MM Spring Car Show 2015 - Planning Thread

[JPolen01]

We as officers were just raised different and don't like to be a pain in the ass and annoying to people like some of you recommend. Sorry, that we have these differences in our lives. Go ahead and take your anger out on me. No problem!

Updates are coming, everyone needs to relax. More information will be posted tonight.

This is the most foolish post I have read in awhile and exactly why you are getting negative feedback from us alumni. This is the one event alumni look forward to every year and frankly isn't that hard to plan. Getting a date is the first thing you do at the beginning of the semester when you are putting together the schedule. Now you are a few weeks away from when the show is supposed to to take place with no firm date. How are you going to vendors to commit with barely 1 months notice? How about other clubs? How about us alumni that make it into a weekend event?

Stop acting like we are annoying you when we have done this and know what it takes to get it done. Admit that your behind, own it, and give us the solution. Don't let some pencil pusher behind a desk give you the run around. You'll need to learn to poke people until you get an answer without fearing that you'll be annoying.

[rherold9]

The show isn't a few weeks away. But, we will be updating. No worries.

We have never in fact pushed the blame or called anyone annoying (complaining doesn't equal annoying) nor have we said we aren't behind.

[Sully]

[rherold9]

Yes indeed, some of us just have to relax a bit. We understand they care though.

[Senor_Taylor]

I can't speak for certain, but I would say trying to factor in a Verona Auto-x may have hindered a bit of progress.

[shenvalleyrx]

as a pre-Madipalooza alumni... wtf is madipalooza?

[davej]

it's like a regular palooza but with 15% more purple and gold.

[Sully]

as a pre-Madipalooza alumni... wtf is madipalooza?

Its like springfest but sans any type of alcohol whatsoever and replace an event for young adults with one for small children. They bring inflatable stuff and have little games set up. Yep, exactly like a fair for toddler's except much higher police presence.

In a huge crazy coincidence,it also always falls around the dates springfest would/should occur.

[Jake]

I can't speak for certain, but I would say trying to factor in a Verona Auto-x may have hindered a bit of progress.

...when in fact DJ was the only one to reach out to Ray Schumin about the idea and possible coordination? :finger: That's not "oh, so I hear," that's what Ray told me when we worked a flag station at the VMP autocross a few weeks ago. We had about an hour and a half to stand and chat, and one of the first things he brought up was how no students had contacted him from JMU.

I can't wait for my grumpy almuni status so I can complain all the time instead of giving people the chance. Thank you to the others who are standing by and waiting around for the date to be nailed down.

Ryan, there is a difference between being annoying/a pain, and being firm and persistent. I'm only recommending the latter.

Polen's point is the truth. If you want the show to be well-attended by anyone other than students (who mostly seem to plan a week in advance, this was the case when I was there as well), you really need to do this stuff well in advance and have a date on lock. Remember, you're trying to get alumni (who have lives), other college car clubs (who host and attend events), local folk/NASA and SCCA members/show 'n' shine fans (who also have lives) all out to this one event. What about sponsors? There is a lot of turnaround time that has to be built in when reaching out to so many groups, and it's not always apparent on the surface.

I'm not ruling out the chance of a good show, not by any means. And really, if a bunch of us alumni get down there and sit in a parking lot drinking Bud Light out of Paul's VW Caddy before heading downtown for some local grub, we'll have a good time no matter what. We always do. But we're all trying to ensure things are a success, because this is the one big event every year in which this club's name gets pushed out to the community, beyond the local motorsports and collegiate realm.

If you'd take some of this as constructive criticism, instead of Polecat and I picking a fight, you might realize that we're ultimately trying to be helpful.

[shenvalleyrx]

Its like springfest but sans any type of alcohol whatsoever and replace an event for young adults with one for small children. They bring inflatable stuff and have little games set up. Yep, exactly like a fair for toddler's except much higher police presence.

In a huge crazy coincidence,it also always falls around the dates springfest would/should occur.

[nismosam]

Alrighty, so I spoke with the head of parking services today and he actually cleared us to get C4 for April 11th now (which Debbie said wouldn't happen). We've already submitted some of the paperwork now, and lastly Debbie has to clear the event again and sign 1 more form, then we should have an "offical" date of the 11th. I'll post back on Wednesday when I meet with Debbie about the last forms.

[rherold9]

We didn't contact Ray because we wanted to confirm a date so this very thing didn't happen.....

