DV, by DV

[Dan Stryffeler]

I've been flip-flopping on whether I should comment on this for the last few days. Not that my opinion is important or anything, but here goes...

A few years ago a thread was started asking if we, as a group, would be willing to offset the cost of the Fling, through a registration fee. A lot of discussion, most if not all as I recall was positive, and it was decided that $100 "felt" about right. The money was not intended to go to CF, but to defray some/all of the costs of the various events, security, etc.

I paid my registration fee for DVSF-3, because I felt it was money well spent. Last year, I did not pay, but came down to enjoy the cruise down/back, the hotel scene, and the cruise to downtown London. I would rather eat my meals at a resturant and had no particular interest in the bands, autocrossing, or the other items on the agenda. By all accounts, everything was great, but it just isn't what I am there for. I tried to pay a smaller registration fee to help offset the security and other costs, but was rebuffed with a "all or nothing" of the $100 fee.

I have never met DV, but believe he is honest and has the best interests of everyone, (us, the charity, the town, etc.), in his heart. But I feel with the dollar amounts involved, some accountability is required - if nothing else than to quiet some of the complaining (mine included).

I, and another individual, got involved with CF by putting together the drive-a-thon thing and have never been able to find out what, if anything, that raised for the charity, much less what dollars flowed to them from other sources. It was nice to see Mike Braatz post some figures earlier.

I guess my point is, regardless of how this thing goes forward - I believe there has to be some accounting made public on the next fling. If I understand Turks point of view; I agree that the charity should be keep separate - all money intended to go to the charity by contributors should be via check and endorsed to them.

DV would seem to be making the point that it's "our" party. But in reality, it's his party - he's the host, we're the guests. He should have enough feedback by now, (after 4 years!), for what works, what doesn't, and decide whether he wants to do it or back off and pass the torch to someone else. If he wants out for whatever reason, we should respect that and thank him for a job well done. If he wants to keep doing it, then get to doing it. Put out an agenda, and let each of us decide whether to participate or not.

Thanks for listening.

Dan Stryffeler

[Hotfingrs]

Well put Dan, It's Dv's party, and after 4 years, Ed knows what the people want, and what they don't want. No one is ever going to be pleased with all the events...and as DV pointed out on page 2 of this thread....."If someone else wants to come forward and hold their own Cobra get together somewhere else in the country, I'm all for it" That should pretty much sum it up, if you don't like the way things are at the Fling....hold your own.

Dan you're right about the $100.00 that was for operating costs, and as DV has pointed out, there is very little left after expenses, but it should also be paramount that ALL fling expenses be met with the registration fee, then any monies brought in by auctions, donations, raffles would then be free to go to charity.

Dan, I also believe strongly in your last paragraph......"If he wants out for whatever reason, we should respect that and thank him for a job well done. If he wants to keep doing it, then get to doing it. Put out an agenda, and let each of us decide whether to participate or not."........There has been enough discussion about what people want and don't want....It's DV's show, now let him get about doing it You either GO or DON'T GO.

[Turk]

Sorry, NOPE.

This was NOT DV's party. It became that by exclusion of ideas, plans and participants. This was a party for the "FAMILY" by the "FAMILY"
DV was, and has been a willing an active as well as an able conduit. He LIVED there.

We didn't attend and plan the Spring Fling from the beginning thinking we were attending DV's party.

This is not an attempt to unseat DV. This is an attempt to make it better, by making it SMALLER. We don't need to be fed. We can feed ourselves. yes there are some expenses, and we have always paid our way. We don't expect DV or anyone else to end up spending their own money to entertain us. That is what you do if YOU throw a party and invite people. We never felt DV or anyone else should host us and pay for it.

This was never a charity event, it needs to stop being billed as such. Charity aspect of it was the icing on the cake. Like I said before, we can, and have raised more money by NOT going.

Our little group spent over $20,000 to transport our cars, and attend the event. We could stay home and just send the money if we were feeling only charitable.

TURK

[Hotfingrs]

Turk, I respectfully disagree that this was never a charity event...Having only attended Flings 2, 3, and 4, all the T-shirts I have make reference to Team Jenny and Cystic Fibrosis.....It might have not started out as a charity event, but for the last 3 years, it sure has been.

[Dan Stryffeler]

I have no intention of trading words with anyone on this... the thread started by asking our opinions, I gave mine.

