TOURNAMENT OF ROSES
UPDATE #23
November 27, 2007
WE ARE GETTING CLOSER!!!!
A FEW QUICK THINGS ...
INSURANCE INORMATION
As is a requirement on all my trips, everyone who travels must do an insurance paper. Carolyn Knaup has been gracious enough to handle this. Please make sure that everyone in your traveling party has completed this. THE REASON? Very simple. If something happens to you while gone, we want to make sure we can get the proper medial care. True most people carry their own medical info in the packet book or wallet. But what happens if you don't have that? We wish to have medical personnel treat you the best they can if necessary. The West Carteret Band of Morehead City once had a volunteer parent drop dead of a heart attack in the back of their equipment truck. He did not have his wallet or any medical information on him. Remember the UNC Mascot who was tragically killed last year at the NCAA basketball tournament? Well it seems (from my sources at UNC) that he did not have his wallet or an ID when he was struck by the car. The only reason someone knew who he was was when another UNC student saw a UNC jacket hanging in the ambulance. From those experiences, I have always had ALL who travel do medical information. Chaperones in the fall competitive season already do this which probably most of you did not know! We already have forms on the students -- all others will need to complete!
For out of towners, we can gather their info once hey get to Pasadena.
Once we return, the info will be shredded and destroyed. This info will never be made public and hopefully never be used. THIS IS A SAFETY THING TO YOU!
Do you really think we wish more paperwork right now? We are swamped and this is another thing that we need to do! I am already spending 6-7 EXTRA hours a day at BHS getting this together. More work is NOT what I need! But I do this for your safety and well being!
Please bring your paperwork and give to Mrs. Knaup when you come on the 16th! DO NOT SEND TO ME ... it will probably get lost in that black holed abyss known as my office! She will file it and it will never be seen unless necessary!
On every trip I have taken over the past 30 years we have tried to cross every "T" and dot every "I" so that if anything were to happen, we would have it under control. I can honestly say after 30 years we have been very lucky and have never had any major problems. I am trying to make this as stress free for all as possible but know along the way I have made mistakes. Some I have been able to fix, others I have not. But I am doing the best I can to make sure all is covered as we invade Pasadena in roughly 4 weeks. I have given up the last 14 months of my life to make sure that this all goes well. Even gave up 5 hours on Thanksgiving Day to sit and do work in my office. The Pasadena people have told me we are the only band who is bringing all our people together. Most bands take 50 chaperones with the band and that is it. They send their "leftover parents" (their words -- not mine) to other hotels in the area and never give them the chance to even see their kids while in California. That is not my approach as I am trying to give all a great time. So please assist us and it will all be fine! Like I have said I will be glad to change places with any of you!
JUST REMEMBER THIS IF YOU WISH TO BE IN CHARGE:
- 5 airplanes plus all the tickets
- 127 hotel rooms and all the assignments
- 368 total travel "official" people and the forms associated with that
- 7 chartered buses
- 512 people at the Queen Mary dinner
- 355 parade tickets
- 40 parking passes
- 400 pullovers
- California bus assignments
- Trip packets to come out on December 16
- Every check for payment of this $600,000 excursion
- All the required TOR parade and BANDFEST forms
- Trying to keep the TOR people happy
- Assorted t-shirts and pins
- California rehearsal sights
- New drum equipment
- Shipping of equipment
- Shipping of hats, plumes, and gauntlets
- New parade banner and color guard uniforms
- And on and on and on ...
And I could count on one hand the number of people who have said THANKS!! You don't need to say thanks ... just remember a big boat that "cruises" across open bodies of water in warm climates. BUT I DO IT NOT FOR THE MONEY BUT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE YOU A GREAT MEMORY!!!!
REAGAN LIBRARY
We have a few more spots available if you wish to go! Admission is $12.00/person and a buffet lunch is in the works for $15.00/person while at the library! Let me know!
ID
Have you gotten it yet? The airlines will not play games!
FLU SHOTS
Your call but you best not get sick as it will spread through everyone. We can not afford sickness with this many traveling people.
CONCERT
Sunday, December 16 at 3 PM. Meeting for TOR after that! With lots of things to give out that day!
FRUIT
This Saturday. Info will come home on Friday! Please ask for it!
BARNES AND NOBLES
Info is in the fruit packets! Please copy and publicize as it will assist us in getting more needed $$$$$!
CALENDAR CHANGE
The band and I feel like we will move our 6 mile march to FRIDAY, DECEMBER 14 at 3:15 PM on the track. Therefore no need to come on Saturday. They would rather stay at school on Friday. I totally agree! Let's just hope no bad weather!