HOSTING A TEXAS W EVENT

Table of Contents

E1       EVENT DATES.. 2
E2       EVENT LOCATION.. 3
E3       CHAIRPERSON/CO-CHAIRPERSON.. 4
E4       NON-REGISTERED RIGS.. 5
E5       SUNDAY DEVOTIONAL. 5
E6       MEETING BUDGET. 5
E7       DEALER & VENDOR PARTICIPATION.. 5
E8       HOST BADGES.. 6
E9       DONATIONS, PRIZES AND AWARDS.. 6
E10     PRE-REGISTRATION CASH PRIZES.. 6
E11     ENTERTAINMENT & ENTERTAINERS.. 7
E12     REGISTRATION FORM.. 7
E13     PROGRAM.. 8
E14     MEALS.. 8
E15     PRE-MEETING ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE.. 8
E16     PARKERS/GREETERS COMMITTEE.. 9
E17     FOOD COMMITTEE.. 9
E18     DECORATING COMMITTEE.. 10
E19     ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE.. 11
E20     GAMES COMMITTEE.. 11
E21     TEXAS W EQUIPMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS



HOSTING A TEXAS W EVENT 

GUIDELINES


NOTE: Prior to starting preparations to host an Event, discuss with the Texas W President any restrictions or policy changes to these guidelines.

Do not schedule an Event to conflict with an adjoining state’s Meeting or Rally.


E1        EVENT DATES


MEETING
Meetings are normally held in January, April and July (GNR). Meetings begin on Friday, typically after the opening ceremonies and end on Sunday. However, an opening ceremony is not required at a meeting. Meetings are low key with minimum fan fare.To hold the cost down, catered meals and paid entertainment are limited. The host may elect to prepare some of the food.

A theme is not necessary.

Pre-Meeting activities (parking, entertainment, tours, food, etc.) should not be considered part of nor included in the registration fee. These activities are advertised as Pre-Meeting activities and are paid for separately by participants.

RALLY
The Rally usually occurs in October. The Rally is a grand event, much more elaborate than a Meeting. A Rally starts on Friday with an opening ceremony and concludes on Sunday with the devotional. A theme is usually supported with decorations, catered meals and paid entertainment.

Vendors are invited to show their wares and seminars may be scheduled. Visitors/guests are solicited and encouraged to attend, provided they arrive in a Winnebago Industries product.

A badge or pin may be provided to the participants, if approved by the Texas W Executive Board and included in the budget.

The annual election of Texas W Officers occurs at the October Rally. Texas W dues can be paid at the Rally.

Pre-Rally activities (parking, entertainment, tours, food, etc.) should not be considered as part of nor included in the registration fee. These activities are advertised as Pre-Rally activities and are paid for separately by participants.

E2    EVENT LOCATION                                                 

MEETING/RALLY
The hosting Chapter decides the Event location, and informs the Texas W President who gives verbal approval. Then the hosting Chapter initiates a contract with the park.

Once the Park signs the contract, forward the contract to the Texas W President for a signature. Send the original signed contract back to the park. Retain a file copy and send copy a to the Texas W President.

Ask the park what their building occupancy is.

Know when you can have the building(s).

One day in advance of the Event is ideal for the hosting Chapter to make final preparations.

Some of the information you will want on the contract is:

NOTE: Does the park require an insurance certificate? An insurance certificate is available from the WIT office and should be requested in advance of the Event. Acquisition of the certificate is the responsibility of the Texas W President.

E3    CHAIRPERSON/CO-CHAIRPERSON                     

MEETING/RALLY
The Hosting Chapter shall name a chairperson and co-chairperson to coordinate the Event. Having both, the Chapter will always have someone in charge if one is unable to continue. The chairperson and co-chairperson are required to work together as a team, and keep each other informed as to the Event status.

The chairperson and co-chairperson creates and submits a proposed budget to cover all anticipated expenditures to the Texas W Executive Board for approval. The proposed budget is normally submitted and approved six months prior to the Event date.

The hosting Chapter may request advance money for miscellaneous Meeting expenses, after the budget is approved.

The Chairperson retains and submits original receipts to the Texas W Treasurer for payment. Receipts for all expenditures from the approved budget are required for reimbursement.

The Chairperson is responsible for:

NOTE: The WIT Club News Rally invitation is developed by the chairperson and approved by the Texas W President, prior to being sent to WIT. Minimum information would be: dates, location, number of meals, driving directions, cost, a brief description of what to expect and Pre-Rally activities.

E4    NON-REGISTERED RIGS                                       

MEETING/RALLY
Allow for non-registered rigs when preparing anticipated income and expenses for the proposed budget.

E5    SUNDAY DEVOTIONAL                                          

MEETING/RALLY
The Sunday devotional is a non-denominational service. The Texas W Chaplain, host Chapter Chaplain, or local people may perform the service as determined by the hosting Chapter. No one is paid.

