Organizing ops weekends

 I, sort of, have the, self appointed (?), reputation of organizing ops weekends around the country. This is mainly because I am, first, a mindless social butterfly, flitting from Op’s opportunity to Op’s opportunity. I happily sit at bars during Ops events buying drinks…

Second, I talk too much. I will talk at everyone within ear shot, talking their ear off and collecting information about operations oriented layouts or events.

Thirdly, I impose. I, as a general rule, do not take “no” for an answer. I will shamelessly strong arm my way into an op session, and once there I proudly put the lamp shade on and put on a show. 

It’s embarrassing, honestly.

So once I find a target of opportunity I exploit the hosts need for additional crew, as well as their vanity, and offer to bring along enough people to run their layout (For example for one ops event I got 19 respondents for ten spots and we are organizing a second trip).

Organizing is a strong word to describe what I do. What I do, I call it, is “The Elwood P Doud” move. Potential hosts, being polite, usually say innocently enough,”we should get together some time next time you are in my area”, to which I immediately respond, “Great, When?”… Brutal.

Then I send out an e-mail to my list of usual suspects asking who’s interested in operating in such and such a place on such and such a date, and I wait for the “Train Whores” to report in. 

That’s about the extent of my organizational efforts. I let the hosts set the date, I let the attendees arrange their flights, hotel reservations, car rental and food. All I ask is that you show up, on time, relatively sober, and house broken. My pet peeve is people who don’t reply. I don’t care if you lie to me, just reply to my calls. Those who don’t get dropped.

When I was working I often couldn’t even go on the trips I organized because I had a last minute work thing (KILL YOUR TV!!). I think John Parker, Mark Steenwyck, and the entire Twin Cities still hold a grudge!

After several decades of doing this I have it fairly streamlined, meaning I make it first of all, EASY ON ME.  There are no disagreements, you do it this way or you’re out. Period. 

I notify all attendees of the hosts dates and rules, we are going on this date, and it’s up to the attendees to determine if they can go. 

I found out LONG ago that allowing even a small debate over the terms of a trip is a recipe for disaster. (Had one guy bitch and moan for weeks, and finally drop out at the last minute, because the hotel wasn’t expensive enough!?! Now attendees make their own hotel accommodations) 

I’m going, if you want to go too, good. Otherwise I’ll tell you about it when I get back.

There is no pleasing everyone so I follow this guideline:

1) I please ME

2) I please the hosts.

These things are still a bit like herding cats, but I’m fairly brutal now. I post the rules and itineraries, if I get any feed back, other than “Yes”,  I ask those with objections to drop out. Some do. Some don’t. I couldn’t care less either way!

What a jerk I am. Remember that the next time I ask you to go on a Ops weekend!

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