How will your theme camp distribute tickets?

[percussivepaul]

I'm part of a camp of about 30 and we've begun to grapple with the issue of how to distribute any tickets that may come in to us, either through extras that people acquire, or if we are lucky enough to be allotted some of the 10,000. I'm finding it to be an interesting microcosm of the same issues facing Burning Man as a whole. We have to choose whether to preferentially include certain core people who may be vital to the camp's success or who may have somehow 'earned it' through years of sweat; but in the process of doing so we run the risk of entrenching a certain group of people to the exclusion of others, the same way certain camps may be (permanently?) entrenched in BRC while the ones not chosen may simply vanish. It is already a challenge creating a harmonious environment in our camp where newcomers are welcomed rather than intimidated by the returning core; if we have what amounts to a formalized class system of insiders and outsiders then I fear this could poison the atmosphere. I am already worried about this happening for Burning Man in general.

I think it is really important to be transparent and fair. Thus we're tossing around ideas such as a lottery for camp participants with points earned based on past contributions, or maybe giving first dibs to a very a small number of people and having the rest in a lottery, and so on. I'm curious how other camps are dealing with this and if anyone has come up with what might a good solution.

[Shambala]

Are you suggesting a lottery within a lottery? Well that sounds like a winner.
An idea for awarding tickets may be to have the key organizers be assured tickets first. Then randomly work your way down the line while everyone keeps and eye open for tickets.

[trilobyte]

Personally, I think camps looking for allocations should probably be making a prioritized list of the core/essential members that absolutely have to get there in order to ensure that the camp gets set up, operates, and is torn down/cleaned up effectively. Lotteries, buddy systems, and other methods that don't put the camp's essential needs first could spell disaster - aside from stuff not getting done, there will be added drama and resentment.

[Simon of the Playa]

steel cage death matches......thats how we roll.

[robrob]

how many EE's did your camp of 30 get last year, and how did you distribute those?

[percussivepaul]

It actually becomes something of a challenge to define "core member". There are 2, maybe 3 people without whom the camp could definitely not exist. There are 5 to 10 who have at various times co-ordinated major camp activities and/or done early setup. There are another 5 to 10 who have camped with us in the past and are part of our little community but have taken less of a leadership role. However, these categories are a little fuzzy, and drawing up a priority list of people (aside from the main 2 or 3) is the tricky part.

I'm fairly confident we will be able to work something out, especially since our core core members already seem to be taken care of, but I'm mainly curious what others plan to do, and how people are balancing the tradeoff between being fair to everyone who still needs a ticket while rewarding those people who have worked harder for the camp in the past.

[Trishntek]

If you do not have the people to set up and strike, everything else does not matter. Who can come early and stay late? Who can help load the truck at home and/or unload upon return? Camp activities will take care of itself if you are open to those who are willing. But the camp will not exist without the infrastructure crew.

I have proven members who are in line for tickets if I get them. These people are also actively seeking on their own and about half of them already have tickets. But my priority is loading, transporting, building. My two bartenders are covered so that is not a problem. I have a few "activity interested" virgins with tickets so that is not a problem. But I do have some willing, proven, hard working, STALWART members who have and are willing to help from loading, hauling, setup, to strike and unloading. THEY are the ones who get the first tickets.

Participation does have its rewards.

[SquirrelHead]

steel cage death matches......thats how we roll.

+1 also sell tickets to the death match to help finance the camp.

[moonrise]

I know a camp w/a unique MV/bar and some other interactive camp stuff. I think they said they're member numbers are 50+ (only 5 tix so far) They're asking for 30 tix (they were aproached by camp placement and mutant vehicle dept. emails) and have no clue what to expect. Maybe 1/2 that? They'll NOT do a lottery, of any kind. It has everything to do with what TnT said above. Practical reasons only. They know they can pick up extra hands once on the playa.

[robrob]

lol @ asking for 30 tickets! Hookahdome (somehow) managed to get their camp up and going with a skeleton crew of like 10 people last year, and they threw one of the biggest shit shows on the playa.



again, i have no insight as to the hows and whys, but again.. i'd ask your friend with the 50 person camp how many ee's they asked for (and recieved) in years prior. That, to me at least, seems like the most quantifiable way to dole them out those that need them. (assuming they want to make sure that the camps get built)

[moonrise]

Yea, I know some of the Hookah Dome peeps, big stereo and big dance party, sounds tough to pull off, lol. Oh yea and the flying carpet...I wish them all the luck and as many tix as they need/ask for.

