hosting
a texas "w" event
HOSTING A TEXAS W EVENT
GUIDELINES
H0
INTRODUCTION
Meetings and Rallies (i.e. Events) may be
conducted by multiple Chapters. Duties are divided between a Primary
Host and Co-Host Chapters.
Event guidance and direction is provided
by the Texas W Event Coordinator, and is a responsibility of the Texas
W First Vice President.
NOTE: Prior to
starting preparations to host an Event, discuss with the Texas W Event
Coordinator any restrictions or policy changes to these guidelines. Do
not schedule an Event to conflict with an adjoining state’s
Meeting or Rally.
|
The thirteen Chapters residing in the
state of Texas are divided into 4 geographic zones. Each zone is made
up of 3 to 5 Chapters who are the major supporters of an Event in their
respective zone. Some zones overlap and a Chapter may be in two zones.
It is strongly recommended that the Host Chapter requests help from
other chapters in the same zone. However, it is permissible to request
help from Chapters in other zones. A Chapter has the option of hosting
the entire Event without the assistance of other Chapters. Ideally,
Events should progress through the zones in the order as they are
numbered (Zone 1, Zone 2, Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone1, Zone
2………….)
The four geographic zones are:
ZONE 1
- Corpus Christi - Sparkling W
- San Antonio - Alamo Winnies
- Houston - Astrobagos, Bluebonnet Travelers
- Austin – Lone Star Travelers
ZONE 2
- Amarillo – Tex Pan Ramblers
- Lubbock – Rear View Mirrors
- Wichita Falls – Red River
Wrangers
- Dallas/Fort Worth – Nor-Tex
Travelers, Heart of Texas Winnies
ZONE 3
- Houston – Astrobagos, Bluebonnet
Travelers
- Austin – Lone Star Travelers
- Waco/Temple – Cen-Tex Travelers
- Beaumont – Big Thicket Winnies
ZONE 4
- Waco/Temple – Centex Travelers
- Tyler – Rambling Rose
- Dallas/Fort Worth – Nor-Tex
Travelers, Heart of Texas Winnies
H1
EVENT DATES
MEETING
- A theme is not necessary Meetings are normally held in January,
April and July (GNR). Meetings begin on Friday, typically after the
opening ceremonies, and conclude on Sunday with a devotional. An
opening ceremony is not required at a Meeting. Meetings are low key
with minimal fanfare.
Meals need not be elaborate; paid entertainment is limited. A Thursday
night pot-luck dinner is a good idea.
Games and small scale (free) entertainment
are recommended.
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
– A theme is preferred.
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, games,
catered meals and paid entertainment. A Thursday night pot-luck dinner
is a good idea.
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; such cost
must be included in the Rally Budget.
Pre-Rally
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.
H2
EVENT LOCATION
MEETING/RALLY
Once the Event location has been
determined, a contract should be initiated with the Park. Take into
consideration the economy and prior attendance in estimating the
attendance (number
of rigs),
Concerns
when selecting a Park:
- What is
their building occupancy (some Parks have small facility rooms)
- When can
you occupy the building(s)? One day in advance of the Event is ideal
for the Hosting Chapters to make final preparations.
- Are
full-hookups available?
- Some of
the information you will want on the contract:
- Rate per site, (does the
rate include tax?)
- Rate per site for early arrival, (does
the rate include tax?)
- Minimum number of parking spaces
required (estimated in the Budget)
- Availability of the kitchen
- Stage availability
- List time constraints or exceptions on
the use of their facilities
- Availability of an ice and/or popcorn
machine (is there an extra charge?)
- Sound system availability (is there an
extra charge?)
- Have the contract state that we will
have exclusive use of the Event room(s)/buildings on the specified
dates.
- Availability of golf cart(s) for the parkers?
H3
SHARED DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Chapters should share in the
activities associated with Meetings & Rallies. This lightens
the burden on a Chapter who would otherwise have to do the entire event
by themselves.
EVENT
COORDINATOR
- Solicit
Chapters to serve as Host Chapters
- Schedule
Event locations at least 18 months in advance.
- Attempt
to have Events rotated geographically to enable equal access.
- Retain a
copy of the signed contract with the Park for Texas W records.
