DV, by DV

[PatBuckley]

I'm with you JP -

I like your ideas.

[clayfoushee]

Ditto JP........well done. JPSF 1?

Just kidding DV, but it should be primarily about the Cobra family, and not overly organized or formal. Last year, a lot of groups (including CACC) broke off and did what they wanted to do.

I do like some sort of charity involvement, I'm more enamored with the idea of wounded or disabled veterans of the recent war in Iraq.

$100 for registration is fine, but eliminate the overhead, no dinners, bands, etc. Just have people bring stuff to BBQ or organize dinner outings for themselves. That way the majority of the registration money could go to the charity itself.

[kountzecobra]

What about unwed mothers? Truly a worthy cause. JP has some pretty good ideas. BTW, should be known only as "The Fling"?

[Turk]

Mike Holt,
Picnic?
Auto Cross?
Poker Run?

Are you talking about the last year's Fling or Fling in general.
I don't remember some or any of those activities being part of the 1st, or 2nd. Fling. I belive they had an Auto Cross during the last Fling.

The input (WHICH WILL GET IGNORED ANYWAY) is about improving the Fling and making it inclusive. It is NOT about doing a critique of last year's Fling.


Here is a solution. Send me all the money you want to donate to CF between now and the Fling. Checks made payable DIRECTLY TO CF. Not to Turk, Not to Spring Fling or anyone else. I will forward all the money 100% of it, plus my own donation to CF.

We will get THAT out of the way, and that way the organizers can concentrate on fun things like Picnic, and Poker Runs or Card games ,drinking, driving, burnouts etc. Less work for them, and less pressure on everyone attending.

Let's get the fund raising out of the way, and make Fling what it is supposed to be and what it used to be.
How about that idea?

I bet it gets nixed within the next three or four posts.

Then the question is WHY?

I am sick and tired of questions pertaining to funds raised, expenses incurred, amount donated, amount spent etc. etc.
Screw the raffle, screw the donations at the Fling.

When I go to Disneyland, I am not thinking about Red Cross or The orphans. That is stuff I am supposed to do when I get back or before I leave.
What the hell is wrong with individual donations totalling $30,000 over a collective donation of $2000.00
Do we need the recognition for the Cobra Community so much so that we want to leave a ton of money on the table and put all the burden on one person or one family?

Let's go have fun!!

[clayfoushee]

Turk, not nixing, but part of the cooperation and winks from local police, etc. comes from the charity aspect. That's why the Chief of Police in London can shove aside the "nervous nellies" about the Main St. event.

[ToyCollector]

TURK, I am hoping you are wrong and will find pages of support for that idea. I for one support that idea. Or, based on Clay's post after yours, have various charities be there and we donate directly.

[clayfoushee]

I'm all for totally eliminating the "overhead" so any money from registration fees can go directly to WHATEVER charity. I don't care what it is. And, I don't need no stinkin' organization.

I just don't think 300+ Cobras can gather without massive interference, unless there is some valid cause. It needs something to get the winks and nods from the "authorities."

[Turk]

I was hoping for a buffer of three or four posts at least.

Clay,
Absolutely. I am all for the charity aspect of it. Rather than waiting two or three months and sometimes longer to find out how much was donated , what is wrong by being able to tell them the day we arrive, that we are a bunch of paying customers, not freeloaders imposing our cars and noise on their lovely town for three days.

"Here is what we have done before we even came here. Here are checks totalling $33,800 all made payable to CF.."

Do you think that would be less of a charitable contribution than what we have been doing so far?

If our generosity is responsible for the local community's generosity towards us, what is wrong with asking the City, The Fire Chief, The Police Chief and the Local citizens, if THEY have a favorite charity they would like to see us take under our wing?

They may have a need for a ladder truck, an ambulance, a police rado, or whatever. That may go on to save lifes from here on in our honor.
We use their town, we add to Strawberry festival , how about doing something nice for them, and letting them decide how they want to spend the money. They may have needy families who may want a have a nice Christmas..

[Jamo]

Great stuff cooking...smells good.

Look, as JP noted, a whole bunch of money was made from Fling III because a manufacturer and others that really gave a damn stepped and donated the roller, the parts, motor and a good deal of time/effort to finish it off. Seems to me that unless a car is donated that way...the raffle concept falls flat on its face. The numbers prove that.

So, if no raffle...if there must be some fundraising angle, send the money in to Turk, raise it locally like some damn good folks have done, or cut way down on overhead and let the majority of the entry fees go to the cause.

Otherwise, grab a wino from downtown Columbus, make him King Cobra for the day, give him rides until he pukes, slip him a few bucks and dump his a$$ on the way out of town.

I'm sorry, but for all the last minute effort that I saw folks put in to get IV off the ground during the last month and a half, handing CF a check for eight grand is pitiful. I and others from the left coast spent that much just shipping four cars to previous Flings...not even counting airfare, lodging, food...

Yes, the last minute nature of the deal due to the sniper played havoc with the planning and cut into the bottom line...but eight freeking thousand bucks?

Oops, need to get my fat a$$ outta the kitchen...lo siento.

[clayfoushee]

Turk and Jamo, I'm with you. I don't care how or what the money is raised for, whether it's the City of London or how it's raised, as long as it's not for single mothers, or methadone clinics.

