2011 Mid-Atlantic Rally Sept 29 - Oct 2
- Thread starter ezzzzzzz
- Start date
I feel much the same way that Robbie does; overall we had a good time but there are definite areas that could be improved on.
More trails onsite I think would be the single biggest benefit. The trails that were there this year were, reportedly (I missed last year), better than the previous year-but they still could be a lot better. Without having a detailed look at the property lines and the owners desires, I would offer this is the single biggest area to concentrate attention on (during the winter...when vegetation is down and making trails is easier....)
Vendors/activities would be beneficial too, though I don't rank this as high as the trails in fact what I'd put in front of this would be the price point that Robbie mentioned; finding a market relevant price coupled with decent trails would bring up attendance and thus attract vendors.
Somewhat counter to that, I'm not sure attendance is really a meaningful metric...I guess it depends on what the expectation for the event to be ties back to. Since that is difficult to articulate we're stuck describing it based off previous events.
All of this is subject to considerable bias, not to overstate the obvious.
All told I had fun with the group that I went with, and it was great to see other folks. I think if that is what defines the event then it was successful, but could certainly be improved upon.
r-
Ray
More trails onsite I think would be the single biggest benefit. The trails that were there this year were, reportedly (I missed last year), better than the previous year-but they still could be a lot better. Without having a detailed look at the property lines and the owners desires, I would offer this is the single biggest area to concentrate attention on (during the winter...when vegetation is down and making trails is easier....)
Vendors/activities would be beneficial too, though I don't rank this as high as the trails in fact what I'd put in front of this would be the price point that Robbie mentioned; finding a market relevant price coupled with decent trails would bring up attendance and thus attract vendors.
Somewhat counter to that, I'm not sure attendance is really a meaningful metric...I guess it depends on what the expectation for the event to be ties back to. Since that is difficult to articulate we're stuck describing it based off previous events.
All of this is subject to considerable bias, not to overstate the obvious.
All told I had fun with the group that I went with, and it was great to see other folks. I think if that is what defines the event then it was successful, but could certainly be improved upon.
r-
Ray
to hell with the diaper whats up with the dude's (?) ear ? Photoshop is an amazing toy.
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well thanks for confirming my decision to skip mar for the first time in a decade was a good one.
I don't think it was. We had a blast the trails were good just not enough and the people were amazing.
If I just wanted to wheel I'd drive an hour to Rausch Creek and 150 trucks is a great turn out I can't think of too many that get any where near 150 trucks
If I just wanted to wheel I'd drive an hour to Rausch Creek and 150 trucks is a great turn out I can't think of too many that get any where near 150 trucks
Concur as well, it may not have been apparent in my post which really focused on what I think would be a good thing to improve on (i.e. the organic trail network). All of that taken into account, it was still fun and we'll still be glad to go back next year.
Jeff's point about the Cove, RC, and MAR in one year is valid too.
All of it begs the question; anyone got a meaningful alternative to what ROAV managed to do even with its issues? Without that, well, it's just criticism for its own sake and we get plenty of that in the political discussions.
r-
Ray
Jeff's point about the Cove, RC, and MAR in one year is valid too.
All of it begs the question; anyone got a meaningful alternative to what ROAV managed to do even with its issues? Without that, well, it's just criticism for its own sake and we get plenty of that in the political discussions.
r-
Ray
roverover said:
You're missing the boat. Totally.
I'd have fun if it were just myself or one other truck. We have fun when we go to Rausch with 10 trucks. We have fun at SCC with no trucks but a few people. Making something fun is not the problem. We could all have fun at the KOA.
The problem is that ROAV does not listen to their members. This is proven by the lack of support and attendance over the last few years. 7 MAR's ago ROAV had over 400 trucks. Since then ROAV membership and event attendance has dropped over 70% at the MAR alone. That says something.
ROAV could claim that they are trying to go back to basics and reduce the number of people involved. I call bullshit on that. ROAV is still doing everything they did in 2004, they're jut not getting the support they once did. ROAV sill has the auction, the big-top tent, the dinner, the t-shirts, the registration bags, the 100's of acres to play on, and they continue to develop trails. Noting has changed in the operations or how MAR is structured. The only difference is ROAV no longer has vendor support or attendance numbers.
Sure, MAR is a social event. If it were only a social event they could gather at the Piggly Wiggly and chit-chat until the sun comes up. People are not just wanting to chit-chat when they go to MAR. People at MAR want something to do above and beyond what they can do at home. Any more going to MAR is like going to an English Pub and ordering a Bud Light. You can drink Bud Light anywhere, so why would you drink it at an English Pub? ROAV needs to offer something no one else can get at home. That's what's lacking.
As for the Cove and Rausch Creek, those were just piss-poor planned events. Members had, what, 3-weeks to plan due to the lack of communication? That's not nearly enough time for the working man to plan for a trip like this. It was a good idea, just poorly executed. If they do it again next year, which they should, hopefully they'll give the membership a heads up as to what's going on.
And one more note, not that it's going to make any difference. I mentioned to several of the ROAV officers that they should change the "elections" for officers to coincide with MAR. The ABM should be held at MAR. This is for more than one meaningful reason.
