• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

West Michigan Events Pre-Planning Thread

ghostrider

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,416
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
imported post

Okay,

There has been some expressed interest in a M&G in the West Michigan area. Honestly, the best thing to do is to just set one up wherever you want. Not everyone wants to be an organizer, and that’s okay, but if someone doesn’t step up to plan an event, then none will be planned.

If you want a get-together in your area, then read the following thread.
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum30/16628.html


I looked, and it appears that we have numerous members from the W. Michigan area, although I have no idea how many are actually active members.

I’m going to try to get something going here by just throwing out some feelers.

We had a great picnic in John Ball Park in Grand Rapids last summer, and I think it would be a good thing to make it an annual. However, depending on how big the turnout is, it could include costs for a pavilion for which JBP charges reservation fees. I’m willing to help out with the planning, but it would be better if someone else stepped up as I am always on call making it difficult to be completely reliable.

As I see it, we should not only have an annual GR JBP meet, but there should also be another one in Battle Creek (maybe Kalamazoo), and should definitely have one in Grand Haven During the Coast Guard Festival.

It would be good if we could get a BC/Kzoo meet in the springtime or early summer. Grand Rapids was in mid summer (probably June). And of course the CG festival will be July 31 or August 1. (It would be the night of the fireworks if you want good spots for the fireworks, you’d better get there early to save them, because they get scooped up fast. It also wouldn't be a bad idea to reserve a campsite already, provided they aren't already booked).

Granted, if this tentative schedule doesn’t work for you, it can always be altered. The purpose of this thread is to just get the ball rolling, so to speak. If there is no one to plan the event, or little interest, then the event won’t happen. I know this is planning pretty far out, but that’s better than too late.


Three possible locations:
Battle Creek/Kalamazoo (spring to early summer)
Grand Rapids (June)
Grand Haven (Either July 31 or August 1. Whichever day the fireworks are on)


Personal involvement:
Are you willing to coordinate the event?
Are you interested in attending?
What are you willing to do to help plan the event?





Again, someone needs to step up and do something if you want to get together in your area. There are people on the other side of the state who would gladly attend an event if it were planned with enough notice. I personally believe that there would be MANY people willing to OC at the Coast Guard Festival. Someone must do something for it to work. If you don’t feel you can plan, maybe you can help by doing some leg work (finding a good location).

This thread is just a feeler, but if you sign up to be a coordinator, then please try to commit to it as others may well be counting on you.

A coordinator will generally plan the entire thing. That means setting a date/time, location, and getting directions to other members. It also means organizing things like a sign up sheet to bring certain items. None of these things are non-negotiable, you do it however you think is best. Each of these responsibilities will involve other tangibles.


Everyone post what your willing to do, be it coordinator or just attendee. We’ll see what we can come up with.


ETA:
I'm going to post possible attendees, coordinators, and any other level of involvement people are willing to engage in for specifically proposed events. Keep in mind that since this is all so far out that everything is tentative at this stage. This is more or less just a feeler to get the ball rolling.

Battle Creek/Kalamazoo:
Cooridnator:

Attendee:
SQTables
zigziggityzoo +2 (possible Kalamazoo meet)
Bronson
jmlefler
xd-40 (possible)
mastiff69 + the Mrs.s
quarter horseman (possible)
ghostrider (possible)


Other:



Grand Rapids:

Cooridnator:

Attendee:
ghostrider
SQTables
xd-40
mastiff69 + the Mrs.s
Other:



Grand Haven (Coast Guard Festival):
Cooridnator:

Attendee:
ghostrider
quater horseman
SQTables
xd-40
mastiff69 + the Mrs.s

Other:
 

ghostrider

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,416
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
imported post

SQLtables wrote:
As I said in the other thread, with enough notice (not this much though), I am very likely to attend any of these. Wasn't somebody turned away from the Coast Guard festival?
Yep, Chris Fetters.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum4/14451.html

Pistol was returned, and charges were dismissed. Civil procedures are underway as I understand it.

That is why MANY people would attend with enough notice. Skip helped set up the defense fund, and I'm sure that being the organizer and activist he is, that there would be lots of people there. Read up on Hasting's.
 

SQLtables

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 8, 2008
Messages
894
Location
Secretary MOC, Inc. Frankenmuth, , USA
imported post

ghostrider wrote:
SQLtables wrote:
As I said in the other thread, with enough notice (not this much though), I am very likely to attend any of these. Wasn't somebody turned away from the Coast Guard festival?
Yep, Chris Fetters.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum4/14451.html

Pistol was returned, and charges were dismissed. Civil procedures are underway as I understand it.