- Ensure
that the Host Chapter uses the Texas W Budget form
Refer to A1
- Provide
assistance to the Host Chapter in developing the Event Budget
- If
requested by the Host Chapter, assist in procuring help from other
Chapters.
- Be sure
the Host and Co-Host Chapter(s) know who their respective Contact
persons are (name, snail mail or email address).
- Maintain
a record of Chapters that have served as Host Chapters and Co-Hosts in
the past
HOST CHAPTER -
Some of these duties can be delegated to another Chapter(s)
- Appoint a Chairperson and a Co-Chairperson responsible for
forming
committees, monitoring activities and expenditures and
to serve as the liaison between the Host
Chapter and the Event Coordinator. By having both, the Host Chapter
will always have someone in charge if the other is unable to
continue.
- Identify, negotiate and obtain Park reservations and
provide a copy of
the signed contract to the Event Coordinator for his records.
- An
insurance certificate is available from the WIT office and should be
requested in advance of the Event by the Texas W President if required
by the Park.
- Prepare a Registration Form for the
Event
Refer to H12 and F2
- Responsible for all expenditures incurred for the Event. It
is the
responsibility of the Chairperson or Co-Chairperson to
submit original
receipts for approved expenditures to the Texas W Treasurer for
reimbursement.
- Work
with the Event Coordinator in preparing the Event’s Budget.
The Host Chapter’s representative (President, Chairman or
Co-Chairman),
should present the Budget in the Texas W Executive
Board’s business meeting, at least six (6) months prior
to the
Event for approval. Refer to A1
- Prepare an Event agenda/program with copies for each rig
(estimated in
the Budget) Refer to H13
- Make
room arrangements for the Executive Board Meeting usually held on
Friday morning
- Set up
a room for dining and registration
- Arrange for Friday evening, Saturday morning and Saturday
evening
meals, as well as an ice cream social (usually on
Saturday afternoon.)
Thursday evening and Friday morning meals are optional. Refer to H14
and H17
- Consider pre-event activities Refer to
H15
- Assemble welcome bags (Chamber of Commerce, local
information, etc) to
be given each rig when they register.
- Provide a Master of Ceremonies (Emcee) for the Event
- Arrange/conduct opening ceremonies
Refer to H 6
- A
fundraiser (money hat, silent auction, etc.) may be held to defray any
expenses incurred that were not approved in the
Budget
- Coordinate and approve vendor
activities Refer to H7
- Solicit dealers/vendors for support/donation
Refer to H9
- Provide Host badges Refer to
H8
- Provide Event badges or pins for the participants (optional
for a
Rally; not approved for a Meeting)
- Schedule and coordinate games as needed
Refer to H19
- Coordinate craft classes, Show and Sell, etc
- Arrange for the Sunday devotional Refer
to H5
- Make
sure that the necessary signage is available to help direct participants
CO-HOST CHAPTER(S)
Identify a Contact person to be
responsible for the Chapter’s assigned duties and serve as
the liaison between the Co-Host Chapter and the Host Chapter.
Possible responsibilities:
- Contact the Host
Chapter for help in procuring an item(s) that was an oversight
-expenditures are the responsibility of the Host Chapter.
- Provide
parkers and greeters for incoming rigs Refer to H16
- Make
sure that paper goods, plastic ware, etc are available at all times.
- Maintain
a supply of refreshments (water, tea, lemonade, coffee, cookies,
etc.) Refer to H17
- Provide
decorations (budgeted item for Rally only) Refer to
H18
- Assist
with games as needed Refer to H19
- Assist
with craft classes, Show and Sell, etc
- General
housekeeping, after meals and games, restore the Meeting room to
original condition
- Entertainment Refer to H11
H4
NON-REGISTERED RIGS
MEETING/RALLY
Allow for non-registered rigs when
preparing anticipated income and expenses for the proposed Budget.
H5
SUNDAY DEVOTIONAL
MEETING/RALLY
The Sunday devotional is a
non-denominational service. The Texas W Chaplain, a Chapter Chaplain,
or local people may perform the service as determined by the Hosting
Chapter. No one is to be paid.
H6
OPENING CEREMONIES
Opening ceremonies may be formal or
informal and will be conducted on Friday mornings. Wear your Chapter
uniform/colors and name badge.
