[DeTomaso] Convention ideas

[John Taphorn]

Dave

I can appreciate those feelings about being an outsider at Vegas.  What I 
saw on my first visit from Texas were people who had known each other for a 
long time having a great time.  I would have described everyone as welcoming 
when you approached.  However, they had their cliques and their routines 
from years of attendance and didn't naturally think to always include others 
as to what was going on each day.  Fortunately, I was President of POCA and 
as such many folks put forth an extra effort to be inclusive.  That said, I 
recognized that year that new attendees in effect missed half of what was 
going on at the event.  I appreciate that it feels odd continually worming 
your way into strangers conversations to eventually be a comfortable member 
of the group.

To address that, the new Fun Rally Committee has put forth great effort to 
plan activities for the event ahead of time and create an Itinerary.  The 
itinerary educates new attendees on the events agenda/calendar as well as 
the rational for various decisions that are made with regard to the Rally's 
operation.  Every registrant receives an itinerary prior to the event that 
allows them to plan ahead and engage activities of the Fun Rally with the 
greatest appeal.  No longer does the information pass by word of mouth or 
previous experience.  We also place "first timer" identifying markers on the 
person's badge to identify them as a first timer and request attendees to 
take special notice.  Efforts are made and generally successful to find a 
seat in a vehicle for anyone who wishes to participate in a destination 
drive.  New participants are informed where and when to sign up and where to 
show up for departure.

It may not be perfect, but the desire to make first timers feel included has 
been a personal passion of mine to address.  I wish that you would give us 
another chance.  Frankly, I am not sure what more could be done.  I've 
attended the East Coast Events as well and I believe our current approach 
reflects a best practice. Yet, I welcome all suggestions.

JT
Fun Rally CoChair


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dave Aument" <dmaument at comcast.net>
To: "DeTomaso List" <detomaso at realbig.com>
Sent: Friday, August 20, 2010 4:38 PM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Convention ideas


> All,
>  I've travelled from Pa. to Vegas twice and Pocono many more times. I no 
> longer attend the Vegas gathering (or join POCA) as I most definitely felt 
> like an "outsider" not being from the left coast. Pocono is a great time 
> and would be a fabulous place to do an "official" event. The track is well 
> suited to our cars and there is no shortage of other marques to pass. Some 
> interest here would rekindle my interest in POCA.
>
> Dave 4262
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