NW FEST Constructive Criticism thread

Some good points all around, some of which I agree with more than others. A few thoughts from my end:

Underage drinking: Yes, there needs to be limitations. I didn't see any problemon the trail, but back at camp it got out of hand. The one kid got shnockered, and his bro and/or friends should have been more on top of that. It's absolutely a liability issue and also a responsibility issue. As the adults in attendance, we have a responsibility to look out for underage members.

Drinking on the trail: If I want to have a beer or three on the trail and I am not intoxicated or otherwise impinging on anyone's fun or space, then it shouldn't be an issue. I didn't see anyone the least bit inebriated on the trail. maybe I missed it, but it didn't appear to be an issue, at least not i the groups that I ran with. If a harsh "no beer on the trail" policy is going into effect, I guess I'm not wheeling at NAXJA events anymore. Sorry, but that's the way I feel about it. I enjoy a few beers on the trail, I keep it under control, don't hassle me about it. Fot those that can't keep it under control, then yes, they need to get it under control. If they can't control it, they should not be invited back. That's all I have to say about that.

Trail runs: There was a distinct lack of planning, which wasn't tyhe end of the world, but a little frustrating, and most definitely slowed up camp departure. It would be good to have several trail runs/routes planned out in advance for groups of different sizes/capabilities, each with a designated trail leader who knows them and a good blend of experience and knowledge.

Campfire: Saturday night did get a bit out of hand on a couple of fronts. It ran later than it should have, the consumption was a bit excessive, and the noise too loud as well. We can certainly set ground rules, some obvious ones being: No underage drinking, music off by 1 or 2 a.m., etc. But there are two sides to this issue as well. Many people greatly enjoy the cameraderie of the fireside, and if it becomes a draconian "Fire out and everyone silent and in bed by 1 a.m." thing, it's unfair to the members who enjoy that sort of thing. A compromise would be to certainly kill the music at a reasonable hour. Another thing I've found very helpful in the past is ear plugs. Bring them, use them, you'll sleep much better than without them when camp is still loud. Hans made a great point, pitch your tent away from the main fire. There is certainly roo for everyone to do a little of what they enjoy while respecting others, and others taking necessary steps to ensure a bit of peace for themselves and their families.

Personally, I thought things went very well on the whole. Our late arrival back to camp Saturday was a bummer, and without numerous overheating stops and a leaf spring pin failure we would have returned to camp around 7-ish. Partly our bad, mostly unanticipated mechanical difficulties. One thing I don't really want to see is a lot of heavy-handed draconian rules laid down that would kill the casual fun of the event. If it becomes too scheduled and rigid, it loses a bit of appeal IMO.
 
Wow, I didn't realize the drinking on the trail was an issue. Honestly, I was near the front of our group and only really did one good run, but I didn't see anyone drinking at all. I do NOT drink at all on the trail any more and while I agree that some people can handle A beer or two, it's hard to decide who can and who can't.

I would like to get this out there, you guys all support me and the business and I have absolutely NO problem providing dinner as well as PARTIALLY sponsoring the raffle. I just wish everyone had made it back to enjoy.

The "event committee" is a great idea. Put me down in charge of dinner next year, and I'll help out with tech inspection. Also, I don't wanna get real involved /w the raffle as I help out my club for our M&G with that, but I'll offer hints and share some experience to anybody who steps up.

John
 
I had really wanted to come out and hang with you guys on Saturday but ended up not being able to pull it off. As someone who likes to throw around the word "draconian" I am the last person to advocate for rules but I think there are limits. I was thinking of inviting a buddy with a Lada Niva along as a guest but read the rules and he did not have enough recovery gear for me to feel good about inviting him. While I was reading the NAXJA bylaws
http://www.naxja.org/html/bylaws.htm (article IX particularly)

I was impressed with how thoughtful and organized they seemed. Sounds like not many people read them.

Have met some of you individually doing my Jeep build up and thoroughly enjoyed it but I must admit showing up at a NAXJA event is just a tad intimidating because it is a close-knit group. who do pretty hard core stuff. It sounds like with this event that you guys got gate-crashed and there was no structure to deal with it. This probably means that the chapter is no longer a small group of tight knit folk who go wheeling but an Internet presence with a million eyeballs any of whom could show up at an event.

As a relative NOOB these are my suggestions.

Follow the bylaws. IMO scrutineering could be a fun thing to do an participate in. We could help people who failed inspection by doing repairs at Camp before the breakage on the trail. I will not go on about all the bylaws but to seriously advocate that an organization can sanction/look the other way to drinking and Jeep operation is insane.

Have the campfire scene be pretty subdued and kid friendly. If people want to go off and
seriously party maybe they could go off the reservation and be unsanctioned. If I had a young kid there is no way I would be comfortable around the scene as described by others. Hell I have a 17 year old and I would still have been concerned.

Consider invitation only. That way if 150 people indicate interest we could handle accordingly. Maybe do multiple campsites (over 18 and under??)

Sliding scale entry fee?

Definitely do an events committee and even sub-committees for various events. If there is not the volunteers then the event does not happen.

Limit the size of trail runs. The last thing I want to do is transfer a 520 traffic jam to the wilderness.

Have empowered security and chuck people out who are out of control. I am sure there would be volunteers.

I actually think some sort of screening process would be a good idea. If NAXJA had some sort of system that a NOOB could show up for and learn the basic skills necessary for organized events (certification??) I think it would be a really good way to bring in new people/blood to the group in a relatively non-threatening way. Probably another committee :-).

