MitsuStyle Spring cruise -April 12-13, 2008

[Halon]

Wow I haven't looked at this thread in awhile since I will not be going because I'll be in Spain. $5 isn't much to ask for. The organizers have spent personal time and money on setting this up. I can completely relate to that. I've opened up my home to the site on a few occasions. Each time, I typically spent somewhere between 200-300 dollars of my own money on food, pop, alcohol, propane, etc, required to get a good turnout. I've always asked, not for money, but if you're coming, and you have the means, to bring a little something as well like chips, salsa, or even hot strippers that go into my spare bedroom and try on my banana hammock for a couple of us to see! But, I understand that by REQUIRING a payment at the door or making people give something, it would turn certain people away who were really just coming to hang out and mingle, or meet new people, but are on a tight budget. In my eyes, the more the merrier, so that's why I do it that way. That may not be everyones mind set, but it was my mind set and why I required nothing, only donations if you felt you wanted to. Those who could afford to donate (either food, or time), they did. Typically 80-90% of the people who showed up brought something, or came by before hand and helped me pick up the meat, the keg, man the bbq, etc. But those on a tight budget/schedule, were still able to join in, still be able to eat and drink and not feel left out.

To me, being a leader means it's damn near guaranteed you are going to give up money/time of your own. That's just how it is. Whether it's organizing a cruise, or organizing a charity event, a lunch party at work, a pizza party for your kids, a bachelor party for a friend, etc. When you are a leader of organizing any event, you're hardly ever going to break even. But that's not what it's about. To me, it's about getting everyone together, and having a good time.

But at the same time, that doesn't mean the ones attending shouldn't feel a little bit of an obligation to give up a little something as well to help support it. From what I can see, some would rather give up their time to help, rather then give up money. It's kind of late in the game for that on this cruise, but maybe something to consider in future cruises. Those that you know would rather give up time, let them help out where they can.

This cruise is your guys barbeque, you do it the way you want. Me, I personally try to avoid the drama by understanding I won't break even, but simply ask for donations to help out a little bit. Those who care enough (which a large majority typically will) will donate. Those who don't want to, won't for whatever personal reason they have. But everyone will still have a good time.

I'd easily pay the $5 to go on this, and wouldn't complain about it. But unfortunately I won't make it. Hope it's a blast and can't wait to see the pictures.

[Halon]

I should also mention that even some of my more distant neighbors also donated certain things that added to our fun as well!

[allyoucaneat_talon]

Gosh I'm PISS OFF. I don't think i can make it now. My cars not complete, so have to wait.

5 bucks isnt a big issue, because everyone's going to get gas thats worth more than 5 bucks too. So why is everyone complaining, and that 5 bucks is to help the event and the site from future events or so on..

well, have fun guys.. i cant make this cruise, maybe the next one.

[scheides]

I dont need you to pay for me Scheides. You just didnt get my point. Thats ok though, dont worry about it. Ill still pay, I just wanted you to see it from another viewpoint.

What exactly is your point man? I just went back and re-read several of your other posts to try and figure it out, and all I can see is that your attitude about this stupid $5 thing sucks. Even if we get 30 cars at $5 each that's $150. Whoopee, that is not 'a lot' of profit, that is a few more bucks to go into the prize fund for the dyno day, that's about it. Now if I was asking for $25/car and we were going to be pulling in $1k, that would be profit! Maybe next year we'll start doing that to help weed out the less interested parties ;)

Seriously though, if you don't have a problem with it, then don't pay and don't complain, or just don't come. Again, I am not here to make a profit, this site sucks so much money and time out of me it is almost silly, until I call it a hobby. And that is just what it is, so relax :)

[turbotalon1g]

I talked to kracka about this last night, i wasn't trying to start a mini thread inside of this over $5, but i like to question things, i also like to question things especially when it comes to money.
Didnt mean for everyone to go crazy and for me to be attacked by Matt D.

I don't mind paying the fee, but bomber runs shouldn't be completely covered by everyone, they weren't need before and they really aren't needed now.
But Kman raised a good point a lot of good roads would of been missed, so i am down with that.
I guess once i found out what i was paying for i was completely cool with it, unlike some others i don't feel the need to pay to be friends with everyone.
I will be paying $5 for this cruise and any other event that you put on.
Hell i will pay $5 and i might not go on this cruise.

Scheides don't pay for me, its not needed, but you can buy me a drink if you want from the last time we were out.

[Kracka]

but bomber runs shouldn't be completely covered by everyone, they weren't need before and they really aren't needed now.

Have you ever tried organizing a large group cruise on roads that you've only traveled a few times in your life? There is a lot more to organizing a large group event than you realize. A bomber-run wasn't needed for the Duluth cruise because I knew those roads very well and had traveled them many times in my life. The bomber-run for the Winona cruise was paid for out of my pocket, as was the first bomber-run for last fall's New Ulm/Redwood Falls cruise (yes, I did two bomber-runs for that route to make sure I got it perfect). Had we not had a bomber-run last fall the route would have been no where near as much fun and the exact same thing goes for this spring cruise route. Have you stopped to realize how much is still being covered by Scheides and myself? We have donated hours upon hours of our personal time so we can make this cruise the best it possibly can be for as many of you as feasible. I spent a lot of my time mapping and remapping the preliminary route for the bomber run, and I spent a lot of time on the phone getting a group-rate negotiated with the hotel; which alone is saving everyone a whole lot more than the $5 donation we are asking for. If you come Aaron, I don't want you to donate the $5. I am going to pay for you out of my pocket and will continue to do so for all future cruises just because I don't want to deal with this ever again. Never ever in my life have I seen so much grief given over a measly $5. Every single dollar donated to the site goes straight back to the members in some way, shape, or form. When i told my girlfriend about how Scheides and I were going to be asking for $5 per car do you know what she said? "Oh, thats a great idea! Should I give that to you now or later?" Did I ask her for money? No. Does she come in this board very often? No. Did she see it as a benefit to the community as a whole? Yes. I'm done talking about this. If anyone doesn't want to pay then don't, I'll take whatever loss the site sees straight out of my pocket and I know Scheides will be willing to do the exact same thing (as he does for every other event). Why? For the greater good and enjoyment of the group.

[scheides]

Kracka, I decided I don't want to pay the $5. Will you cover for me? I spent all of my vast wealth on my alky kit and the $.50 pins to wire in my alt-map harness into my ecu. Stupid ecu pins, you have broken me!!!!!

[Kracka]

Kracka, I decided I don't want to pay the $5. Will you cover for me? I spent all of my vast wealth on my alky kit and the $.50 pins to wire in my alt-map harness into my ecu. Stupid ecu pins, you have broken me!!!!!

I also cannot afford to pay, but luckily I can afford lots of mods for my Evo with the vast riches I have earned setting up the tint day!

[scheides]

Thieving bastard, there is no tint is there, THERE IS NO TINT!!?!?!?!

On to other news, I am still going on this cruise. Anyone else?

[Goat Blower]

Well, from my experience on the cruise last fall, the amount of time and planning that went into it MADE it a fun cruise, and well worth even a $20 entry fee. If $5 is enough of an issue to even post about it, you should probably sell your car and buy a bicycle.