I won't say which camp & MV, other interactive stuff or any of the details robrob (I like your knife like-precision posts btw!).
It's not my camp afterall. I also wish them all the luck and tix they need/ask for or whatever you want to call it. They won't do a lottery, I know this much. And I ain't camping with them. My usual camp (under 30) is probably completely wiped off the map, they tell me they probably won't even bother this year.
I'm most likely migrating my ticketed arse to another camp...

[moonrise]

.

[vargaso]

lol @ asking for 30 tickets! Hookahdome (somehow) managed to get their camp up and going with a skeleton crew of like 10 people last year, and they threw one of the biggest shit shows on the playa.



again, i have no insight as to the hows and whys, but again.. i'd ask your friend with the 50 person camp how many ee's they asked for (and recieved) in years prior. That, to me at least, seems like the most quantifiable way to dole them out those that need them. (assuming they want to make sure that the camps get built)

It's videos like this that are the reason for the ticket shortage, ha. So much goddamn fun.

[theCryptofishist]

I have to hope that I'm down at the bottom of my camp's list. I simply cannot claim that I'm indispensable.

[HandJamMasterC]

Personally, I think camps looking for allocations should probably be making a prioritized list of the core/essential members that absolutely have to get there in order to ensure that the camp gets set up, operates, and is torn down/cleaned up effectively.

Bingo. That is the problem this year in a nutshell - the people in our camp that actually own the infrastructure and the trucks to bring it, and know how to set up everything, take it apart, pack it up, moop and go home don't have tickets. Everyone else is optional.

Ironic though that some first timers that want to camp with us did get tickets - HA !

[Shambala]

I have to hope that I'm down at the bottom of my camp's list. I simply cannot claim that I'm indispensable.

My dear Miss Fishy, you ARE indispensable!

[theCryptofishist]

Sweet, sham. Thank you.
I can't erect (heh heh, dirty word) infra structure, I have little leadership potential, I can't bring much baggage (in the literal sense) to the playa... I'm better at eplaya participation than I am at playa participation. I get that lots of people like me and look forwards to seeing my on the playa, but I'm happier if I get my ticket from STEP or otherwise not of the 10 thousand.

[veleda]

Camp Lead and Former Camp Leads(current lead)
Essential & Returning Technical Leads: Lighting, Sound, Power, Build/Strike, Entertainment/Production,
Build/Strike Crew, order of seniority (no tickets to new burners unless a current lead swears their life on them)
Returning Core Leads: Decor, Event Scheduling, Registration, Art Curation (if we don't have builders there is nothing for these peeps to do)
Returning Artists: Visionary Artists, Performers, DJs,
New leads only considered if we a) have extra tickets and b) can vet them completely

[mshaman]

Out of 36 reliable members and another 10 maybes, we got 10 tickets. Here's what we're doing:

Those who have tickets:
Me (infrastructure/leader)
Key art-car/camp-setup/tear-down dude + spouse (also a hard worker/high contributor)
Key art-car/camp-setup/tear-down dude #2 + spouse (above average contributor)
Art car owner/builder + spouse
Art car owner/builder + spouse
Primary work slave (this dude thrives on working at the burn, 24/7, to provide theme camp services)

Those who didn't get tickets:
Camp cook (abandoned meal plan and went to pot-luck/precooked strategy)
Professional mechanic (Is helping build art cars despite not having a ticket)
The Slutty Machinist (is helping despite not having a ticket, she was last year's hardest worker)
All the creative/arts folks (reduced assistance, but some are still helping to the extent that it works, given no burn for them)
Shift workers, drivers, DJ's, belly-dancers, psychic/tarot readers, etc.

There was only one ticket up for grabs out of the group, and I got it because I provide virtually all the infrastructure, including RV's/travel trailers for the whole group. We got lucky in WHO got tickets because it was the majority of the key contributors, and those that didn't get them were still willing to pitch in. As a result, we did not redistribute tickets among the camp.