Never intended to infer that by saying it was DV's party, that he should pay for it - if that came through in my previous post, than I am sorry.

- Dan

[Mike Holt]

Turk,
I was referring to a combination of III & IV. The Auto Cross was at III ( So I'm told as I wasn't there) and the Picnic or what ever you want to call it was at IV on Sunday. The Poker Run was IV and was a great time.
I think those events should be included in all flings. Sitting around a motel parking lot drinking is fun for some but that can be done after the day's events. I think actively driving these cars and showing them off to the public is what the majority like to do.
I agree with your idea of collecting the charity money up front no matter what the charity is (I really like the idea of giving back to the town).

[Mike Braatz]

Dan, well said. JP, Turk, Jamo Godzila and others- I think we are all in the same kitchen now and we need to decide what to eat. Did you ever try to get a group of people to decide on which restaurant the group should go to?? Oh Lord!

The decisions, to be made, are not simple--each one will take some organizing, planing and actual putting "the rubber to the road" and of course, not everyone will be happy.

So someone needs to make some decisions---- ED -- you indicated you were monitoring this thread - it would be nice if you responed on occasions. I think you need to lets us know what is realisitic for you-- and what isn't, otherwise we could be spinning our wheels. JP and Turk made some suggestions that are major changes in fund raising, Godzila suggested each group or club pick a favorite, are these suggestions ok with you?? Dan makes a good point, after four years we should know what works and what does not. Somehow the same questions get asked every year -- let's bury them -- example, should we open this up to GM-FORD-MOPARS-HOT RODS?-- should we go to London? --
should vendors be invited-- etc etc.

There are some amazing ideas on the table and I think it is clear, people want it simple -- now try to figure out what that means!

Ed no one wants to step on your toes-- soooo-- how about jumping in and clearing some of the bush.

Mike

[MidOHasp]

Jack and Turk,

I'll bet if you sat down and hashed it out, you'd find you don't disagree too much. I think Turk is saying that no matter what it may have evolved into, the FLING was not intended to be a charity event.

If I have 10 people over to my place and ask them all for $5 to offset the price of beer, and I end up with money left over at the end, first, we didn't drink enough beer. Second, it was not a fundraiser. Even after I go back and try to disburse the leftover $$ to everyone, and they refuse, it's still not a JP fundraiser.

The fling has evolved into what it has evolved into. Do you think that is what everyone really wants? Hmmm....I'd be willing to be that if everyone were satisfied with the course it has run, there would not be 6 pages here, growing every day.

So, the fling has evolved into what it is. Ed's party for Team Jenny and CF. That's not what the fling is, I'm SORRY. Again, if it we're Ed's party, he'd be hosting it and paying for it. I don't think anyone expects or wants that. What Ed has done is take a small gathering and turn it into something we can all enjoy. That happened over the course of the first two years. Since then, the fling done all growed up. Too much. What people want is for it to go back to NOT being Ed's party for Team Jenny and CF.

I want Ed to respond here and say if he is interested in taking our suggestions and doing them justice. I, personally, am not interested, in hearing about how all of these ideas are great, but that we just can't pull it off and the fling will continue as it has. Pull what off? That's the point. Let's minimize what needs to be pulled off.

Ed, do you want a part of this? Speak up soon. We are not here trying to tell you to go away. If we were, we'd say, "Ed, go away." We are pretty vocal people. If you want to take our suggestions and make this happen, let's do it. Soon. If you don't like the direction of things, or don't feel like it coincides with your vision of the fling, then nobody will think the lesser of you if you say, "i'll take a pass this year."

But either way, you have to have an opinion of some sort.

Rick seems to have a great idea of how to flow the weekend. Looks like registration fee will probably be a necessity. AutoX on Saturday will work better than Friday. Leave evenings open for taquilla snorting and lie telling. I see this as sort of a revolution back to where it all started. I see that as a VERY positive thing.

[casaleenie]

Personally for me the most fun at the Fling's that I've attended was hanging around the motels just BS'ing with people and putting faces to names that appeared on this forum during the year. Actually, I'm pretty easily amused. Great cars, funny stories, good snack food and a few beers or wine.. like I said, I'm easily amused.


