Future VI Fur Meets (v.2)

[Drewdle]

Alright, everyone. Some updates about the last meet that need addressing.

First, there was much llama drama over monetary issues. I hate to sound like a dick here, but if you can't afford to get home, it's probably not the best idea to come to the meets. Please do not expect other furs (or count on other furs) for your meal ticket or ride home, as all this does is put you in a precarious situation, and irritates other furs who, frankly, don't like being mooched off of. I was not one of the irritated ones, but I'm speaking for a few who were. Widespread solicitation for monies will not be tolerated at the next meet, in the interest of maintaining a drama-llama free atmosphere.

Secondly, rides. This meet was an exceptionally busy one, which meant a lot of driving for the furs who had vehicles, but I wanted to impress upon you exactly how much work went into this meet. In total, I think I spent less than 3 hours (when I wasn't sleeping) at the meet itself; the rest of the time I was on the road. I had no problem with giving those who solicited a ride from me in advance a ride; this included Pixel, Tonk, Blarky, and Vee. However, please be prepared to walk if you do not solicit a ride in advance. Whether it's me or another fur with a vehicle, it's not fair to ask we give up our entire evening so that we can be at your beck and call. Also, when taking rides from other furs, monies is appreciated. As an example: I spent $40 easily on gasoline for the meet, and only made $5 back in compensation. I didn't expect to make $40, however, despite how you get to the meet, there is no free ride. If you're not paying for your ride, someone else is, and it would be nice  to have people understand that. If you're broke, I can understand that too, but something else that needs to be understood is I'm broke too. Just because I'm generous doesn't mean I have money to throw around. So next time a ride is solicited, at least consider bringing up the subject with the driver, at the very least to let them know you couldn't get any monies instead of assuming the ride is free.

Third, and most importantly, there is and always has been a ZERO TOLERANCE DRUGS & ALCOHOL POLICY with regards to our meets. It was brought to my attention (after the fact, because I was too busy to notice during the meet) that multiple people flagrantly violated this rule. I don't have any personal problem with drugs or alcohol; what you put in your body and what I put in mine after hours is our own business. However, possession of said alcohol or drugs on Hotel grounds is a legal offense punishable by arrest (the alcohol maybe not so much, but pot, definitely). By bringing this to the meet you put every one of us at risk, and especially those who are generous enough to put their names towards the meet, as they will ultimately be held responsible if minors are present. Saying "Oh, well we didn't USE it on hotel grounds" is an unacceptable excuse. To use it, you had to have it on your person, and your person was either on hotel grounds, or your car (if you had one) was on hotel grounds, and whether or not it's used, you can be charged for it. Also, the presence of furs whose behaviors are altered by any substance is NOT appropriate for the context of the meet, nor around minors.

