www.bonfirecoalition.com

[This message has been edited by oreo619 (edited 2/28/2005 4:47p).]

[This message has been edited by nkaechler (edited 1/12/2007 3:41p).]

We have a message board now. It got put up there today.

Let me ask you something... Why does the leadership of BCS call themselves Greys?... It appears to me to be some attemt at Imitating the Student Bonfire Grey Pots... I for one dont like it..

I had to Work My A$$ off to get that pot and title. I know ya'll "work" too but all i see you doing is stealing money and recognition from SB.

If you wanted to endorse SB's efforts to continue the traditions, then i wouldnt be so against BCS, but no... BCS likes to run around in the spotlight taking much needed funding from the work of Bonfire. The showboating is nothing Bonfire is about.



Just answer me... Why Grey..

also... we had a forum as of yesterday...

Meetings for Fundraisers
Fundraisers to have meetings
Meetings for Fundraisers
Fundraisers to have meetings
Meetings for Fundraisers
Fundraisers to have meetings
Meetings for Fundraisers
Fundraisers to have meetings

Think that sums BCS up pretty well

From thier constitution:

quote:

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The Grey Pot is the Chief Information Officer. He or she will serve as secretary and take minutes during general meetings and officer meetings. This Executive Officer will also keep a master schedule of events and manage the BCS website.

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I beleive it's just one person, then they have a "web team".

you would think they would have an answer for my greypot question... seems they are hiding something to me.

They probably called them Grey Pots since that's the only phrase they've ever heard and don't know what a Red Pot is.

Well slim, it seems to me you called their bluff. You know when you're talking to a smartass and you totally call him on it when he talks about something he knows nothing about...well same case here.

I've talked to a few coalition guys and it seems they've lost what bonfire is really about. they just try to be a leadership organization. kind of pointless for them to have the word bonfire in there name if u ask me.

Build The Hell Out'a Bonfire!

Slim, I've asked numerous times about what they do other than sell shirts and have meetings and have never gotten any kind of answer... and where does that money go?

I'd sincerely like to know and no one has ever stepped up to the plate and given me a straight up answer.

So, good luck on the asking.

Great post slim, though i'm not a grey, I highly respect our greys and their dedication to bonfire. BCS is a joke and the administrations way of saying 'look, we're giving the students a voice'

So am I missing something here? The leaders actually call themselves Grey Pots? Or they have 1 person they call a Grey Pot who fulfills the position described above. To me thats not a big deal.

best i can tell, they recently renamed their leader (chairman) to be called a grey pot (to me, it seems that they are mirroring something they willnot support).

If you'll take a look at the BCS message board and website you'll see what we're all about. Most of you have bad facts that you're dishing out. Jim and I already had this conversation on the BCS message board.

Grey Pot does the website stuff in BCS, I'm a member of the "Web Crew", our leader is the Grey Pot, and there are many other pot colors in our organization. No one is trying to copy student bonfire, the grey pot has been around for a while.

I dont see why there are such hard feelings towards BCS from SB. Being class of '07 I wasnt here when both groups were started and don't know the history, but doesn't SB need BCS around to accomplish its ultimate goal? Why the bad blood?

Jim, I'll let you take the offense on this one. I'll take the defense.

Student Bonfire was founded in late 2001/early 2002 as "Unity Project." Ray Bowen had just made it public that there would not be an on-campus Bonfire until "a later date." Many of us couldn't wait that long.

Knowing that knowledge, spirit, and history fades as time goes on, we needed to organize quickly and build an off-campus Bonfire. We had to make sure it was safe, respectful, and in the Aggie Spirit, which meant it had to be built by students. Through the efforts of a mixture of students (Northside, Southside, Corps, Off-Campus, etc.) and one amazing man named Luke Cheatham, we built (and burned) a Bonfire.

2002's fire was successful from every angle. 2003's Bonfire had to be better. And it was. The tiered wedding-cake style returned and so did more students to help cut/stack/work as well as watch on burn night.

And so it continued in '04. And so it will continue in '05, '06, .... for as long as there are students who have an undying Aggie Spirit and want to build a Bonfire to symbolize it. From where I sit, these students are doing a great job at perpetuating an amazing tradition that was revived in 2002. They are working together, earning frieds with the sweat from their brows and making things happen. What happens out there at cut and stack IS Bonfire, regardless of the location.

The original bonfire Coalition was founded (I believe) in February 2002. It's mission was to bring back Bonfire to the Camups. With some work, the bonfire Coalition was recognized as a student orginazation and now operates as two seperate entities (bCS and bC).