That is why MANY people would attend with enough notice. Skip helped set up the defense fund, and I'm sure that being the organizer and activist he is, that there would be lots of people there. Read up on Hasting's.
Oh, wow, that's right... I knew about his situation, I guess I just forgot it was that festival.
 

ghostrider

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,416
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
imported post

SQLtables wrote:
ghostrider wrote:
SQLtables wrote:
As I said in the other thread, with enough notice (not this much though), I am very likely to attend any of these. Wasn't somebody turned away from the Coast Guard festival?
Yep, Chris Fetters.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum4/14451.html

Pistol was returned, and charges were dismissed. Civil procedures are underway as I understand it.

That is why MANY people would attend with enough notice. Skip helped set up the defense fund, and I'm sure that being the organizer and activist he is, that there would be lots of people there. Read up on Hasting's.
Oh, wow, that's right... I knew about his situation, I guess I just forgot it was that festival.
Yep.

That's why I said the we definitely need to have one at the Coast Guard Festival. If we plan it, they will come. :D
 

quarter horseman

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Messages
345
Location
Allegan co Michigan, USA
imported post

ghostrider wrote:
SQLtables wrote:
ghostrider wrote:
SQLtables wrote:
As I said in the other thread, with enough notice (not this much though), I am very likely to attend any of these. Wasn't somebody turned away from the Coast Guard festival?
Yep, Chris Fetters.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum4/14451.html

Pistol was returned, and charges were dismissed. Civil procedures are underway as I understand it.

That is why MANY people would attend with enough notice. Skip helped set up the defense fund, and I'm sure that being the organizer and activist he is, that there would be lots of people there. Read up on Hasting's.
Oh, wow, that's right... I knew about his situation, I guess I just forgot it was that festival.
Yep.

That's why I said the we definitely need to have one at the Coast Guard Festival. If we plan it, they will come. :D
I would be in for GH for sure, and I have time to plan for it
 

ghostrider

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,416
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
imported post

quarter horseman wrote:
ghostrider wrote:
SQLtables wrote:
ghostrider wrote:
SQLtables wrote:
As I said in the other thread, with enough notice (not this much though), I am very likely to attend any of these. Wasn't somebody turned away from the Coast Guard festival?
Yep, Chris Fetters.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum4/14451.html

Pistol was returned, and charges were dismissed. Civil procedures are underway as I understand it.

That is why MANY people would attend with enough notice. Skip helped set up the defense fund, and I'm sure that being the organizer and activist he is, that there would be lots of people there. Read up on Hasting's.
Oh, wow, that's right... I knew about his situation, I guess I just forgot it was that festival.
Yep.

That's why I said the we definitely need to have one at the Coast Guard Festival. If we plan it, they will come. :D
I would be in for GH for sure, and I have time to plan for it
Then I'll put you down for GH. Hopefully someone in the area will step up to plan it.
 

ghostrider

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,416
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
imported post

I'm bumping this thread. Seems there are more members from West Michigan, and appears to be another request for a W. Michigan meet.

I'll bump a few more times before spring so everyone see's it. Please read the info and decide what your willing to do.
 

zigziggityzoo

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Nov 28, 2008
Messages
1,543
Location
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
imported post

I know my sister and brother in law would love to come to an OC meeting in Kalamazoo. If held on a weekend, I can plan on being there too. That's three, who else?

-Zzz
 

ghostrider

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,416
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
imported post

zigziggityzoo wrote:
I know my sister and brother in law would love to come to an OC meeting in Kalamazoo. If held on a weekend, I can plan on being there too. That's three, who else?

-Zzz
Thanks, I've put you and yours down for a Battle Creek/Kalamazoo meet, with emphasis on Kzoo.
 

Bronson

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
2,126
Location
Battle Creek, Michigan, USA
imported post

I would be interested in a West side Battle Creek/Kalamazoo meet. Unfortunately I work every weekend but can usually arrangea day offwith enough notice.

Bronson
 

joshuaeberly

New member
Joined
Dec 21, 2008
Messages
165
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
imported post

If details are finalized at an early enough date, I'm in for GR and the festival. Kzoo is a slim possibility.
sorry, but I am already stretched too thin as it is, do not have the time for organizing anything else right now.
 

ghostrider

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,416
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
imported post

xd-40 wrote:
If details are finalized at an early enough date, I'm in for GR and the festival. Kzoo is a slim possibility.
sorry, but I am already stretched too thin as it is, do not have the time for organizing anything else right now.
That's fine. This is just a feeler thread to find out how much interest is there. AFIK, Venator is planning something in Traverse City, and he talked about June.

