Rally in our "own Valley

[g_man1146]

Hi George, and everyone.

I, in a moment of weakness, volunteered to run a rally for the Blue
Bird Chapter in September, '06. The lower Maine coast is the
proposed location. Other BB Chapter rallies were getting to be near
the $600.00 range, way, way too high, IMO. In speaking to Brenda
regarding this, she indicated that they wanted to cut back the cost
of these rallies. Chapter recommendations are for full hookup sites
in an area of interest and from what I've found so far, 4 nights is
going to cost about $100.00 (Going rates are $35.00/night less group
discounts) for the site alone. Dry camping is available away from
town and for much less. The above is for ocean view, full hookup
sites and full use of the campgrounds amenities. I'm thinking along
the lines of a couple of dinners,(got to have lobster)that are
catered or at a local restaurant plus breakfasts that are supplied
by volunteer labor. Sightseeing, Summer theater, whale watching,
cruise, etc. are all possible but add to the cost. Many free things
to do in the area too.

My questions, and request for input from all Bird owners, regardless
of year or model, are:
What should be included?
How many nights?
Meals? Restaurants or on site?
Entertainment?
Cocktail parties?
Transportation to events?
Who will help?
How can we keep costs down?

In the past, dealers and the factory have kicked in to provide a
meal or a cocktail hour, etc. I intend to ask all dealers to
participate with something and to post the gracious offers of those
who help. The factory will be asked to provide on site service and
monetary assistance as well. I welcome any and all comments and
suggestions; please post here or email me direct. I will save and
sort all comments. Thanks in advance. I need help in planning a
rally that appeals to as many as possible and, in the past, have
participated in rallies where the cost was excessive for what we
received. Your assistance will prevent that from happening as we
will know just what is necessary and appealing to most. My intention
is to start planning this summer.

Thanks,
Rich D. '99LXi43' CT



--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, George Lowry
wrote:
> I don't know how many of the forum members are also members of the
> FMCA Bluebird Chapter but I am beginning to have concerns. It
appears
> that the Chapter is allowing Bluebird to run things. Costs for all
the
> rallies are WAY out of line for what the costs are in other
chapters.
> It appears that Bluebird/ bluebird chapter is trying to price out
the
> lower income folks. Is it for snobs only?
>
> We just has a rally in another chapter at Cal Expo, one of the
better
> parks around Sacramento ant the total cost for the largest, best
site
> including the meals only came to $80. True there was some
volunteer
> work. I am certain that Bluebirders aren't afraid to get their
hands
> dirty if necessary.
>
> Last year I inquired as to why Bluebird was charging $250 for a
three
> day rally when FMCA international rallies are only $99. And the
FMCA
> rallies include three nights of name entertainment. The response
was
> the cost of meals. They said that they figured $25 per meal per
> person. Now I have been living in a much higher cost of living
area
> (CA) and the last catered meal we had cost only $17 per person
> including gratuity and tax, and included four kinds of meat, four
> different kinds of beans, and other items including drinks.
Everyone
> had more food than they could eat.
>
> On top of this, the Bluebird Chapter has decided to drastically
> increase their dues this year. We have come to the decision that
> Bluebird doesn't want us as members nor do they want us to upgrade
to
> a newer coach.
>
> We currently belong to six different chapters. Bluebird has
> consistently been the most expensive by a factor of 3 - 5. I was
under
> the impression that Bluebird was helping the Bluebird Chapter with
> some of their expenses as an advertising expense. It more appears
> that their old customers are being used as a method of added
income to
> feed corporate greed. Perhaps I have just been around organized
> rallies for two long.
>
> If there is anyone on the forum that is an officer of the Bluebird
> Chapter, I would appreciate their input.
>
> George Lowry
> '95 WBDA 4203 & GM 4106 (for sale)
> Spearfish, SD