MEETING:
- A prayer
from the Texas W Chaplain or other attendee
- The U.S.
and Texas Flag are presented for recognition by the membership; usually
by the Host Chapter
- The
pledge of Allegiance to the U.S. flag
- The
pledge to the Texas Flag
| "Honor the Texas
flag, I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and
indivisible." |
Rally:
Preferably a more formal ceremony than at a Meeting:
- A prayer from the Texas W Chaplain or other attendee.
- The U.S. and Texas Flag are presented for recognition by
the membership. This can be done by any of the local organizations such
as honor guards from the VFW, school ROTC, Boy/Girl Scouts, etc. or the
Host Chapter. A small donation to this organization is acceptable.
- The pledge of allegiance to the U.S. flag
- The pledge to the Texas flag.
| "Honor the Texas
flag, I pledge allegiance to thee, Texas, one state under God, one and
indivisible." |
- Guests such as the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor or
other local dignitaries should be invited to attend and present a short
welcome
to the group.
- Generally
the opening ceremony last about 15 minutes.
H7
DEALER & VENDOR PARTICIPATION
MEETING/RALLY
Texas Winnebago and Itasca dealers are
complimentary
members of Texas W and pay the same Event fees as any other member
(unless they give a large donation such as purchasing a meal or a
monetary donation).
| NOTE: If a dealer
does not pay a registration fee because it sponsored a meal or made a
monetary donation, remember to count the dealer’s people in
the meal headcount. |
If dealers are asked to show motor homes
and
participate in the activities, include in the Budget the cost of their
meals (only if they are not sponsoring a meal).
A vendor may attend an Event without
owning or arriving
at the Event in a Winnebago Industries product. If they own and arrive
in a Winnebago Industries product they may register and participate in
the activities. A vendor is normally not charged a fee above the
registration fee for selling their wares or services, but can be asked
for a donation
H8
Host badges
MEETING/RALLY
Hosts’
badges are provided by
the Texas W Club and can be retrieved from the preceding Host Chapter
H9
DONATIONS, PRIZES AND AWARds
| NOTE: Donations,
monetary and material, solicited or unsolicited, become the property of
The Texas W Club. Monetary donations are to be turned over to the Texas
W Treasurer and are distributed/used with the approval of the Event
Coordinator. |
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 monetary donations in
your proposed Budget.
Winners must
be present in the room, at
the time of a drawing, to win a prize.
The Texas W
Board may elect to award early
registration prizes and special incentives.
Ribbons are
the only awards given to the
winners of games.
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.
Winners must
be present in the room, at
the time of a drawing, to win a prize.
The Texas W
President and Executive Board
may award early registration prize/s and special incentives.
Awards for
winners of games are left to
the discretion of the Host Chapter; at least ribbons should be given.
H10
PRE-REGISTRATION PRIZES
MEETING/RALLY
Pre-registration
prizes, if approved, are
a Texas W expense and should not be included in the proposed Budget.
H11
ENTERTAINMENT
MEETING/RALLY
Compensation
for entertainment must be
included in the
proposed Budget. Invite the entertainers to the meal if this is the
only compensation they receive. The cost and headcount should be
included in the Budget.
MEETING
Chapters may
plan entertainment using
Chapter members
or others who perform at no cost or a small donation. Entertainment on
Saturday evening is sometimes more elaborate and the entertainers may
require compensation.
RALLY
Chapters
normally plan entertainment on
Friday, using
Chapter members or others who perform at no cost or a small donation.
Entertainment on Saturday evenings should be more elaborate and the
entertainers will most likely require compensation that should be
included in the proposed Budget.
H12
REGISTRATION
MEETING/RALLY
The
registration form Refer
to F2 is developed by the
Host Chapter, approved by the Texas W President and submitted to the
Texas W Secretary approximately one and one-half months in advance of
the event. The Texas W Secretary mails the registration form with the
Newsletter. The form includes: Pre-Event activities, dates, location,
number of meals, driving directions, a brief description of what to
expect.
Also include
on the Registration form:
| Note:
If handicap parking is requested, the official state
approved tag or placard must be displayed in the front of the vehicle
for
viewing by the Parking Committee |
H13
PROGRAM/AGENDA
MEETING/RALLY
Program
print quantities are determined by
the proposed
attendance. The cost for printing the program should be included in the
proposed Budget.
