That was the essence of the mailing I tried to send to formula.

And, with an apology if I have ever made him feel unwelcome.

We tend to sit and talk together, and make plans to go do something...and we invite whoever is sitting near us when it happens. But, maybe we miss somebody because they went to check in, or grab a bite to eat. It is TRULY unintentional. At a run like Seneca, it's easier to include everybody because everyone just stays right at the Showboat after the run and dinner and we have a bon fire.

I have read on various threads, posts about dissention among the troups of our club. I honestly don't think that's a fair assessment. As it happens, I think we have a lot of people that are truly dedicated to the club, and each and every one of them are wonderful peole. And we've been blessed to historically have people of that calibre, people that care. People that do their best.

Because of personal commitments (kids, etc.), I don't make as many meetings as I would like to. JB makes more of them. But, at each meeting things are brought up and the entire group brainstorms. Input is gathered from the whole group. Sometimes ideas have already been tried. Sometimes an idea has an obstacle. But they always sit down and handle it together and everybody's ideas are welcome. I know this year they even sent around a questionaire to existing members asking them what they'd like to see. Now, this was months ago...so if you joined late and didn't get one, it wasn't an exclusion...just a matter of timing.

And do you know what makes me proud of our club? Sometimes we have differences of opinion....and we voice them...but at the end of the day, we're still a club and we're still good friends. I respect that tremendously....in each and every member.

As it happens, we still have an obstacle. The radar run at Seneca.

I guarantee you that there is nobody that wants to include that more than the members of the club. I know Shelly always kicks a$$ in her boat class, and it cracks me up every year.

Perhaps someone has a brainstorm. So I will post in hopes of finding a resolution to the problem.

Years and years ago, the powers that were set the club up amazingly well. I have read that people aren't happy that they have to actually join the club to do a run. In essence, that rule was set up to protect you. Whiplash has explained it in another thread, but essentially for the price of joining the club, you have insurance against acts of omission (leaving a line out on a dock and somebody trips, etc.). The members are all protected, as are the board members and officers.

Frankly, I think it's brilliant, and thank them for looking out for me (us) in that way. It insures the longevity of the club as a viabile entity in the case of an unfortunate event.

And I only explain this, because perhaps that is where the loop-hole lies.

I'm sure everybody is aware of the rise in insurance costs. The cost to do that radar run has gone up so much that it is truly cost prohibitive. Perhaps we could charge people to do it...but for the most part that money would pay for the purse, what is going to cover the insurance? Is anybody in the insurance business? Anybody dealt with this one already?

We need help. We haven't figured a way around this one....and we are all very disappointed.

Bonnie (Psycho Chick!),
Thanks for another persons point of view in what we do and have done. In addition to your post on the radar run, let me lay out a few other details needed to handle another radar run properly. I, as then President,was the last one to abandon the radar run but with the insurance problem I spent countless hours on the phone with national high performance insurance agencies for a start. For a finish, I spoke numerous times with Jeff Dorhauer, of the Osage Beach Fire Dept. (head of the Lake Of The Ozarks Radar Shootout). In addition to and reinforcing what the insurance people told me, there is a matter of doing everything totally proper or all the insurance will still not cover negligence or acts of omission. Proper as in standards established by APBA and APRA for their kilo runs. We would need: at least 2 dive boats, an ALS unit and EMT's on land and water, at least 2 ambulances, a marked course and at least 15-20 patrol boats (LOTO has at least 25) to keep the course clear. This all involves multiple volunteers and even equipment (dive teams) that we may not have available in the area or willing to do all that work. People volunteering to help would not be able to go on the Battleship Run as they would have to stay and set up and secure the course with buoys, etc.
Other groups do put on radar runs, and I wish them the best, but if they are not doing what the standards are then they are willing to take the risk against possible litigation if (God forbid) anything serious happens. ROPA was not willing to put themselves in jeopardy at that time.
I do not speak for the new ROPA admonistration but they are all aware of this and I believe this is one of the big holdups, even if they decided to take away some prize $ and put it toward insurance costs. I like the fact that you asked for ideas and help, Bonnie, as we hadn't figured out a good way yet but I know there are some (OK most) people out there smarter than me who might help.

Jeez Bonnie, I hope they do. Makes for more of those good stories don't you know.

Absolutely Les, where ya been??? Don't I still owe you a beer?

I have this annoying time killer called a job. Kind of cuts in to my internet time lately. Now that you mention it, you DO owe me a beer. I will have to look you up at the Showboat. Not that I have any idea what you look like . . .

Here's a clue for ya....I'm the petite one with the really big mouth, generally causing trouble.....

Or somethin'

Watch for the girl that gathers up all the other girls and marches up to the bar and says - who wants a blow job?

And then all the drunk guys raise their hands....

Blow jobs are shots....the drunk guys don't know that....they think I'm lonely or something and brought my girlfriend out to play.

Joke's on them!

That's the easiest way to describe me in that environment. Sort of angelic like. hehehehe

Just march right up to me and tell me that I owe you a beer...I'll know it's you and I'll buy.

Now, no fair....all the other guys I don't know can't march up to me wanting a beer, unless they're Lester. Play nice now....

So where are the pics from Oswego?

We forgot our camera.

A certain someone...ahem...is remiss in her downloading....ahem....

You ARE coming next week right???

Sorry BO, I have 2 garages at our old property I have to empty this weekend and next, the closing on the sale is coming up quick.

I haven't given up hope of showing up for the party though. Just need to figure out the logistics.

Laster, BO is easy to find (with those initials how could you miss her?), look for the cute skinny woman talking to everyone. I'm a little unsure of that "angelic" self description though.