Christmas Party Deadline Approaching...

[ambere]

Howdy Legends!

Wanted to make sure I got word out that the deadline for banquet reservations was quickly approaching. I have to turn over our menu and order to the Pyramid Brewery by November 18th. This leaves about 2 weeks for you to get your reservation to me before I put everything together and turn it over.
Bottom line - if you plan on attending - please get your reservation in as soon as you can. I have attached the reservation form if you need another copy.
Please call me if you forsee a problem with getting your reservation in to me before the date above.
I look forward to seeing everyone there!

[ambere]

Hello All!

I wanted to make sure that I put it out there that our club decided to have the banquet at Pyramid again provided we got the bigger room. We did that. Now I am hearing that there are "several" members that have decided to attend the banquet but not make reservations for dinner and order dinner on their own. Note that we will have banquet service only...we will not have staff taking our orders and serving individual meals in the banquet room.
I also want to share what this means for the club financially.
We are obligated to a minimum for using that bigger room. The club will have to pay that minimum (not including those that have dinner without the reservation through the club) regardless of the attendance.
I'm curious...why would a member not be willing to make a reservation through the club? I'd like to understand why we would have members show up to the party but not be willing to either shell out $40 (for a couple) or eat the food offered. Is there something that no one shared with me? Could we have done something differently?
Bottom line...if our members decide they want to attend but not participate in the reservations then it's going to be costly for our club...
What am I missing??
Thanks for your time,
~amber

[Unknown_Authority]

Amber, I think what you are finding is that some people want to play it by ear, and want to be able to just show up without having to make a commitment. I can understand that. Things come up and people don't want to be locked into a situation where they may not be able to go. It's a tough situation to deal with. Do you only allow in members that have paid for a reservation? If so, then that alienates the people that want to go to the event without having to buy dinner. The thing is that the club is having to pay for the space, so if people attend that don't eat should they have to pay an entrance fee? $5 a person? I don't know. BTW, does this place have hard alcohol?

[ambere]

Thanks for the ideas John. I don't know what to think with regards to the event. I have people signed up (43) and it'll be lots of fun but after all the bickering last year and the complaining about the small room and pushing to get the big room b/c they liked the place just not the cramped quarters...it's just too bad that now we are shooting ourselves in the foot.
I can understand if it's a bad weekend for folks but why did no one speak up?? Maybe it's some other reason...but why not say something rather than complacently watch us move forward.
I watch our treasury like a hawk and I think we are doing some great things, but we have a contingent within our group that thinks we should spend every dime and we're a car club not a business...well...wouldn't it be nice to be able to help our own when they need it...or whatever...but rather than do something like that in the future we're going to have to spend way over what I budgeted for this party and we're going to have folks show up that aren't willing to chance $20...
Okay, I'm done with my ranting...sorry guys & gals...this is still a learning experience for me and I don't get some of it...dunno if I ever will.

No, there's no hard liquor but a flask never hurt anyone. ;) They do have a plethora of beers and a few wines.

[REED_RACING]

I think a $5.00 dollar a person is not out of line, if your not going to eat with the club, and join the party later. Pyramid is not cheap to hold a party. If your not going to eat at the banquet, you should cough up something to recover costs, right?

[theJUDGE]

Amber, you're never going to please everybody as irritating as it may be.

Last year I mailed in my 2 dinners & was not able to make it, so somebody got a couple of Salmon dinners for free......No big deal, not the end of the world.

I was just sorry I couldn't see Botkin hammered.

Pay up & come to the event, the same $hit happens on my Offshore Poker Run scene - People won't pay the entry fee but they show up anyway & hang around all day. Like driving all the way to Tiger Run, but not registering. I'd be embarrased to show my face.

Support the club & come watch Royal Botkin get hammered & if you can't make it, i'm sure somebody would be willing to eat your food..

[Pontiacshack]

Ya, ditto what Mark said. The unfortunate thing here is that we bucked up for the big room after the club said YES we need it and then the response is a bit on the not so good side. I guess sometimes that's the nature of the beast and hopefully we'll learn something from this,,,,,, not sure what but I guess we'll see. I'm looking forward to the event either way and hope to see a bunch of ya'll there.

Stefan.

[HOTROD64-STOCK69]

I totally understand the frustration also but, how much was the cost? If we have 43 registered @$20 each that figures $860.00. Is the rental more? Should we let the club members know up front what the liabilty is if we are short? I am feeling a bit guilty now because I was going to buy two tickets but the menu did not look inticing to my wife so I bought just one ticket on the advice that my wife, Theresa could just go down stairs, order off the menu and bring it up to the banquet. I am to assume that is still the plan?

Yes I agree with all no matter what a person does sometimes you cannot anticipate or please all the people all the time. Mike

[ViolentBird]

I was just sorry I couldn't see Botkin hammered.


