Anyone have connections to help us acquire the following?

Orange net fencing
Caution tape or other yellow tape used to mark barriers
Posts for the fence(s), etc
Signs to indicate bus lines and other key logistical spots

Or, does anyone have any bright ideas asked to how to keep the bus area organized? There will be multiple parking areas this year (the mall has an event that night, so we're not able to use that parking lot) and it is my personal goal to reduce the headache of getting people back home.

Send me an e-mail at beth_ann56 at hotmail.com.

TIA

I brought a bunch (30) of metal "T" posts out yesterday. They are on the front of the new trailer for the Greens.

I WANT THAT TRAILER. GAHHH

Burger... There's more of y'all than of them... Violent takeover... Or a crapload of brown spray paint.

They're no threat.

Besides, one of your own has to go home with one of our own. I think that y'all should tread lightly just to preserve his "home" life, if you will.

I want to thank Precious for his help and thank you too Slim.

You are the bestest! And congrats again!

Thanks for all your hard work northsidegreek06!!!

[This message has been edited by ReloadAg (edited 11/11/2005 9:40p).]

How bout a band? Do you have former BQs providing this? If not, that needs to change quickly! Let me know, and we'll see what we can do.

Plese do what you can to provide a band for this year. The leadership is very busy at stack and with many other preparations. Consider this your invitation to help. Thanks in advance for anything and everything you can do.

-------------------------------------------------------
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

quote:

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Plese do what you can to provide a band for this year. The leadership is very busy at stack and with many other preparations. Consider this your invitation to help.

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How many years is event planning - the process of maximizing the customer base and giving those customers a satisfactory product - going to be a complete and total afterthought?

quote:

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How many years is event planning - the process of maximizing the customer base and giving those customers a satisfactory product - going to be a complete and total afterthought?

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It takes someone stepping up and doing something. When I felt like some important aspects of Bonfire might get lost from one year to the next, I wrote it all down in a book. When I felt like Bonfire needed better financial reporting, I wrote a progam and had it implimented. Bonfire now generates monthly statements.

As I recall, I asked you for help creating a timeline back in April. When you brought this event planning issue up before, I said "take it in your own hands and do something" and you said you would. I'm still waiting.

-------------------------------------------------------
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

opie-

I havent been to the new Bonfire- so you're saying there has never been any music or any attempt at that? No offense, but if so, I find that extremely surprising.

Could you give me a brief snapshot of what DOES transpire? Are there torches? Circling of the Stack? former Yell leaders? Anybody leading yells?

Sound system for Spirit or the War Hymn? Any sound system for anything? Thanks.

My brother is a former BQ, and he thought there would be a lot of guys like him that would love to round up some instruments and be there, if needed. 5 days prior, I don't know. Please respond.


By the way, your website says to park on-site as there is limited off-site parking. Is this what you meant? Should that be reversed? Where exactly is the off-site parking (are you talking about the shuttles?)

[This message has been edited by AnalogyAg (edited 11/13/2005 12:06p).]

Did the leadership think they'd be busy this week last April?

Instead of asking a donor to do it, why not set aside student efforts (after all, it is Student Bonfire) well in advance.

I mean, coming on the internet (of all places) and saying "We're busy, will someone please do this," and then balling out one of your longest/biggest donors because he questions why it's not done?

No wonder SB has to take $ up front from workers instead of relying on donations.

AB2 nailed it.

Bonfire is now a business, and funds would not be a major issue if there was a focus on maximizing the number of customers and ensuring that they had a pleasurable experience at burn.

It's not rocket science. Two things that have to be addressed:

1) Number of attendees. What does the current parking and transportation plan allow? How many vehicles can park on site? How many people per vehicle can be reasonably expected? How many shuttle buses will be running? What is the roundtrip time for a bus? What is the capacity of the bus? What is the total hourly capacity for the shuttle service? Using those figures, what is the estimate of your maximum crowd size?

