There will be a slush (winter) season. At least SF chapter does.


Also I should be there.

updates

there will no longer be a drive/cruise for this event.

event will run until 2:00 PM only

that maybe gives people some time to catch up and go to pmok's party

It doesn't have to come off "mean". The person serving food can simply say "Hey if you need wristbands, they are $20 a pop which includes food and a raffle ticket to win awesome prizes...now hurry up and buy before the food gets cold!" The MR2 meet last week also handed out wristbands after you registered.

Speaking of food, Plato @PMok, Eric @mkiisupra, Brian @BigFatFlip and I were cooking/serving food at the last NorCal meet in Livermore and I think the guys can also attest that we heard a few grumblings about the lack of food. I know that it can be very challenging when it comes to predicting how much food to purchase, but if I have any advice for the next meet, this would be the area that we need to pay close attention to. If memory serves me right, I think we had plenty of leftovers at the Novato meet. I'm confident that we can dial in the right amount of food for the next event :thumbup:

I know that the amount for the registration fee was discussed prior to the last meet. I'm pretty naive when it comes to the financing for an event like this and I can care less since I enjoy meeting fellow enthusiasts and seeing what mods people are doing. But I did hear someone bring up the fact that with 60+ cars including a handful of plus 1's at $20 a head, we're talking $1,500 - $1,700. I'm not sure what the final amount spent on food and raffle prizes (free from sponsors or not), but I think it's coming to a point that our group is growing and we need to be somewhat transparent. The more members, the more personalities and I think that comes with the territory. We also need to be sensitive to the fact that people may ask or question where the funds are being spent, not as an insult but as a general question when we are dealing with that amount of money...and we just need to be prepared to provide an answer.

Rick

the problem with the lack of food is because people are not pre registering.

during the last meet only 48 cars pre registered. there were about 20 people who registered the the night before or the day itself. i count and estimate the number of heads 1 day before the event. if you register late, of course you wont be allocated for the food. this is why i urge people to register ahead of time. i already learned my lesson during the novato meet where in i bought double the food and threw away a lot.


to tell you frankly, $1700 is not enough. here is a round down of all the cost involved in setting up an event.

1. park rental - $400-500

2. Food, drinks, and picnic stuff - $500-600

3. trophies are $40 each. 5 awards so that's $200

4. the rest goes to raffle prizes and all.

if you notice i am very generous on the raffle prizes.


this time around the raffle prizes are worth $2500.


Axle Back Exhaust
TRD Strut Bar
TRD Under Braces
TOM's Tail Lights
Reverse/Brake Light LED Housing
Armreste
Custom duck bill spoiler i am making
And many more (TBA)


some of the cost i pay out of my pocket already just to promote the Norcal Owners Club

We really appreciate the work you put in JR and the cool trophies and raffle prizes. If this is not the same day as the 86Drive event I am willing to run to Costco or wherever to make sure there is not a lack of food for late reg'd attendees (or whatever else you need help with). I don't mind missing an hour or whatever. I know how hard it is to organize an event this large and you do a good job representing the owners club as much as possible without a doubt.

I will say that I can understand the things people at taking issue with, $20 is kind of high, but the event does have a high cost. Now with that, I do have a few ideas to talk to you about later on for the next meet (it is too late for them now).

I know havent attended any meets due to distance n work schedule but a twamp for these kind of events isnt high at all..youre getting food and a chance to win a prize worth more than 20 bucks..but thats my opinion..people dont have to participate..it is a club..

Errr just read about people who just wanted to stop by n socialize..well the wrist band to registered people sounds like a good idea..lol mah bad

Rick you raised some very good points here. I didn't mind paying $21 or whatever it was at that last meet because it was a fantastic meet and lots of cool prizes (I won something worth more than $20), but it did leave a sour taste in some people's mouths that there wasn't enough food. We can take some steps (like volunteering to bring extra "backup" food) to make sure that doesn't happen again.

Oh btw I can't take any credit for the cooking -- I was just hanging out with you guys (the cooks are always the most fun people). :)

the raffle prizes you've listed are pretty awesome I have to say. But those should largely be donated by sponsors/vendors and not something you (on behalf of the club) would have to purchase. Because if you're doing that and burning through the 'club budget' that is where you end up having to raise costs of the event. By efficiently using what limited resources you have focused on the event itself, you can try to keep the cost per person down. I think a lot of people would for example be happy to pay $10 for an event instead of $20 and forego the chance to win a $500 part. Maybe those who do want to win the good stuff, can pay more for raffle tix. :)

I know it's easier said than done, as I'm planning my own raffle party with prizes and it will also be in part donations from vendors and in part money out of the club funds (which are generated from sales of club products like the t-shirts and decals). I'm terrible at accounting though so most likely some of the funds will come out of my own pocket above and beyond what limited fundraising we've been able to do as a club.

I am happy to hear you will most likely move your BBQ/Meet to another date that won't conflict/overlap with our 86DRIVE event; if that happens I will certainly do my best to attend your meet as well -- the $20 is not that big a deal to me but I can understand all those who might see it as more money than they care to spend to attend a BBQ/Meet. Again it might be best to have multiple tiers of participation -- basic (attend meet and hang out), premium (attend, + food), limited/VIP (attend + food + raffle). Ideally the basic is free or close to it, and let the VIPs foot the bill haha.

now this is becoming more complicated than before... :(

closing this thread. i will be making a fresh one once i finalize the new date.