Given that we had better than 30 losing entries in the lottery, we anticipate getting 1 or 2 tickets in STEP, and those, if any, will likely be distributed in a more socialist fashion, to the remaining key players that don't have tickets (mechanic, cook, Slutty Machinist).

We do not expect to see any more face value tickets unless we find a miracle through out local community, and we are by and large committed to not buying at over face value, so we are prepared to execute with the tickets we have and no more. We will keep an eye out for Craigslist tickets to see if prices go down right before the burn, but this will be far too late to plan or to get vacation time for most people, so they are not relevant for planning purposes.

I've been dinged for having "given up" on other threads because of my low expectations regarding more tickets for this year and my disillusionment regarding ticket policy. But I have no control over what I don't have, so a retrenchment strategy is the only reliable plan I can build. Given my capital investment and the labor investment of this many people, I am risk averse, and must act accordingly.

I have $80K-ish tied up in infrastructure, much of which will be sitting due to camp size. I am watching the BMOrg's actions to determine whether it's best for me to hold on to a fleet of RV's and trailers for next year, or start selling off everything that I can't use for other events as well. I could keep 10 beds around for a lot less investment than I can 40, and there's no reason to hang on to over 60kw in generators if you don't have a big camp to run.

[BBadger]

But I have no control over what I don't have, so a retrenchment strategy is the only reliable plan I can build. Given my capital investment and the labor investment of this many people, I am risk averse, and must act accordingly.

It's how this war is going to be.

[alt12]

Out of 36 reliable members and another 10 maybes, we got 10 tickets. Here's what we're doing:

Those who have tickets:
Me (infrastructure/leader)
Key art-car/camp-setup/tear-down dude + spouse (also a hard worker/high contributor)
Key art-car/camp-setup/tear-down dude #2 + spouse (above average contributor)
Art car owner/builder + spouse
Art car owner/builder + spouse
Primary work slave (this dude thrives on working at the burn, 24/7, to provide theme camp services)

Does he know that he's referred to as the camp slave?

[The CO]

We are fortunate in that our infrastructure has been built up over the years & doesn't require a lot of new gear each year. 95% is transported in 3 trailers, and we can set up pretty much the entire camp with 3 people.

As such, we have less specific crucial people, and more of a minimum critical mass of people/tow rigs. Fortunately, that number is low.

We are chasing all options to get tickets for everyone that wants to go with our camp. It ain't over till the man burns.

[mshaman]

Out of 36 reliable members and another 10 maybes, we got 10 tickets. Here's what we're doing:

Those who have tickets:
Me (infrastructure/leader)
Key art-car/camp-setup/tear-down dude + spouse (also a hard worker/high contributor)
Key art-car/camp-setup/tear-down dude #2 + spouse (above average contributor)
Art car owner/builder + spouse
Art car owner/builder + spouse
Primary work slave (this dude thrives on working at the burn, 24/7, to provide theme camp services)

Does he know that he's referred to as the camp slave?

Yes, he loves that fact and takes a sick pride in seeing how far he can go in his service to the playa. Who am I to judge? Slutty Machinist also coined her own name and thrives on it, so these terms are thrown around with affection, not derision.

[urvile]

Our smallish theme camp has most of the critical tickets we need through various channels, thankfully. But we will be using the tickets we are given to get 1) first and foremost a few people bringing critical infrastructure and/or filling vital camp administrative needs out, so 2-3 there; 2) then to long time campies, 3)then to a few virgins we have been trying to assimilate. If we have anything left over (unlikely) we'll just keep our ears and eyes open and try to come to a consensus on the best use for them

[urvile]

Our smallish theme camp has most of the critical tickets we need through various channels, thankfully. But we will be using the tickets we are given to get 1) first and foremost a few people bringing critical infrastructure and/or filling vital camp administrative needs out, so 2-3 there; 2) then to long time campies, 3)then to a few virgins we have been trying to assimilate. If we have anything left over (unlikely) we'll just keep our ears and eyes open and try to come to a consensus on the best use for them

edit: btw, i would still encourage all theme camps to consider reaching out to and adopting a couple virgins. They must be assimilated

[veleda]

I haven't bitched or moaned since this ticket fiasco started..and just need my moment. Ticket Allocation fucking sucked. I had to shatter people's dreams, treat my community members like resources to be analyzed for what 'value' they have given our other "resources" i mean people, do massive calculations in my head regarding what blend was needed in terms of music, infrastructure, etc.. tell my friends they couldn't bring their spouses or children, and the whole process just really hurt. There. I am grateful the org was so kind to us and that we are coming to the playa and capable of doing our large-scale crazy thing but damn yo.. I don't know if I would ever do it (as in be the ticket grinch) again. I prefer us to be a camp that welcome people with open arms.. ya me and mutha fucking lady liberty.. anyway. rant over.

