Meet and Greet!

[TheAntiAnti]

Does anyone have any good ideas for a meet and greet time and place?
Get creative!

//TheAntiAnti//

[FlatlinesUp]

seems the trouble w/AR is about a 50/50 split between NW AR and CenAR on the members here (and about 3 hours away from each other)

Looking thru the semi recent threads here, it looks like we've got 5-6 in each area that are interested.

Currently AR's ZS Chapter is in "Inactive" status

If we want to pick up the pieces and run with it, we'll have to meet the below listed requirements of meetings/staff etc

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=18072

I propose we plan a meet within one month from now in a central location (maybe Russellville) to get to business and get our leaders straight, and discuss our meetings/charity events as well as meeting schedule etc

We may be able to elect the leaders (Pres, VP, Sec) online prior to the meet and get that out of the way, as well as discuss meeting times etc if so, I'd suggest a dedicated thread for each subject.
As far as leadership goes, we have this thread: viewtopic.php?f=59&t=50083 that was started last August, which seems dated to me, and I'd suggest a current thread be started so we know the folks interested are still available.

If we are going to continue this chapeter, we have to get off our asses and work at it. No one will just fix it and hand it to us.
If you are interested, voice your opinions and be heard here so we can get the biz part done and get down to having fun...

[FlatlinesUp]

Instead of starting yet another thread on meetings, if it's ok w/antianti, we'll just continue meeting discussions here?

With the state split pretty much 50/50 NW/Central, I suggest holding a face to face meeting every other month in Russleville at a pizza place (or equivalent), or we can agree ahead of time to meet at a different location/event (ie gun range, etc) if we can handle "business" online here in the AR Chapter subforum.

Then I suggest on the "off" months that we don't have a face to face state chapter meet, we have two local meets, one in the NW and one in Central, to keep our comradarie, develop new ideas to bring to the main meetings, as well as inviting/courting new membership.

Any other thoughts/ideas on this?

I suggest we do the face to face in R'ville on Feb (and regularly subsequent even months), on the 2nd Saturday at noon. I'm not familar enough w/R'ville to name a meeting spot, but pretty sure someone else here will know (think we've got a member there don't we?)
My reasoning on Saturday: most folks are off on weekends
My reasoning on Noon: most of us will be driving 1-1.5 hrs to meet, and it'd keep us driving during the daylight and allow more time for meeting without rushing vs. an evening meeting time
My reasoning on 2nd Sat: if we start the meet in Feb, and do every other month, that will allow us to have a Christmas party meeting on the 2nd Sat of Dec w/o getting in the way of too many holidays/shopping etc


Please agree/suggest:

Date/Time/Place of regular bi-monthly meetings in this thread (or just agree w/the above if it makes sense to you)
The above is once again just my opinion, and I strongly invite others to join in the discussion.
Thanks,
Britt

[eatatjoz]

I have previously suggested a virtual meeting in the past. This could be used in your scenario of every other split month to keep the chapter up on north/south Ideas and issues and still remain in the good graces of ZS.

There is a pretty good selection of meeting places in Russleville as well as camping/lodging.
I ride my scoot through there quite often on my way to hwy 123 and usually stop at What a burger for grub. It's not a very big place, but they have good food. There's also plenty of Mexican food around town (and who doesn't like Mexican food?) or just about anything else.

The opportunity to hold a few meetings at Nebo, Petit Jean, Dardenelle, Haw Creek, Spring lake could provide for a few hikes and overnight sleeping as well and still be centrally located. Hell, This is Arkansas. We've got some beautiful campgrounds all over the state, and really, really good food. Even the Buffalo could provide a decent location to keep drive times down for most.

I WILL be at Terra Studios campground on Oct 2nd for BBB though. I hate the stupid rally, but feel obligated to go. So, depending on the combined/split meeting, I'll be in Fayettnam on that weekend.

Edit: Feb will be here in no time, and some may have made previous plans already. I suggest making the split (local) meet for February and delaying the combined meet for March. That will give plenty of notice to all that may be interested as well as allowing for contributions to the meeting place.

[TheAntiAnti]

I agree, February is just around the corner. I like the idea of having two split meetings for February to work out the very basics, and then a combined meeting in, say, March.

That aside, I think that the 2nd Saturday time would be good for meetings. From there, we need to find a good place to set up this meeting. Toss some ideas this way. I know Fayettenam is full of great places for the NWA group.