In closing I would suggest that NAXJA in the Northwest is amazingly popular if not necessarily succesful in terms of paid up members. It is like a startup company that has grown and has to deal with becoming more organized to deal with the growth. That probably means that the core group needs to figure that out so that growth can be managed and new blood can be encouraged. When I first got my XJ it had 3" lift blocks and did not know what is obvious to the group but I am glad I did not show up at an event and get lambasted when my axle wrapped off. What was heartening was that the BC kid got some help amongst all the jeering it would seem but it all seemed a little darwinian. (again scrutineering). The recent thread with Gil? is a case in point. I have a very busy job but would be willing to volunteer time if there was some sort of structure that I could plan around because I really would like to get more involved in NAXJA and would also like to hang with like minded people in beautiful settings.

Anyway enough from the peanut gallery.
 

The only thing I have to offer is that we needed better lines of communication regarding trail runs. I.e. maybe a sign-up sheet with times and trail descriptions. Other than that, I have no complaints and had an absolute blast and for the sheer number of people in attendance, I thought the whole event went well. Everyone (except for my minor lapse in judgment) understood trail etiquette and I’m sure everyone was made to feel welcome and safe the whole weekend.
One more note:
John, I can’t thank you and Jen enough for everything you did to help organize this event and for sponsoring the dinner on Saturday night. Truly above and beyond.
 
I can't comment on this years event, I wasn't there... (duh, right?)

I don't have a wheeling rig anymore, but I'd like to try to get more involved in the next event, be it NWFest 09 or an event in between. If the BOD could, please note me down as a volunteer for event coordination.

I am sure I can help with raffle committee type of stuff, amongst other things. I'd like to try to get my company involved, maybe even bring one of our rigs to the event so I can play. I know I could probably get some WP product donated, and I have connections to work on in other places as well.

That said, I'd like to see something go on a little closer to home too.

Question - Are we supposed to be trying to raise funds for our chapter? Perhaps a small entry fee for that?
 
Dust and dirtbikes.

Cliques - I don't get away from the family much, so I only know most of you via online. I spent most of my time in my "comfort zone."
 
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Avanteone said:
I yelled out as often as I could to not be shy /w the food. It's ok, we've had a good lunch of bbq chicken and potato salad at the shop the last couple of days :laugh:

John

Damn I should have made my appt for monday.

-Alex
 
First off, let me say that I had a great time at the event and look forward to the next.

I agree with GI John and the points he covered and would like to add that my biggest frustration was the lack of solid directions. As someone new to the area and group, I almost did not attend because of this. Upon arrival we made 180 turns twice as the Map Quest directions posted said we were looking for a right hand turn, not a left. I understand there maybe some issues with larger signs but the small paper plate signs were difficult to see and I am glad we got there in the daylight as I would have given up and camped at Kaner in the dark.

Compared to other events I have been to, I would encourage the group to set up a welcome or check in area. It certainly helps to make new folks seem welcome. Identify the trail leaders, difficulty of the trail, and departure times and take care of the inspection.

As for the BBQ, I thought it was great. I appoligize that my friends and I did not eat. We failed to RSVP as requested, because of the previous issue, so we did not eat as we did not want things to run short. We also enjoyed the raffle and the beer, but agree the nights got a little long.

Look forward to the next event and will be happy to volunteer.
 
Ba-Riedo said:
I helped...:D

-Alex

Alex did the work, with my tools and parts (like most of the weekend ;) ).
About a 1/2 dozen people watched and learned.

I also helped dismount a couple of tires with different people (but we were cheating by useing my tire tool on the trailer).

I did not make time to fix Doug's tire (we both got back late) and to be honest, I didn't feel like trying to pull everone who was interested together.

I think that a Noobfest type event would be good again and to do some more of these tech items at it. Basic trail techniques, communication, tire repair, winch techniques, etc.

Michael
 
First and foremost thanks to the organizers. I had a wonderful time and will attend future events. I like most of the suggestions offered so far; and look forward to many of these being implemented at future events.

As a suggestion on improvement I would like to see a published protocol for breakage. I felt in unfortunate that Andy's rig was left on the trail unsupervised. I would like to have seen two or three rigs designated to stay behind and better organization with respect to securing necessary spares.

I am always amazed at how well the group does take care of itself, but think that with some forward thought we might be able to do better.
 
I had a good time, didn't wheel as much as i had hoped( my own fault).
It did seem like the B.O.D. was very busy taking care of too much.I mean lets face it there was only 2 of them, some deligation would be a good idea.

It was quite loud on saturday night, the only things in my opinion that got out of hand were for the most part nipped in the bud before things got ugly.
I do think a loud music cut off would be fine, but telling people they can't hang out by a fire and b.s. would be going too far.

Thanks again for everyone that put their time ,effort, and funds into making this happen.

Sean
 
90exjay said:
\
It did seem like the B.O.D. was very busy taking care of too much.I mean lets face it there was only 2 of them, some deligation would be a good idea.


There is actually three of them. One is just a lazy bastard that doesn't show up to the events ;) . I'd like to appologize to Ryan and Eli, and to the NWfest attendants for not being there and helping out. It sounds like some things could have gone a little smoother, and I think implementing some of the suggestions here, and some effort by the BOD and key people (maybe and event committe) we can have a great event for next year. Thanks for the input and suggestions.

-Jeremy
 
OD-XJ said:
There is actually three of them. One is just a lazy bastard that doesn't show up to the events ;) . -Jeremy

???? lazy?? :doh: You've put more time into building your rig than most people have into driving thiers! Now go back out to the garage and build some more gussetts!
 
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