442ndRCT Soldier's Forum

[kanowarrior]

The CHG insurance rate was down $700 this year. Treasurer's reports shows we had a good year with a loss of only $33.47 for the year.

Discussion on the hard liquor ban. It was decided to table this discussion and it was not put up to a vote so was not added to the Bylaws. It was noted however that there is a serious problem with underage drinking and it should not be allowed. Responsibility to enforce is once again put onto the leadership of the individual units.

Proposal to vote in a Finnish impression as a secondary impression. This discussion was tabled until the unit could make a presence on the battlefield in an ad hoc role to show their commitment to the impression. They had about 8 on their roster but are not ready to actually field a unit at this time. This was proposed as a way for people who are not inclined to go as Russian or German to Ostfront events and could fight on either side depending on the senario and turnout. It was noted that secondary impressions to this date are mostly to promote entirely new events like Russian Front or PTO. The Finnish unit was encouraged to resubmit an application for secondary impression after they make a showing.

Guests at battles (as in from other reenactment groups). Guests must be from recognized units or else they must join the CHG. Note that you should check the CHG Bylaws on this which is available as a PDF download on the CHG website for the rules on this.

Annual meeting. For the moment Annual meetings which were designed for the general membership to attend and give them a voice to the board have been noted as unsuccessful as no one attends. Various ideas were thrown out to not have separate Annual meeting events but as part of an after battle thing but still there is and extremely low or no turnout for them.

Marching Thru History will still have their show on the second weekend of October this year. They are starting a new program of going into schools to educate students on military history. Uniforms and displays encouraged but NO weapons allowed.

December 7th Palm Springs event was a success with about 10 people showing up. The event coordinators were so pleased they donated $500 to the club which Ron Lane turned over to the CHG secretary. This helped to offset the 2007 losses to only $33.47.

February 17th, American reenactors needed for the "Gathering of the Flags' event to celebrate the birth of George Washington at:

Forest Lawn Memorial Park
6300 Forest Lawn Drive
Los Angeles, CA
Sunday 3pm

if interested contact:

Donald N. Moran 661-823-9227

Christmas Holiday party broke even thanks to the $500 donation from Palm Springs event.

YouTube recruitment videos needed for the CHG website.

An update for the Vehicle Rules of Engagement was submitted by Gary Archer.

Matt Charpatta can no longer supply blanks from Joe Swanson. The board is looking for someone to replace him but in the meantime is asking him to continue on till someone can be found. This was first brought to the board some six months ago so Matt has already extended his service. Future of event blanks is doubtful. It was noted that Atlantic Wall Blanks (online) offers blanks that were much less expensive since Joe recently had to raise his prices due to cost of brass.

[davep]

Youtube recruiting video?

Was this just a general discussion, an item on a wish list? Or are they going to actively look to units to create one?


Ammo/Blanks?

What do you see the outcome as being? People will have to order blanks ahead of time over the internet and have them mail to their home?

[kanowarrior]

This was an active request from Matt Caffrey to the units to post on the CHG website. He already has a couple there.

As far as blanks, the board has been more or less telling Charpatta to hang on a bit longer for a few months now. I would not be surprised to Charpatta to just up and say, 'that's it!" and I would not blame him. Not that it's any one person's fault, but Matt has been more than charitable to the club and no one else has stepped up to do the job. It requires some amount of commitment.

Yes, we will probably have to order online from whoever we like to use and have them all delivered ahead of time.

[davep]

This was an active request from Matt Caffrey to the units to post on the CHG website. He already has a couple there.

The problem with the CHG site is it's stale, the video section is just a list of videos, strung together in one long line. One of my big pet peeves is when people post something without any lead in, set-up, or explanation of what the videos or topic is about.

Also the "Offical CHG Introduction" is old school, you click it an wait for a download. This video should be converted and uploaded to youtube, and get rid of the unfriendly, long wait time of what is there down.

These videos need to have the first several sections be a "title page" this way the visitor see a title before clicking. Otherwise you're forcing them to look at each video, without allowing him to pick and chose.

They show put together one or two generic overall "class act" videos which can be used as "teaser pieces" to get people interested. I think a guys like Travis Brehm or Brett Hodgson could craft something.

But just posting a bunch of odd and end videos on the website is overwhemling as it doesn't have a crafted purpose.

[kanowarrior]

What he asked for was for units to produce their own recruitment YouTube footage to post. Nothing more, nothing less.

[davep]

What he asked for was for units to produce their own recruitment YouTube footage to post. Nothing more, nothing less.

I hear you, I just have a passion for marketing

I think guys like Travis and Brett could do a real class act. Also a message from Bob Blair in uniform is pretty convincing looking as well.