This year at the Fling I managed to have dinner with Ron the Moderator, Rick Dorman, Dan S., Oldman and lovely wife and drank with same. Laughed my butt off at Edley and his head piece. Saw tons of cars and when I needed to take it real easy I just moved upstairs to my room. It was amazing to see so many talented people in one spot... Every car was a work of art...

Bottom line is that I pretty much did what I wanted and made the Fling what I wanted it to be... Did I mention that I'm easily amused? I didn't register this year because I didn't plan on eating the served meal and I had to be in Chicago on Saturday night. I bought a few items that sent a portion of the profits to charity so I figured I was covered... I didn't buy any raffle tickets.
( I was sure I would have won and I didn't need another car )

[MidOHasp]

PS...

DAN, I don't think you said a single thing wrong or that should have even been mildly taken out of context.

But what do I know???

[rdorman]

Originally posted by MidOHasp


Leave evenings open for taquilla snorting and lie telling.

Now that is my kind of event! From what I have seen, we have a number of gold medalist in our midst. Just keep me away from small children during this event. For some reason me, tequila and small children don't mix!

Rick

[zipzip]

I'm a DVSF "newbie" having only gone to IV, but you've asked for opinions... so:

I think there has been enough "post"ulating on this thread. Not to demean any of the thoughts, but it seems to me that we're going round & round. MidO has offered to start another thread on events - let's gather ten or fifteen ideas on the events, start a poll, then use the top 3 or 4 to "suggest" to Ed. For me personally, a poker run, autocross, and the picnic are all winners.

I totally agree on the charity - it's a separate issue. Let the main street ride money go there, clubs can come with a check, a manufacturer can raffle off items, etc. etc. I think the charity should stay CF because of "history", and the fact that this is Ed's charity "of choice" - I'm assuming. If we want to donate to the local firemen, etc. then do so on your own. I believe this is Ed's choice as he is the one that does the leg work to put the event together.

My $.02: agree or disagree freely.

[MidOHasp]

Zippy:

I disagree, but not vehemently or anything, so no worries, right?

OK, look... the part of all of this you are not addressing is that this is NOT Ed's event. It is OUR event. By the way, if you haven't followed the fling for long or if you are jumping into this thread with any assumptions, "our" does not mean "Gashole" even if that group has been expressive here in this thread. "OUR" means everyone here. E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E!

Unless, unbeknownst to us, this IS an event Ed is running as a business, or as a means of income for himself, then I don't think it's "Ed's event". To be sure, I think the man deserves to be a big part of it, and as I will say until I am blue in the face, I don't think anyone should ever take anything away from him on what he's done for the event in the past.

But, to a point made earlier by I don't even remember who, it became "Ed's event" when the ideas of the general population were excluded, ignored, or sloughed off. No matter what anyone wants to say, you can't reasonably argue against that point. This event sure takes a lot of organizing and planning, but I can't think of anything where excluding the participants from planning altogether is a good course of action. And I'm not talking about telling the Club and local chapter presidents a couple of weeks prior that it is up to them to figure something out for Friday.

Keeping it all to yourself until April or May and then saying to some of your closer allies and partners, "Hey guys, I NEED you to make something happen" does not constitute, to me, getting everyone involved from the get-go.

So, Zip Zip, I disagree with you. Especially on your point of the charity being Ed's choice. Last I checked, the idea behind a charity was that it is at the sole discretion of the donor. That's the beauty of a charity. Nobody has to feel obligated.

My other thread will evolve if and when this one reaches sufficient levels of closure. That requires input from Ed Combs as well as continued input from people like you, me, Rick, Turk, Godzila, Mike, etc......

If we reach a consensus here in THIS thread on some of the basic logistics, then the other one can develop into party planning central, charity choices, etc...

[Turk]

Hotfingrs,
We can disagree whether Spring Fling was a Charity Event or became one all we want. I realize by the time DVSFII rolled around , charity aspect was pretty much in effect.

However since you admit to not having been to the first one, it is possible for you not to know the origins of the initial event.
I am NOT anti-charity or Anti-CF nor am I against Jenny.

I am not asking that we do away with charities. I am merely suggesting that, THAT is not why many of us traveled 2500 miles, and some even further.

We can always mail in our donation and keep the charity(s) in the background and not make it the main theme.