Other than just 'meeting and greeting', what business do we feel is priority for the first meeting? Perhaps we need to establish an agenda to keep things clean.

[eatatjoz]

I've never been involved in this stuff, so I don't really know what's required. I usually just keep to myself.
Mods/sysops Where do we find the requirements for such meetings and the requirements for personnel/leadership? Do we need to keep minutes and such?

Barring any issues, I suggest a meet for the central folks at AGFC shooting range at Mayflower, Ar on Feb 13th. Noonish works for me. There are a few eating joints around town to BS and take care of business, and I need to try out my new (old) rem .308 that I traded a 1911 for.

The entire state would be meeting in March.

Any problems with this?

[rugger16]

If you guys can find a time and place for the NWA/Fayetteville meeting I will try to be there. I am interested in meeting some fun like minded folks. Don't know about the next couple of months. Rugby season is about to start and I will be busy. We are in a good position to try and make it to the national finals this year so I will be pretty busy with that, but the second weekend of Feb should be doable for me.

Thanks. I will keep an eye on the discussion here.

[magdelaina]

If we are about 50/50 on NW and Central, and NW is currently inactive anyway...

How about we simplify things by creating a Central Arkansas chapter, and get the NWA one up and running again. That puts less strain on scheduling and organization, and our effective range will be larger and open to even more members. Ex: someone from Hot Springs may be unable to meet in Russellville, but could easily make meetings in Little Rock. We could collaborate two or three times each year for meetings and a big event, but still be able to manage frequent meetings and smaller events within the separate chapters.

[FlatlinesUp]

mag, that sounds like a good idea, but w/the minimum numbers to have a chapter and the lack of replies in the threads in this chapter section, the math just doesn't work for two groups unless there's a big influx of folks that want to be active in one/both areas in short order.

Looking at the threads and the times posted etc it seems that there are some folks that are intersted, then no one posts, then some more trickle in, and then some more drop out etc

There just may not be enough folks to step up and make it work for either or both
but personally I'd love to see two groups that interact regularly like you mention

[TheAntiAnti]

I think Magdelaina has a good point. It will be really hard to meet regularly if we're all having to drive for hours. But if we could separate them into two small groups, it would make things a lot easier. Now if we could just find people willing to really get in there and do it!

//Tyler//

[FlatlinesUp]

could have sworn I read somewhere about having to have 5 members and 3 staff, but am only finding the ref to the three staff.

We could do two in AR if we only need three to start with.
We each would have to have 2 charity events per year (one prior to applying for ZS Chapter status)
as well as the meets (at least bimonthly)

Me, EatatJoez, and Reb 27 are all right together and I can meet on the suggested Feb date above.

I suggest the NW get their crap together up there, we'll do it down here in the middle and get our apps in to HQ, then we can try a State meet/eat in March to discuss what we've done so far.

[magdelaina]

OK, so for those interested in joining the new NWA, how does this sound: Noon, Feb 13, Fayetteville Public Library

Post here to confirm attendance. If there is interest, I'll reserve a meeting room. There is one for up to 6 attendants, or another for 26. Throw up any other ideas for a meeting place, but I don't want anyone to feel excluded because of food/drink purchase requirements and the like.

I'll throw some posters up around town and get the word out incase there's any new blood around.

[rugger16]

I'll do my best to be there. Thanks for setting this up.

[TheAntiAnti]

I'll be sure to be there. I'm trying to gather a few new recruits along for the ride.

//Tyler//

[REB 27]

could have sworn I read somewhere about having to have 5 members and 3 staff, but am only finding the ref to the three staff.

We could do two in AR if we only need three to start with.
We each would have to have 2 charity events per year (one prior to applying for ZS Chapter status)
as well as the meets (at least bimonthly)

Me, EatatJoez, and Reb 27 are all right together and I can meet on the suggested Feb date above.

I suggest the NW get their crap together up there, we'll do it down here in the middle and get our apps in to HQ, then we can try a State meet/eat in March to discuss what we've done so far.

Sounds like a plan. Keep me informed and I'll show up. And I'll drag some others w/me!

[eatatjoz]

Done.

Central:
AGFC shooting range, Mayflower. Saturday February 13th. Noonish.

NW:
Fayetteville Public Library. Saturday, February 13th. Noonish.


Central looks like Eatatjoz, Reb 27, and flatlinesup so far.
NW appears to be magdelaina, rugger16, TheAntiAnti.
Drifters invited and welcomed.

