Why weren't we placed?

[RocketChicken]

Hey dude, sorry to hear you weren't placed. I submitted a camp last year that had the same fate.

In our case last year, I learned (after trading a few short but polite emails) that the primary reason we were rejected was the camp's level of interactivity. I was camping with a few dudes who had been "burned out" at bigger camps; they wanted the sweet location, but didn't want to really do much of anything. So when we collectively wrote the application, we didn't have scheduled events, we said we'd do stuff like "surprise parties" and "user generated art exhibits" and "positive vibes". Stuff that really didn't amount to a whole lot of work. BMORG saw right through that and declined us.

Re-read your application. Do you CLEARLY say what you're going to do, and when? That may be a reason. Have you left red marks on the MOOP report last year? That could be another.

Also, I've heard repeated several times via web-seminars and such that confusing camp plans can often be a reason that you are skipped. Did you clearly mark out the public areas? Accurately list how many vehicles you were expecting? They look closely at that stuff. If you say you have 30 people in your camp and have 3 cars on the plan, they're not going to take you seriously. Placement folks (Sweethang) said exactly that on the Theme Application Camp webcast that BMORG held in February.

I took all the feedback to heart and this year, we've got a sweet spot. Hope you're able to do the same for next year. We did a land-grab last year after we got declined, which sucked with 40 people and two 24 foot trucks, but we did eventually find a spot at 4:30 and G (even if we did accidentally grab a corner of a reserved village, which resulted in me having to negotiate a truce with the mayor).

Anyhow, hope you have better luck next time, and if you're really determined, keep on with your plan and just get there nice and early on Sunday. And give as many vehicles as you can an FRS radio! They really helped us to work as a team and find a place.

Cheers,
Gambler
The Robot Factory.

[SnowBlind]

I don't know why, but the 5.2% that weren't sure just crack me up.

[zorro sings]

just get there nice and early on Sunday.

Do not think this part of your otherwise very sound advice will work for them very well unless they have a Gerlach fetish.

[Eric]

but quite often, we just run out of registered theme camp space and are unable to place everyone who submitted a questionnaire. 

Don't forget this part - even if you & the other 56 unplaced camps did everything correct, they may not have gotten placed due to too many camps & not enough area. The Org does notice kick-ass unplaced camps, get yourself there in time for the land-grab & set up, show them why you deserve placement next year. I know it's hard not to take it personally (i.e: "why were we denied placement?"), but in my experience the Placers really do work their asses off trying to get the city to fit together well, and this is a puzzle that comes with too many pieces.

[fenwick]

We were not placed, (placed last year, green MOOP, awarded interactive component, involved with regionals across the country as best as possible) etc etc. True - there was more we could have done, but who the f*ck cares?

So what - we were not placed, means what - reserved space - no freakin issue there, there is space elsewhere - might be a little crowded in the fringes, but then reserved space - kinda sounds elitists in a way. No offense to those whom have been placed and my punch in the gut for the fourth time this year from the ORG is becoming another faded memory (they don't hurt as bad - last punch to wait for is "where are my tickets?"

So what - we find space in an unreserved area - only going to be a handful of us squatters so the actual space will be much less then the reserved alotment (somebody else wins - but do they really? - wait till the MOOP report comes out). We will still have our fun, we will still burn our way, and welcome the neighbors to join us.

Being "ground leader" - I was not looking forward to a couple situations. Having frontage on Ave G - yet due to skeleton crew - we offer volleyball nets to make the space appear used - not cool. This also would deprive a better coordinated camp space and the hassles that go with it.

The idea of this is to have fun - and chances that a skeleton crew be at each other's throats driven by frustration by Tuesday night was not appealing. Not enough room in Thunder Dome for a rumble.

Wow - not being placed, eases the load of responsibilities big time. No longer under "you MUST (do this)" - I am back to the freedom of a independent unattached camper. This inspires me to volunteer more willingly - with regards to maintaining the area during and after the event.

Obviously financial obligations as well as other obligations have dropped considerably - in my favor - something the ORG would never do intentionally.

Not mad or upset with placement or any of it's supposed advantages. I don't envy them the task of deciding who qualifies, and who does not (perhaps they could have communicated a weakness they want improved upon as a condition for further consideration?). If I was informed oh wait - got lost in thought because communication from the BORG - sucks on every level. Be it with handling of tickets, admitting mistakes and trying to correct them, blah blah blah - but communication - even if it was "we are aware and working on it..." goes a long long way. Silence is not golden...... Attending this event has costs far and above the ticket price - and well - the economy is doing so well that everybody can afford to drop ten thousand bucks without a hesitation on a theme camp.

So 2012 - we do it our way, the fun way, no obligation, no commitment, no stress, no hassle....

Next year - that is another volunteer ground leader's worry. Least that person will have two previous ground leaders to seek advice from. Number one expectation - do not expect to be placed, - much more fun in the suburbs anyway, clean air, little less ambient noise, friendly folks all around (and they will be friendly all week).

Life goes on.

Nothing left to do (except wait for the ticket news......waiting.....waiting......) and have a fun week.

[fenwick]

and...



says it all......

Peace

Out of consideration for the community at large and the limited space in the WhoWhatWhere Guide - I canceled our listed events, they will still take place, but with one event on Monday afternoon, even if we registered place on playa at center camp - that task be fruitless - both on our part and the effort of anyone looking for us. We have a place in mind - that is what we will shoot for, and whatever happens - happens. Hope this action makes room for a group that might not have been included in the guide. We always give back what is not required on our part.

[RocketChicken]

Do not think this part of your otherwise very sound advice will work for them very well unless they have a Gerlach fetish.

Gates open at 6pm this year, bud.

[fenwick]

by RocketChicken » Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:41 pm

zorro sings wrote:
Do not think this part of your otherwise very sound advice will work for them very well unless they have a Gerlach fetish.


Gates open at 6pm this year, bud.

by noon Sunday the line ends at Wadsworth exit, a solid 120 miles away - should be fun.
doubt there be too many wrecks going in due to the rapid movement of traffic. a plus
speeding tickets will have to be earned - seriously - a plus
tow trucks in strategic areas so they - never mind - occupants can push their way in line when engines overheat.
cows will gourd vehicles to find warm places in the road to pass away the night.
jack rabbits will line up by the thousands and laugh....

but this all happens to somebody else - and not me.

By that time - it's all part of the experience of getting there. Just wait for Exodus when all those people decide to leave....

[PlayaPatrol]

We had a green moop rating and interactive events scheduled and were declined. It's largely who you know. Many placed theme camps are mediocre and non placed camps are awesome.

[PlayaPatrol]

What's a GROUND LEADER?