it! Frankly calling Van City and asking Ray to sponsor all was very easy. Either I received a yes or a no! Prizes and goodies are fun, but not necessary.
If I remember correctly... the main reason for getting together was to talk and make friends among those on the CVC forum.
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). It may not be apparent to some folks that if they make a nomination and it's selected, _they_ automatically become the primary organizer.
