Rallies: what days of the week are best for people with J.O.B.s?

K

kab7

Active member
Sep 14, 2009
1,232
2
38
San Jose, CA
I've heard that various clubs start their ~5 day rallies on a Thursday or Friday in the hopes of getting younger folks (ie, working stiffs) to come to
the rally.
Ironically, this makes it much more difficult to get there if you have to plan around limited time off and some distance.

For example, we're about 870 miles away from Tuscon. If we drove 435 miles a day, we'd have to leave Thursday April 5th at the latest, and wouldn't
return until late on Friday the 13th at the earliest in order to attend the whole rally.
Not exactly a leisurely pace, and it will use up 7 vacation days.

If the rally ran Monday through Friday or Saturday, we'd have a weekend on either side for actually getting there and back, and
would end up only needing 5 vacation days.

So, what do other folks think? Would having future rallies Monday through Friday be better for working folks?

Karen
1975 26'
 
Karen,

Thanks for saying what I have been trying to get across for years - before
I gave up. Having those weekends to travel work a lot better and as you
pointed out, reduce the number of vacation days being used. Another thought
is planning around children's spring break and summer vacations. Little
harder, but might be worth a shot. Teachers have it harder to get time off
during school time.

Thanks again for bringing this point forward.

Fay Curtis
'76 Glenbrook
Kneeland, CA near the edge of nowhere

> I've heard that various clubs start their ~5 day rallies on a Thursday or
> Friday in the hopes of getting younger folks (ie, working stiffs) to come to
> the rally.
> Ironically, this makes it much more difficult to get there if you have to
> plan around limited time off and some distance.
>
> For example, we're about 870 miles away from Tuscon. If we drove 435
> miles a day, we'd have to leave Thursday April 5th at the latest, and
> wouldn't
> return until late on Friday the 13th at the earliest in order to attend
> the whole rally.
> Not exactly a leisurely pace, and it will use up 7 vacation days.
>
> If the rally ran Monday through Friday or Saturday, we'd have a weekend on
> either side for actually getting there and back, and
> would end up only needing 5 vacation days.
>
> So, what do other folks think? Would having future rallies Monday
> through Friday be better for working folks?
>
> Karen
> 1975 26'
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Karen
Having managed the GMCM conventions for several years I can tell you that starting on Thursday was NOT an effort to get younger people to come to the conventions.

Starting on a Thursday usually makes it possible to even reserve a site. That leaves a Fri, Sat and Sunday at the end of our stay available for the campground to rent it out to another group
that wants to have a weekend rally usually starting on a Friday.

Retired people don’t normally care when it starts.
I agree that the travel time is not good for a working person.
That is why I didn’t start going to rallies until I was retired (however it helped that I retired at age 55).

There are other clubs that like to run from Friday to some time after the weekend.
If we had a rally Monday through Friday or Saturday that would take up two long weekends for the campground and many campground owners would not book us because they would loose the income from another
group. However if you can find a campground that would do those dates for us and that would have the other things we need for our convention such as full hookups, perhaps 200 spaces and buildings for our meals and seminars I am sure that Kim Weeks would be glad to work with you to change dates to accommodate you but it is not an easy task to find campgrounds that will meet our needs and which will be that flexible on dates.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> I've heard that various clubs start their ~5 day rallies on a Thursday or Friday in the hopes of getting younger folks (ie, working stiffs) to come to
> the rally.
> Ironically, this makes it much more difficult to get there if you have to plan around limited time off and some distance.
>
> For example, we're about 870 miles away from Tuscon. If we drove 435 miles a day, we'd have to leave Thursday April 5th at the latest, and wouldn't
> return until late on Friday the 13th at the earliest in order to attend the whole rally.
> Not exactly a leisurely pace, and it will use up 7 vacation days.
>
> If the rally ran Monday through Friday or Saturday, we'd have a weekend on either side for actually getting there and back, and
> would end up only needing 5 vacation days.
>
> So, what do other folks think? Would having future rallies Monday through Friday be better for working folks?
>
> Karen
> 1975 26'
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Good points Karen. If I remember correctly, GMCMI conventions are normally seven day events and used to run from Saturday to the following Friday. I
have been to two of them (Pueblo at almost 800 miles from home, and Shawnee, almost 1000 miles). Each required me to take an extra day or two off. I
usually don't have a problem with this as I am self employed, but it takes a little extra planning for my wife.

I believe the reason for the schedule shift was to accommodate working people who want to attend the weekend portion of the event. I don't know how
successful that effort was, but maybe it could be revisited if necessary. We have let our Western States membership lapse for the very reason you
have cited. We just haven't been able to attend their rallies at their scheduled locations and times.

