[Edit: Got my username change request, so never mind.]

A couple of weeks ago, I went to a concert with my last next-door neighbor from the dorm. We coincidentally happened to both be wearing Student Bonfire shirts, so we had a "wouldn't it be great if Clements had a crew?" discussion.

Of course, Clements has always been known for a lack of interest in Bonfire, but I'm willing to give it another try. And I just got in touch with a Lechnerd who would like to help us out.

So,

(1) What's an effective way to convince people to come?
(2) If we're successful at that, what's the process for being recognized as a "crew" rather than "a bunch of random people from the same dorm"?

[This message has been edited by commando2004 (edited 8/20/2007 5:34p).]

As to (1): Hang out, talk to people, let them know what an incredible experience they will have, and generally just let them know about SB. Get at least a couple out to first cut, and hopefully those people will help you spread the word. Basically spread the word, cast a wide net, and hopefully you will find more than a handful of dedicated individuals who want to put out for your dorm.

As to (2): In general, if you want to start an independent "crew" in your dorm, you need to earn it, i.e. prove your group is sincere in their desire and also prove that you guys can work independent of an already recognized "crew." The way it usually works is you gather a bunch of interested people from your dorm and you go out with another dorm that already has a yellowpot and chiefs, i.e. your group is supervised until you prove you no longer need the supervision of an already established "crew." If you and the folks from your dorm work hard and put out consistently, you will likely earn a chief/yellow and then be allowed to work independent of another dorm's supervision. Again, that's how it usually works.

start a texags crew

Give up, it will never work.

[Waiver: this is written under the assumption you are, or at least know, lechnerd2004. (if you aren't he has been working on this for years and you should talk to him cause he helped me out a ton) Also written under the assumption that you at least have some SB woods/stack experience.]

On the real though,

1) Sure, talk it up as much as possible, but having lived in Clements for a year and seeing (at least at that point) the lack of response and turning my attention elsewhere, rule #1 is keep them constantly aware of bonfire as a valid dorm activity, pique their curiosity, answer any and all questions of theirs as quickly as possible and as accurately as possible. Second is assemble a group of dedicated people to help you get this ball rolling (doing it alone is NOT an option) and make sure you all have the same goal in mind and never give up on it. Try to include at least one girl in this assembled group. Third, be real, you live in a nerdy dorm and must realize people use facebook, utilize this on top of making yourself available and personally talking it up, but shy away from pestering or annoying those you are wooing to the cause. Last, e-mail studentbonfire.com with your interests in starting a crew up and get to know leadership well, they can help out a lot organizationally (getting everything lined up for your crew to be ready, and useful, in the woods) and place you and your new crew under the right established crew and yellow pot.

2) The process is as oldyeller put it. You become a recognized crew when you bring numbers, when you bring intensity, when you show acceptable behavior, and when you show the effort to EARN your spot. Always remember that leadership is watching, it's their job. You impress them, they help you. This also goes back to the final piece in #1, know the leadership and have a strong, positive relationship with them. Fair warning, chiefs and crews for this year are potentially set, so time is limited in hooking things up with leadership for this year, so don't sit on your a$$ and procrastinate. Also, if no one in your crew has done all of Bonfire's stages before and shown they are adept at them, you will NOT get a chief, safety is paramount.


Overall, if you want a crew to happen, it is up to you... Be pro-active... Be determined... and Do your best as that is all you can ask. Hate to say it, but you also need a little luck, but trust me, things can and do work out if you work hard.

While posting passive advertising such as fliers on boards and such all over campus just remember that persistance is key.

Before the 2006 Bonfire a handful of OC Hogs hung fliers in many strategic places on campus (OC is hard to advertise in a central location like a dorm could). These fliers were torn down nearly every day for a couple of months, but every morning there was a new one where one had been taken down. Before long, the fliers were no longer taken down.

OCH had a wonderful crew this past season.

^^ see what I did there coker and tom? I broke the top of the A and made an H

DoctorSnoball, this is Dan.

I had already created a Facebook event for it. So far, I've got 10 confirmations and 8 maybes. Not that I can guarantee that they'll all show up, but it's more interest than I've ever seen before.

Also, I'll be visiting the dorm on a regular basis starting this Saturday, and of course I'm gonna promote Bonfire while I'm there.

Howdy Dan, I talked to some of my kidz about this and they seem excited and eager to help. I, myself, am excited about getting Clements up and running, but there are a few things to be potentially wary of. As an instance I can bring up, at its most active, Nerd Bonfire facebook group had 100+ members, and last year we NEVER had more than about 20-25 folks out and average between 12-15 or so. I looked and as of now you got 12 confirmed on your event, of which Lord knows how many will come, but just get the ball rolling. Also, get in touch with upper management cause deadlines are coming up soon for all kinds of Student Bonfire related events. (Hell, first cut is in less than a month, whoop!) Also, what kind of equipment are you pre-stocked with for a small crew (or are you intent on borrowing)? Plus, like I suggested before gain as much information about the upcoming events, protocol, etc., and keep dropping any information pertinent to your crew every so often and ALWAYS be open to questions. If you have any questions at all or need anything, just drop a line on here or on facebook.

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Howdy Dan, I talked to some of my kidz about this and they seem excited and eager to help.

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Excellent!

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Lord knows how many will come

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Well, you were with Clements when we had our record year with 6 participants. So I'm already aware of that problem.

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Also, what kind of equipment are you pre-stocked with for a small crew (or are you intent on borrowing)?

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I currently lack equipment, but I do have money to buy equipment with.

If you have money set aside for equipment, get at least some of it now. At the very least buy a couple of axes as they may not be as plentiful in the stores as first cut approaches.

Dan, are you still living in Houston and just coming in on weekends or have you found a new job closer to CS?

Still got a nice 86-mile drive to campus. However, I do know an old Commando in CS who would be willing to help.