E6    MEETING BUDGET                                        

MEETING/RALLY
An Event budget must be submitted to the Texas W Executive Board for approval at least six months prior to the Event date.

E7    DEALER & VENDOR PARTICIPATION                  

MEETING/RALLY
Texas Dealers are complimentary members of Texas W and pay the same Event fees as any other member. Unless they give a large donation, an example of a large donation would be purchasing a meal.

If dealers are asked to show motor homes, and participate in the activities, include in the budget the cost of meals for dealers (only if they are not sponsoring for a meal).

A vendor may attend an Event with or without owning a Winnebago Industries product. If they own and arrive in a Winnebago Industries product they may register normally, and participate in the activities. A vendor is normally not charged a fee above the registration fee for selling their wares or services, but may be asked for a donation.

E8    HOST BADGES                                                      

MEETING/RALLY
Badges are provided by the Texas W Club and may be retrieved from the preceding host.

E9    DONATIONS, PRIZES AND AWARDS                   

MEETING
There is to be NO solicitation of donations or prize items for a Meeting. However, if a dealer, vendor or others want to donate, graciously accept the donation. Include any monetary donations in your proposed budget.

Prizes are not typically given to participants at a Meeting and are not to be solicited. However, if a dealer, vendor or company provides an item, accept it and award it to a participant via a drawing after Saturday’s entertainment.

You must be present in the room, at the time of the drawing, to win a prize.

The Texas W President and Executive Board may award early registration prizes and special incentives at a Meeting.

Ribbons are the only awards given for game winners.

RALLY
Solicitation of donations or prize items for a Rally is acceptable, and expected. The goal should be a prize for each rig. Exceptionally large prizes should be awarded via a drawing after Saturday’s entertainment.

Routine prizes may be assembled and identified with a registration number via a drawing and handed out after the Business meeting. The routine prize drawing should be in private and not consume Rally participant’s time.

You must be present in the room, at the time of the drawing, to win a prize.

The Texas W President and Executive Board may award early registration prize/s and special incentives at a Rally.

E10  PRE-REGISTRATION CASH PRIZES                     

MEETING/RALLY
Pre-registration prizes, if approved, are a Texas W expenses and should not be included in the proposed budget.

E11  ENTERTAINMENT & ENTERTAINERS                   

MEETING/RALLY
Invite the entertainers to the meal if this is the only pay they receive and the cost has been included in the budget.

MEETING
Host Chapters may plan entertainment using Club members or others that are “free”, or perform for a small donation. Entertainment on Saturday evening is sometimes more elaborate and the entertainers may require compensation. Compensation for all entertainment must be included in the proposed budget.

RALLY
Host Chapters normally plan entertainment on Friday, using Club members or others that are “free”, or perform for a small donation. Entertainment on Saturday evenings should be more elaborate than on Friday and the entertainers most likely will require compensation. Compensation for all entertainment must be included in the proposed budget.

E12  REGISTRATION FORM                                          

MEETING/RALLY
The registration form is developed by the hosting chapter’s chairperson, and approved by the Texas W President prior to distribution. The registration form is to be included in the Texas W Newsletter. The Texas W Secretary mails the registration form with the Newsletter. The form includes: dates, location, number of meals, driving directions, a brief description of what to expect and Pre-Event activities. The cost for printing the registration form should not be included in the proposed Event budget, as the cost will be part of the newsletter.

Also include on the Registration form:

“If handicap parking is requested, the official state approved tag must be displayed in the front of the vehicle for viewing by the parking committee.

E13  PROGRAM                                                             

MEETING/RALLY
Program print quantities are determined by the proposed attendance. The cost for printing the program must be included in the proposed budget. The following disclaimer must be included in the program.

We have vendors and presenters at our Meeting this weekend. They are here to show their products, which are to be backed by their guarantees and warranties. WIT nor the Texas W Club assumes any responsibility for the claims and performance of products or services provided by the vendors.”

E14  MEALS                                                                   

MEETING/RALLY
Meals may be prepared by the Hosting Chapter or catered. The proposed budget and the registration fee will govern the number of meals provided.

When negotiating the cost of food, ask if the prices quoted are all inclusive, that is, are tax, gratuity and servers included?

List in the contract who is responsible for serving, table service, etc.

Does the caterer(s) have any restrictions?

Some caterer(s) may want an advance deposit and a signed contract.

The contract is to be signed by the Texas W President.

For your protection and to ensure understanding, get the contract in writing.

E15  PRE-EVENT ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE          

MEETING/RALLY
Host Chapters are encouraged to have Pre-Event activities unique to the area. If there is a cost, it is paid separately by the individual participants. Pre-Event activities are to be included in all advance advertisement. (Registration form, WIT Club News etc.) Pre-Event activities are not included in the proposed budget.

