A Poll For Western Rally Attendees

[D and M On The Road]

We've (Searchers, ToolManRoy & myself) been exchanging some email lately about the structure of 2006 Western Region’s Lake Siskiyou Rally and Searchers said maybe we should ask the folks who attended the 2005 Western Regional Rally how THEY liked the way the 2005 Rally was structured.

Great idea.

So, if you kindly would give us input as to how you liked the way the 2005 Western Regional Rally was structured. It will give us some idea on how to organize the 2006 Rally. Please try to answer each of the questions even if they seem a bit redundant. Thanks!

Did you attend the 2005 Western Regional Rally?

Are you attending the 2006 Western Regional Rally?

We realize that a large portion of the Western Members are still employed, or at least their spouse is. Does this describe you? Or are both of you retired?

Does having the Rally on a holiday weekend (extra day) help you to be able to attend? Would you be able to attend if it wasn’t on a holiday weekend?

If you or your spouse is still employed, is it easy to get time off, or do you have to put in for time off "many moons" ahead?

The 2005 Western Regional Rally was very informal and lightly structured to give members free time to do as they pleased whether it was sightseeing, getting together with other members to play golf, driving up “the mountain” or drinking margaritas(!).
Did you like the spontaneity of those events or do you think they should be formally organized ahead of time to keep all the members more together during the Rally?

Any Rally location is very important as to whether vendors will agree to come give presentations. If it were possible to get vendors to come to the Western Regional Rally and give presentations, would you attend their presentations because you felt that you “had to” attend or would you attend because you wanted to? Would you think the presentations are infringing upon time that you’d rather be out doing something else?

It seems that most folks would really love to attend a big NATIONAL MOC Rally. Should the Western Regional Rally stay away from being highly structured and leave it up to the National Rally to be more structured with events and presentations so it's more of a major event for those who attend the National Rally? Maybe what I am trying to say here is... are we duplicating ourselves by having vendors at the Regional Rallys?

Our 2005 Western Regional Rally was basically Friday thru the Monday due to the organizers having to get back to work. Do you think this was an acceptable length of time for a REGIONAL Rally?

If you have a drivng limit in terms of hours, how far away is your limit to be able to attend a Regional Rally?

Is there anything else you'd like to see happen during a Regional Rally?

Any other comments or suggestions are encouraged..... not that we can guarantee we'll be able to follow thru on them, but it's great feedback for those who might organize a Western Regional Rally in the future or for those who are just reading the responses to see how others feel.

Thank you very much!

[Parrothead]

We really liked (loved) the 2005 rally. I don't think you need to change anything. I didn't expect vendors so didn't miss them. It was nice to have some structure (potluck, show and tell) and nice to have some spontaneity (Mexican dinner, drive to Mt.Shasta).
Happy trails.................

[mike johnson]

The Western Region Rally was the first rally we have ever attended so we had no expectations. We loved the light structure, leaving us time to do our own thing, walk the dog, etc. We would not be interested in having vendors as we see that geared for a National rally with more attendees. We see the regional rally as more of a meet and mingle with other Monty owners. We liked the relaxed, casual ambience and would not change that. Maybe a boat ride on the lake, another show and tell, the campfire get togethers were great! And of course a group photo! We are both retired now and can travel anywhere anytime pretty much!

[DHenry]

Last years Western Region Rally was the first rally we attended so far. We liked it so much that we signed up for the Reno Rally and next years Western Region Rally. The format of the 2005 rally was great. Both Shaorn and I are retired so the travel days are easy for us, holiday weekends seem to be more crowded than we really like, but we came early and left after the holiday. Vendors are OK with us, I am always up for learning something about the RV industry. I did like the golfing day and the drive to Mt. Shasta. The dinner in town was another highlight of the entire weekend. I guess a couple more days would allow for more activities such as Vendors, Computer training, etc. I think a meet and greet get-together the first evening would be one of the things we could suggest. Thanks for including the members in you quest for a better rally.