2) Satisfactory experience. Will guests see a program that looks professional? Will there be adequate staging, sound, and lighting? Who will be a part of the program? What is the program sequence? Will there be sufficient crowd support facilities, such as port-a-potties and concessions? What are the volunteer needs? Are those volunteers identified and committed well beforehand? Is there a contingency plan for inclement weather?


It's not my fire, and not my responsibility to answer those questions.

I've asked these questions before and stated the need for an emphasis on drastically improving the burn event, and year after year the issues have gone unanswered or inadequately adressed.

[This message has been edited by Keegan99 (edited 11/13/2005 12:18p).]

Two years ago were were talking about a band and what it would take--seems no progress on this.

There is needed a separate group to do event planning.

1. Contact a band director (they won't let the aggie band ones help) for minimum instrumentation to play the war hymn and spirit.

Them put out a call for dead bq's AND people from other univeristy musical bands. These would all have to be former students because the punishments would be great if any current students played.

Set up a data base by instrument to get volunteers. Get hold of the music. Have at least one former dm who would conduct at a practice--even if it is at a hall just before bonfire. Find a hall for that practice and have one or two dedicated busses to get these bandspeople and their families to bonfire.

Analogy if it follows previousl years, they use taped versions of the music. Last year dead yells from the year before conducted the practice, complete with the last corps trip.

You're accurate in your appraisal Doug, but my biggest issue isn't their contention with things not being done, it's (A) only addressing it when they realize they're in over their heads, and most appropriately (B) airing the problem in a public forum such as this one.

Thousands of people (read: thousands of potential donors) will read this forum this week, and I hope they get a better impression than some of your biggest proponents have.

Edit, I guess you are talking about more than just the band.

Anyways, don't let the ramblings of a (former) Texags addict (NSG) indict the whole event before it's even happened, we'll have plenty to talk about come next week.



[This message has been edited by RealDeal022 (edited 11/13/2005 2:29p).]

Thanks, 3rd. I think those are all good points, and not something that is going to happen in one week.

022- I'm sure you're sincere, but I honestly couldnt understand an Aggie not caring if there was a band there. Maybe it's just me (and 98% of Old Ags), but the sound of a live band striking up the Spirit, the War Hymn, and any of a dozen other Aggie songs is incomparable.

All you have to do is attend a yell with the Band, and one without, to know the difference it makes. "The Pulse of Aggieland" is more than just four words. [By the way, others please spare me the "this wouldn't be THE FTAB"-- I'm well aware of that.]

As a final thought, my brother is a drummer. Seems like if nothing else, a drum and bugle corps would do wonders- especially with the march in of torches. Uh, are there torches???

Oopsy

[This message has been edited by AB2 (edited 11/13/2005 2:24p).]

Im talking about NSG

Gotcha...editing.

Here's my point. I know for a fact that this group has done more Spring work than any SB group before it. It's getting that way slowly. There was almost no spring work done at the beginning.

NSG for sure has poured her heart into this year round for multiple years now.

This group has less numbers, money, and resources than the old Bonfire did and a hell of a logistics headache that the old bonfire never had. It's a mirale that this even gets to happen at all so don't expect it to be perfect.

Things have gotten a little better every year so dont assume that just because NSG posted some concearns that she probably shouldn't have that the whole event is going to be equal or less than last year.


[This message has been edited by RealDeal022 (edited 11/13/2005 2:35p).]

Yes, analogy, they have torches. It was only in 2002 that we couldn't afford torches

The problem has always been that there's only a handful of people that are really willing to work outside their comfort zones and get involved in the less glorious aspects.

I know you guys are busy, but surely there is someone on your periphery that's not doing much and just needs a little push. Assign this person the task of talking to Analogy this week and seeing what they can work out. You just need a few phone calls... delegate the task.

Drum and bugle corps would be perfect. Go for it.

I put most of last year's diary back on football. If some of you have pictures from last year to link, that would keep it on the front page and get some publicity.

