Newsgroups: alt.music.rush
Subject: <None>
From: tbeaudoin@vax1.umkc.edu
Date: Sat, 12 Sep 1992 17:50:03 GMT
Organization: University of Missouri - Kansas City

> OK.... since it appears to have been decided by everyone that Toronto is
> the best place... lets move on and plan the other stuff....since the
> only thing thats going around the net is bullshit talk... Now if you
> guys are really serious lets get down to business and try and organize
> shit.  Someone set up a basic outline of things we've got to deal with. 
> Suggestions are below.  We can discuss and finalize the outline on the
> net.

	Well, since I think I was the one to first suggest a 
First Annual Rush (or NMS) Convention on the net, i suppose it is my duty to 
volunteer my help.  (The idea just hit me late one night a couple of weeks
ago...)  I therefore offer the following commentary.  I am a 
(pretty dedicated) high school teacher, which means i work 12+ hours a day, 
but i'd still like to be a part of the planning structure. 

> Promotion... are just us fans in Net land enough.... Presumably the NMS
> will advertise for us if we get some real organization.  PLus maybe A
> show of Fans and other Fanzines...
> 
	Excellent idea.  I would think that there are also plenty of newsgroups
that would be interested in knowing about this convention..

> Transportation.... car pools from people in the South picking up people
> in the North on the way?  If there are large groups of people from one
> area, rent a bus or van jointly?  Every man/woman for him/herself?
>
	If we can recruit a Transportation/Logistics Czar, it seems like
these kind of (seemingly easy but actually sometimes complicated) questions
should be in her/his domain.
 
> Lodgings... do we just take over a campsite and camp out (in Lakeside
> Park)?  Or take over a Hotel and it's convention halls?  Can we organize
> a group rate for the hotels?  How are we intending to organize this
> REGARDLESS of where we stay.... and once again... should every
> individual just fend for themselves....
> 
	Romantically, i like the idea of a "woodstockish" overtaking of 
Lakeside Park for a weekend, though i think we ought to debate/discuss
accomodations here on alt.music.rush and the NMS.  I wouldn't mind shacking
up in a Motel 6 for the weekend..

> Events...  I mean yeah, It'd be cool to have a huge Rush convention, but
> what are we going to do when we're there?  Rush tribute bands?  Guest
> speakers? (terry Brown, B-man or even Rush themselves???) Boot trading
> (and there are legal aspects to this)?  we need to formalize a plan...
> 
	Yes!! Perhaps have a few weeks of Net Elections for a governing
board for the convention, with anyone's input encouraged?  Tasks/
responsibilities could be assigned/debated.  

> When...  Well Obviously we're going to need time to organize this?  I'm
> partial to a weekend in mid march or so (it gives us time to plan...
> should be spring break for some college students.... not too far off for
> the whole plan to just fade away (NOT fade away.....) 
> 
	I think a March weekend would be very problematic.  While not all
of us on the net are college students at this time, many are.  Spring breaks
range from early March to mid-April.  That's why I have cast my vote for
a late-June to late-July date.

> WHO... is going to organize this?  Any Volunteers..... I'll help, but I
> don't live close enough to Toronto to scout shit out, plus I straight
> out don't have the time to organize everything.....  I CAN help by
> calling places and stuff, but we need a more formal plan first.  We need
> an administrative structure.
> 
	I'm officially volunteering to help, too.  Perhaps my aforementioned
idea about electing a Convention Governing Board might be a good way to go 
about it.  Or we could simply appoint people.  Any discussion??

> OK.....  My tentative plan.....(just as a possible template..not
> necessarily what should happen)
> 
	I like the idea of a 3-day convention for our "first official"
one, perhaps starting Friday afternoon and ending Sunday afternoon.  It would
give us enough time to plan several "big" events but would not drag on so 
long that it would encourage massive SNAFUs..

	By the way, do we call this a RUSH convention or NMS convention?
I'm sort of partial to an "NMS" convention, since it implies not only that
we're Rush fans, but that there is actually a legitimate (if virtual) "society"
of us.  But I know everyone on alt.music.rush may not like or subscribe 
to the NMS.  Discussion?  

> Friday:  Everyone gets situated in hotel... Rush tribute band
> performs.... Video showings in groups.... (in Red Sector A we have
> viewings of official video releases.... in Red Sector B we have bootleg
> videos of Signals and GUP... etc...)

	Sounds great!  At this time we would also need to have some sort
of "official registration" (if we're charging anything to defray any 
major costs, we have to have some system of accounting who is officially
part of the convention).  How about a time for introductions, too?  The
first night might be a great time to get to know other alt.music.rushers
or NMS'ers, perhaps at a special meeting called for just such a purpose..
that way you'll know more about who you'll be hanging around with for the next
few days..
 

> Saturday:  Big ass collectables convention.... bootlegs... record
> meet.... (not everything has to be Rush... believe it or not I don't
> think this would be to hard to organize.... just tell the big album
> collectors about it and set up tables and shit... Take your picture with
> the band (get those stupid cardboard figures of the band... cheesy but
> it works)  Guest speaker if we can get one...
> More videos and stuff at night.... Plus periodic pilgrimages to Danforth
> and Pape and Anthem Headquarters or something else cool....  Basically
> do what you want at night (like see a hockey game if one's in town!)

	Another great idea, sir.  Pilgrimages could either be in groups with 
rented buses, or individual (all paying conventioners would get a map
of the "holy city" and its "holy sites").  Would this also be the night
we could try out a massive RUSH BINGO game, with Rush trivia on the Bingo
cards??

> 
> Sunday:  Picnic at Lakeside Park.... we'll provide directions... get
> there... a big ass picnic... with a loud stereo cranking Rush....  go
> home (hope you had a blast)
> 
	Fantastic!  The loud stereo cranking Rush MUST be present.  What about
security?

> Additional stuff....  Commemorative shit.... 1st Annual convention
> t-shirts and shit.... possible contests (Geddy look-alike?, raffle) for
> official RIAA platinum record award (hey these are FREE if you know the
> right people.... my friend got a Motley Crue one (ugh) because he knew a
> guy at Elektra) or other donated Rush stuff... (if you advertise the
> shit out of a local record store/bootleg shop They'll probably provide
> you with a few free things....  PLus guitar picks and shit are free if
> anyone can get a quantity....
> 
> Logistics...  Some hotel (try and get a group rate for the
> convention)... pre-registration for it (pay in advance so everything can
> be funded)... We **NEED** some organizing head and subcommittees.  Also
> a lawyer who'll donate his services into making sure we don't get
> sued....  Any left over money should go to the band.... period!
> 
	The lawyer is probably a good idea, too.  Anyone on the NMS
or a.m.r in the legal profession??  We're all going to have to donate a 
little selfless time if this thing is to get off the ground..

	Possible seminar topics at the convention:  have people present
papers on the relationship of Rush and religion/anti-religion, Ayn Rand,
etc..

	Let's keep the hearty discussion alive!  

	Keeping the dream-flame on life's candle burning...


Thomas Beaudoin
Lee's Summit High School
International Baccalaureate Program


TBEAUDOIN@VAX1.UMKC.EDU