Northern Lights Michigan FMCA
How to Plan a Chapter Rally
Choosing a location and campground--(if not already determined by a rally committee)
1. Select a location in Michigan or a surrounding state that provides interesting places to visit and restaurants for dining, such as:
Festivals
Theaters with performances
Museums
Tours by boat, train, bus, etc.
Gardens
Casinos
Factory tours
Art & Craft Fairs
Wine tours
Scenic areas
Unique dining experiences
(Entertainment or games at the campground is also an idea.)
2. Find a campground that provides the following:
a. Twenty or more sites that the campground is willing to hold for a rally. The manager should be willing to hold the sites at least until one month before the rally date.
b. Sites need to have at least 30 amp and, preferably, 50-amp electrical service. Full hook-ups are preferable.
c. Sites must be large enough for 40-foot motor homes with tow vehicles
d. A covered pavilion or an indoor facility for the chapter to gather is preferred, but not required. You will need to confirm with the park manager that it is available for the times we will need it. Most parks do not charge for a rally to use it.
e. Get the name, address, and phone number of the campground along with their deadline for reservations.
3. Dining and entertainment for the rally:
a. Find the Chamber of Commerce or Visitor’s Bureau in the area for information on things to do and see. These offices will usually create bags of brochures to hand out at the rally if you ask. Choose the brochures and maps that would be of interest to the rally attendees.
b. If you are planning a group dinner at a local restaurant, check out the restaurants in the area. This can be a fun time spent with your co-rally masters. When booking the reservations, make sure the restaurant can accommodate 40 or more people. Make the reservations with the manager for the date and time you are planning the dinner. You will need to get a list of members that will be attending so that you can give the manager a head count a week or so before the date and to make sure that the restaurant is ready to serve us at the time and date agreed upon.
c. To plan a potluck dinner at the campground, you will need a shelter or indoor room with tables. Make sure to let the members know the day and mealtime that the potluck will take place so they can plan the dish that they will be bringing. Also, indicate if you are planning to provide the meat or not.
d. Be sure to check out any places of interest that you plan to take the group to. Make sure that they can accommodate the number of members that may attend, the cost & when would be the best time to attend. If you will need to pay for the tickets in advance or all at once, please make sure to note that in your rally information to the group and ask for payment along with the rally fee.
4. Create a rally schedule similar to the following format:
a. Day of Arrival
Happy Hour--4 pm-5pm
Dinner---either planned or “on our own”
b. Next Two Days
Coffee and Donuts or Breakfast 8am-9am
Planned Activities if any during the day (time & place)
Happy Hour—4pm-5pm
Dinner—either planned or “on our own”
Evening Entertainment, if any planned
c. Day 4
Coffee and Donuts and Goodbyes—8am-9am
5. Email the rally schedule to Communications, Bev Garcia, bevnbob49@gmail.com as soon as possible with your request for rally fees and any additional costs. Indicate the rally master and their address who will be collecting the money. Checks should be made out to: Northern Lights Michigan FMCA
6. Expenses a. The rally equipment and supplies should be given to you at the previous rally or you will need to make arrangements to obtain them from the previous rally masters. Take an inventory of the supplies that are there and determine what supplies you will need yet, such as: paper plates, cups, forks, spoons, knives, coffee, tea, etc. If you need additional supplies, purchase them and keep the receipts for reimbursement. You may request an advance of $200 to offset initial supplies. b. If possible, plan to arrive at the campground a day early to setup the rally. Rally masters will be paid for the extra day camping fee. The banners will need to be displayed and a white board prepared for the day's schedule.
c. At the end of the rally, fill out the Rally Expense Report and give to Pat Korloch, Treasurer, for reimbursement of your expenses.
d. Assist with rally report for the web site.
How to Plan a Chapter Rally
Choosing a location and campground--(if not already determined by a rally committee)
1. Select a location in Michigan or a surrounding state that provides interesting places to visit and restaurants for dining, such as:
Festivals
Theaters with performances
Museums
Tours by boat, train, bus, etc.
Gardens
Casinos
Factory tours
Art & Craft Fairs
Wine tours
Scenic areas
Unique dining experiences
(Entertainment or games at the campground is also an idea.)
2. Find a campground that provides the following:
a. Twenty or more sites that the campground is willing to hold for a rally. The manager should be willing to hold the sites at least until one month before the rally date.
b. Sites need to have at least 30 amp and, preferably, 50-amp electrical service. Full hook-ups are preferable.
c. Sites must be large enough for 40-foot motor homes with tow vehicles
d. A covered pavilion or an indoor facility for the chapter to gather is preferred, but not required. You will need to confirm with the park manager that it is available for the times we will need it. Most parks do not charge for a rally to use it.
e. Get the name, address, and phone number of the campground along with their deadline for reservations.
3. Dining and entertainment for the rally:
a. Find the Chamber of Commerce or Visitor’s Bureau in the area for information on things to do and see. These offices will usually create bags of brochures to hand out at the rally if you ask. Choose the brochures and maps that would be of interest to the rally attendees.
b. If you are planning a group dinner at a local restaurant, check out the restaurants in the area. This can be a fun time spent with your co-rally masters. When booking the reservations, make sure the restaurant can accommodate 40 or more people. Make the reservations with the manager for the date and time you are planning the dinner. You will need to get a list of members that will be attending so that you can give the manager a head count a week or so before the date and to make sure that the restaurant is ready to serve us at the time and date agreed upon.
c. To plan a potluck dinner at the campground, you will need a shelter or indoor room with tables. Make sure to let the members know the day and mealtime that the potluck will take place so they can plan the dish that they will be bringing. Also, indicate if you are planning to provide the meat or not.
d. Be sure to check out any places of interest that you plan to take the group to. Make sure that they can accommodate the number of members that may attend, the cost & when would be the best time to attend. If you will need to pay for the tickets in advance or all at once, please make sure to note that in your rally information to the group and ask for payment along with the rally fee.
4. Create a rally schedule similar to the following format:
a. Day of Arrival
Happy Hour--4 pm-5pm
Dinner---either planned or “on our own”
b. Next Two Days
Coffee and Donuts or Breakfast 8am-9am
Planned Activities if any during the day (time & place)
Happy Hour—4pm-5pm
Dinner—either planned or “on our own”
Evening Entertainment, if any planned
c. Day 4
Coffee and Donuts and Goodbyes—8am-9am
5. Email the rally schedule to Communications, Bev Garcia, bevnbob49@gmail.com as soon as possible with your request for rally fees and any additional costs. Indicate the rally master and their address who will be collecting the money. Checks should be made out to: Northern Lights Michigan FMCA
6. Expenses a. The rally equipment and supplies should be given to you at the previous rally or you will need to make arrangements to obtain them from the previous rally masters. Take an inventory of the supplies that are there and determine what supplies you will need yet, such as: paper plates, cups, forks, spoons, knives, coffee, tea, etc. If you need additional supplies, purchase them and keep the receipts for reimbursement. You may request an advance of $200 to offset initial supplies. b. If possible, plan to arrive at the campground a day early to setup the rally. Rally masters will be paid for the extra day camping fee. The banners will need to be displayed and a white board prepared for the day's schedule.
c. At the end of the rally, fill out the Rally Expense Report and give to Pat Korloch, Treasurer, for reimbursement of your expenses.
d. Assist with rally report for the web site.
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