Someone should write Brandon to see if he would give you one of those top of the page announcement links for this week. He might say yes--or he might say no, but if you don't ask then it is for sure a no.

It would be great if someone would contact me to help me out with a whole lot of questions:

grapevineag@hotmail.com

Really, this will be up to my bro. He has his own drum, and he's been in the Alumni Band. He said he does have some people he can call. I'm willing to do what I can to facilitate, but I need some guidance.

thanks, and Gig Em!

quote:

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No wonder SB has to take $ up front from workers instead of relying on donations.

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Aside from the fact that apparently it is required of a non-profit to charge dues to their members...

Realdeal, thank you.

Only reason why I posted anything was because of one huge aspect of being an Aggie. We are a family and as such, we have an unique ability to network to support each other. I figured that it didn't hurt to admit we need help. People get so dang prideful and I for one am not ashamed to say that we need help.

Jack (JGP) has apparently talked to the FYLA and apparently there are supposed to be Yell Leaders there. As for the Band, I don't know.

What I do know is the following:

• Gates open at 4pm on Saturday the 19th.
  
• I would encourage you to come between 4 and 6 and park onsite. I believe it will cost $5 for you to park on campus, but I can promise you that it will relieve a lot of the headache for you by avoiding bus lines. Marino Road will close at 6 pm, so we can't allow the public to park after that.
  
• Don't bring any alcohol or coolers or chairs as it will not be allowed in the gate.
  
• Tickets are $5 and you can purchase them at Cavender's and Tradition's Bookstores (or the night of, but realize you're going to be in a line if you wait).
  
• Shuttles will be definitely running from the Brazos County Rodeo Arena, Veteran's Park, and The Texas Hall of Fame. To be quite honest, we're working on one or two additional major locations, so please check the website for updates and details (as well as maps to and addesses of the locations).
  
• Carpool.
  
• She burns at dark-thirty.
  
• Hopefully there will be Yellboys from the FYLA there and it would be great if there was a band, but if not, we will make adjustments to have a Yell Practice (probably lead by Greypots) accompanied with music from a CD. (I agree that it is best to have a band and have yellboys.)
  
• What occurs when it's lit - from what I remember, the Senior Greypots (etc), dressed in their coveralls walk in the torch and light the torches of the JGPs (etc) and take a lap around stack before tossing the torches in. There has been talk of bringing back the tradition of the Greys taking their mom and then their date for a lap around stack. Yell Practice occurs afterwards. I'm not sure of exactly what else is planned because I'm a Greenpot and we are lucky to see that much of the event that night before hustling back to our respective locations.
  
• Bus lines for leaving the site will be marked as clearly as possible with signs and orange fencing. Please be patient with us. I personally have tried my damndest to make an interesting logistical issue of having multiple shuttle locations be as organized as possible (so another '03 doesn't occur).

What we still need:
Volunteers
No-climb fencing for perimeter

Let's quit this catty-ness. You're starting to sound like a bunch of high school girls (even if I love you). I don't know if you could fathom the stress going on in my life right now. We're doing our best, but there's only 4 more full days until it burns. These 4 days are critical.

Instead of complaining or accusing, how about you ask how you can help? Again, we are a family and we help each other when it's needed.

No, things are not going to be peachy across the board. Realize that we reorganized this year and have incurred some kinks. That doesn't lessen what's special about Bonfire... and that's heart.

Let me remind you of last year. We saw torrential downpours and watched what we built turn into mush and what's been deemed "Lake Bonfire." Sure we had a drop in attendence because of the rain and sure everyone that came out got filthy. It took stack a LONG time to catch.

But we got there.

Everyone I've spoken with about that night has basically said, despite the conditions of the night, it was an awesome time. A memorable experience.

See, Ags, it is what you make of it.

You can bicker and pick this thing to death or you can provide assistance and suggestions appropriately. One builds, one creates dissention.