All three of the groups (bCS, bC, and SB) want Bonfire. That is where the similarities should end. SB is willing and able to actually build one. bCS and bC are going through the channels with the school to have Bonfire return to camups. They are putting on demonstrations on how Bonfire used to be and how it is done. Unfortunately for them, the best way to continue the knowledge, Spirit, and comradarie of Bonfire is to actually go out and build one.

Would it be more convienient to work on if Bonfire were on-campus? Yes. Would there be a little more support from mothers' clubs and former students if it were on-campus? Yes. Would the students lose all control and say-so in an on-campus Bonfire? Yes.

This discussion was held a few years ago when the BCS people built a mock-up Bonfire at the MSC plaza and wore pots around while passing out flyers for their organization...

...at the same time that the UP (now SB) people were. Everyone got us confused. The situation was more confounded when the BCS people were asked to "guard" a smaller non-student built off-campus bonfire. They agreed and were pictured in the Batt for it. After a long discussion between the factions, it was settled then that SB would build the Bonfire that BCS couldn't. If (or when) BCS got Bonfire back on campus in the form that it is now and was back before '99, SB would evaluate the situation and adjust accordingly.

Until that day comes, SB will be building the hell outta Bonfire. Off-Campus.

So does the Bonfire Coalition not even have a bonfire? What's the point of that?

The bonfire Coalition for Students does not build a Bonfire as a group. They do not recognize any Bonfire that is off-campus as the real Bonfire. They are working towards maintaining the Aggie Spirit with information about the old (pre-99) Bonfire, it's activities, until they are able to convince the administration and students that it should be brought back on campus. They wear the pots, they have the axe handles, and some of them even call themselves "grey-pots," but they, as a group, have never swung an axe, worked a chainsaw, fed crews from the back of a truck, or stepped foot in the woods.

I don't know why bCS makes it look like they are copying everything that SB does. If anything, bCS should do whatever it takes to differentiate (sp) itself from SB because they are nothing alike. All Bonfire people know that there are two types of folks when it comes to our sacred traditon. Those who talk about working and those who pick up a tool and get to work. I'll leave the rest of the offensive comments to Jim or someone else.

I appreciate the fact that bCS is working towards bringing Bonfire back to campus. It is a noble effort that needs to be out there, if only to keep awareness up. I wish you luck in your endevors, but I wish you would stop confusing students about who is working on the Real Bonfire.

I find it interesting that you guys are arguing (in part) over the term Grey Pot. The only pots that were grey in pre-'99 Bonfire were the puryear pots (FUp) and the Climber Pots. Climbers were disbanded after the '92 Bonfire and one of them was absorbed into the Reds.

If the BCS is using colors other than Red, Brown and Yellow, it is likely that they are just trying to carry on the tradition without using those colors. (It would be kind of presumptuos to call yourself a Red Pot if you were never picked, don't you think?) What colors would you have them use? Magenta Pots?

Now the lack of any REAL knowledge of Bonfire is a legitimate argument.

It would be nice if Bonfire were creating some unity among the student body, but it has never done that.

I agree with your points opie...While I don't officially speak for BCS, I am a member. BCS does its job, and does not claim to build Bonfire. We only wish to bring it back on campus. BCS uses many different colors of pots as a form of leadership. Grey pots are not our leaders as they are in SB, our grey has nothing to do with your grey. Please don't take offense. I'm glad the off campus bonfire is there, but as a group that is trying to work with the administration we have to follow their rules. Again, keep up the good work, and we'll do ours. We'll keep the bad blood to a minimum.

I don't have animosity toward ya'll... I mean, at least you are pro Bonfire.

I just have never gotten a straightforward answer when I've asked what ya'll do.

I don't ask that question to provoke arguments... I truly want to understand.

I would like to make a formal request to the bCS. Please change the "grey" pot name and color that you are using to a "Maroon" pot or a "White" pot.

FYI: The leaders and organizers of off-camput Bonfire '02 (then Unity Project) were offered Red Pots by a group of former Reds from '92. They came out a few days before burn and, with axe handles and pots in hand, they said it would be alright to use the designation. We declined for various reasons, but thanked them for the honor and opted to wear the grey pots with red stripes and lettering.

In the same honor that we hold the Red Pots, I ask that bCS hold our Grey pots in the same regard. They've earned it. I know that there is no intent to confuse one with the other, but it is happening and Student Bonfire would like it to stop.

I wouldn't call myself "The CEO of Wells Fargo" just because I own a little stock in the company. bCS is working towards an on-campus Bonfire and that holds a bit of "ownership" in the grand scheme of Bonfire. I respect what you are doing and I wish you luck in your endevors. I am asking you to change the title of your Chief Information Officer to "Maroon," or "White" or another color that does not carry so much weight in the Bonfire community. It would mean a lot to the Student Bonfire group and help the current students decipher one group from the other.

Thank you.

