Post by Canto on Jan 8, 2013 10:45:32 GMT -5
Originally gleaned from: miairsoft.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=45641&page=1
The meat of the issue comes in at the bottom of page one and into page two.
Wait then why do we have to call you "executive captain majesty" every time we meet?
Although I don't have a problem with a meet-up of sorts, knowing the different groups and people of MIA, discussing the state of airsoft in Michigan would be better handled here on the forums. Any kind of change or plans discussed in a meeting like that would have to be brought here and discussed anyways before it becomes something that everyone implements.
A meet up would only result in a lot of bull-shitting and other things which I cannot mention in mixed company. Might be fun to do just to hang out with everyone in a non- airsoft setting but if it is meant to be a serious thing, it may not go over too well.
I think I can speak for most people by saying that we love airsoft and we want to see it succeed here but we also don't want to take it to a point where it becomes more serious than it should be.
I realize this might be taken as me trying to hijack this thread, but I can assure you that was not my intent. Just throwing out another meet up idea. I also do agree, even though attending games is a great way to "meet" MiA members, there is less time spent BSing and more time spent trying to get ready for the game. The swap meet we had this year was also a great get together, again though, a better turn out would have made it even better.
And these kinds of things are some of the most fun at big events so it's only natural to assume they'll work out here as well. But in the order of a sort of conference then someone taking responsibility for running the show would have to put together and present in advance a list of topics and ideas and common practices to discuss either as an open forum all at once or in stints every other hour (example).
Now if one wants to make it a big thing and really concrete it as an annual/regular event then the smart thing to do would to be turn it into a convention. Bringing in retailers, holding raffles, that kind of thing.
And depending on how you choose to look at it that can get a bit too far a from weekend of booze and BBQ.
For conversation and brainstorming we have the team pow-wows and the forum. For meet and greet we have our teams and our events. For hanging out we have our teams, our homes and our fields (permitting). But getting ALL of us (give or take) in one spot at the same time...means getting all of us together at the same time and all the good and bad that goes with it. Doing it means really making it worth the while. Unfortunately can't make that call until it's over.
So I'm inclined to agree with Gunny. Keep it relaxed and make it a BBQ. Maybe make questionnaires or little sheets with common questions or ideas so that people can privately and at their leisure answer all the questions they care to answer WHILE being allowed the option of discussing it with the people they care to spend time with.
And then it's a nice environment for people to introduce themselves and walk around and talk to each other and basically shoot the shit.
Then like already stated if we can do it at some sort of state recreation park where camping is allowed then whoever plans on staying out can then camp over in the designated camping part of the park.
And Tank can bring the MIA flag!
Nobody actually lives up in the northland!
+1 on the idea
As was stated in the above mentioned thread and quotes, there seems to be interest in having some type of MiA social gathering. I'm very interested...
Part of what makes airsoft enjoyable (at least for me) is the community aspect of it. A lot of us live extremely far apart and a lot of times the only chance we all get to see each other and socialize is either at respawn, before an event starts, or on the forums.
I was thinking a very laid back atmosphere where players could play if they choose, work on their guns, socialize, and generally have a good time.
The use of state or national park for this kind of thing seems like a poor choice. Can't bring our replicas, which also eliminates dry firing, test firing, sighting in, etc.
Something I would also like to address now. As much as I would like this to be a free occasion, where everyone could just get together; I can't do that and I don't think it's possible. Everything costs money, to one degree or another. I feel that organizing this similar to an event will have a much more streamlined and coordinated turnout and operation.
Sometimes our own teams cannot coordinate among themselves on who is bringing a battery charger.
I would hate to see this all come together and then fall apart at the last second or worse yet, during the gathering itself. All because (insert name here) teammate can't make it. But he's also bringing a portable grill and a cooler of meat. That means people are going hungry or someone is making a trip to the store.
I also have a formal event that is ready to go. Just waiting to hear public opinions on the topic.
If there is serious interest in this, myself and a few others will do our best to make this happen.
The meat of the issue comes in at the bottom of page one and into page two.
I have a hard time taking seriously any team that has a captain, and especially one that has an executive. That's one of those red flags, as it usually fosters the kind of team attitude that most of us despise.
Wait then why do we have to call you "executive captain majesty" every time we meet?
Although I don't have a problem with a meet-up of sorts, knowing the different groups and people of MIA, discussing the state of airsoft in Michigan would be better handled here on the forums. Any kind of change or plans discussed in a meeting like that would have to be brought here and discussed anyways before it becomes something that everyone implements.
A meet up would only result in a lot of bull-shitting and other things which I cannot mention in mixed company. Might be fun to do just to hang out with everyone in a non- airsoft setting but if it is meant to be a serious thing, it may not go over too well.
I think I can speak for most people by saying that we love airsoft and we want to see it succeed here but we also don't want to take it to a point where it becomes more serious than it should be.