The alternative, of course, is to attend as much as the rally as your work schedule allows. Not the ideal solution, but better than missing the whole
thing. I think there are ways to do that without having to pay the entire rally fee.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Carl
If you read the reply that I sent to Karen you can see that the reason for starting on a
Thursday (what you call a schedule shift) was not to accommodate working people who want to attend the weekend portion.

If was done to allow us to basically find sites that would accommodate us. Over the years as camping became more popular it is getting harder to find sites that meet our requirements.
We like to stay in sites that have many amenities such as full hookups, meeting rooms, etc. It has gotten a little easier as our fall conventions used to be attended by about 250 GMCs.
Now it is more like 150-200. On the GMCMI site there is a Site Selection Form that you can download and submit potential sites to our Convention Manager (Kim Weeks). This form is at http://www.gmcmi.com/site-selection-form/ http://www.gmcmi.com/site-selection-form/
If you read the form you will see how difficult it is to find sites that really can meet our needs.

If your or Karen or others can find a site that will meet our needs as outlined on the Site Selection form and that will also allow us to book a Monday to Saturday convention I am sure that Kim would be more than willing to make that change.

We are always looking for suggestions on sites that we should use. Unfortunately we get very little help from the members in suggesting sites that meet our needs. It is a difficult task that takes a lot of Kim’s time.

Emery Stora
77 Kingsley
Frederick, CO

>
> Good points Karen. If I remember correctly, GMCMI conventions are normally seven day events and used to run from Saturday to the following Friday. I
> have been to two of them (Pueblo at almost 800 miles from home, and Shawnee, almost 1000 miles). Each required me to take an extra day or two off. I
> usually don't have a problem with this as I am self employed, but it takes a little extra planning for my wife.
>
> I believe the reason for the schedule shift was to accommodate working people who want to attend the weekend portion of the event. I don't know how
> successful that effort was, but maybe it could be revisited if necessary. We have let our Western States membership lapse for the very reason you
> have cited. We just haven't been able to attend their rallies at their scheduled locations and times.
>
> The alternative, of course, is to attend as much as the rally as your work schedule allows. Not the ideal solution, but better than missing the whole
> thing. I think there are ways to do that without having to pay the entire rally fee.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I take your point Emery. If we had people arrive on Monday and ran through the following Friday or Saturday, that would only use one weekend of the
park as far as I can tell (aside from early arrivals). We'll have to try it in future and see if it would work with the venues we find. Doesn't
hurt to ask.

thanks,
Karen
1975 26'
 
Emery,

That absolutely makes sense. I had thought I'd read somewhere the change was for the reasons I stated. I understand the logistical problems of
scheduling an event of this size must be extremely difficult. As a working couple, I really appreciate what people like you and Kim do to make these
things happen, and wish I had more time to help.

I am also very happy to live in the town where the next GMCMI will be held. In a few years, when we are retired, the location will not be nearly as
much of an issue to us and we can hopefully attend more of these events.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
 
Having sat on the Board for many years, I can attest others that the Board
and the officers are always seeking ways to try to make it more convienent
for ALL the members to attend.
It is always refreshing to receive feedback and weigh how we can do better.
Should people do not care about paying more for the convention, lot of
things can be done, but when it comes down to cost, that does create an
issue.
People like Fred Hudspeth and Emery Stora bring depth to our organization
as I have been there to see first handed their contribution.

> Emery,
>
> That absolutely makes sense. I had thought I'd read somewhere the change
> was for the reasons I stated. I understand the logistical problems of
> scheduling an event of this size must be extremely difficult. As a
> working couple, I really appreciate what people like you and Kim do to make
> these
> things happen, and wish I had more time to help.
>
> I am also very happy to live in the town where the next GMCMI will be
> held. In a few years, when we are retired, the location will not be nearly
> as
> much of an issue to us and we can hopefully attend more of these events.
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive,
> Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American
> Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>

--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
jimk
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
 
Jim,

I agree 100%!

Now all the Board needs to do is figure out how to shrink the USA to make it easier for people from all the regions to attend the
conventions!

;-)

Regards,
Rob M.
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
USA '77 Kingsley - TZE 267V100808

-----Original Message-----
From: Gmclist [mailto:gmclist-bounces] On Behalf Of Jim Kanomata
Sent: Thursday, January 4, 2018 3:43 PM
To: gmclist
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Rallies: what days of the week are best for people with J.O.B.s?

Having sat on the Board for many years, I can attest others that the Board and the officers are always seeking ways to try to make
it more convienent for ALL the members to attend. It is always refreshing to receive feedback and weigh how we can do better. Should
people do not care about paying more for the convention, lot of things can be done, but when it comes down to cost, that does create
an issue. People like Fred Hudspeth and Emery Stora bring depth to our organization as I have been there to see first handed their
contribution.

Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Newark,CA
 
Emery,

Having in the past I spent time scheduling rallies for the GMC Tidewater
Crabs and the GMC Sunshine Statesmen, I don't see how you, Kim and the Board
successful come up with the great rally sites that you do. Now that the economy
has improved and people are returning to the camp facilities, campgrounds with
any amenities are booked up and really don't care to book rallies because of the
administrative nightmares and loss of revenue on sites for days before and after
rallies. Just this RV season, we have had Encore break two contracts just weeks before
our scheduled rallies. In Feb. we had to cancel than month's rally. Our only options
are FMCA's regional rally (considered by some GMCers to be too expensive and a hassle
for what they offer). A new option is a rally put on by the TIN CAN TOURISTS, which
we are recommending to our membership. Finding a decent campground that will set aside
sites for 20 to up to 200 campers is not as EZ as people think.

jim Galbavy
'73 x-CL ANNIE
Lake Mary, Fl


 
No, I do not have any fast and easy answer.

After years of scheduling meetings, events, regattas, gams, rendezvous, trail rides, and RV rallies, I can very faithfully promise you that there is
no easy answer.

There is actually a chapter that we started out as members of but had to drop until we were both finally retired because the rally schedule prohibited
working owner from making it to most.

This is also why the South East Michigan and Northern Ohio (SEMNO) GMC Owners Network luncheons are on a Saturday. Others can be other days, but I
was and am working to get the younger (and hopefully employed) owners to come and join us. We have had moderate success.

When we attended our first international, it was actually a joint rally and the local headed up the first days. This was difficult for us to attend.
We also drove 1108 miles in one day (meaning a 24 hour period) to get to our first spring rally. That made us decide to not do that again until we
were both retired.

I have to commend Kim for what she does, but we are going to miss this spring even if my engine is done because we are expecting a granddaughter to
arrive about then and someone wants to be nearby when that happens.

Matt
--
Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
 
There are many places to see the GMCMH Community Calendar:

GMCMI maintains a google calendar on the website at
http://www.gmcmi.com/gmc-calendar/, pins the current month on each of the
face book pages (https://www.facebook.com/groups/vintagegmcmotorhomes/ and
https://www.facebook.com/GMCMI/) with a link to the website calendar, a
list of the two upcoming months are in the monthly "GMCMI eNews" with the
calendar website link, PLUS a calendar listings on the inside back page of
the "GMC Vintage RVing" magazine.These calendars are maintained by
reviewing each GMCMH chapter website quarterly, along with emails received
from the individual chapters.

Kimberlea Weeks
GMCMI VP Administration and Convention Manager
612.501.4600 | f.866.519.0047 | www.gmcmi.com
1402 So. Cage Blvd | Unit 273 | Pharr | TX 78577-6288

> No, I do not have any fast and easy answer.
>
> After years of scheduling meetings, events, regattas, gams, rendezvous,
> trail rides, and RV rallies, I can very faithfully promise you that there is
> no easy answer.
>
> There is actually a chapter that we started out as members of but had to
> drop until we were both finally retired because the rally schedule
> prohibited
> working owner from making it to most.
>
> This is also why the South East Michigan and Northern Ohio (SEMNO) GMC
> Owners Network luncheons are on a Saturday. Others can be other days, but I
> was and am working to get the younger (and hopefully employed) owners to
> come and join us. We have had moderate success.
>
> When we attended our first international, it was actually a joint rally
> and the local headed up the first days. This was difficult for us to
> attend.
> We also drove 1108 miles in one day (meaning a 24 hour period) to get to
> our first spring rally. That made us decide to not do that again until we
> were both retired.
>
> I have to commend Kim for what she does, but we are going to miss this
> spring even if my engine is done because we are expecting a granddaughter to
> arrive about then and someone wants to be nearby when that happens.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
 
Here's the scoop on rally dates. There are many places to see the GMCMH Community Calendar:

GMCMI maintains a google calendar on the website at http://www.gmcmi.com/gmc-calendar/, pins the current month on each of the face book pages (https://www.facebook.com/groups/vintagegmcmotorhomes/ and https://www.facebook.com/GMCMI/) with a link to the website calendar, a list of the two upcoming months are in the monthly "GMCMI eNews" with the calendar website link, PLUS a calendar listings on the inside back page of the "GMC Vintage RVing" magazine.These calendars are maintained by reviewing each GMCMH chapter website quarterly, along with emails received from the individual chapters.
Sent from my iPhone