[rlwhit]

We are both retired so travel is not an issue. I would vote no venders. Too much of life is commercial. Would love to have a computer presentation. So much I do not know. Really liked the freedom we had last year. Looking forward to meet all the new folks. Keep up the campfires!!!

[Parrothead]

If the computer thing goes okay at Reno, we can do it at Mt. Shasta. However, unless Steve comes to Mt. Shasta, I won't have a backup. But Dennis can demonstrate his DirecWay.
Happy trails.....................

[melnjoy]

With the exception of the up coming Minden Rally, this will be our 1st Annual Rally we will have attended. Mel is still working so can't actually guarentee we'll be there, but If my vote counts, I think to have too much structure would impair the rally. There is always a County Fair with vendors and commercialism going on somewhere if one really wants that. It is not often folks who have got to know each other through mutual highs and lows have an opportunity to get together and share in person.

Some structure within the group is great, like for instance, the computer presentations, or maybe someone could come up with the top 50 HOT Topics on the MOC from the past year kind of thing to show and tell or discuss. I also think the actual show and tell of improvments is an awesome idea and is still at a personal level, as is a potluck idea or a guys or ladies night out.

I think a 4-7 day event is great if it is at all possible, understanding those putting it together have to go to an awful lot of work to make it work. I also think as a couple of years pass, you'll find yourself with more "known" people who would be able to assist in the rally itself.

Anyway, thats my 2 cents worth.

Joy

[Gypsy]

I don't have much to add to the excellent replies you've already received, but will offer my 2 cents anyway.

I attended last year and plan to attend again in 2006, provided I make it to that neck of the woods. I'm retired so the length of the rally isn't a concern. It's nice to spend a holiday weekend with friends in a campground and not on the road with all the crazy people rushing around.

I liked the loosely structured schedule to allow time for informal chatting with other Montana owners. I'd love to attend a session on using the MOC Forum, and maybe one on general computer stuff as well, including info on wireless computing (HamRad, could you lead that?). I liked the show 'n tell, Mexican dinner - especially if Dave gets the bill again - and group campfires. Since we had so much leftover food at the potluck dinner, maybe we should plan for a "potluck leftovers" feast also. I don't care for vendors to attend in a formal way, since I get enough of that at Escapades, etc. However, if a vendor wants to attend and give us useful information in the form of a seminar, that would be nice. The meet & greet session is a good idea -- it went well at the Great Lakes rally and helped us all get to know each other. A boat ride sounds like fun, too. A lot of us take photos, but having an 'official' photographer to provide a CD of all photos at the end of the rally worked well at Great Lakes - Ron Ames (rames14) combined photos from 3 (I think) photographers and gave everyone attending a copy.

Hope this helps, and looking forward to seeing everyone in May!
Sharon the Gypsy

[sreigle]

Sue, we're hoping to make the Mt. Shasta rally next year, if all works out for us. There are probably better choices for your backup, though. I just type fast! (and a lot)

Just a thought... I thought the national rally last September was pretty loosely structured and I liked it that way. There were some planned things including vendor presentations but those were purely optional. Those interested attended. Others did not. We were not like some of the huge rallys you read about where there are booths and there are seminars going on all the time. We had just a few things and a lot of free time to do what you want.

I'm sure whatever you all decide it will be a great rally. We're sure hoping we can be there.

[drhowell]

I only managed to stop by for a couple hours but plan to attend in 06. I like the loosely structured theme with lots of interaction, getting to know other MOC members and sharing stories etc. I agree with most of the other comments above. Since it is only a few days don't try to pack every minute with an activity. The best part of this type gathering is the low key relaxed friendly atmosphere. A couple nights of group dinners or potluck combinations is good until you get 100 or more people then you need to start looking at catered events. Lets not make too much work for those putting it together. Find us a place, plan a couple dinners/potlucks, a little light entertainment (games, contests, etc)and have time to relax and enjoy also. Everyone will fill in the blanks as needed.