We're all harping on the same thing. It's about the gathering of people, the charity gives us side benefits including unimpeded cooperation, and can make some feel good. This has been a very good discussion, and can maybe help get the whole thing back to grass roots.

[MidOHasp]

It looks like nobody has a problem with my ideas, and let's take it a step further like Turk - let's just abandon what I'm talking about for now, I'll start a new thread on "Fling Contents" later. Let's address Turk's idea now.

If we want to donate, screw the overhead and BS. Send money to Turk starting today, checks payable directly to whatever the charity. No checks to "Team Turk / DVSF / War Widows".

Here's an idea...each respective car club (Ohio Cobra Club, Cap Area CC, et al) reaches a consensus by vote as to a charity THEY will sponsor.

Between now and "FLING FIVE" we have a contest. Which club can raise more money between now and then? We find out in June. Until then, only Turk knows. Or maybe we keep a running tally here at CC.

I'll start a new thread on that, you can all throw your ideas at it.

I think the consensus being reached here among those with the guts to post is no more overhead. No more raffle unless the object being raffled is free. No more leaving everyone wondering where all of the damned money went.

We are accountable, we provide receipts, we donate 100% free and clear the moment we overtake London, OH. That's how it needs to work.

What say you all?

[clayfoushee]

I say I like young people thinking outside of the box. Go for it JP!

[Jamo]

I say he needs to get laid.

Actually, the "kid" is right on target, but it's all wasted unless someone's willing to listen...not hear, but really listen.

[Turk]

JP,
Not so quick.
I do hijack threads, but not events. Everything I suggested is for others to decide. Whether they send the money to Turk or to Clois.

Wheteher the money is for Jenny or for Chief Mel.

I am not making those recommendations, merely suggesting alternatives.

I don't want to do any of this, not until the participants (NOT the 4 or 5 of us) decide this is what THEY want to do.

Can't be sending checks and $hit not until the folks have decided what they want to do with their money.
I refuse to have anything to do with the funds, unless the checks are for a specific charity ( The Family) has decided.

Have no interest in having fingers pointed at me after the fact, wondering exactly just how much money was really sent in.

My only pledge is 100% of whatever you donate will go to whatever you slate it for. That's all.

That is how I have done the Club Cobra Fund Drives, and that is how I would do any other collection effort..

The central issue is, let's decide this WITH Ed, who has been responsible for almost all the decisions up to this point, which way he wants to proceed. Let the concensus take shape and then we proceed.

AGAIN, this is in no way an attempt to hijack, relocate or or to take over an event that belongs to us all. This is in no way a reflection on how poorly it is ran so far.

This is ONLY an attempt to get the charity aspect of this event OUT OF THE WAY before we get there so it seizes to be THE REASON why we go there.

TURK

[MidOHasp]

TURK,

Just giving it my stamp of approval. That's one, only a few hundred to go.

By no means do I think we're making a decision today...

But heck, it's a start.

[clayfoushee]

You got mine too....AGREED, that makes 4. The rest of you people need to weigh in, as do you Ed.

[G.R.]

The ideas brought forth sound good to me. Maybe some tweaking here or there but the overall concept is sound.

What do the rest of you think?

And especially you ED? You know London, what charities there need support, very few towns in this country would be willing to let a bunch of cars do burnouts on their streets--and support it.

KISS--great logic 'cuz you can't please all of the whiners or winners--and most of the rest will have a great time

[larryar]

There have been some great suggestions here! I have been to Fling 1,3 & 4. I felt that last year sort of lost the flavor of the cobra family. I love the idea of the motel lot cookout! The best part of the fling for me was sitting in the Cross Country parking lot sipping tequilla(sp?) that Jay brought from Mexico, and listening to Jay and Blackjack try to top each other's stories!
The Capital Area Cobra Club got together for dinner at a steakhouse just up from the motels and commandeered a patio all to ourselves and had our usual racous time. The Fling is about getting together and having a ball.
Larry

[rdorman]

Some good thoughts. Yep, KISS. My event: Friday poker run, saturday autocross, sunday london (SCCA has a real problem with Fridays). No organized evening events. People like to hang around the hotel and bond (party) so lets leave it there. Even accross a baseball diamond, while a big improvement, was to far for many. They want to be at the hotels. Although if some one shows up with a huge smoker/grill at the hotel I would not complain. I did post a thread last year with links to central Ohio activities and places of interest for those who where interested. So basically only three events to plan (still TONS of work). Keep the registration fee. Lots and lots of little costs associated with this. If we want more money for a charity, take one of the donated cars, advertise it nationally and there you have it. I like the roving charity idea. Put out a poll with the top picks, let people vote and there you have it. I like the vendors..... as participants, not sponsors, but part of the family (which they are). No need to try and do to much. We are all just happy to get together.

Rick

[Godzila]

It's Good , all good. JP and others
There are many good causes suggested here ,including CF.
I like the idea about each area club picking a charity collecting their funds and presenting them, and then posting the proceeds total and doing a competition with other clubs.
That way even those who may not even attend the fling may be tapped and more willing to donate to a charity they feel good about locally , and will support the good will it creates for Cobras in general,

It also could be pointed to when planning the event with the London locals to point out just what will be presented and to whom at the fling.

A registration fee to cover other aspects would be required