>
> No, I do not have any fast and easy answer.
>
> After years of scheduling meetings, events, regattas, gams, rendezvous, trail rides, and RV rallies, I can very faithfully promise you that there is
> no easy answer.
>
> There is actually a chapter that we started out as members of but had to drop until we were both finally retired because the rally schedule prohibited
> working owner from making it to most.
>
> This is also why the South East Michigan and Northern Ohio (SEMNO) GMC Owners Network luncheons are on a Saturday. Others can be other days, but I
> was and am working to get the younger (and hopefully employed) owners to come and join us. We have had moderate success.
>
> When we attended our first international, it was actually a joint rally and the local headed up the first days. This was difficult for us to attend.
> We also drove 1108 miles in one day (meaning a 24 hour period) to get to our first spring rally. That made us decide to not do that again until we
> were both retired.
>
> I have to commend Kim for what she does, but we are going to miss this spring even if my engine is done because we are expecting a granddaughter to
> arrive about then and someone wants to be nearby when that happens.
>
> Matt
> --
> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
Thanks to ALL who put in the time and effort to coordinate these rally's.
What a logistical nightmare it must be. A job I would not want.......

Keep up the good work!

This working dummy does not mind burning a few days of sick leave to attend....that's my solution.
--
Scott Nutter
1978 Royale Center Kitchen, Patterson 455, switch pitch tranny, 3.21 final drive, Quad bags, tankless water heater, everything Lenzi.
Houston, Texas
 
To Jaye H.:
Thanks Jaye - good info!
Mike/The Corvair a holic

Sent from my iPhone

>
> Here's the scoop on rally dates. There are many places to see the GMCMH Community Calendar:
>
> GMCMI maintains a google calendar on the website at http://www.gmcmi.com/gmc-calendar/, pins the current month on each of the face book pages (https://www.facebook.com/groups/vintagegmcmotorhomes/ and https://www.facebook.com/GMCMI/) with a link to the website calendar, a list of the two upcoming months are in the monthly "GMCMI eNews" with the calendar website link, PLUS a calendar listings on the inside back page of the "GMC Vintage RVing" magazine.These calendars are maintained by reviewing each GMCMH chapter website quarterly, along with emails received from the individual chapters.
> Sent from my iPhone
>

>>
>> No, I do not have any fast and easy answer.
>>
>> After years of scheduling meetings, events, regattas, gams, rendezvous, trail rides, and RV rallies, I can very faithfully promise you that there is
>> no easy answer.
>>
>> There is actually a chapter that we started out as members of but had to drop until we were both finally retired because the rally schedule prohibited
>> working owner from making it to most.
>>
>> This is also why the South East Michigan and Northern Ohio (SEMNO) GMC Owners Network luncheons are on a Saturday. Others can be other days, but I
>> was and am working to get the younger (and hopefully employed) owners to come and join us. We have had moderate success.
>>
>> When we attended our first international, it was actually a joint rally and the local headed up the first days. This was difficult for us to attend.
>> We also drove 1108 miles in one day (meaning a 24 hour period) to get to our first spring rally. That made us decide to not do that again until we
>> were both retired.
>>
>> I have to commend Kim for what she does, but we are going to miss this spring even if my engine is done because we are expecting a granddaughter to
>> arrive about then and someone wants to be nearby when that happens.
>>
>> Matt
>> --
>> Matt & Mary Colie - '73 Glacier 23 - Members GMCMI, GMCGL, GMCES
>> Electronically Controlled Quiet Engine Cooling Fan
>> OE Rear Drum Brakes with Applied Control Arms
>> SE Michigan - Twixt A2 and Detroit
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
 
I've seen more than one discussion that basically went "we've always done it that way" or "I dunno, but in the past they've been held on these days,
so let's do it that way".

Stuff that makes sense for 200+ coaches may not apply to smaller groups. It wouldn't hurt to at least try and get ideal dates at target sites and
bend the dates if we have to rather than just assume up front that it's impossible to get what we want.

Just my .02.

Karen
1975 26'
 
> This working dummy does not mind burning a few days of sick leave to attend....that's my solution.

A lot of folks don't have the option of burning extra days.

Karen
1975 26'
 
Instead of expecting someone else to do it, why not volunteer and go on the Board
and YOU try to make a difference?

jim Galbavy
'73 x-CL ANNIE
Lake Mary, Fl
 
When there's a rally close to a show site I usually do a day or two.

--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
 
> Instead of expecting someone else to do it, why not volunteer and go on the Board
> and YOU try to make a difference?

No need to be offensive.

My purpose here is to find out *why* it's being done (thanks Emery), and *if* it's an issue for others (it is).
This discussion also helps raise the idea to the GMCMI board members who read the forum (several do), but GMCMI very rarely holds a rally even
remotely close to our area.

This is also an issue for local groups, which are much smaller and usually more flexible.
Now that I know it's not just us, I can approach the clubs of which I'm a member, and on whose boards I'm much more likely to serve.

Our discussion here may also alert folks on the forum who are in other groups that they might want to consider a change.
It's up to them to decide, but hopefully they will at least think twice about "We've always done it that way."

Karen
1975 26'
 
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