Here's a novel idea. How bout calling them a webmaster.

Or better yet be creative and call them the Technology Pot or Geek Pot.

The whole colored pot thing is about visualy being able to see where the leaders are in the woods, or stack, or load site. Next time I'm at a BCS meeting, I'll look around the room for a grey helmet so I'll know whos updating the website.

Why does Student Bonfire have any more claim to the title Gray Pot than BCS? Like you, it looks like they made attempts to avoid obivous conflicts with the old Bonfire. They don't have red, yellow, or brown (or even pink or maroon for that matter).

There are only so many colors in the rainbow.

Not trying to flame. Just curious.

Here's a little tidbit from "old" Bonfire. There used to be a gold pot. The actual title was Finance Pot. I believe it only lasted for one year, but we in Walton considered carrying it on afterwards.

We figured an unpainted green pot (like a Jr. Red) with "FINANCE" in gold lettering would be appropriate. Instead of pliers, the JFP would have a small 10-key in his back pocket, duct-taped to a chain. Instead of athletic tape on his chain he would have rolls of 10-key paper.

His duty would be to run through the woods at a JRP pace and calculate a bunch of stuff . . . cost of that broken handle, expense for gas for trucks, value of that flat-bed board that just snapped, etc.

Our JFP was about as successful as our attempt at a Chia Pot.

BCS has a gold pot. Of course, they also have Green (Bonfire Chair) and Blue (Crew Chief) pots. There were a lot of colors associated with "old" Bonfire. It would be nearly impossible to avoid some conflict.

So, looking at this as an outsider . . . How often does the BCS Grey Pot present himself in public as the Grey Pot. Is it that often? How much confusion is this really causing? If it isn't REALLY causing that much confusion (and I'm not sure how it could be. I mean, how much recruiting is BCS actively doing within the dorms?) then it is worth all this arguing. If it isn't really causing all that much confusion then let them go to their meetings.

I guess another thing that I don't really understand is why both groups aren't working together. Why aren't some members of SB working with the administration to get Bonfire back on campus as a student run and student built project? Why aren't any members of BCS trying to get some practical knowledge of how to build Bonfire? Even if these things have to be done in secret? Neither group will be ultimately successful without working together. I mean, yeah, BCS may get Bonfire back on campus; but, without being able to show that it can be done safely by students, it will not be a student project. Without working with the administration, SB will likely never be able to bring it back on campus. Work together, guys. Division only helps the administration.

When Bonfire does come back to campus (which will be at least in part due to BCS' efforts) then it will need leaders (which will logically fall to those who have practical knowledge of how to build it). If you guys aren't working together by then then there will be a lot of animosity with one group saying that they should be in charge becuase they are responsible for the administration giving the green light and another saying that they should be in charge because they have done it before.

Work together.

*steps of soapbox*

we are in violent agreement here. There may be some members of SB who don't want Bonfire back on campus because of a loss of control. There may be some bCS people who don't recongize SB Bonfire as a "True" Bonfire. SB is doing just fine off campus. In the event that Bonfire officially returns to campus in a student-run manner (like it is now Off-campus), then we should have the symbiotic (sp) discusson. At that time we would need eachother to do our respective jobs.

Until then, all that SB members ask is that bCS find another color pot. I don't think SB has asked much else from bCS because you are doing your job and SB is doing it's job. Please honor this one request.

quote:

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Why aren't some members of SB working with the administration to get Bonfire back on campus as a student run and student built project?

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There's been discussion of the various ways of doing so, but I don't know if everyone understands the barriers we face.

That is why I do support BCS' efforts. That is, if I understood what they were.

Why don't we end the discussion on here and how about ya'll contact each other off the message board here and talk to settle the matter? Things rarely get solved on a message board.

Again, not to sound like an ass, but why should they have to change thier name and not you? The position of gray pot in Student Bonfire is what, 3 years old? It's not like there is a long and storied tradition of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Gray Pots with a healthy reverence built up around them.

Or why does it bother you that much that you both have something that is CALLED the same thing?

I'm not trying to be rude about it, it just seems like you're making a mountain out of a molehill.

I'm a crusty old ******* to some of you and a snot nosed brat to others. I saw 1 bonfire burn as a student and worked on the one that fell taking the lives of 12 students and brothers and sisters. 1 of my fish was killed another was seriously wounded. 1 of my best friends and buddies narrowly escaped death when the bonfire fell. My buddy was the Butt Pot as a pisshead because my class and especially him put out while '01 in our outfit didn't gave a rat’s ass about it. I went out almost nightly and was not there only because I had a test that next morning.

