Looking Ahead -- General Assembly

[Dave McClung]

The General Assembly will be here before we know it. In thinking ahead, I find that I am having difficulty getting excited about having a NazNet.Com booth. I have sponsored a NazNet.Com booth at every General Assembly and every Mx Conference for more years than I can remember. The only purpose has been fellowship. The booth as been a meeting place for NazNetters.

I have also sponsored a NazNet Reception where the official NazNet photo was taken.

It is my sense that it is time for a change. I am thinking that we could accomplish the same objectives by just designating another location as the "Naznet meeting place" and setting some times to try to meet. It would free all of us up to enjoy the General Assembly.

This poll isn't an official poll, but is my first effort to test where people are in their thinking.

[Ryan Scott]

I want to go, but the chances are 50/50 right now - most likely if I attend, it will be for the business meetings only.

I really enjoyed the reception, but having the booth as a place to meet and hang out was the best part of the event.

[Dennis M. Scott]

I haven't voted, and would like to hear a little more about a place to meet. Would that be a meeting room near the exhibition hall, like where old people sit around and talk? Would it be as available as a booth has been?

[Jon Twitchell]

We don't know yet. I hope to attend... and I hope that I might coordinate another unofficial blog/twitter/website coverage of the assembly and conventions.

I'm not particularly sure about how to vote... one of the benefits of a NazNet booth is that it provides a fairly permanent meeting place. There were plenty of times in 2009 where I simply dropped by the booth to see who might happen to be there at any given time. It's also helpful for people who don't know each other to find each other... or even for people who DO know each other to have a place (in an unfamiliar area) to meet up.

So... I see value in a booth... but if it's just a meeting place, it may not be the best use of resources! :)

[Mike Schutz]

It certainly was a great place to meet Naznetters, connect with old friends, as well as provide my wife and kids with a place where they knew I would be if they lost track of me.

[Gina Stevenson]

Did not it also result in some newbies who learned of it there?

Maybe anyone who learned of NazNet there would like to chime in? ;)


We don't know yet. I hope to attend... and I hope that I might coordinate another unofficial blog/twitter/website coverage of the assembly and conventions.

I'm not particularly sure about how to vote... one of the benefits of a NazNet booth is that it provides a fairly permanent meeting place. There were plenty of times in 2009 where I simply dropped by the booth to see who might happen to be there at any given time. It's also helpful for people who don't know each other to find each other... or even for people who DO know each other to have a place (in an unfamiliar area) to meet up.

So... I see value in a booth... but if it's just a meeting place, it may not be the best use of resources! :)

[Kyle Borger]

Although I won't be attending and have never attended I would say that Dave and others shouldn't feel obligated to man a booth. An establsihed area where every one would meet along with some agreed times may be a solution.

[Craig Laughlin]

I haven't voted because I'm not sure, but it is probable that I will be there. I'm up for any of it.

[Marian Schwaller Carney]

I'm not sure if I am going yet and I think I won't know if I am attending until the Fall NED SDMI convention where we will elect delegates. I'd be interested in a designated place to meet, it would not have to be a booth. Maybe have NazNet Flash Mobs?? I was at one GA but was not on NazNet as yet and did not connect with NazNet until several years later.

[Wilson Deaton]

Obviously something COULD come up but I'm definitely PLANNING to be there.

Historically, I tend to be there convention week only and spend a lot of time in workshops and not much time in exhibit hall. So while I've always stopped by the Naznet Booth and greeted whoever happened to be there, I've never spent much time there. I'm leaning toward staying for the duration this time around which would give me more free time. So, until I have more firm plans I'm really on the fence...

Wilson

[Dennis M. Scott]

I'm afraid a lot of the responsibility in the past has fallen on Scott Cundiff, and I see he's not yet chimed in.

[Hans Deventer]

The idea of the booth was to spread the news about NazNet. Although that certainly has happened, it seems the main function was being a meeting place for NazNetters. My conclusion would be that whatever could function as such a meeting place, would be fine with me, understanding that a booth meant that there was always someone there.