I expected a more mature approach to this. If you cannot handle one evening of fun without doing drugs or drinking then you're not welcome. Same thing that goes for the upcoming Island FurBQ. There will be absolutely no tolerance of either activity there, or at the meets. If I catch you, I will be kicking you out; no second chances, and no invitation to return. And, most importantly, no ride home. There will be other people than myself watching for this kind of activity too, so again, you have been warned.

~~~~~

Now, with regards to the next furmeet. In order for this to continue in some fashion, there needs to be some official staff. It is becoming far too large for a single person to manage. I have a general idea of who I would like to be staff, but it's not up to me to appoint them.

Also, some discussion about venue and costs is in order. If we were to choose a venue (say, outside or whatever) and change the times of the meet, we could easily make this a more focused, social event as opposed to an all-night gaming convention. This might also significantly bring down costs, so that everyone's donations could be put towards a group meal or two (yay for food!) as opposed to just paying for an empty room. Also, discussion needs to occur on the whether or not to make the $10 a mandatory thing. I have some reservations about doing this as it does preclude the inclusion of some people, but at the same time, the faith-based donations system isn't working. We keep holding larger meets, and we keep getting smaller donation turnouts, and at that, the donations usually come from the same group of furs.

Discuss away. Dates for next meet might also need to be considered, as Victoria Pride is first weekend of July.

[Rain]

Also, some discussion about venue and costs is in order. If we were to choose a venue (say, outside or whatever) and change the times of the meet, we could easily make this a more focused, social event as opposed to an all-night gaming convention.

I don't want 'focused'. Let the people segregate themselves - forcing integration will only end badly. In some cases, potentially 'violence' badly.

As for the sociability of those attending the event, I was also having nearly precisely the amount of awesome social time that I wanted; then again, I wasn't really hanging out with the people who were glued to non-portable computers or opposed to drug use.

The 'problem', if it could even be called that, is that the room got 'clique-y', grouping together around certain people in certain corners. I don't consider this a problem - I consider it an immense benefit. I only had to interact with three people who irritated me.

Like I said in the other thread, the people who are comfortable with or interested in drug use should probably find an alternate venue in accordance with Drewdle's wishes. Sadly, I think the six remaining furs attending the normal con will be relatively bored. Or sitting in front of their computers, dead to the world.

ETA: *random irritated noises about Pride events existing solely to facilitate hookups*

[Dracarth]

Maybe we could organize some group thing like a group chat or someone hosting a presentation. Doing talks about writing or art, and such.

I'd be up for hosting the event outdoors, but we would have to have something interesting to do, like cook marshmallows on a fire.

[Tonk]

I probably won't be able to make it on the 4th due to work shenanigans so my vote would me change the date.

[Drewdle]

Due to Pride being our usual weekend, and the fact that I'm moving this week and next, I think it's safe to say we're postponing until a reasonable time. Perhaps later in July we could get together for a meet outdoors? It's been lovely outside recently.

[Shirou14]

I have never been to one of the fur meets on the island before, so for the above topics I don't have much say. I can however say that the $10 entrance to the meet sounds pretty fair to me, if someones going to these things, ten bucks isn't too much to spare to pay for the costs right?
However, I am still curious as to why there is no discussion on the dates for this months fur meet, or plans so far. Dracarth suggested having an outdoor thing that he was willing to post, and I personally think that that would be a good Idea since it's been very nice outside and I'm sure us furries could use some fresh air. we could organize larger games of tag or what not, and roasting marshmallows sounds like a fun activity. Again I have never gone to a convention, so I don't know whether or not this would work, I'm just stating that it would be a good idea. but perhaps it should be planned for no higher up than nanaimo since it is only a day thing not a fully planned camping trip, and many of us southern island furs are having a hard time getting there as it is (this is mostly me at this point)

just my opinion
Shirou

[Drewdle]

I have never been to one of the fur meets on the island before, so for the above topics I don't have much say. I can however say that the $10 entrance to the meet sounds pretty fair to me, if someones going to these things, ten bucks isn't too much to spare to pay for the costs right?
However, I am still curious as to why there is no discussion on the dates for this months fur meet, or plans so far. Dracarth suggested having an outdoor thing that he was willing to post, and I personally think that that would be a good Idea since it's been very nice outside and I'm sure us furries could use some fresh air. we could organize larger games of tag or what not, and roasting marshmallows sounds like a fun activity. Again I have never gone to a convention, so I don't know whether or not this would work, I'm just stating that it would be a good idea. but perhaps it should be planned for no higher up than nanaimo since it is only a day thing not a fully planned camping trip, and many of us southern island furs are having a hard time getting there as it is (this is mostly me at this point)

just my opinion
Shirou

This is partially my fault for not providing everyone with information this time around.