1) The membership at least has a chance to vote. It's the same people year-after-year at the ABM in Richmond and a majority of the members should have the opportunity to vote. The dipshit ROAV officers voted on, and passed, to do away with Proxy Voting this year. That was a dick-head move. It was selfish. Now, in no way, shape or form can a bulk of the ROAV membership participate in voting unless they drive to Richmond, VA, to sit though a shitty dinner and boring meeting. Not only that, but they must pay for the meeting meal and, most likely, a hotel room for the night. So if someone from, say, NJ wanted to vote, they're looking at a minimum of $300.00 after fuel, food, hotel, and meeting expenses. That's bullshit.
2) It would give the newly elected officers a chance to get settled in and plan for the Spring Rally. As it is now elections are held in February or March, and the first event is in May. How is it reasonably possible to get caught up on all the old business AND plan and announce an event with enough time for members to prepare in less than 2-months? The result is exactly what happened with the Cove this past year.
3) It gives people another reason to attend MAR and gives them something to do while there.
4) If ROAV expects to take a loss on the ABM, which they do EVERY SINGLE YEAR, why not eliminate that expense and roll it into the MAR expenses? ROAV is already shelling out serious money for a fucking tent that's purpose is solely for an auction and dinner that do not even cover the expense for the fucking tent in the first place. 1+1=2.
Anyway, I guess it does not make any sense to anyone but me.
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Very good point on having the election at MAR, and very well presented.
Can't beleive this is from the same man who saw a guy in baggy underware and decided to take a picture of it!
Can't beleive this is from the same man who saw a guy in baggy underware and decided to take a picture of it!
Well after 4 years of bashing the event you finally have an idea that has some merit.
You being a local and know-er of all that everyone should do and enjoy and a following of 10s, should run for office instead of just complaining about how others do what they feel is best for the organization who elected them...on their own time. Or just go to the events that are worthy of you and leave the rest of the world to struggle away on their own.
Do you think there will be 150 trucks at URE?
You being a local and know-er of all that everyone should do and enjoy and a following of 10s, should run for office instead of just complaining about how others do what they feel is best for the organization who elected them...on their own time. Or just go to the events that are worthy of you and leave the rest of the world to struggle away on their own.
Do you think there will be 150 trucks at URE?
Following of 10's? By my count, Randy, about 250 agree with me.
And why should I run for office? I tell the others exactly what I think. These are not new ideas. Just because you just now heard of it does not make it new. I have been saying this for years.
Shit, I wrote 12 pages worth of reasonable By-Laws for ROAV and mailed it to them for consideration back in March. This same shit was in those By-Laws. The reason you're just now hearing about it is because ROAV can't communicate for shit what's going on or what's being discussed in their private meetings. They will not tell you. It's weird shit, man. They are the only "club" or origination I've ever heard of that will not tell their members whats going on.
As for the Fall URE, what the fuck does that have to do with MAR or ROAV? I don't know how many trucks will be there; I've never been myself. But I do know a lot of people are going, and I know of more than one vendor who is going. Are you trying to say URE is the new MAR? Or that URE is trying to be the new MAR?
And why should I run for office? I tell the others exactly what I think. These are not new ideas. Just because you just now heard of it does not make it new. I have been saying this for years.
Shit, I wrote 12 pages worth of reasonable By-Laws for ROAV and mailed it to them for consideration back in March. This same shit was in those By-Laws. The reason you're just now hearing about it is because ROAV can't communicate for shit what's going on or what's being discussed in their private meetings. They will not tell you. It's weird shit, man. They are the only "club" or origination I've ever heard of that will not tell their members whats going on.
As for the Fall URE, what the fuck does that have to do with MAR or ROAV? I don't know how many trucks will be there; I've never been myself. But I do know a lot of people are going, and I know of more than one vendor who is going. Are you trying to say URE is the new MAR? Or that URE is trying to be the new MAR?
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some say cucumbers taste better pickled.
whatever happens, we need another event on the east coast that is as big as mar '02ish. the only thing missing from that was a giant man made out of straw getting torched at midnight. vendors out the wazoo, tons of people, little kids selling beer, fat chicks, the whole shabang.
randy, you gotta admit when only one guy this year shit his diaper....
whatever happens, we need another event on the east coast that is as big as mar '02ish. the only thing missing from that was a giant man made out of straw getting torched at midnight. vendors out the wazoo, tons of people, little kids selling beer, fat chicks, the whole shabang.
randy, you gotta admit when only one guy this year shit his diaper....
You may not be all there mentally, Widner. But even you get it. What's that say about some of these other guys?
I think it depends on your perspective; aside from the wonder of the 'glory days' of MAR-what's the point you are driving for? Should ROAV strive for that? Is that their mandate? Is attendance the metric of success?
While I don't think there is a clear mission/mandate/whatever for ROAV as it exists, I don't think your vision for it is what it would end up being. Your advocacy for the constituency is great, but by reciprocal that constituency has to do something and the vast majority of them simply do not.
Thus we're stuck with those that sacrifice the time and pull it together in whatever fashion they do. Or people could show up at the existing framework and be a part of it.
All that being said, your idea of doing the ABM at MAR is a good one. Sadly you're probably only going to get that by getting enough people on the board to change the bylaws/charter/etc.
While I don't think there is a clear mission/mandate/whatever for ROAV as it exists, I don't think your vision for it is what it would end up being. Your advocacy for the constituency is great, but by reciprocal that constituency has to do something and the vast majority of them simply do not.
Thus we're stuck with those that sacrifice the time and pull it together in whatever fashion they do. Or people could show up at the existing framework and be a part of it.
All that being said, your idea of doing the ABM at MAR is a good one. Sadly you're probably only going to get that by getting enough people on the board to change the bylaws/charter/etc.