The
following disclaimer must be included
in the program.
| “We
have vendors and presenters at our Event this weekend. They are here to
show their products, which are to be backed by their guarantees and
warranties. Neither WIT nor the Texas W Club assumes any responsibility
for the claims and performance of products or services provided by the
vendors.” |
H14
MEALS
MEETING/RALLY
Meals may be
prepared or catered by the
Host Chapter.
The registration fee governs the number of meals provided. The Host
Chapter determines which meals will be provided and the meal contents
for the Event and coordinates all meal activities.
When
negotiating the contract with a caterer:
- Ask if the price is all inclusive (i.e. 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.
- For your
protection and to ensure understanding, get the
contract in
writing.
- The
contract is to be approved and signed by the Texas W
President.
To cut costs for hosting an Event,
participants may be asked to bring their own eating utensils.
After meal
clean up is usually a Co-Host
activity
H15
PRE-EVENT ACTIVITIES
MEETING/RALLY
The Host
Chapter is 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.
H16
PARKERS/GREETERS
MEETING/RALLY
Parkers/Greeters
direct the participants
where to park.
Members of the Host Chapter, the Texas W Board and vendors are usually
parked close to the main Event building.
The Host
Chapter and the RV Park normally
determine the
parking location of dealer show coaches. If there is a Co-Host Chapter
responsible for this activity, the Host Chapter furnishes it with the
necessary information.
The Primary
Chapter should 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 vehicle but may
escort the participants to their site.
H17
REFRESHMENTs
HOSPITALITY TABLE(S) – If
the host chapter plans for cookies or snacks to be Included on the
table this expense will be part of the meeting/rally budget. Purchased
items will be reimbursed by the treasurer and charged to the
meeting/rally. The Co-Hosting chapter my provide fresh baked cookies if
desired, there will be no reimbursement for items not purchased.
Usually a
Co-Host Chapter is responsible
for maintaining the hospitality table.
ICE CREAM SOCIAL – If a meeting or rally plans an
ice cream social, the reimbursement from Farm and City Ins. must be
pre-approved through the Texas W Club Treasurer. The request must be
submitted and approved thirty (30) days prior to the event. Contact the
Treasurer with the information needed.
The ICE CREAM SOCIAL is a function of Texas W Club and should not be included in the meeting or rally budget.
Ice cream or a novelty may be purchased locally, possibly in bulk and
served by the Co-Host Chapter. Farm & City Ins. will reimburse
Texas W Club $1.00 to $1.50 per rig for the ice cream social.
H18
DECORATIONS
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 that Chapter.
RALLY
Decorations
are usually approved for 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. Original receipts for expenditures are to be submitted
to the Host Chapter.
H19
GAMEs
MEETING/RALLY
Considerations:
- Determine which games will be
played (Skip Bo, 42, Dominoes, Social Security, Joker, men’s
washer tosses, women’s washer tosses, Bean Bag
Baseball, etc.)
- Ensure
there are sufficient
boards, cards, etc., to support the games planned. If necessary asks
other Chapters to bring boards.
- Spread
the games throughout Friday and Saturday.
- Awards/prizes for the winners of games
- Determine if there will be
crafts and other activities such as “Best of Show”
craft
competition for GNR
| NOTE: Fees for crafts, golf,
etc. are the participant’s responsibility. |
H20
EQUIPMENT AND MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS
MEETING/RALLY
Beverage
Containers:
The
Host Chapter for the
next Event should pick up all beverage containers (coffee, water, tea,
lemonade, etc), as well as non-perishable leftover supplies from the
current Host Chapter.
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 Host
Chapter. Make an inventory sheet, if one does not come with the items.
This will help in knowing what is needed and the quantities to
purchase. Include the cost in the proposed Budget as supplies.
Buying in
bulk for particular items 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, popcorn, popcorn
machine, etc
After the
Event, all leftover,
non-perishable items are
given to the next Hosting Chapter. Perishable items such as opened
coffee, opened non-dairy creamer in a jar, opened instant tea, opened
lemonade, etc. may be kept by the current Host Chapter.