[Glenn Messer]

Me, too. :smilies0150:

[Susan Unger]

I clicked on meeting place, but really am up for anything NN related.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

I'm afraid a lot of the responsibility in the past has fallen on Scott Cundiff, and I see he's not yet chimed in.

I thought it would be better to hear what other people think before posting. My first reaction is "let's have an official gathering, chat with one another, take a photo, and let that be it." Upon reflection, I'm not so sure. There was a great deal of great fellowship at the booth. Some folks just dropped by once or twice, others made it their place to meet family and friends, several made it their home away from home!

I don't mind playing a role with a booth. If we do have one, I'd vote for setting it up with plenty of places to sit and just let it run on automatic. I know they want some one to officially man the booths, but I don't think it's all that big a deal for a NazNet booth.

If we decide to not have one, I imagine we could commandeer a table or two at the rear of the eating/concert area, maybe with some unofficial table placards. In some ways that would be better - no set up, come and go as you please. I can imagine some good fellowship in that setup -or- I can imagine people dropping by for 2 minutes, not seeing anyone, and moving on.

I think I could talk myself into being happy either way.

[Ryan Scott]

At the M11 conference there was a booth, generally unmanned. I found a few people there, but with a much smaller concentration of naznetters it was empty quite a bit.

I wouldn't be opposed to just having a space, maybe with a few chairs, for people to sit and gather on occasion.

The other issue might be location. At m11, the booth was about as inacceassible as possible, facing away from the rest of the booths in the back of the room. If we get that spot at GA, then it might be less convenient.

Being more in the middle of things makes it easier to use as a meeting place.

I think we'll be able to find each other no matter what we end up with. I have to believe there will be wifi through the whole facility - so we can communicate with each other pretty well that way.

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

Do you think that the relatively few responses to the question is, in itself a response?

[Ryan Scott]

Do you think that the relatively few responses to the question is, in itself a response?

I think people who haven't experienced the Naznet booth at GA don't really understand the gravity of the situation.

[Shea Zellweger]

Planning to be there, I voted for a reception. I'd be fine with a booth, but I don't know if I'd be doing much of the manning of said booth, and didn't want to place too much of a burden on anyone else.

[Dave McClung]

The General Assembly will be here before we know it. In thinking ahead, I find that I am having difficulty getting excited about having a NazNet.Com booth. I have sponsored a NazNet.Com booth at every General Assembly and every Mx Conference for more years than I can remember. The only purpose has been fellowship. The booth as been a meeting place for NazNetters.

I have also sponsored a NazNet Reception where the official NazNet photo was taken.

It is my sense that it is time for a change. I am thinking that we could accomplish the same objectives by just designating another location as the "Naznet meeting place" and setting some times to try to meet. It would free all of us up to enjoy the General Assembly.

This poll isn't an official poll, but is my first effort to test where people are in their thinking.



Thanks for all of the input. I don't have to make a decision yet, but this is my current thinking:

1) I am willing to pay for a NazNet booth if someone else takes the responsibility for it. I am thinking that I will enjoy the assembly more if I am freed from the booth. If no one volunteers to be responsible, we just won't have a booth.

2) NazNet should sponsor a reception similar to what we had at the last general assembly. That will provide an opportunity for NazNetter's to meet each other and visit for a while.

3) If we don't have a NazNet booth, I will designate another place in the exhibit hall as a "NazNet meeting place." I will find a place that has seats and post the location.

I could change my mind.

[Hans Deventer]

Dave, it seems to me the heart of the matter is having a good meeting place. That does not necessarily require a booth. If a good alternative can be found, I presume most folks would be happy (I certainly would) and we don't need schedules for people to fill in, nor folks to take on some responsibility. Nor for you to pay the money for the booth.

As to the reception, I like the photo being taken but for some reason, the reception doesn't work so well for me. It's like a command to have fellowship. But that's just me, it seems most people like it and I certainly intend to be there.

[Jon Twitchell]

One of the things a booth did was to help connect people who might otherwise walk right past each other without recognizing them. Over time more NazNetters have met each other, but there are plenty who have not traveled or had a chance to meet up.