[REB 27]

Mayflower shooting range, Saturday, Feb 13th. About noon. All right, I'll be there.

[Heckedy Peg]

I bet I could make the Fayetteville meeting. I definitely could if it were during a weekday... just saying.

[velojym]

At this point, I don't see a problem with making the Mayflower meet. Any idea what we need to bring? I could just load up all my hardware... gotta sight it all in anyway.
How about food? We gonna whip something up there, ZPAW-style, or maybe trek over to Mi Burrito after the range time.



edited to add: Maybe we can talk about doing a few S24O (sub-24 hour-overnighter) bugout campout trips. Each one can have a theme of sorts, depending on location... overland would be by foot or bicycle, river would be canoe/raft/boat, and if we're feeling a bit froggy, maybe we could chip in and rent the Cessna or Piper 4-seater and do a fly-out to a remote airfield, like Petit Jean.

[eatatjoz]

Just bring the stuff that you want to shoot. There aren't going to be any zombies there so I doubt we'll need an arsenal. If you have an arsenal to bring and don't mind wasting ammo, by all means... enjoy!
I'll have my .308 to sight in, my little 17 because it's fun to shoot, and my 1911 because I don't go anywhere without it. Other than that, I don't plan on bringing much else. If y'all want to snack on stuff while there, I'll be glad to bring my camper so we can use the galley, or there's a new restaurant at the corner of 89 and 365 where Glory B's used to be. It doesn't really matter to me 'cause I only eat once a day and can wait until I get home.

One note for the range: DO NOT bring loaded weapons! Jerry the range nazi is a good guy, but he will not tolerate any broken rules. Loaded weapons is his pet peeve. If you have a concealed carry, stop at the gate, unload it, and then enter. Believe me, he'll toss you out in a heartbeat for having loaded guns.

[FlatlinesUp]

Just bring the stuff that you want to shoot. There aren't going to be any zombies there so I doubt we'll need an arsenal. If you have an arsenal to bring and don't mind wasting ammo, by all means... enjoy!
I'll have my .308 to sight in, my little 17 because it's fun to shoot, and my 1911 because I don't go anywhere without it. Other than that, I don't plan on bringing much else. If y'all want to snack on stuff while there, I'll be glad to bring my camper so we can use the galley, or there's a new restaurant at the corner of 89 and 365 where Glory B's used to be. It doesn't really matter to me 'cause I only eat once a day and can wait until I get home.

One note for the range: DO NOT bring loaded weapons! Jerry the range nazi is a good guy, but he will not tolerate any broken rules. Loaded weapons is his pet peeve. If you have a concealed carry, stop at the gate, unload it, and then enter. Believe me, he'll toss you out in a heartbeat for having loaded guns.

and not just loaded guns, you aren't supposed to bring in loaded magazines either

I also highly doubt that we'd be very well served talking about ZS at the gun range. I'd suggest we shoot for an hour or so, then go to a late lunch and discuss starting a central AR ZS chapter at a local place (can be decided that day even).

So far it's looking like 4 of us are going to show up. Bring a friend if you can, or talk it up at least to see if there's any interest in others attending

[velojym]

Oy. Yeah, I remember the no-loaded-guns rule. I'll probably just bring some stock 10rd mags for my 10/22 then. Nothing else I have is really much of a pain to unload, so that won't be a problem.

I guess a revolver speedloader isn't a problem? Since its job is merely to hold ammo I would imagine it's no worse than any other ammo case.
Then again... I don't know the range guy, so I'll empty that, too.

I'm all for holding the actual meeting at a more private location where we can talk without worrying about other folks' perceptions... "Hey, doze guys are talkin' 'bout zombies... and dey be ARMED!"

[REB 27]

I'm game for a shoot, and then an afternoon snack in down-town, metropolitan Mayflower. I've only eaten at the little diner, across from the Exxon station. It was pretty dang tasty!

Lol, yeah, Jerry can be a little strict, to say the least.

See you folks on Saturday.

REB

[eatatjoz]

gallowglas and her husband has also expressed interest.
We may have a good sized group coming.
I'm trying to talk the better half into coming, and if I can find others to go, I'll invite them too.

If they know me, they'll be pretty open to nutjobs that prepare for zombies. They may be suprised that there are more Joes out there, but my friends are usually receptive after getting accustomed to me.