SOUTHWEST     BLUEBIRDS and friends

THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION CURT AND I CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON BEING ASKED AT OUR RALLIES IS --

"How much do I owe?"    

Our number one answer --  

"Nothing."

That answer causes a range of reactions, as you can imagine.  For those who have attended our previous rallies, it's old news.  For first timers, it is always a surprise.

When Curt and I teamed up in 2006, our core group was small, most of our members lived in Southern California, and 12-15 units at a rally was considered a good turn-out.   In discussing how we wanted to organize "SOUTHWEST BLUEBIRDS and friends", we chose to keep it informal with no dues, officers, bylaws, bank accounts, etc., etc., etc.  

Our mantra was, and continues to be, "keep it simple and informal."

In the beginning, planning and coordinating our activities was relatively easy, with low expenses that Curt and I paid out of pocket.   

Today, our group continues to grow as word spreads about "SWBB and friends", with a nationwide and Canadian, membership roster, plus one listed member who lives in England (does that qualify us an 'international' group?).  With this membership growth, rally attendance has grown since 2006.

All this growth means higher out-of-pocket expenses that Curt and I have been paying out-of-pocket.  These expenses include:  window cards and name badges, and ink for printing them;  cash deposits that RV parks require to hold a block of sites;  the initial website name registration fee; the ongoing monthly hosting fee to maintain the SWBB web site;   the SmugMug photo sharing website fee;  set-up fees for the group merchandise (cups, koozies, jackets, etc.);  a PA system;   and many other miscellaneous expenses.

At our rallies, some attendees volunteered to prepare and host special meals for us.   Shane Fedeli's smoked BBQ and Jim and Linda Marsh's breakfast at Quartzsite-2008;  and more recently,  Jim and Linda's breakfast at Flying Flags, are examples.   

To pay for these costs, we could charge membership dues, collect registration fees for each rally, or sell tickets for the special BBQ's or breakfasts some attendees provide for us, but that gets us into an area we don't want to go -- formalizing the organization, electing a treasurer, keeping financial reports, etc.  All this would violate our 'KISS' principle!

Curt and I discussed the reality of these increasing out-of-pocket expenses, and possible methods to help offset them, while maintaining SWBB's informal, volunteer-based organization. 

We've decided on what we call the "I Want to Help" donation method.

This plan is 100% voluntary with no requirements on anyone to donate.  Curt and I believe this is the best way to maintain a balance between allowing those who want to help and our desire to "keep it simple and informal."

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Details about how you can help are below --

<<<<<<ORDER YOUR OWN PERSONALIZED WINDOW PLAQUE AND NAME BADGES>>>>>>

Printed window cards and name badges represent one of the highest individual expenses ($50.00-$75.00) incurred for each rally.  

As the number of attendees at our rallies increases, so does the cost of providing printed window cards and name badges.   At 'Q-2008', arrangements were made with "toocrazyladies"  to produce  permanent, personalized, window plaques and individual name badges, using our SWBB logo. 

Click on this link to go directly to the "toocrazyladies" order page-- "Order Your Window Plaque and Name Badges" .

The window plaque is placed in the passenger side window to help identify the coach’s owner.  When photos are taken of each coach, a close up is always taken of the window plaque.  After the photos are uploaded to the SmugMug© site, or included on a souvenir CD, it is easy to see who owns the coach (saves time renaming the photos). 

Please order a set to keep in your coach and display them when attending our rallies.  The one time cost of these items is much less than we'd have to charge for membership dues, and you will help us eliminate a large recurring expense.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<"I WANT TO HELP" DONATION CONTAINERS>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>   

To help offset miscellaneous ongoing expenses,  separate "I WANT TO HELP" donation containers will be located at the following locations at all of our rallies:

>>> Phil’s coach -- to help offset the cost of web site registration and monthly hosting fees, the SmugMug photo sharing site, and miscellaneous rally related expenses.  

>>> Curt’s coach -- to help offset the cost of meat and supplies for the  'Q' BBQ, Betty's  coffee klatch, and miscellaneous other expenses.

PLEASE NOTE:   the proceeds in the individual containers help offset costs for that container's labeled item or activity, only.  You can drop a donation either or both containers -- your choice  

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REMEMBER!!    IT'S ALL VOLUNTARY, FOLKS --

Making a donation is entirely voluntary.  There is no requirement nor obligation to donate anything and no one is excluded or prevented from taking part or sharing in any activity or meal for not making a donation.    

Simply, many of you approach us at our rallies asking to contribute something towards the expense of coordinating and conducting SWBB’s activities.  We believe the "I WANT TO HELP" donation method maintains a balance between your wishes to help, and our philosophy of maintaining our informal organization and relaxed rally atmosphere that are praised and appreciated by all who attend SWBB functions.  

All we ask and "require" of you is that you come to our rallies to relax and have fun; meet some new friends; share your experiences; and share your BB expertise.   

And, if you ask, "How Much Do I Owe?" we'll answer, "Nothing."