Official A2K Gathering in Chicago, May 7th, 2006!

The thing is, if we know there are 32, the amount to be sent is lower than if we are nine. Which is why I think someone with a decent visa could spring for it -
I dunno, where are our accountants?

I think they're busy running on li'l treadmills...

This being sorta an official A2K thing, my thought is that as much as may practicably done under the A2K banner, so to speak, should be done not by or in the name of any individual, but by and under the name of A2K. I think it best, if we're gonna be dealing with funds on behalf of the organization, the organization oughtta be the repository and the disbursor. Whether a separate account be set up under an existing A2K bank account, a distinct account be opened for the purpose, or book-keeping is employed to track and handle the funds through an existing account is immaterial to me, and likely irrelevant overall, so long as the funds funnel from each contributing individual through A2K to where they're going to pay for directly group-incurred expenses.

what he said...

What did he say?

timber's language also escapes my simple language skills. <smile>

I want to meet everybody [and some especially ].

I've thaught about that already earlier that perhaps a deposit before the actual event could/should be done.

So, I'm of course in for that. And agree to whatever it was what timber said.

OK - for those left behind - - I'll type r-e-a-l - - s-l-o-w-w-w-w .... :wink:

I think the best idea for handling funds for the event is to do it through A2K - contributions toward the deposit and any other event-related expenses go in to A2K, checks to pay for things are written from a A2K account; A2K is the "Event Sponsor", not any of us as individuals - its a business thing. There also should be an oversight committee of some sort, to do the accounting, ride the calendar, and report regularly back to everyone else what is going on.

Not very exciting or glamorous ... just business-like.

I think Craven had mentioned he DIDN'T want anything like that -- but I'm not sure.

To give a little more background, Craven started a thread on the subscriber's forum saying hey let's do this (paraphrase) but hasn't had time to be the organizer, so it's sort of a hodgepodge of people nudging this along with no one central person.

J_B has been doing an absolutely superlative job of more-than-nudging things along, thanks again.

I think we're still safely away from the actual $$ point, at any rate. Not very far, to be sure, but I don't think we need to do or decide anything RIGHT NOW. I'd like to get more feedback on the venue, for starters, before we go to the trouble of locking that in -- even if there is no risk involved, the logistics of getting the money and then returning it if needed are not nothing.

So, let me ask loudly for any lurkers who haven't spoken up yet -- What do you think of the possibility of the Millenium Park Grille? Is ~$30-35 for lunch too expensive? Is there anything else that gives you pause?

I personally think Millenium Park Grille is an excellent place. It is centrally located (downtown Michigan Avenue). $30-$35 is about what I expected.

(The earlier suggestion of Garfield Park Conservatory is not as good because Garfield Park is not in Chicago's downtown.)

wandeljw, Don't you think the important issues should be 1) good venue, 2) transportation access, 3) accoustics, and 4) cost? (Or any other concern for the majority attending.)

Millenium Park Grille is an excellent spot: centrally located and in the middle of a premier tourist attraction itself. I also like the idea of a brunch/lunch get-together. That leaves the rest of the day for everyone to explore the city and maybe arrange for a more informal meet-up later on. The $30-35 price is reasonable. Now we need to concentrate on boosting attendance above 8 or 9.

c.i.,

I was only responding to soz's specific question about how we feel about Millenium Park Grille.

(see soz's post)

Sorry, wand, missed soz's post. It seems that the Millenium Park Grille is the best venue as explained by those in the know. I raise my hand in agreement.

c.i.,

It would have been better if I had referenced soz's post the way joefromchicago did. Sorry about my lack of clarity.

me too. it's great that there's a place already earmarked for the Big Meet. bravo, bravo, bravo!

Millenium parl is great. Easy to get around from there and 30-35 dollars is next to nothing for the honor of meeting people as good as yourselves. I vote yes.

The Millenium Grill works for me ... I really can't think of an alternative with superior recommendations. Wellll ... nahhhh ... Wrigley Field prolly wouldn't be the best choice: Cubs are at home vs San Diego - parking would be a nightmare.

Whoa, let's slow down there, big fella. All around, there's a bit too much rush-rush when it comes to money. I mean, we are talking about a gathering that is over six months from now. I hardly think this has to be done yesterday.

As for methodology, that has yet to be decided. This, too, is not a rush. Thank you.

Doesn't hafta be done hastily, agreed, but its a consideration that needs discussion, IMO ... and yeah, The Big Day is a ways off yet, but Big Days have a way of sneaking up on ya ... you're of an age such that the phenomenon can't have gone unnoticed by you :wink: