Kelly Quirk
Region 5 Coordinator
July 6, 2010

Hello everybody,

Hope everybody had a fun and safe Independence Day. Anybody blow up any old models?

>>>Event Submissions - I have received numerous event submissions for contests this month that have not been approved by the RC (one even said yes the RC had approved, but when I double checked, he said that it's the first he had heard of it!!). By not going through the RC first only slows down getting your event approved. Also, please ensure that the form is correctly filled out, I had one where the person submitting the form placed their name and address down for Event name & location - so that means the contest is named after him and is at his house!!

To make it easier, we are working on making the EDF more 'user friendly'. These changes should be in effect later this month or early next month. These changes should cut down on any confusion on what's been asked.

Also, please plan as early as possible. MJ needs about 1 month in order to get the insurance for the event. Please don't wait until the last minute to fill in the EDF on the web site. Also, if you want your event listed in The Journal, they need about 2 months, or more, in order to get your event listed in the Journal. By waiting until the last minute, you will loose out on any advertisement in the Journal.

MNT - this is a great program. So please take advantage of this FREE service. Just fill out the request on the web site, but again, do it early, don't wait until the last minute and plan on how many kits you'll need.

Charter Renewal - We're starting this a bit early. The computer program that was used in the past to "build" the FactSheets took a dump and couldn't be saved. I've tried to get another program built without success. Therefore, we'll need the Chapters cooperation in this years renewal even more than in the past. The RCs the FactSheets, or will have them very soon, they will need to look at each FS and search the membership roster database for expiration dates. Therefore, I respectfully ask that each Chapter help there RC and look at their FS, update it and get it to the RC ASAP. This will ease their workload very much. The timeline for renewal is still October 1 to New Years Eve.

FactSheets - This past month, I've had a couple of requests to change a Chapter Contact, an e-mail address, web site, etc. The proper, and only way to change this information is to update the Factsheet. There are 221 current chapters in IPMS/USA, if I get an an e-mail from Billy-Bob, saying my new e-mail address is xxx, change it. OK, which chapter are you from? How can I update the info without all of the info? See what I mean? So please update the FactSheet and sent to myself and the RC.

One last thing, I have had a complaint that no one in their Region offered sponsorship to their contest. I asked if they contacted the other Chapters in their Region and was told no. So if you don't contact the other Chapters in your Region or surrounding Regions, how can you expect to get sponsorships or even entrants? I highly recommend that e-mails and US Postal Service mail go out.<<<

Thanks for that Tim, all well said. I will be starting my work on the Fact Sheets soon, so please do your part and stay updated. Also, another reminder to book your 2011 show dates as early as possible. You will notice below in the upcoming events that several 2011 dates are already booked... And another reminder that there will be no 2011 Region 5 Convention.

I will be going on vacation this month. I will still have internet access, but it may take me an extra day or two to reply.

That's all for this month.

Kelly Quirk
R5 RC
816-471-4580 day
816-415-9745 eve

PS:  I hope all you Chapter Contacts are sharing all this with your clubs!