There has been a long standing requirement for chapters in various states to have meets.

As we know - when gas went up, it clobbered us. But even though gas prices have dropped we still have long distances between us (AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHERE THE MID, WEST, AND EAST NOMINEES ARE...)

Pardon me - I'm kinda grumpy.

I posted the following in the chapter leaders forum:

(6-12-05)

From what I have seen in the Tennessee forum - it just does not work like that.

Pressure works totally opposite to the expected results. "Attract more flies with honey" applies!

It has seemed to me over the last few months, that the most important thing of all is just plain people talking to eachother, and getting over the "YOU AIN'T MY NEIGHBOR" thing, to where they eventually were attracted and just got too interested in one another and began to be curious.

THAT made get togethers happen, nothing else.

I think the chapter rules may need to be revised over this, to allow people to learn one another, and git to trusting.

QOUTE: "Push at 'em, and the butterflies fly away"

Crap on meets that are not logistically possible! A requirement for state meetings that gas prices alone prohibit is just not going to happen.

We need to form fellowships, locally maybe, but gathered together they make a state.

We all see eachother online - and that is how we know eachother best.

The rest will come with time.


I do not mean to be rude. I'm calling it as I see it. I believe it is accurate.
A certain amount of "looseness" is necessary.


We are not dealing with congressmen - we are talking about WILD CARDS!
- And they are the best FTE people of all.

- I hope I did not misrepresent Y'all in that. I think you see it like I do.
And I think we all want to have barbeques and holiday things together.
But we live in a dang long state east to west...


~Greywolf


PSONEDIT: It is possible that in posting the above in the chapter leaders forum (which you don't see) that i have once again made a pariah of myself. But I think Ken Payne will look at what we have done, and weigh that against my inherent "Nuisance Value".

Who knows....
(He says, steadfastly)

 

Hell - as far as that go:

What parkin' lots do Y'all hang out in with your trucks on the weekends?

Yep. I know you. You're ME!

How does "ATOKA" sound, as a gather place?

 

As has been posted before, the problems right now are the holidays. After the first of the year, when everything starts calming down a little, there's more time for get togethers. But then, it's too darn cold. So, hopefully, once spring rolls around, everyone will be able to meet/greet a little more. I know I'm looking forward to meeting all of you.

Sean

 

Its almost impossible to have GTGs this time of the yr. I'm the west side leader in another Ford site. We seldom try to have meets from the end of Nov to the first of the yr. I'd really like to see the west side members of FTE start having GTGS. We have lots of members in the Memphis & surrounding area. Lets have a cookout or something after the new yr. I'll throw in some deer meat or crappie.

 

First thing I'm going to do for the new year is renew my fishing license! Maybe we can gang together on some "RIVER HARVESTING EXPEDITIONS", waddaya say?

 

I'm ok with a fishing trip. Maybe the lure of fresh fish will draw a bunch of FTE members together. Lets give it a try. We got nothing to lose.

 

I reckon!

And anythang that fills up a freezer works for me...

 

OK Dutch. Do you want me to be honest?

You haven't called me is awhile & I demand personal attention.

Actually I know your situation, so I don't blame you for not calling. I have also lost your number so it is difficult for me to call you. Can't quite do it without a number.


Now down to business!!!!!!
I have been quite distant fron the Tennessee forum & FTE all together for a little bit. I had/still have personal issues that I'm dealing with & probally will have them for awhile. I'll do the best to participate the best I can right now!

Dutch you & I have talked alot. Over the forums, private messages, & over the phone. During these conversations we have discussed ideas on how to get the TN Chapters together. Alot of good ideas have been passed between you & I. These ideas can be brought to life & have one hell of a gathering if the spirit is there.

But as to everything else, it costs money to get people together. We almost had one going with the Cedars of Lebanon. Then the massive Hurricane Katrina hit followed by Rita, which trashed those plans.

Now to be completely honest, I didn't like the Lebanon plan. But I was following along because that is what it seemed like everyone wanted. Sure it would have got a few of us together & possibly brought press release, but personally I don't think we need press coverage by the local media outlets.

I work my *** off trying to pay my bills & feed my children. The last thing I want to do on the weekends is to go pick-up trash in a state park. I would prefer to spend my time with my kids doing something fun, enjoyable, & something that doesn't require much effort (no work). Sounds harsh I know, I'm not trying to be so please don't take it that way.
I would think there are many other hard working folks that think the same as me. Lets do something fun instead of engaging in a work detail.

It costs money to do something fun, I know that. That is why we need to have proper planning for a event. I have suggested it before & will suggest again.

Car & truck shows with a swap meet alley & flea market area. Open to the public with free parking. Charge show entries a entrance fee. Discount the entrance fee for FTE members & local car clubs (chevy & dodge included). Charge swap meet, flea market, & other vendors for the space that they use.

Sure it costs money to rent the fairgrounds for a weekend, that is why you charge the fees for the space rental, trophies, & event advertising.

This is something I will be excited about attending. It is free for the general public (that is what they are looking for). It brings promotion to the TN Chapter, And everyone can get together.

 

I agree wholeheartedly! I, for one, have tons of stuff to contribute to the swap meet. I believe that the bigger the plan, the easier it is to pull off. I remember seeing several car show/events in the parking lot next to the Showplace Arena/Agricenter on Walnut Grove. Now, that can't be very expensive to rent, plus the street traffic is pretty good. Anything I can do to facilitate this plan, lemeno.

Sean

 

Another idea I have is the same as above, but to have cooperation with other car & truck groups. Split the costs amongst all the clubs & instead of being a host 100%, share the hosting with the other clubs. That way other clubs can benefit from the publicity as well.

 

There is an area for that on H51 halfway between Millington and Atoka. A big lot with a Fireworks stand... They normally have antique car and street rod shows, as well as swap meets there at least once a month. I can check on it and see what the deal is. Can also find out if the car clubs rent the place for the weekend, or if it is just a wide open community thing to attract people to the FW place during the off season (at which times they sell leathers, trinkets, gifts, and other stuff).

I'll find out.

 

I'm up for any idea to get members together. A swap meet would be good for me. It would clean out my shed. I have a bunch of old Ford parts I'd like to sell. I have a set of 68-2v 289 heads. The valves might need doing but they were running fine when I changed them for some p&ped boss heads. I have a extra set of springs I'll throw in with them. Lets try it when it warms up this spring. I can invite several local clubs I know. Another fun idea for a meet might be a poker run. They are lots of fun if they are done right. Your area would be great for one Greywolf. Add a good cookout at the end of the poker run & you have a GTG that should draw a crowd. Parks is right. You need a good event with fun things for old & young to enjoy. We can do this if enough members will get involved. I'm in just tell me what I can do to help.We can rent a pavalion at Shelby state park for $50 that will give us a great place to cook out & play a game of softball. There are several lakes in the park for anyone wanting to fish plus tennis, volleyball courts & a pool.