FG raffle rule

[landtank]

I have issue with the FG raffle rule where Board members can't participate.

Back Story:

A few years back there was a situation that wasn't foreseen that caused some hard feelings. Things got a little heated but as far as I know people were taken care of to the best of their ability.

One of the fall outs was the policy that Board members could not participate in the raffle. In my opinion it was a gesture to be sure to appease everyone by basically throwing themselves on the sword.

Reality:

By not limiting their friends or family from buying tickets these people could still participate and probably did through those avenues.

So basically all this ruling does is not allow our BOD to enjoy the celebratory congratulations from winning a prize.

My reality:

I find this ruling unacceptable. While there should be some measures made to ensure a fair raffle excluding any member from it for anything other than a club violation is not right.

Possible solution:

Hold an initial drawing from interested children between the ages of 9 and 15 (or what ever) and have that child pick the winners. This should be enough to keep people at ease about the raffle's integrity.

In the end:

As far as I'm concerned the BOD is there to guide the club and also represent the will of the club. I for one think this rule needs to be repealed and would hope other members would see it in the same way and not only suggest that it happen but insist on it.

 

[green40]

I agree with Rick. No reason why the BOD should not be allowed. (just stir up those tickets!)

 

[Krazyfj]

I also agree, most events we attend do not exclude the people running the event, the only ssue I can think of is if the bod win all the big stuff people will have issues with it, I say go for it, just ask an impartial maybe random person to mix the tickets and have the kids pick the tickets.

 

[rain76king]

There have been talks about dropping the rule. I think it would be best to do something official and take a member vote on it at the Spring Meeting.

I understand why the rule was put into place and can't say I wouldn't of done the same thing.

The way we do it now there leaves little room for raised eyebrows.

As far as having others buy for you, it still ensures that you have no contact with the tickets as far as I see.

 

[Leaping Deer]

I someone who was previously on the BOD and also played a large part of the raffle. I personally think its wrong to exclude these people from participating. Reason being they are the ones that get all the prizes.

That being said I think its wrong to limit the number of "Other Vehicles" in attendance to the FG as we have a big Toyota sponser. I think the raffle as become too much a part of the FG. I had one friend turned away and another one (with a cool Toyota buggy) decide not to go when a Jeep guy friend (who is also a land owner in RI, property which I have wheeled) was denied access to the FG this year because of too many Jeeps. I even heard a certain board member is wheeling a Jeep this year.

 

[82cruiser]

I agree with Rick. BOD members deserve the right to participate, especially with all the hard work they put in to create such a well run event. Use a transparent ticket selection process and all should be happy.

 

[landtank]

At the time the decision made sense to me and I actually agreed with it. But now, in retrospect, it seems a little over board.

And this is an open forum, anyone who has other opinions are encouraged to express them here. Bob or any other BOD member doesn't need a bunch of private emails on this subject. Just post them here for the club to view.

And I really see no reason to have to wait for the spring meeting to have a vote. But then again there hasn't been any posts to the contrary of what I'm proposing.

 

[cruiserland]

I think the rule is wrong.
Everyone should have equal opportunity;the volunteers deserve it especially.
I say repeal it, or take the poll at registration, so everyone can be included this year.
Maybe the guy driving the heep should not be allowed to play;they could draw the tickets.;p
On a related note, I have put together a YTFG raffle ticket spinner basket for the club, hopefully it will be large enough for ten thousand tickets and accepted as it continually brings my tickets to the top
spy shot:

 

[green40]

Nice skills and imagination there Kina!

 

[82cruiser]

That's awesome Kina. Mount it on the front of Frankie!

 

[high country cruiser]

Sweet

Not gas powered?

 

[cruiserland]

Not gas powered?

may well be after the BBQ

 

[cruiserland]

That's awesome Kina. Mount it on the front of Frankie!

I was thinking on the front of a two-man bicycle;Fox and Peters could get around quicker....

 

[fogblanket]

Yes i do feel the need for a two man bike

But that definately needs to be mounted on frankie

 

[fogblanket]

As the seller of raffle tickets for the last decade i have a unique perspective a) i never won when i was allowed to get raffle tickets
B) the people who win the most are the ones that buy the most tickets the raffle in question that change things two individuals on the board worked extremely hard getting raffle items. Maybe they had an unfair advantage because they knew the booty was good and worth the chance and as i remember each bought over 300 dollars in tickets ithink one bought 500 and as luck and the cruiser gods would have they each one two of the major items that year. Cheif complainers had bought 20 dollars worth of tickets if that . I agree with the rule if you win it it is yours no matter if you have a vehicle for the item or not but most of us are extreme users as far as this club goes and owe everything to those few who volunteer my vote would be to open the raffle up to the bod they are the ones whoe should be winnin the raffle anyway and so think the cruiser gods.
As far as other makes of vehicles at the fg i vote against it there are many open events and runs clubs this event is about toyotas and land cruisers in general sorry nothing personal about vehicle choice i just am a land cruiser guy

 

[rain76king]

I understand your aggravation with your friend not being able to attend.