I think I've given enough to support what and why I feel that "WE BUILT THE BEST DAMN BONFIRE THERE EVER WAS AND THEIR WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT". That's how I feel. I respect your attempts to bring it back, but to do so it would need to be done in a way that it would pale in comparison to the "Real" Bonfire. It was a blast. Some of the greatest time of my life, my father and I chopped wood for no other reason than to burn it for fun. And, he had fun. We cut wood on Sundays and on Saturdays when the Fighten' Texas Aggies were on the road. We loaded, shipped, and unloaded logs. Put them in piles based on size, then stacked them into a 6 tier stack resembling of a wedding cake. My fish year the damn thing stood more than 90' feet high, even though we clamed 45' feet to get under College Station ordinance. We threw huge parties to plant the center pole, guard the perimeter poles, "log" the ends of the logs, put up the final tiers and the outhouse, and saving the best for last burn the damn thing. We built the largest most obnoxious pile of wood we could, because we could. We dressed in our BDU's with blocked white laces in our boots and ascots on our necks. Kept the masses out and the "accepted to pass" in. Had the biggest party in town every year to celebrate our burning desire to beat the ever living HELL out of tu and our undying love for Texas A&M. Even the enemy liked to participate in our party. I feel it's safe to say I loved Fighten' Texas Aggie Bonfire and the participation in it changed my life. I feel for the generation that follows, that has no Bonfire, but "WE BUILT THE BEST DAMN BONFIRE THERE EVER WAS AND THEIR WILL NEVER BE ANOTHER ONE LIKE IT".


AgDog
Hell Bent Canine
All or None
FIDO

[This message has been edited by AgDog02 (edited 3/17/2005 5:09p).]

[This message has been edited by AgDog02 (edited 3/17/2005 5:12p).]

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What does that have to do with anything that is currently being discussed?

Re-read my post. The all caps part. I'll explane, I don't think a weak attempt a the once great bonfire is worth while. I think we should leave it at we were the best and if we can't do it the right way don't do it again. Understand now?

AgDog
Hell Bent Canine
All or None
FIDO

quote:

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I don't think a weak attempt a the once great bonfire is worth while. I think we should leave it at we were the best and if we can't do it the right way don't do it again. Understand now?

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I couldn't disagree with you more.

The current OC Bonfire is NOT a weak attempt to do anything. It is a group of people doing what we always did. Building the Hell Outta {censored for copyright reasons) Bonfire. They are doing nothing differently from what we did other than be a lot more careful about how they build it and a lot more aware of how much everyone is looking at them. They have a much tougher job than we do and I'll not let you take anything away from them for it.

They are doing it the right way. And they are overcoming a lot more challenges in the process.

AgDog, I worked on many, many of the pre-99 Fires and you're right, there will never be anything like it. It was/is a great experience that changes your life. These new kids are doing a good job at getting as close as they can given the limtatons they face as Kip mentioned. If you haven't been out there, you have no frame of reference and do not know what you are talking about.

One more thing, I don't know how to say this without it sounding extremely cruel and insensitive to those hurt and killed, but if what you built was the best there ever was, I doubt it would have fell.

Oh yeah, and what duck dodger said.

Scott Coker '92/'95

I agree with everything Coker just said.

FYI - Climbers vanished and became Red with the 94 fire.

Be careful about old reds and browns talking to the new bonfire guys. I've come upon many people claiming to be reds or browns that weren't. Similarly, I've come upon some new bonfire guys referencing people they have never met. It was great having a new guy tell me that he had been talking with [Jeffery Lebowski], and then I called BS on him.

quote:

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Again, not to sound like an ass, but why should they have to change thier name and not you? The position of gray pot in Student Bonfire is what, 3 years old? It's not like there is a long and storied tradition of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Gray Pots with a healthy reverence built up around them.

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Not to sound childish but "we had it first" kinda pops into my head when I read the above area. The town (B/CS) businesses have been talking to "Grey" pots for 3 years about donations.. Now, what good would it do to go change that..
BCS has had Grey for just a short while (i know at least 6 months) and it is just a title.

The reason I'd like to see BCS change their pot color is because we (SB) use the pots for quick reference in the woods and stack. It doesnt matter what color pot the webmaster wears. Hell, I (a dead Grey) am the webmaster/domain admin for SB.

The confusion could arise when someone "Billy Joe Aggie" (not as obcessed with Bonfire as us) hears (or reads on BC's website) that someone is a Grey pot and he is running BC's website. The thought could and does pop into "Billy's" head that these two groups must somehow have a common leadership. "Billy" joins BCS because they are on campus and easy for him to make it to the meetings. He misses out on his first year at SB's bonfire as a freshman. By that time, he has joined a frat to make friends.

This is just what i can envision hapening.. I have heard of people confusing the two groups.. Mostly sorority girls but some guys as well.

[This message has been edited by slim-jim (edited 3/18/2005 1:52p).]