We just held our annual meeting to discuss which events to attend during 2008. We came up with 14 local events scheduled for this season. Trying to come up with a consensus of which events to support is like pulling teeth.

In some ways, the authentic wing of the Hobby has it easy. In the entire Country, there's only about ten or twelve events to consider. There's 14, or more, Mainstream events within 150 miles of Philadelphia, Pa.

Over on Szabo's Forum there has been discussions of holding events every two of three years, but that doesn't seem likely, Nobody wants to be the one's who blink.

How do your units choose their events?  

Bill

Our group chooses much like you guys do.. We have the events that are local and our annual type events.  Some living histories and money makers for us (parades) that we do as standard.  Then we look to see if there is anything new each year that we might want to add or replace something with.

Then comes the discussion and vote.  Usually we get it done in about 3-4 hours on a saturday.

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Bill wrote : In some ways, the authentic wing of the Hobby has it easy. In the entire Country, there's only about ten or twelve events to consider.

Actually, I was wrong. The EBUFU Folder, on the A-C Forum, is showing only eight "Tier One" events in 2008. One of which takes place in February. I'm planning on attending three out of the eight. Man, am I hardcore, or what?  

I think some of the events that have seen sluggish attendence might want to consider going to the every other year schedule.

I enjoy going to McDowell, but I don't think I would go to it if it was an every year event.  I took a break from Cedar Creek last year and I might go back this year.  

We do Ridley each year, but we talk amongst our group and see what can we do to help keep it new for those who have been there.  Last year we did the scenario after the battle and that was a neat twist.  We discussed it with the organizer before we attempted it of course.

I think the tough thing is no one wants to be the first event to say, we will take this year off and go next year.  Especially places that rely on their events for revenue or donations.  

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Bill wrote :   Actually, I was wrong. The EBUFU Folder, on the A-C Forum, is showing only eight "Tier One" events in 2008. One of which takes place in February. I'm planning on attending three out of the eight. Man, am I hardcore, or what?

Careful Bill, don't leave me on the fence by my lonesome.

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toptimlrd wrote :  Careful Bill, don't leave me on the fence by my lonesome.

Don't worry Robert,

I'm taking my tent, cot, and cooler to at least eight other events this season.  

Our unit has yet to vote on which events, but I have ours already planned... Most of them cant make half the events anyways, and Im not missing them because of that June is slightly busy for us!

"Too many events" may be comlaining about the lack of attendence this year.

Dave, I think you hit the nail on the head. That's what I've been thinking.

Rob

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GrumpyDave wrote : "Too many events" may be comlaining about the lack of attendence this year.

Dave,

It's my guess, the established events, like Neshaminy and Ridley Creek, that draw the majority of participants from the local area, will do just fine. It may be a tough year for new events and the big "National" events that normally draw folks from long distances. In fact, the price of gas may well help attendance at some of the local events.

It will be interesting to see how the more authentic events make out this year. Campaigners are used to traveling long distances for their events, but these events also draw from a much smaller pool of reenactors.  

It's kind of simple for us (our unit being the "specialty impression" of dismounted cavalry). We usually attend the same events our mounted command attends. In this we know we'll be utilized in a more or less authentic manner and be welcomed in the cavalry camp. That usually means the same events each year. In years past, before we hooked up with them, the dismounted folks were pretty much treated like the proverbial red headed step child and shuffled off to a far flank and forgotten.

That being said, it might be worth giving a try at an event or two without them. Not that we're looking to have anyone change scenarios or kiss our arses, but it's good to know we'll be a welcome addition.  

--Last edited by mstuart on 2008-01-17 13:50:00 --

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How do your units choose their events?

Bill,

Normally, the board of directors prepares a ballot of events for the membership to vote on electronically or by snail mail, and the results are tallied in time for the annual membership meeting a few months later. The voting categories are yes, no, and H--l No! There is a write-in option. I think it's Harry who votes for Disneyworld every year.

Last year, we had a mainstream event on the schedule, as we do most years, and the membership zeroed that out in rapid fashion, so this year we'll have two mainstream events on the ballot (maybe), and see where that goes. One mainstream adjunct has already created a formal complaint, so there's some momentum for you.

I need to get off my butt and get registered for Glendale before all the slots are filled. Really.

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toptimlrd wrote :Careful Bill, don't leave me on the fence by my lonesome.

Don't worry, there are more of us fence straddlers than just Bill.

We compile a list of likey events and then vote on which ones to set as "sanctioned" unit events.  Beyond that, we decide what events some of us would like to attend that aren't on the official list, and if they don't conflict, we see who wants to make it to those as well.

Being a member of a unit that has a monthly newsletter, the Board of Directors compiles a list of potential events, publishes them in the newsletter and then at our January meeting we caucus (there's that word again) and vote on the events we want to do as a unit. Then there's folks like me who'll drag people off (sometimes kicking and screaming)to other events.

This model has worked for us for the last 35 years. Hopefully it will continue.

Rob

Im on the fence myself... I probably would have been over if it werent for a few small factors!

Staying on the fence does give more events though.

Rob, some years back that fence was hurting my butt.  I had to get off of it   !

Ken, I tried to have it surgically removed this year but there is a back log and it can't happen until next year.

Rob

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Ken Cornett wrote : Rob, some years back that fence was hurting my butt.  I had to get off of it   !

Ken,

Truth be known, it seems the majority of folks who attend the more authentic events are fence sitters. Either that, ot they don't attend a lot of events!

On my little poll of what Top Tier CPH events people were attending, only one person suggested he might attend more than three. For the rest of the folks, that makes for a pretty light schedule. Am I missing something?    

--Last edited by Bill on 2008-01-18 18:39:41 --

Bill, don't forget about the next two tiers.

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Charles Heath wrote : Bill, don't forget about the next two tiers.

Charles,

I didn't forget. But, it seems those top eight are really the only pure CPH events on the schedule, although I'm sure ther are other smaller reenactments and living histories I'm not aware of.  

I was really just pulling Ken's chain. I don't care what people call themselves or what events they choose to attend. As far as I can figure, we registered, certified, and bonded fence sitters have the very best of both worlds. God knows I'm too old and decrepit to deal with ten or twelve campaign events in a season.    

--Last edited by Bill on 2008-01-18 23:06:29 --