Long before your friend was turned away we had a meeting that was open to all members to help decide the planning of the Fall Gathering.
At this meeting we did in fact decide that we would limit ourselves to a certain amount of non Toyota vehicles.
Yes, the reason being is that Toyota is in fact our sponsor this year.

They are sponsoring thousands of dollars worth of not just shwag and gift certificates and clothing and the usual sponsor stuff (which we greatly appreciate) but actual money.

We or in fact I for that matter ,thought it was important especially this year to limit the amount of "other vehicles" specifically because of that.
I thought it was important also not to exclude the number of participants that are our friends and that have a history with our club and the Fall Gathering. So we made the "Cap".

My argument to anyone who has an issue with the BOD turning away "Other Vehicles" is that the Fall Gathering is a special and really rare event here in the North East where Toyota owners gather to share in their hobby and I would go as far as calling it a passion for many.

If we do not limit the event to the make and start allowing all vehicles to attend I believe it loses it's draw. It becomes just like any other event.
Maybe some of you have noticed that numbers are really down for most events here on the North East. Some have even been canceled after years due to a lack of attendance or sponsorship but our event's numbers are the same and our sponsorship has continued to grow.

Also for what it's worth, one of the biggest draws to the Fall Gathering is in fact it's raffle. While I was at Coal Mine Cruiser Classic I had a number of people come and ask us what we were doing for our raffle and how it was the "best" raffle out there.
So yes it is in fact it is a big part of our event and it generates a lot of money that helps the club grow and offsets the cost for the next Fall Gathering.

As far as the jeep comment-
No one on this board is wheeling a jeep at the Fall Gathering.
Do I own a jeep? Yes, I do in fact own a jeep. A jeep that has spent the last 4 years in a friend's garage that I am looking at selling to fund a 40 build. I am however not a elitist, I like jeeps but would not wheel one at our event given what you have read above, it would make me a bit of an ass.

Furthermore I can't make everyone happy and in taking this job I was well aware of that.
We as a BOD can't do everything to appease everyone all the time.
For as many people who want other vehicles to attend, there's going to be more people who don't.
For as many who wanted us to be incorporated there's a number who didn't.
We make decisions based on what we believe you as the majority want.
If you want something different continue to voice it, hell maybe even attend a meeting fill an open position, participate....anything!. We would welcome that!....But I/we will continue to try and improve the club as I believe the majority of the club sees fit and will make decisions that others may not like from time to time. That's the job.

 

[Leaping Deer]

If you want something different continue to voice it, hell maybe even attend a meeting fill an open position, participate....anything!.

I guess the information I was given about you driving a Jeep at this years event was incorrect. I was just voicing my opinion. I've done my share of volunteering thanks.

 

[rain76king]

I've done my share of volunteering thanks.

Jason, that whole reply wasn't geared towards you.
Sorry if you perceived it that way.
We are well aware of what you have done in the past for the club thanks.

 

[Sporin]

I'm all for getting rid of the "No Raffle for BOD" rule... and I'm the one who instituted it. It was never part of the bylaws, it was never overly "enforced" beyond me enforcing it on myself or another main ticket puller. It was something that was asked of the BOD after a couple of uncomfortable issues arose, and most seemed ok with the decision at the time.

Did I take it too far? Maybe, I'm not infallible, and hindsight is 20/20. I stand by the decision at the time, but the Membership, the BOD, the Event itself is a constantly evolving entity and if the club thinks it's unnecessary then I heartily agree!

As for the non-Toyota rigs in attendance, i think the cap was a great way to handle it. This is THE TOYOTA 4x4 EVENT for New England. Toyota Motors is a MAJOR sponsor. I have no problem with limiting the non-Toyotas.

There are dozens of Jeep and non-make specific events around, there are hundreds of wheeling opportunities in New England for all makes. This should be a non-issue imo. If other wheelers can't be gracious enough to abide by our rules then that's on them, not us. As Bob said, you can't please everyone all of the time, it's simply impossible.

I'm stoked for the event. I'm STUNNED at the level of sponsorship and donations.... seriously, it's an incredible haul while other events have had major decreases. This is a testament to Sheri and the rest of the BOD who have build up these great, long-term relationships with our Sponsors, have grown these corporate relationships that allow us to put on an event of this magnitude.

 

[Sporin]

...On a related note, I have put together a YTFG raffle ticket spinner basket for the club, hopefully it will be large enough for ten thousand tickets and accepted as it continually brings my tickets to the top
spy shot:

That is AWESOME!!!