I'll take it as constructive criticism when it shows that it is. Just as your post right there was Jake. There is a big difference in that post then there has been in several other people's post. Instead of, oh step down, why haven't you guys done anything, etc, etc... when we have been doing things. We aren't sitting here jerking our dick's in a corner and laughing about how we can do nothing and as little as possible to get by. We be trying

Also, if everyone relaxed a bit sometimes it would be a lot better in general. Yes, you want things to work out, Yes you care, Yes you want the club to shine. We realize that and we want that too lol. We have information coming it has been one weekend since our last update. We have been in meetings. We have paper work now filled. Take a chill pill you all. We miss you all too alumni. So much feels bb's.

[Goodspeed]

Alrighty, so I spoke with the head of parking services today and he actually cleared us to get C4 for April 11th now (which Debbie said wouldn't happen). We've already submitted some of the paperwork now, and lastly Debbie has to clear the event again and sign 1 more form, then we should have an "offical" date of the 11th. I'll post back on Wednesday when I meet with Debbie about the last forms.

The whole lot? Excellent! Make sure you get all the i's dotted and t's crossed on the paperwork, and make copies. I've had JMU offices "misplace" paperwork in my time.

And, if/when you get the signed copies and everything looks legit, before the ink dries you should have your first sponsors on the phone. Not beating a dead horse here, but it's getting late guys. Get on it!

[Tyler.M]

I get you guys don't like being pushed, Herold... but you guys took on the positions of being officers knowing how the alumni culture is. Its late and the basics aren't covered. Whining that we're pushing you too hard is like a fat kid whining that he doesn't want to run in gym class. If you need help with sponsors/ finding cool cars and people to come out, ask for it. If you need help figuring out the complexities of dealing with JMU ask for it. But don't tell us to chill out when we want this car show to be successful.

[rherold9]

But don't tell us to chill out when we want this car show to be successful.

Yes, you want things to work out, Yes you care, Yes you want the club to shine. We realize that and we want that too lol. We have information coming it has been one weekend since our last update. We have been in meetings. We have paper work now filled. Take a chill pill you all. We miss you all too alumni. So much feels bb's.

Alrighty, so I spoke with the head of parking services today and he actually cleared us to get C4 for April 11th now (which Debbie said wouldn't happen). We've already submitted some of the paperwork now, and lastly Debbie has to clear the event again and sign 1 more form, then we should have an "offical" date of the 11th. I'll post back on Wednesday when I meet with Debbie about the last forms.

[rschumin]

I can't speak for certain, but I would say trying to factor in a Verona Auto-x may have hindered a bit of progress.

Just to be clear about this...

The reason there is a BRR autocross scheduled for Verona on April 12 is to support the MM car show on April 11. When DJ reached out to me, BRR did not have an April date set. I went to the BRR board and lobbied for the date.

The idea of having both events on the same weekend would provide the opportunity for a richer experience for people attending the car show. I also arranged for reduced cost SCCA weekend membership for anyone who did both events. From the SCCA side it chance to get an audience of people who already like cars and driving, and expose them to an accessible and safe form of motorsport. If some of those people continue in the sport all the better. It seemed like a classic win-win situation to me.

While I'm at it, I know I stirred the pot about the the officers giving up too easily. That led to some comments that were meant to be constructive, but sure felt like criticism to those on the receiving side. If that caused any hurt feelings I apologize for that, but the fact is those comments were spot on. Starting to plan early and learning how to walk the line between being insistent and being an asshole are skills that will serve you well.

OK enough of that, on to the good stuff. I should have registration ready for the April 12 autocross soon. In any case I can give you a QR code to put on the show fliers. We will also have to work out some sort of "proof of purchase" for show attendees to get the discount when the pay for the autocross the next day.

[D_Eclipse9916]

We didn't contact Ray because we wanted to confirm a date so this very thing didn't happen.....
.

What thing to happen? You mean since you guys said "you were in touch" but never actually in touch?

Dates were open for discussion, I contacted an event partner that could increase attendance at ours, make the weekend more fun, and set an actual date; at :GASP: the requirement of one person to push a little harder on Debbie and the parking services. You will learn in the real world that it requires a bit more than "sir may I have another" to get people to move on stuff. :mrgreen:

We were all there, you have to remember, we are alumni for a reason. We know the process and we know your mindset. We are pushing you because we know it is slightly more than an email's worth of work. This is not criticism, and if we take the ego out of it, we can work together.

[davej]

car show and auto x on the same weekend?!

[Jake]

^ +Millions to that

[Tyler.M]

car show and auto x on the same weekend?!

YYAAAAASSSSS