Support the club & come watch Royal Botkin get hammered


Sounds good, LOL... What`s his name

[ambere]

I realize that no matter what planning goes into something it won't please everyone...but dangit...there is a liability and when based on last years attendance...we should have been fine...oh well.

We're up to about 50 as of right now...so maybe my rant was a little premature...or maybe it was a catalyst...who knows.

Mike - don't feel guilty...I know your intent and your wife's...you talked to me about it rather than just show up you wanted to support us...and again...based on last year I thought it wouldn't be an issue. And yes...a room for 150-200 holds a higher minimum.

I may talk to the coordinator there and see if we can't scale it back to the room we used last time...depending on the number we end up with on Friday.

I'm not comfortable standing at the door and asking those that didn't make dinner reservations for $5...I'd rather drop it and make it that much more special for those that did committ.

Thanks for your thoughts everyone and it'll be a good time no matter what...and if our reservation doesn't meet the minimum...well...maybe we'll order the balance in beer!

See y'all in a few weeks,
~amber

[RoyalBotkin_Racing]

Botkin was perfectly sober and felt that he contributed to the festivity of the occasion quite properly. If he had on a pair of beer goggles, it was only to generate comments on the website prior to this year's festive event and his plan worked. He is looking forward to seeing all of his friends again this year, however he will leave the beer goggles at home since he will be accompanied by his lovely Canadian chaperone Kimberly.

[litlgto68]

I will definitely be there for sure.

One of the questions I have is that it says to bring a gag gift.. Does each person who attends bring one? And how appropriate or inappropriate can it be?! ;)

Kristel

[RoyalBotkin_Racing]

Everyone brings a gift to put under the tree. It can be ridiculous or cool. Up to you. If you bring a gift, you get to choose a gift from under the tree or take one away from somebody who already has chosen.

[THOR]

Thanks for your thoughts everyone and it'll be a good time no matter what...and if our reservation doesn't meet the minimum...well...maybe we'll order the balance in beer!

See y'all in a few weeks,
~amber

Thanks for taking care of the details and this idea about the beer is the one that matters most. By the way, if my check bounces, OOPs

[HOTROD64-STOCK69]

Everyone brings a gift to put under the tree. It can be ridiculous or cool. Up to you. If you bring a gift, you get to choose a gift from under the tree or take one away from somebody who already has chosen.
And remember even if you don't buy dinner you can still bring a gift...gag or thoughtful are great...thoughtful gag is definitly the best!!!!!

[REED_RACING]

Whats a thoughtful gag? Botkin will be on his best behavoir.

[ambere]

Krystal,
Check these out from last year...some are pretty fun...some are just...well...just...

You can look at the banquet pics from last year if you want to see what sorts of items were brought.

Also, if you and your guest bring a gift you both get to go up...and the format is you open it in front of everyone and show what it is...

~amber

[HOTROD64-STOCK69]

I will definitely be there for sure.

One of the questions I have is that it says to bring a gag gift.. Does each person who attends bring one? And how appropriate or inappropriate can it be?! ;)

Kristel
Lets put it this way...I ended up with a hubcap and a pair of lepard skivies.

[Goatnut]

Mike,

I have to ask beings you were so brave to put that in print....Are they intended to be used at the same time? Maybe as a super hero costume?

Scott (still finding Goat Weed ...difficult to smoke)

[THOR]

Lets put it this way...I ended up with a hubcap and a pair of lepard skivies.


Good thing you got a decent gift !
You should see some of the stuff at these parties......:twisted:

By the way, do you wear them in the hot rod 64 or the stock 69 ?

[HOTROD64-STOCK69]

Thor
Now you know full well that you have those lepards and wear them in the Silver Judge only

[theJUDGE]

Thor
Now you know full well that you have those lepards and wear them in the Silver Judge only

What's that all about?
Mike gets the Leopard thong & Thor has it a year later?
Better not send in that specimen for DNA testing....

[Red_Rider]

Everybody knows that Judges wear robes, and what is more fitting to have under a robe than a pair of lepard skivies!! Depending upon the hubcap, it might make a nice hat. The English Judges wear wigs, maybe we could start a new tradition. I made a nice Christmas hat out of a Volvo hubcap once, but that is another story.

[THOR]

What's that all about?
Mike gets the Leopard thong & Thor has it a year later?
Better not send in that specimen for DNA testing....

LOL
HotRod must be getting (even more) senile.
I did not participate in the gift exchange, nor did I somehow take possession of his most favorite pair of skivvies.

I'll explain further to those that may be interested at the party.
C ya there
Adjourned :)

[theJUDGE]

Yo Dogs.....I am just making sure the event is on today for 4pm?????

Or did we move it to 5pm????

Somebody in the know please let me know.

[1PROGTO]

The flyer says 4PM...........