[theCryptofishist]

Ouch. I don't blame you. It can't have been easy. Thanks for doing the hard things--sometimes you have to.
I hope things will be splendid in your camp this summer.

[lemur]

Ticket Allocation fucking sucked. I had to shatter people's dreams, treat my community members like resources to be analyzed for what 'value' they have given our other "resources" i mean people, do massive calculations in my head regarding what blend was needed in terms of music, infrastructure, etc.. tell my friends they couldn't bring their spouses or children, and the whole process just really hurt.

as a person who camps with a "work camp" this all sounds like par for the course... everyone has to work in our camp,.. you cant bring a spouse who doesnt work.. and kids arent allowed because they cant be expected to work.. we have key people who do certain tasks and we know who needs to do what.. when... everyone works.. and is expected to do so every day

of course, many theme camps have been centered around families, friends, spouses.. and people who do no work at all.(but are still important to that microcommunity).... while others do all the work related stuff

but.. for a "work camp" ...you cant really have any of that.. people need to work.. to be devoted to whatever it is the camp does or else stuff doesnt get done

perhaps with many theme camps in the past... not getting stuff done wasnt an issue because you werent really forced to be interactive or open once you were on the playa..

i think this year the LLC, with its distribution of tickets program, did only what they could in terms of giving people access to tickets.. and that was.. making sure that people can get the work done. and making sure that you actually did do stuff on the playa in the past

it was a system that basically said ....no! you wont have access to extra tickets for Aunt Sally.. and her two kids.. even if you love them, theyll have to find their own way... No! you wont have extra tickets for your spouses who arent needed to run the camp... You get access to tickets for the people needed to make your project happen and clean it up... and not access to more than that.. oh yeah, and you have had to have shown us that you kick butt in the first place.

I think a lot of people will have to re-examine what it means to be a theme camp, or a group running a project if such distribution schemes appear in the future..

people are very comfortable with what they have done in the past.. but .. it seems, at least for theme camps wanting assistance,.. that isnt sustainable anymore... if these schemes of distribution continue.

so perhaps a lot of the people claiming they wont/cant run their camps if their friends/family (who arent needed to run things) arent there... (but still an important part of that microcommunity) will need to re-examine why they have a theme camp in the first place.. maybe some theme camps were more about the group running them than their gift to the community (which surely isnt bad or wrong.. just perhaps unsustainable anymore..)

it seems that from now on it might just be that a theme camp is just an idea that is stewarded by a group of people who want to give something back... and that the luxuries of having friends and family around who arent vital to the task will just have to take a back seat to the job at hand: running a theme camp

perhaps we will have a thinning out of theme camps who feel like their camp relies on the microcommunity of people and not on the job they commit to when applying....perhaps not..

whatever it is.. it seems to me that this distribution thing this year did exactly what we needed for theme camps/projects: get people to focus on what it is they actually need to do to get the job done.. and oh yeah, getting the job done and kicking ass.

[Trishntek]

Well just an update for Retrofrolic: we have twenty-two ticketed members and four more waiting to hear from Low Income. I still have a few tickets available, but waiting to see whether these four get LI or not.

Those four LI applicants are willing to come early and stay late, so I will hold what I have until they are confirmed either way. If I am still sitting on a ticket or two in May, I will hold out for others interested in early access, but uncertain of schedule, first chance. When I have my crew of 10 for Friday entrance all ticketed, I'll probably go through the STEP with anything left.

[jkisha]

Our core (and I mean bare minimum core) managed to get tickets, there were two tickets we assigned to two of our hardest workers and the rest are going to be awarded in a lottery. Ironic, I know.