I guess my reasoning behind it was that I’ve already badgered people for money. Then, people are going to have to shell out cash at the door. I didn’t know how people would react to “oh, by the way, if you want to eat, it’ll be $5 more”… Ya know?
I guess I thought it would be easier the other way, but I definitely see your point…
Since we’ve been keeping track of attendance very well, it really wouldn’t be that hard to plan a menu, and if we could get the money (maybe sell “food tickets”) ahead of time, we’d be able to do a nice spread…
If people are receptive to paying a nominal fee for food, then by all means, we’ll do it up. We’ll figure out how to get the stuff there, and we’ll take care of it.
The bottom line is, you can always have a mixed batch. Get just enough to cover the basics and ask people to bring anything else they want as an extra.
At the end of the day, you simply cannot put all your eggs in one basket and rely on people brining the entire food ansamble, because even if one person forgets the cups, it makes a big mess.
People always mean well and are ready to volunteer themselves, but at the end of the day things don’t always work the way you plan and people forget things.
The Shift518 Spring Fever meet had IIRC a few volunteers to bring food, and they did, and I thank them for it, but a lot more said they would bring it, than they did. I don’t hold that against them because I ran around and made sure everybody had something to eat, but take that as an example of what really happens.
I suggest get a list of going of the items that your organizers have to bring, the core items, plates, napkins, utensils, cups bread etc etc, and then ask if anybody else wants to bring anything and have the mixed batch. That would keep badgering and spending costs down to the minimum for both parties involved.
Thanks Vlad… I think I’m going to try to get some people, outside the cruise to try and cook (my dad and his friends, lol) That way, Jason and I can enjoy the cruise too.
I don’t mind buying the necessities, like coolers and such…
I definitely see your point about putting the responsibility of food duties on the cruise attendees though… I know people don’t mind volunteering, but with an event as big as this, we gotta make sure all bases are covered.
Jason, I’m going to start calling around to local meat markets to see how much bulk hot dogs and burger patties will run us for the 90 people so far, attending.
Just waking this thread from the dead… trying to get a final head count… anyone who’s not on the list that plans on going, lemme know so that we can get the final quote on food stuff. Thanks fellas!
