Let's chat......

[Don Garrett]

Well, fellow members, the SMC show/contest is winding down and it's a new year.
Overall there was a great turn out and everyone seemed to have a good time.

My question is....would you like to see this sort of thing repeated or perhaps even become a yearly event here at SMC.

No promises at this point but depending on your input.....it could happen.

What I'm looking for here is your thoughts, likes, dislikes, or just what you'd like to see whether you entered the last one or not...if you're one of those lurkers that just enjoys seeing the models and the in progress stuff...speak up, you opinions are as important to us as the prolific builders.

As long as we are having this discussion there's another item that the front office is tossing around right now and that's member screen names.
There was some confusion about putting a "real name" to the contest winners that only had a screen name. Some of you don't have it in your bio's or in your sig line.
Most sites require this in one form or another and rather than just make it mandatory to enter a contest or require it for sign-up as a member, I'd like to hear your thoughts......pro & con before a final decision is made.

[Bigdad]

I think it's a great idea to have a contest every year I enjoyed entering this one. I will just have to get my hands on something to enter in the next one. The Bat Rod is the only large scale model I own right now, hmmm I wonder what the Green Hornet and Kato would like. As to the other question I have no problem with people knowing my name it's Roger S. Fluhr.
:)'

[xken]

Don, The annual show is a great idea! One suggestion I have is that classes be established and once you have won a class you can no longer enter the same model in the same class in future shows.

Classes could be models built out of the box; modified kits, assembled from various kit components, scratch built and Pocher. Not being a kit builder I am sure there are better ways to define them.

Another way to slice is with age groups youth, teen, middle age and senior. I will not attempt defining them.

Just a few initial thoughts.

Ken

[Don Garrett]

Thanks guys.......believe me, your input helps us to provide you with a site that is user friendly and hopefully an enjoyable place to meet other large scale modelers.

Another thing is the the awards.....do you like the cash & goodie prizes or would you prefer engraved trophies etc. I'd like to hear from you sponsors and moderators as well.

[Tage]

Good idea, lets do it again.

[ScaleMotorcars]

For me novice to pro should all have a place in the event. Perhaps the classes are the way to go...

[3.Star]

Followed the contest very closely and would like to see it as an annual event. Separate classes are a good way to go, in my opinion. I share xken's opinion in every way.

Cheers
Michael

[Andym]

Would love to see it become an annual event. I think classes are a good idea. And let's have a separate class for juniors so we can encourage the next generation.

[Rick]

Its great that there's support for future contests. But, if there's going to be prizes, whether they are trophies, merchandise or cash, someone has to sponsor them.

Other than one business (TDR), all prizes and cash were provided by individual members of this site. In addition, those folks are paying the freight to deliver the merchandise to the winners. We cannot depend on these same people to continue to be the sole supporters of future events.

How about it, does anyone have any old model car or 1:1 car show trophies they'd like to recycle? Anybody want to donate an unbuilt large scale kit, a unique scratchbuilt item, perhaps some cash?

[3.Star]

Great idea Rick,
how about all the willing members to throw some coins into the pool and create a fund (the SMC jackpot), or to get parted of long forgotten kits, dusting in their shelves? We can make it once a year and collect these prizes...only question is, how to organize this all. Every donour has to be responsible for shipping. I'd be on for it.
Cheers to all
Michael

[Andym]

I think the most important thing is to [U]KEEP IT SIMPLE[/U]! As soon as it starts getting complicated, it's going to stop being fun for the folks who do all the hard work behind the scenes and pretty soon we'll be talking about the good old days when we [I]USED [/I]to have a contest.

And to be totally honest, I don't think anybody who receives cash is going to moan and groan and say "I wish I'd gotten something else".

So I propose that we start a cookie jar that can be used to fund next year's cash prizes. If someone wants to donate a model or part or tool, that's cool too, but that can be their decision knowing that the cost of shipping is part of the deal.

I'll start by donating the $25 I won in this year's contest to the cookie jar to be used for the prizes in the next contest. So who wants to match my $25? Anybody?

Andy.

P.S. If we end up NOT doing this, then i'll donate my $25 toward next year's Glenmoor Gathering.

[Don Garrett]

Thank you Andy....and YES we will put this thing together and make it a yearly event here at SMC.

You tossed a quarter in the kitty..........I'll match that and raise it another quarter.
So now we have $75 bucks in the piggy bank.
Dan.......how 'bout starting a sponsor list...and we need a name for this thing that can be carried over from year to year.

What we need now is a "treasurer"....a place to put the sponsor cash donations & keep track of everything....whether they be in the form of cash awards or purchased prizes.

I'm working on the rules now...and believe me.....THEY WILL BE SIMPLE!

Seriously guys, if I didn't think this would fun and enjoyable for everyone involved I'd just say screw it and move on.

I'm involving you members in the way it's set up and functions simply because SMC wants it to be your contest and a place to enter your builds where you don't have to travel miles to a show or risk having your pride & joy damaged by that goof ball (you know the one) that has to pick up your model with greasy fingers, twist something too far or otherwise treat your masterpiece like.....well, you get the idea.

[ScaleMotorcars]

I can put together something right on the site so donations can be handled by Paypal. Almost anyone can use it, even without and account. Mailed in donations can easily be added to it.

You guys nail down what you want to call it and who's going to babysit it and Ill put it in place.

[xken]

This is too good not be be involved in, I will match Andy's $25. Just let me know when and where.

Ken

[hot ford coupe]

I've been away from the computer for a couple of days so I haven't had a chance to chime in. I really like the idea of a yearly contest as well as the Glenmoor deal. Everyone pretty much covered the suggestions I would add so I basically have nothing new. I'm also going to try and send in a few sheckels myself toward the prizes. I'll have to look through my stash and see what is still in the shrinkwrap. I'll donate what I can find.