E16  PARKERS/GREETERS COMMITTEE                    

MEETING/RALLY
Parkers/Greeters determine where the participants will park. Host Chapter members, Texas W Board and those selling products are usually parked close to the main Event building.

The park normally determines the parking location of dealer show coaches.

Request the number of registered participants from the Texas W Treasurer and ask for a list of attendees and their status as received on the registration form.

The park may provide a golf cart, to be used for parking. Parkers are not to help anyone park their vehicles, but may escort the participants to their site.

Gathers material (Chamber of Commerce, etc.) and assembles welcome bags

E17  FOOD COMMITTEE                                       

MEETING/RALLY
The Food Committee coordinates all activities associated with food, including clean up. This committee may also prepare a meal or meals to control cost.

Identifies meals & meal contents for the Event

The hosting Chapter usually has each Chapter member bring cookies or a snack for the snack table. Quantity will be determined by the anticipated attendance.

If the hosting Chapter is small, members of other Chapters may be asked in advance to assist anywhere needed. Assistance should be requested in advance of the Event date.

To cut costs for hosting an Event, participants may be asked to bring their own eating utensils.

ICE CREAMPrior to submitting a budget, check with the Texas W Treasurer as to the authorized amount per rig/participant. Include the authorized expense in the budget. The ice cream expense is handled by the Texas W Treasurer and reimbursed by Farm & City Insurance.

Ice cream or a novelty may be purchased locally, possibly in bulk and served by the host Chapter.

Farm & City Insurance requires the following:

Written request for sponsorship to Farm and City (Prepared by Texas W Treasurer)

Acknowledgement (a sign recognizing Farm & City Ins. Services as sponsor)

Farm and City Insurance recognition in program booklet

Limits reimbursement of $1.00-$1.50 per RV unit

Approximate number of RV units

NOTE: Not pints, but Dixie cups, bulk or other novelty available within the reimbursement guideline.

To order Blue Bell: 1-800-365-0134 (This is the San Antonio contact #. If you call them, they will give you the Blue Bell distributor/delivery service phone # in your area.) Decide when you want delivery. Storage may be required.

Request Form for Ice Cream Reimbursement

Texas W Treasurer will send the information and Request to:

Farm & City Insurance

Attn: Trese Hallett

P.O. Box 248

Forest City, Iowa 50436

E18  DECORATING COMMITTEE                                  

MEETING
Decorations are not required at a Meeting, and should not be included in the proposed budget. However, should a chapter desire to decorate at a Meeting, the cost is paid for by the host Chapter.

RALLY
Decorations are typically provided at a Rally, and included in the proposed budget. The decorations should be planned to function as special prizes awarded via a drawing after Saturday’s entertainment.

E19  ENTERTAINMENT COMMITTEE                            

MEETING/RALLY
Refer to Item E11, Entertainment and Entertainers. Include the costs in the proposed budget.

E20  GAMES COMMITTEE                                             

MEETING/RALLY
The Games committee determines and coordinates games to be played. (Skip Bo, 42, Dominoes, Social Security, Joker, men’s washer toss, women’s washer toss, Bean Bag Baseball, etc.)

Ensures there are sufficient boards, cards, etc., to support the games planned. If necessary asks another Chapter to bring boards and cards.

Spread the games throughout Friday and Saturday. The winner(s) name(s) are given to your Donation, Prizes and Awards Committee for presentation of the award ribbons.

Any craft or golf fee is the responsibility of the participant.

Awards - Ribbons are the only game awards and the cost should be included in the proposed budget.

Determines if there will be a craft, and assign a coordinator for the activity.

Coordinates other activities such as “Best of Show” craft competition for GNR

E21  TEXAS W EQUIPMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS   

MEETING/RALLY

COFFEE POTS

The hosting Chapter is required to pick up from the previous hosting Chapter the coffee pots, and leftover supplies.

The following is the amount of coffee to use in each coffee pot.

35 Cup                1-1/4 cups of coffee

45 Cup                1-1/3 cups of coffee

100 Cup               3-1/2 cups of coffee

ITEMS/QUANTITIES TO PURCHASE

Inventory the items received from the previous hosting Chapter. Make an inventory sheet, if one does not come with the items. This will help in knowing what, and the quantities to purchase. Include the cost in the proposed budget.

Buying in bulk for particular items at SAM’S or Costco may be cost effective. However, keep supply purchases to a minimum.

Ask the Park what they will be furnishing. Example: dish soap, garbage bags, paper towels.

After the Meeting, all leftover, non-perishable items are given to the next hosting Chapter. The hosting Chapter may keep for their use perishable items such as opened coffee, opened non-dairy creamer in a jar, opened instant tea, opened lemonade, etc.