Let me remind you that this is our 4th year and we're still a baby organization. I've been involved with it for 4 years now and I've seen every side of it - from the initial general meetings at Mac's house to the woods as a stupid fish to the administrative side of it.

I am sure there are issues and if you talk to me personally, I would be the 1st to admit mistakes that have been made. But as I said, let's not pick this thing to death. If you want to help, then step up.

For all of you who have stepped up (opie and keegan and you countless others), thank you.

Now, that being said, let's get excited because BONFIRE BURNS THIS SATURDAY. It burns despite criticism. It burns because of the heart of Aggies. You know that you want to be a part of that instead of tearing that down.

Gig 'em and BTHOB.
See you Saturday.

[This message has been edited by northsidegreek06 (edited 11/14/2005 1:20p).]

NSG: You rock. As I have told everyone I have worked with, start (or continue) writing this stuff down for next year. Kerri left a list of stuff for you guys last year and it is helping to make this year smoother than the previous 3 years.

Everyone else: Tell your friends, send an e-mail out to your lists, and talk about Bonfire in class so others can hear you. It is an event so moving that it has made young children stand quietly awe-struck, grown men cry and complete strangers to become best friends. Everyone should experience that "Spirit / can ne'er be told" that envelops Bonfire, and it is up to you to get the word out.

See you when it burns.

-------------------------------------------------------
If you can read this, thank a teacher.
If you can read this in English, thank a Soldier.

NSG...

I know we have gone over this many, many times but don't forget the matches. It won't light itself.

A suggestion:

The shuttle location off of Tabor Rd is perfect. How much parking is available there?

Logic dictates that having multiple shuttle locations farther away is unwise.

You introduce problems with load balancing, having to actively send busses where they are needed in real time.

For example, what happens if 70% of the people show up at the Texas Hall of Fame? How will that be handled? Can that be handled?

In addition, the locations farther away dramatically reduce the hourly capacity of your shuttle network. Remember, a bus that has a 20 minute drive to site is only half as efficient as a bus that has a 10 minute drive.


Furthermore, patrons are coming from CS. They are far more likely to go to the shuttle locations in CS, when you would prefer them to come to the location in Bryan. Every person that goes to a shuttle location in CS adverselt impacts the efficiency of your network.


Two guiding principles for an effective shuttle service:

* Keep routes, and roundtrip times, as short as possible.

* Consolidate and have as few off-site parking locations as absolutely necessary.

[This message has been edited by Keegan99 (edited 11/14/2005 3:01p).]

Since the Hall of Fame is the ONLY one of those places I have the slightest idea how to find, I am guessing that might be the case for others. If so , better allow for extra busses for it.

I have zero idea that the other places even existed, much less where to find them.

Need to get major publicity going--any chance of buying or getting donated some radio time?

NSG - I don't want to seem like I'm only giving you a hard time, and I can only guess how stressed you are this week (hence the unncessary emotional appeals), but here's my suggestion.

Write everything that EVERYONE is *****ing about this week down. Whether it's people who really matter (JGPs, Pots, Donors) or people who don't (fish, *****es like myself), write them all down and find ways to address those in January, not next November.

Stay safe out there...

[This message has been edited by AB2 (edited 11/14/2005 3:58p).]

Keegan,

Believe me, we tried for closer parking and shorter bus run times. Now, the advice you have given for the last few years has been noted and we are trying to implement most of them. We are an infant orginization and we are learning how to deal with the logistical nightmare that is burn. Remember that this entire event is put on by students in their free time.

Have you considered a bus shuttle of sorts--like they use at the ticket and transportation center at Disney.

Take one set of busses and make the short run from the lot that is nearest.

Run second busses from there to the distant lots--busses that would not make that final run to burn.

That would get people away from the congestion at burn more quickly--although you would have to address how and when people would pay.

They would connect for the second bus or busses at the second lot.

Any chance that one of the larger churches would let you use their parking lot?