[Hotfingrs]

Turk,
You finally worded a post we both agree on...I don't know the origins of the original event, and from Fling 2 on charity was the main stay of the Fling.....I also know that you and your California friends are not against charity and the main reason you came to London was the cars and camraderie...For me also charities should be kept in the background and friends and cars first....with that being said, bring the Raki and gets your butts back to the Fling this year.

[mikiec]

Thanks Turk. Well said.

Ginny and I have been to 2 of the 4 flings. Ginny has contributed quilts for the past 3 and will do so again for the next. We do need more pics of the cars from DVSFIV.

I have been there each time without my car and probably will not have it there next year.

However, I'll be there. To me it's not about the charity but seeing the friends I have made over the years.

Mike

[Mike Braatz]

JUST A REVIEW GENTLEMEN ---- THIS IS ON OUR WEB SITE


The world's largest gathering of 427 S/C Cobra reproductions has come about in the strangest and most unbelievable way. It all started over a gift of "Chocolate Chip Cookies." A Doctor, Dr. Dan Semko of Richmond, Indiana, a fellow Cobra enthusiast, was sent a homemade box of Chocolate Chip Cookies for a Christmas present last December (2000).

Dr. "D", as I like to call him, posted on the Internet for the Cobra world to see, "Chocolate Chip Cookies to die for!" Dr. D then proclaimed to the world that nothing but nothing could compare to these homemade cookies. Well, a gentleman in California took exception to this, claiming his Chocolate mousse cake was the finest culinary desert to be found, and immediately another Cobra enthusiast insisted that the Key Lime pie from Florida could take anything chocolate!

Well, I know a challenge when I see one! I simply stated that "we" should have an eat-off if you will. Find a Wal-Mart parking lot somewhere in the middle of the Country, set up the Cobras in a big circle with tables of goodies in front. I would then sample all of these fine pastries and declare a winner!

Dr. D then suggested that we actually do this at our little place of business in London, OH. Being up for a challenge I accepted, thinking, hey, anytime you can get a few Cobra people together, enjoy good food and a little cruise, why not!

The little gathering immediately picked up a huge head of steam! Now my wife and I found our selves a little short of cash for this crowd of 50 or so peaple. When some of the Cobra manufacturers volunteered to help out with the funding, we, my wife and I, gladly accepted! But now we were going to have too much money. I simply suggested that we donate the excess money to a charity. It was at this time that I found out one of our fellow Cobra manufacturers, Dave Smith, owner of "Factory Five Racing", has a young daughter with Cystic Fibrosis.

Her name is Jenny Smith and she is from Massachusetts. Thinking this would be a great opportunity, we decided all excess funds would be donated then to Cystic Fibrosis.

Now it gets even better. A direct competitor of Jenny's father, "Classic Roadsters, Inc." has donated a Cobra Kit, valued at $15,000.00 to the "Double Venom Spring Fling" to be raffled off with all proceeds to be donated to the now-named "Team Jenny" fund!

Once this was posted to the Cobra world we have received thousands of dollars worth of merchandise to raffle, auction and give away at the Spring Fling!

What was planned as nothing more than a simple Sunday afternoon picnic and cruise-in has turned into the world's largest Cobra show ever!

Over 40 States are being represented, with people coming as far away as Canada and Australia! To date we have almost filled two complete hotels with this impromptu picnic.

If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to call me at 740-852-5280. We are now actively looking for any businesses or individuals tbat would be willing to help out and raise funds. I am hoping that we can go from our original "couple of hundred dollars" to a few thousand dollars.

Very truly,
Ed Combs, AKA DV

[clayfoushee]

Goodness gracious......I don't see any argument here. All I hear is that people want it to get just as simple as DV suggested in his history of The Fling just above. Forget the bands, forget the catered meals, etc., just keep it simple.

Let people book their own hotels, we know where they are. All we really need is tacit approval from the City of London. Let each club raise money and give it to whomever the consensus charity should be, or to someone else if they choose.

As an example, the catered park dinner on Friday night created the need for badges to keep out freeloaders, which created the need for staffing to get them out, created confusion about badges's that got lost or didn't get made, and created long lines for people getting in! ALL OF THAT IS UNNECESSARY!

The second big question is whether Ed would like to remain the "focal point."

[Hotfingrs]

Clay,

Another nail hit dead on the head.

[ToyCollector]

The Atlanta Club will pay for name tags and magic markers for everyone to write their name and forum names. We'll be the 1st to step up to the plate.