National Rally - Drum Roll Please....Parking Team Volunteers Are Now Being Accepted

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by Former StClairSailor

Woody,

Just reading this message as we have been camping since the beginning of July and finally have decent WiFi.
I would be happy to help once again.

Best Regards.

Thanks John. Long time no see. How's the new knee working out?

[GAinaMontana]

Frank Harrison, arriving on the 8th, will help on the 9th and possibility afternoon on 8th if we arrive early enough.

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by GAinaMontana

Frank Harrison, arriving on the 8th, will help on the 9th and possibility afternoon on 8th if we arrive early enough.

Thanks Frank, It's great to see the returning ralliers volunteering. No matter when you are available I'm sure we will be able to use your help.

[Woodyswanch]

It is really great to see so many rally goers volunteering to help with the parking staff. While it may seem that we have a lot of volunteers in reality the arrivals come in surges and that's when we get backed up. I'm sure there will be times when we get bored, but other times we'll be one armed paper hangers. As can be seen in the sign ups, we have a lot of volunteers coming in on the seventh. This is good and bad news. Good news is that we should be able to handle everything coming in on the eighth and ninth. Bad news is we have to park bunches on the seventh. And not just the volunteers, rumor has it that over half of attendees will arrive on the seventh or even earlier.


More information will be forthcoming as we get closer to the rally. I'll bet you heard that before. But just a heads up to all who get to the rally before the parking staff is in position to help. If you self park (not always self inflicted) and park in the wrong place or position, you will be asked to "adjust" your parking. Previous rallies park differently then we do so the faded grass is not always correct. We have limited space and a domino effect happens when someone is misplaced. Just ask Larry Moore how he handled the situation a few years ago. But don't ask Glenn, I thought he was going to have a stroke.


So happy trails and safe journeys. I'm looking forward to seeing you all in September.

[Former StClairSailor]

Originally Posted by Woodyswanch

Thanks John. Long time no see. How's the new knee working out?

Actually, the new knee is staying put. lol It is going very well. I am way ahead of the game as far as recovery goes. My walking is still limited as far as distance goes. I tried a 1/4 mile and wound up sore and having to ice it again. But short distances are fine. I am doing a stationary bike with no resistance for ten minutes with no issues. Meet with the surgeon on Wednesday, so we'll see what he says. Looking forward to seeing you all again. It's been way too long.

[TheHubbards]

David and Sandi Hubbard
September 7

[CindyS]

Originally Posted by Woodyswanch

The waiting is over. Everyone can breathe again. So the first question most people ask is what does the parking team do and is it really as much fun as everyone says it is.



The parking staff only does three things. We direct cars into the parking lot at the main entrance, we greet the moc'ers when they come into the parking lot, and we guide them to their campsite and assist in parking them if they need help.


And yes, we do have fun in the process.


So how does all this happen? What makes the reality of a Rally possible? Good questions. We usually have a couple people by the front entrance to get the attention of the rigs so they pull into the correct opening. Some entrances you do not want to pull into. Just saying.


We then greet and log the moc'ers into out extensive data base,( if we remember to bring a pencil). We can answer some basic questions and take donations for our exclusive staff only getaway to Switzerland for the cheese curd convention.


Finally the parking. The sites will be marked in paint and numbered so we just have to guide them the most efficient way possible. Some of the streets are one way, sometimes we have multiple rigs going to the same area and we just try to keep a smooth flow. Some people may want you to park for them. Mostly we just spot and help direct.


The cool part is, is that all this is free. We don't have to pay the moc anything to do this. Is this a great country or what. The moc even lets us use golf carts for all this. If you are going to rent one yourself it's a great way to bring your per mile cost down. If not the moc will provide. We also get to wear these outrageously bright vests and awnings will be strategically placed so we won't melt in the sun.


Opening day is the busiest but we start parking on the seventh. we have few arrivals before noon on any day so we really only start cooking in the afternoons and we're usually done by supper. We won't have any required hours or shifts. It's pretty much come when you can. We do need numbers though. No one can get in without a guide. If we bottleneck it could get ugly. You've never seen horror until you see half a dozen fifth wheels crashing the gate at a county fair ground..................... Sorry for the break but I had to shake that image off.


So volunteers can do any or all of the tasks we have. Some people like to greet (you know who you are) and some like to guide. Some people like to play top gun and wave people into the entrance.
Its all good.


We meet in the parking lot which will be pretty obvious when you get there. So lets open this puppy up to volunteers and remember, the fun starts once you get to the parking lot but its a lot more fun after you get parked. And that can only be done with us "THE PARKING STAFF". (I tried for that dramatic echo effect but it didn't work)


Please include your date of arrival if known when you volunteer.
Not responsible for excessive fun meter readings.

Please add Brian Stevens arriving the 7th

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by TheHubbards

David and Sandi Hubbard
September 7

I hope this is the thread you meant to put your names on because you are now ours. (queue the evil laugh) Thanks for volunteering and see you soon.

[Dkwateon]

Keith & Debbie Watson, arriving 9/7/2021. Driving a 2016 Ram 3500 dually, with a 2014 Montana 3725RL. This is our 1st rally but glad to help out and get involved! Looking forward to the rally!

[c2itcliff]

Clifford & Anna Andrews
Arriving the 7th
Happy to help. Looking forward to making new friends

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by Dkwateon

Keith & Debbie Watson, arriving 9/7/2021. Driving a 2016 Ram 3500 dually, with a 2014 Montana 3725RL. This is our 1st rally but glad to help out and get involved! Looking forward to the rally!

Thanks for helping out. Don't let your first time bother you any. We'll have you broken in before the rally starts.

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by c2itcliff

Clifford & Anna Andrews
Arriving the 7th
Happy to help. Looking forward to making new friends

Thank-you. You couldn't have picked a better way to start. See you soon.

[ReadyToRetire]

Tom Schultz would love to help! Arriving 9/7

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by ReadyToRetire

Tom Schultz would love to help! Arriving 9/7

Thanks Tom. We can never have too much help. I sure hope some of those arriving on the seventh are early risers and arrive early.

[JoeyS]

Sign us up... We are arriving on Wednesday Sept 8. Let us know if better to arrive on the 7th.

Jane, Joey and ZoZo - Our 4 legged furry Daughter

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by JoeyS

Sign us up... We are arriving on Wednesday Sept 8. Let us know if better to arrive on the 7th.

Jane, Joey and ZoZo - Our 4 legged furry Daughter

You re on the list now. And thank-you. Arrival date is entirely up to you and your schedule. With all the arrivals on the seventh this year, the eighth may be a good move.

[Mont77]

What is the earliest we can arrive on the 7th? Frank can also help on the 7th with parking.

[Woodyswanch]

Originally Posted by Mont77

What is the earliest we can arrive on the 7th? Frank can also help on the 7th with parking.

I would say about 8AM. I won't be done drinking coffee until about then. An early arrival on the seventh would really be welcome. And thank you Frank for helping out.

[Mont77]

Thank you.

[LarryO]

Larry and Donna Osborne arriving on the 7th. Happy to help parking 5th wheels.