First define the problem we are trying to solve. Did all of this really
start because of the awards banquets? Now we are sidetracked to the
annual Ladies Class wars and creating all kinds of solutions to problems
that may or may not exist.
I do think there is a problem. The Nationals Awards Banquets are too
long and/or too many people leave early. My first visit to Nationals a
few years ago and I received a trophy in CS. And yes Bill S., I felt a
bit like Little League in that I was way below where I thought one
should get a trophy...but anyways, I had 'wood' coming to me. CS was
announced pretty late, and I was dismayed to see only a small number of
people still in attendance.
Sure, it's a small thing in the large scheme. Sure, we get over it. But
I also think it's a negative that is worthy of being addressed. And I
also think the solution does not lie in deleting someone else's
class...or creating arcane indexes and rule schemes.
My 2 cents:
We need to condense the trophy presentations. I am thinking that
greater/more experienced minds have tried everything that they can to
streamline/speed up the awards process...such as pre-assembling the
people in each class, etc. Is there anything else that can be done? Why
not start presenting earlier?
1. Can't we just figure out how to awards the trophies DURING dinner? A
small price to pay for those few collecting a trophy during that time.
Your friends back at your table promise to not eat your desert until you
leave the stage. If presenting at dinner just does not work for a lot of
people, I suggest:
2. Split the talent show into a Wednesday and Friday show and have it
take place during the dinner. The helps in enabling a lot of us to see
the show who otherwise would not. Make sure the talent show skits are
shorter than dinner and start the awards earlier. If you know you are in
the first group and getting a trophy, eat fast.
3. Using some donated items, have door prizes that one must be present
to win. Each attendee gets one ticket. Some items don't get awarded
until the end of the evening. The downside is that this adds to the
time, but most people like winning stuff. If leaving early is more
important than winning that new TV, than who is to argue with that?
If the Banquet was more entertaining or rewarding, would people still
think it was too long or went too late?
Just some ideas...I have only attended ONE Nationals Awards Banquet, so
I am very unqualified to discuss this intelligently, but I would welcome
other ideas that may sense. And please, when you flame...and I know you
will...be kind. It's not been an easy decade so far. :-)
Randy Chase (wife is home from the hospital and doing VERY well, thanks!
Car is still broken from Topeka)
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