The original plan was to have the meet this weekend, as usual (first Saturday of the month), but a few things have set it back, at least for this month. First, Victoria Pride is occuring the same weekend. This was brought to my attention several times, which led me to believe it would be a going concern for us to host a meet where none of our regulars (or indeed few others) would be showing up. The second thing to set it back has been personal issues; I had to move over the course of the past week, and just finished up everything this morning, so I think hosting a meet would be asking too much from me. I would be one grumpy wolf. However, I thought it would be unfair for me to unload it on some other unsuspecting fur, so I just haven't announced a date yet. The final reason is because of the points I listed above. I think that the format of the meets needs an overhaul. There are things that are not working that have not been addressed until recently. This thread was initially put in place to encourage discussion on how to solve these issues, and to figure out what all the VI furs want to do with our time together.

I should also mention that if people do not want to see anything changed, that's fine too. However, I have received very little feedback either way.

[Tonk]

I like them how they are, but i do think we should plan some sort of events.

[Rain]

I like them how they are, but i do think we should plan some sort of events.

I agree - there should be things that people can do if they want, but have no obligation to do them.

And no, this does not include Dungeons and Dragons. 

[Pilot]

There were a few people who thought that possibly starting up a D&D game could be fun.
But either way;
As it is Friday night, and there is no deffinant answer, I am assuming there is no meet this weekend.

[Tonk]

Doesn't sound like i will be able to go next weekend since i haz jawb. =(
As far as events go we could always go to a movie. even better if somthing furry related is on.

[Veekahr]

Blarky and I both have full-time jobs now, and are going to be moving into our own place soon. We probably won't be able to see anyone before the FurBQ.

[Torwin]

Hello everyone,

sorry i've been absent, work has been nuts, as a few of you may or may not know, I'm acting these days, got an agent and everything, lol. I haven't even had time to visit my parents on the isle, but I will try to get over for the next meet. I'm very happy to hear Drew has taken up the helm, I couldn't be more satisfied!. This talk of Drugs and Alcohol disturbs me, I'd hoped you guys would know better, Drew has enough on his plate keeping the ship on course without someone ruining everything I worked to set up, and the others who help maintain. Those responsible, consider yourselves lucky I wasn't there, because I would've beat some skulls in, lol.

see you soon!

~Cheers

~Tor~

[Tonk]

Hello everyone,

sorry i've been absent, work has been nuts, as a few of you may or may not know, I'm acting these days, got an agent and everything, lol. I haven't even had time to visit my parents on the isle, but I will try to get over for the next meet. I'm very happy to hear Drew has taken up the helm, I couldn't be more satisfied!. This talk of Drugs and Alcohol disturbs me, I'd hoped you guys would know better, Drew has enough on his plate keeping the ship on course without someone ruining everything I worked to set up, and the others who help maintain. Those responsible, consider yourselves lucky I wasn't there, because I would've beat some skulls in, lol.

see you soon!

~Cheers

~Tor~

TORWINS BACK1111111111111111111111111 8D

[Drewdle]

Hello everyone,

sorry i've been absent, work has been nuts, as a few of you may or may not know, I'm acting these days, got an agent and everything, lol. I haven't even had time to visit my parents on the isle, but I will try to get over for the next meet. I'm very happy to hear Drew has taken up the helm, I couldn't be more satisfied!. This talk of Drugs and Alcohol disturbs me, I'd hoped you guys would know better, Drew has enough on his plate keeping the ship on course without someone ruining everything I worked to set up, and the others who help maintain. Those responsible, consider yourselves lucky I wasn't there, because I would've beat some skulls in, lol.

see you soon!

~Cheers

~Tor~

Good to hear from you man. I'm definitely giving it my best shot to keep this going. This month fell apart, but at the very least next month is going to be a blast, if this month doesn't bear any fruit.

[Veekahr]

Well, it has just been sprung on me that I'm being forced to move to Alberta.
I doubt I'll ever see any of you again, and I cannot make it to the FurBQ, either.
I wish I could stay more than I can explain, but I don't have a choice.

[lwhitehead]

 Hi I would like to go but I've got Asbergers which make for get togethers not easy, it's the groups of people we have problems with, I also think that the meetings should be in Victoria because of the simple fact we need more con here.

 LW

[Runemist]

I understand being nervous around crowds, I get anxious around them, too.
As for the Victoria thing...I think the reason we hold it in Nanaimo is because it's relatively central. The Vancouver furs, the Port Alberni furs, and the Vic furs can all come here with relative ease, instead of two of the three groups having to make an extra hour and a half or so trip.

[lwhitehead]

 Yeah well what with shunning the captial of BC, as I mnetion before I would like to see Victoria have more Cons come here and great ones too, We had that Three day one a while back but it floped next year after it. It seems that they only Cons we get are the local comic ones which are more like a swap meet no effence, It's just that I want to have a big con here my other Con goal is to have a BC Anime Con that part of official BC Anime club,

  LW

[Rain]

Yeah well what with shunning the captial of BC, as I mnetion before I would like to see Victoria have more Cons come here and great ones too, We had that Three day one a while back but it floped next year after it. It seems that they only Cons we get are the local comic ones which are more like a swap meet no effence, It's just that I want to have a big con here my other Con goal is to have a BC Anime Con that part of official BC Anime club,

  LW

There's a difference between social anxiety and Aspergers, and if, due to a disorder that you possess, you are uncomfortable around other people or groups of other people, why do you want to attend a furmeet? You'll most likely be miserable, and having the meet in Victoria will make people from places such as Port Alberni miserable because it'll increase their drive by 1.5 hours.

Your personality would have to be pretty scintillating for me to even consider attending the furmeets if they were moved to Victoria.