Or we could meet at a gun range! I know many of us have firearms, but many don't make it out to our MiA shooting outings though. I know I really got to know some guys here way better, after drooling over each other's boom sticks. It may not be the best option this time of year, since outdoor ranges where you can shoot the shit without being on the clock is the best place for this. But it would be great to see more participation at these outings next spring. I'm sure past of the cause was either location, or being uneasy with being around people handling guns when you don't really know their gun etiquette. I can tell you that gun safety was always taken very serious. For those that don't own any guns but would like to try shooting some, I know many of the people that have gone would have no issue with someone shooting their gun.
I realize this might be taken as me trying to hijack this thread, but I can assure you that was not my intent. Just throwing out another meet up idea. I also do agree, even though attending games is a great way to "meet" MiA members, there is less time spent BSing and more time spent trying to get ready for the game. The swap meet we had this year was also a great get together, again though, a better turn out would have made it even better.
What I think would be cool is if we organized an annual MIA BBQ event that we could have at a state park or some sort of recreation area (like maybe near Lansing so it's in the center of the state). If someone is willing to organize it and rent like a pavilion then everyone can contribute by bringing food and drinks and we could do that during one day over the summer. That could accommodate for a large number of people too.
Now that sounds sweet but you know it'd have to be like a weekend long thing to accommodate the most people and schedules. Would need access to a camping area of some kind to make it nice and a range secured for test firing if not full skirmishes.
And these kinds of things are some of the most fun at big events so it's only natural to assume they'll work out here as well. But in the order of a sort of conference then someone taking responsibility for running the show would have to put together and present in advance a list of topics and ideas and common practices to discuss either as an open forum all at once or in stints every other hour (example).
Now if one wants to make it a big thing and really concrete it as an annual/regular event then the smart thing to do would to be turn it into a convention. Bringing in retailers, holding raffles, that kind of thing.
And depending on how you choose to look at it that can get a bit too far a from weekend of booze and BBQ.
For conversation and brainstorming we have the team pow-wows and the forum. For meet and greet we have our teams and our events. For hanging out we have our teams, our homes and our fields (permitting). But getting ALL of us (give or take) in one spot at the same time...means getting all of us together at the same time and all the good and bad that goes with it. Doing it means really making it worth the while. Unfortunately can't make that call until it's over.
So I'm inclined to agree with Gunny. Keep it relaxed and make it a BBQ. Maybe make questionnaires or little sheets with common questions or ideas so that people can privately and at their leisure answer all the questions they care to answer WHILE being allowed the option of discussing it with the people they care to spend time with.
+1, Gunny. A MiA BBQ and/or camp-out weekend would be sweet!
IMO it would probably be the easiest thing to set up and do. And it wouldn't be that hard for the person(s) organizing it to call ahead after a date has been agreed upon and rent a pavilion. And maybe manage a list of how many are attending and what everyone is bringing and we're set. Most parks have plenty of parking, people can bring footballs, frisbees, cornhole, or whatever they want. We can maybe do some MIA two hand touch football. People can volunteer to bring coolers and stuff like that.
And then it's a nice environment for people to introduce themselves and walk around and talk to each other and basically shoot the shit.
Then like already stated if we can do it at some sort of state recreation park where camping is allowed then whoever plans on staying out can then camp over in the designated camping part of the park.
And Tank can bring the MIA flag!
Gunny I think you need to pull your hand map out for a little geography lesson. Just messing with you but I do like the concept here. Except the only thing that doesn't seem to be noticed much is NorMich players. Gimp, myself and even Dingo are willing to travel but distance is a big factor for a lot of people.
Get used to lansing "being the center of the state".
Nobody actually lives up in the northland!
+1 on the idea
As was stated in the above mentioned thread and quotes, there seems to be interest in having some type of MiA social gathering. I'm very interested...
Part of what makes airsoft enjoyable (at least for me) is the community aspect of it. A lot of us live extremely far apart and a lot of times the only chance we all get to see each other and socialize is either at respawn, before an event starts, or on the forums.
I was thinking a very laid back atmosphere where players could play if they choose, work on their guns, socialize, and generally have a good time.
The use of state or national park for this kind of thing seems like a poor choice. Can't bring our replicas, which also eliminates dry firing, test firing, sighting in, etc.
Something I would also like to address now. As much as I would like this to be a free occasion, where everyone could just get together; I can't do that and I don't think it's possible. Everything costs money, to one degree or another. I feel that organizing this similar to an event will have a much more streamlined and coordinated turnout and operation.
Sometimes our own teams cannot coordinate among themselves on who is bringing a battery charger.
I would hate to see this all come together and then fall apart at the last second or worse yet, during the gathering itself. All because (insert name here) teammate can't make it. But he's also bringing a portable grill and a cooler of meat. That means people are going hungry or someone is making a trip to the store.
I also have a formal event that is ready to go. Just waiting to hear public opinions on the topic.
If there is serious interest in this, myself and a few others will do our best to make this happen.