NG Update: The CHAPTER CHALLENGE!

[JeremyG]

The National Gathering Committee is excited to announce that this year we are going to have a Chapter Challenge.

We have already contacted all the Chapter Presidents that we were aware of (the ones listed HERE). If you have a chapter and would like to be included in this, or if you are on the list and didn't receive an email, be sure to have your President contact us so we are sure to include you on the registration form. You can email your info to tiffany@3sng.org

The "points" each chapter earns will be based on numbers attending and mileage. That way, the "close" chapters won't win solely because of proximity.

Here is the formula that we are using, Alan developed it and we all tried to put different scenarios into our spreadsheet and it WORKS very well. We tried it based on STATES and the pre-signup list and states like CA and TX are VERY competitive with states like IN and MI.

We are starting with a breaking point of distance. How we got this was you take 8 hours of driving times 75 mph (average speed of a caravan) and came up with 600 miles.

Any group that travels farther will get:
(the # in that group) * (600+((average - 600)*.75).

Any group that averages less will get:
(# in group) * (average+((600 - average)*.75))

We know that formula is a bit confusing but it really helps to make it fair for everyone. It's based on mileage and attendance and YES the chapters that
are coming from farther away have a slight advantage...but that can be made up with NUMBERS from more local chapters!

When people OFFICIALLY register for the NG, they will have to declare a chapter. If they do not declare a chapter, that group will not get credit for them. So it is in your best interest to JOIN A CHAPTER and make sure your whole chapter knows about this event. So go HERE and FIND YOUR LOCAL CHAPTER and EMAIL THE CONTACT PERSON to find out info on how to join!

We are considering having the Presidents submit a MEMBER LIST about 1 month prior to the NG, and ONLY those members will be counted towards the points! So you WILL have to officially JOIN a chapter. Don't worry, most chapters don't have dues or anything!

We think this is also a GREAT opportunity for the chapters to GAIN MEMBERSHIP. This will give each chapter a reason and a benefit to RECRUIT new members from your area. We believe this will increase the chapter's membership, even if not everyone ends up going to the NG.

Remember, stronger chapters means a stronger community, larger regional gatherings, etc.

The winning chapter will be rewarded a Traveling Trophy. This trophy will be fairly large (approx 18" tall) and be made of METAL (not plastic). It will be on a heavy solid base as well. Each year, the winning chapter will have their chapter name engraved on it.

The chapter will be the "cup" type.. a big bowl/cup on top of a base. We have it narrowed down to 3 or 4 styles and are awaiting quotes on the costs. We'll post scans of the catalog sometime soon. You will be impressed!

Our hopes for this trophy is to make it similar to the Stanley Cup. Your group keeps it but any member that would like to have it for a week may take it. They
can take it around and take pictures with it, etc.

We would love to see pics periodically of this trophy at different locations and every gathering a member or group goes to. The winning chapter will be encouraged to send in pics of their gatherings so we can put them on the NG website and link a special page to their local website (if they have one).

This trophy will stay in the winning group's posession until the next National Gathering, then it will go to the new chapter that has the strongest representation with the same formula. Obviously, you keep the trophy if you win again.

We hope everyone is just excited about this as we are. Let's get the Chapters together and EXCITED about this competition!

Chapter Presidents, feel free to talk smack.

[DDI]

No Mid-Eastern shore states chapter? You guys suck.

[vr4ludak]

Jeremy did you contact any of us from chicago? I'll link this post to our thread so every one can see this? We don't exactly have a "President" were all kinda the president, hehe.

[TiffanyG]

LOL @ DDI.. email notification shows ya edited your post. Was gonna rag you and tell you Jeremy put TWO links to the list in his post.


Ludak: if someone from Chicago is on that chapter list linked in J's post then they got an email. If there isn't anyone then you guys gotta set up a chapter in some way. Just pick a president and get some sort of organization (Yahoo mailing lists are great!). Contact Alan with your Chapter info and you're all set!

[DDI]

Originally Posted by TiffanyG

LOL @ DDI.. email notification shows ya edited your post. Was gonna rag you and tell you Jeremy put TWO links to the list in his post.

Damnit no one was supposed to see that, I skimmed the post and my brain switched off.

[Chris GTO TT]

Im part of 2 of those chapters the Nor-Cal one and the So-Cal one can i sign up for both and increase my odds of winning

[Alan92RTTT]

Originally Posted by christobal65

Im part of 2 of those chapters the Nor-Cal one and the So-Cal one can i sign up for both and increase my odds of winning

Nope

[TiffanyG]

Originally Posted by vr4ludak

Jeremy did you contact any of us from chicago? I'll link this post to our thread so every one can see this? We don't exactly have a "President" were all kinda the president, hehe.

The post earlier was Jeremy pretending to be me.

I have already talked to Ro about this and said he was going to talk to you all about it once we made the announcement. He seemed pretty excited about the idea. Sounded like he really wanted to bring the trophy to Chicago.

[BrianHag]

I am really anxious about this and think this is a great idea! I think who ever has this trophy will really show which chapter has the best organization and dedication.

[DAVID FONG]

How about awarding points for drag events, auto crossing and car show events.