I understand about the problems with being an organizer. Truth is I really can't do it either. The only reason I started this thread was because people were asking about West MI meets, and I though I'd try to get some structure started. Hopefully, someone will step up. If nobody does, then these probably won't happen.

I'll add you to the list. I'll also add Bronson, and jmlefler.
 

zigziggityzoo

Campaign Veteran
Joined
Nov 28, 2008
Messages
1,543
Location
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
imported post

Well, we have roughly 10 interested in Kalamazoo. I'm going to take a bit of initiative and try to schedule something.

I'm a bit new to organizing OC events, so I could use some help.

If anyone has ideas for locations, I was thinking of doing an event Saturday, February 7th. I feel this gives people enough time to request time off (if needed), and to arrange for the details.

What we now need: miopencarry paraphernalia, location, and a good speaker :p

If we choose not to make this an educational event, and just a get-together, that's fine too.

I'm going to call Theo & Stacy's and see if we can't get together there. (I'd rather have explicit permission than be kicked out...yes?)

ETA: I've drafted a brief letter. Will PM to those interested to proof.
 

ghostrider

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 24, 2007
Messages
1,416
Location
Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
imported post

zigziggityzoo wrote:
Well, we have roughly 10 interested in Kalamazoo. I'm going to take a bit of initiative and try to schedule something.

I'm a bit new to organizing OC events, so I could use some help.

If anyone has ideas for locations, I was thinking of doing an event Saturday, February 7th. I feel this gives people enough time to request time off (if needed), and to arrange for the details.

What we now need: miopencarry paraphernalia, location, and a good speaker :p

If we choose not to make this an educational event, and just a get-together, that's fine too.

I'm going to call Theo & Stacy's and see if we can't get together there. (I'd rather have explicit permission than be kicked out...yes?)
Thanks for stepping up to plan the event. For advice on what to do, you might view the thread on planning get togethers.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum30/16628.html

Most often, these events are educational, even if they are just picnics. Print out some fliers and information to pass out if you'd like (in case passerby's have any questions). You don't have to have a speaker, most often it's just people getting together for good food and conversation. Also, look at the paragraph in my initial post outlining the basic role of the organizer. It isn't set in stone. Really all that a must is finding a location and date. Contact SpringerXDacp and let him know about it so he can put it in the "Events" thread.
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum30/15478.html

I'll PM SpringerXDacp with a heads up on the event, but he'll probably need your input for the details (like location, date/time, etc...). He might even have some suggestions.

I think the main thing to planning an event is the location and date. By setting this up this far in advance, your giving people time to make the necessary arrangements, and picking a place is a great way to start. Now all you really need is a sign up sheet, and I believe SpringerXDacp will do that in the events thread.

Any other questions, just ask.
 

quarter horseman

Regular Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2008
Messages
345
Location
Allegan co Michigan, USA
imported post

ghostrider wrote:
zigziggityzoo wrote:
Well, we have roughly 10 interested in Kalamazoo. I'm going to take a bit of initiative and try to schedule something.

I'm a bit new to organizing OC events, so I could use some help.

If anyone has ideas for locations, I was thinking of doing an event Saturday, February 7th. I feel this gives people enough time to request time off (if needed), and to arrange for the details.

What we now need: miopencarry paraphernalia, location, and a good speaker :p

If we choose not to make this an educational event, and just a get-together, that's fine too.

I'm going to call Theo & Stacy's and see if we can't get together there. (I'd rather have explicit permission than be kicked out...yes?)
Thanks for stepping up to plan the event. For advice on what to do, you might view the thread on planning get togethers.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum30/16628.html

Most often, these events are educational, even if they are just picnics. Print out some fliers and information to pass out if you'd like (in case passerby's have any questions). You don't have to have a speaker, most often it's just people getting together for good food and conversation. Also, look at the paragraph in my initial post outlining the basic role of the organizer. It isn't set in stone. Really all that a must is finding a location and date. Contact SpringerXDacp and let him know about it so he can put it in the "Events" thread.
http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum30/15478.html

I'll PM SpringerXDacp with a heads up on the event, but he'll probably need your input for the details (like location, date/time, etc...). He might even have some suggestions.

I think the main thing to planning an event is the location and date. By setting this up this far in advance, your giving people time to make the necessary arrangements, and picking a place is a great way to start. Now all you really need is a sign up sheet, and I believe SpringerXDacp will do that in the events thread.

Any other questions, just ask.
I could doKzoo if nothing comes up on that day.
 
Top