For instance, I think that if I walked by Hans at the Maine Mall, I would recognize him and speak to him.... the same would be true for Kevin Rector... and now Wilson Deaton.

But there are others that I've never met... I could sit down at a table with Wes Smith, and if he didn't have his nametag on, I would have no idea that I was talking with him.

The booth (or meeting place, if we'll make an effort to use it), provides space for us to say, "Oh... I DO know you..."


I wonder, however, if we could use "Lime-Green-Mickey-Heads" :)

Let me explain. One of the larger Disney-related discussion forums has a devoted member base, and they wanted to find ways to recognize one another if they were wandering through one of the parks... after all, you might spend a year talking with someone online, and then stand in line behind them at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and never recognize them.

So the idea of "Lime-Green-Mickey-Heads" was born. Members who wished would go to the paint-chip section of Home Depot (or any store that sold Disney-colored paint), and find the lime green paint chip that was shaped like a Mickey-head. They would snag one... bring it home, punch a hole in it, and attach it to their lanyard... or backpack... or something like that. Then, anyone who knew what the Lime-Green-Mickey-Head was for would know that this person belonged to the message board.

Obviously, we wouldn't use mickey-heads... but could we do something similar?

[Ryan Scott]

I think as long as have a designated meeting place, it would work. I really appreciated having the booth last time; I always knew there would be someone there to talk to. I met lots of people that way and have developed better relationships because of it.

I also appreciated the reception - partly because I met people there I hadn't met before and partly because of the cookies.

[Shea Zellweger]

One of the things a booth did was to help connect people who might otherwise walk right past each other without recognizing them. Over time more NazNetters have met each other, but there are plenty who have not traveled or had a chance to meet up.

For instance, I think that if I walked by Hans at the Maine Mall, I would recognize him and speak to him.... the same would be true for Kevin Rector... and now Wilson Deaton.

But there are others that I've never met... I could sit down at a table with Wes Smith, and if he didn't have his nametag on, I would have no idea that I was talking with him.

The booth (or meeting place, if we'll make an effort to use it), provides space for us to say, "Oh... I DO know you..."


I wonder, however, if we could use "Lime-Green-Mickey-Heads" :)

Let me explain. One of the larger Disney-related discussion forums has a devoted member base, and they wanted to find ways to recognize one another if they were wandering through one of the parks... after all, you might spend a year talking with someone online, and then stand in line behind them at Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and never recognize them.

So the idea of "Lime-Green-Mickey-Heads" was born. Members who wished would go to the paint-chip section of Home Depot (or any store that sold Disney-colored paint), and find the lime green paint chip that was shaped like a Mickey-head. They would snag one... bring it home, punch a hole in it, and attach it to their lanyard... or backpack... or something like that. Then, anyone who knew what the Lime-Green-Mickey-Head was for would know that this person belonged to the message board.

Obviously, we wouldn't use mickey-heads... but could we do something similar?

swords! We should all bring swords to General Assembly!

...or we could make crosses out of old RAM chips- I can whip up a few of those :).

[Marsha Lynn]

After reading through all the responses thus far, I finally got to the poll and voted (as anyone can see) that I want to have a booth.

I also want to lie around and do nothing this next week without any undone work piling up. Wanting a NazNet booth at G.A. falls into that same category of wants. As a free spirit, dipping in here and there during the conventions and workshops, I love having a default meeting place when it's time to come up for air and reconnect with my family group. I love having a place where I can expect to find good conversation and sweet fellowship during the times when no scheduled event grabs my attention. I'm not sure a general meeting place would fill the same role.

On the other hand, I have never come close to contributing my fair share to staffing and supporting the booth. It's easy to say I want something that gives me loads of free benefits.

Marsha

PS: I just had a flashback to 1972 in Miami, Florida, where the NARF (Nazarene Amateur Radio Fellowship) booth served the same purpose for my family of origin as the NazNet booth has for my current family for the past four G.A.s. I come from a long line of moochers.

[Gina Stevenson]

I also appreciated the reception - partly because I met people there I hadn't met before and partly because of the cookies.

Accidentally clicked the "praying" button instead of the "laughing" button. But maybe not that far off . . . might need prayer re a "Cookie Monster" tendency?
:smilies1722:

An interview with Cookie Monster:

http://www.uso.org/cookie-monster-interview/

[Marsha Gupton]

I hope to be able to attend as long as my Mother's health permits. Now that I have a wheelchair for her it will be easier. I have thoroughly enjoyed both the booth and the reception at the two GA that I have attended in Indy. The booth is a lot of work for Scott. One year, if I recall correctly, we all had naznet stickers that we wore to identify ourselves.

Marsha

[Roy Richardson]

swords! We should all bring swords to General Assembly!

...or we could make crosses out of old RAM chips- I can whip up a few of those :).

Or some kind of T-shirt with a pithy saying like "Naznet - the steel cage where Wesleyans and AHM folks air it out" or something like that. :)

It's late. I apologize for that extremely lame attempt at levity

Going to bed now :(

[Michael Flowers]

I will be there for at least part of the Convention week. The IL District Assembly isn't until the second week of July so I won't know until then if I will be coming as a delegate, though my hunch is that I will not since I am new to the district. Regardless, I plan to be there for at least a couple of days. That is the nice thing about having relatives in Indy and only living a couple hours away.

I am up for whatever, though I think that the booth would be a more natural meeting location, and potentially easier to find. If I am around and able I am more than willing to help out in the manning of a booth, I just won't know my availability for at least a few more weeks.

[Ryan Scott]

I wonder, Scott, since there isn't really anything in the booth to be watched over - if we just did a sign up like last time, but didn't worry about filling all the spots. People can man the booth as their schedules allow and we can use it for a meeting place in general.

I'm not sure the costs for a booth or whether that would be more practical than just designating a meeting place. Obviously Dave makes that final decision, but I did value a place to hang out and meet/talk to people I'd only previously known online.

[Greg Gates]

I think a booth is the most effective way to meet the objectives of Naznet as I understand them. It's better to have a designated place to meet with signage that communicates our purpose. Naznet will become more important and relevant as online operations replace travel and meetings. I'd love to take shifts to help man it.

[Craig Laughlin]

I haven't voted because I'm not sure, but it is probable that I will be there. I'm up for any of it.

Well after a little "cost/benefit" analysis I've decided not to go. I look forward to the reports.

[Jon Twitchell]

Well after a little "cost/benefit" analysis I've decided not to go. I look forward to the reports.

Sorry to hear that... but it's understandable. We'll miss seeing you there!

[Ryan Scott]

I checked my schedule as well, it would only likely be feasible for me to be there Wed-Sun. As much as I'd love to see all of you, that doesn't quite justify the several hundred dollar expenditure.

[Lucas Finch]

So no NazNet formal dance this year? And I already ordered my tux!

[Hans Deventer]

So no NazNet formal dance this year? And I already ordered my tux!

Lucas, I became a Nazarene because they don't dance. I mean, alcohol, gay marriage, these things can happen but dancing .......... integrity demands that we draw a line here. ;)

[Gina Stevenson]

Lucas, Hans ... you guys almost got "prayed for" rather than "laughed with," since that's next to the "thanks" button. But then I realized there were three ~~ not two ~~ buttons on this forum, so managed to click the right ones. ;)


ETA: BTW, now that I've a place of my own again, have tho't about leaving it for a few days ~~ don't like the "alone" factor, haven't since Danny died (& well before that) ~~ and trying Indy. But is there anyone who would let me "crash" with them (for some $$) for a couple days if I did this, rather than what I've heard/read is a ridiculous $100+/night for a (lonely) room alone?

[Hans Deventer]

ETA: BTW, now that I've a place of my own again, have tho't about leaving it for a few days ~~ don't like the "alone" factor, haven't since Danny died (& well before that) ~~ and trying Indy. But is there anyone who would let me "crash" with them (for some $$) for a couple days if I did this, rather than what I've heard/read is a ridiculous $100+/night for a (lonely) room alone?

There must be! I would try to contact the Indianapolis district.

[David Pettigrew]

Maybe we could produce a DVD, all meet at a designated spot, and pass it out together.