badabellisima wrote:Hi there Fly- just wanted to check in and see about contributing to any fund for the costs of all this preparation that certainly must be adding up--
Thanks for asking about that, badaB. There is absolutely nothing I need to be reimbursed for at present, as my only expenditures are phone calls, which will be my responsibility alone for the duration.
When I mentioned that there were other things I wanted to prepare for enjoyment of all at the event that would cost me some money, I was particularly referring to a "surprise" which I'd rather not reveal in case it does happen (although I shared this info with DH and jouster months ago). That one is also completely on me as it has not been in anyway solicited or requested by the group and is just my idea to help give extra "value" to the gathering. What I will spend in money on it will pale to what I will spend (and have already spent) in time, so it's not that money is even the main investment for me. Besides which, if it comes off as hoped, I will be offering tokens of it for sale to attendees and to other forum members to help recoup some of the costs of production.
I had originally planned to present a couple of "gifts"/awards to Chase at the dinner. For those, I would be most happy to receive contributions.
I thought one gift could be a custom built "Sopranos Edition Monopoly Set". Details here:
http://thechaselounge.net/showthread.php?t=2251
I had also originally planned to present the "first and last ever Chase Lounge Golden Pen Award", introduced with a (hopefully) humorous speech and capped off with presentation of a real pen laced or plated in gold and specially engraved. I imagine such an item, if I can even find it, will run at least 200-300$.
In addition, we will need a quality video projector. I'm thinking one MIGHT be available with certain hotel conference room rentals. If not it would have to be procured separately. I'm considering even buying one myself since I occasionally have need for one anyway. In that event, I will charge the group a reasonable rental fee for the projector for that weekend.
So to summarize, the group would have to share the cost equally on the rental of whatever convention or other facility we use for the dinner and other group activities; on the cost of Chase's dinner (and his wife's and Jason's too, if either or both attend); on the rental of a projector and any other equipment (P.A., etc.) or service utilized for the event; and on the cost of the gifts/awards presented to Chase, although I'm making this last one optional since I don't expect that everyone will necessarily agree on what to present or think it a worthwhile investment. The other stuff I will take care of.