This topic came up on the "Next Round-up" thread http://davesgarden.com/forums/t/677706/ .
Would you like to have an Eastern Canadian "round-up?"
How far east?
When?
What is involved in organizing one?
I can help, but have to fit it around concerts and rehearsals and I leave on June 22 for Australia for three weeks. So for me, earlier is better than later. Having never been to a round-up, what happens at one?
Ann
An Eastern Canadian Round-up?
Hope you don't mind me quoting you, inanda! This is from the Western Round Up thread:
Quoting:
Most US RUs seem to take place at some public venue like a park. Seems to consist of a plant swop, lots of potluck food, maybe a BBQ, lots of chatter.
The first Cdn. RU was in Victoria, over several days with the venue at Lindas.(MGG) Linda and Cheryl were very gracious hosts. People were billeted, in hotels as well as campers parked in driveways. Somehow Linda and Cheryl coped with 3 or 4 out-of-towners staying with them. Tons of good food, talk, getting to know people; a great slide show on brugs from Brugcrazy. Lots of sightseeing of course. Must mention plant swop too. All in all, a fun time was had by everyone, though am sure it took Linda and Cheryl some time to recover.
inanda
Don't mind abit.. Guess it went to the wrong thread. If you are involved, think we could do with a lecture from you re willow objects. Your garden is just full of interesting whatevers.
G
I guess we need to know where folks live, and how far they are willing to travel, to pick the most accessible location for the RU; and to know when they are free to attend. As for me, I'm 85 km north of Toronto, and am willing to travel as far as St. John's NL. (I prefer not to drive more than 1 1/2 hours, but like to fly! ) Any time from late May onward would be fine with me.
June
inanda, I've been contemplating organizing and hosting, but I just don't see how I can do it this year. I wouldn't take this on by myself and the most obvious partner is ViolaAnn because she lives nearby but our non-busy times don't coincide.
I'd likely attend one if it was within a reasonable driving distance (say 5 hours). I live close to Ottawa, Ontario. Other than a trip out West in June (tentative), I think any time from late May would suit me also, as long as it was held on a weekend.
Sandy
I would also help out and I've been on the organizing end of an international conference, but again, it's a matter of finding a time which would work.
BTW, I took a look at the numbers of subscribers (not members who probably can't read this forum anyway) and there are the following:
Ontario - 48
Quebec - 9
New Brunswick - 2
Nova Scotia - 3
PEI - 1
Nfld & Labrdor - 2
We MIGHT be able to attract from across the border - NY state has 285 subscribers, but we'd have to offer something pretty good to do so and many people in the US just won't cross the border. Do 65 people warrant the energy of organizing a Round-up?
Ann
65 is a HUGE number. Maybe Ottawa would be a good place to hold one. Lots to do, fairly central,lots of parks/accommodations/restaurants. Or Kingston?
You might ask people if anyone has a few airmiles they could donate for those who are too far to drive.
Then, after you have decided on a date, check when uni dorms are available at Carlton, for those who don't want pricey hotels. At lily/iris conventions we usually share 3 or 4 to a room; taking care to discuss smoking/perfume allergies etc., things like that. Maybe take over an entire B&B - depending on how many are attending.
If you decide on somewhere other than Ottawa, pick a place by general concencus, then approx. dates - . Get everyone to google chosen area and forward things they want to do. Pick a couple of co-organizers to handle specific areas. organizers will find nurseries, a venue, etc etc.
The BC RU was fairly free and easy. Think the only thing pre-organized was Jeannes brug lecture at the potluck get together on the first night. Rest of the days were sort of planned then. Everyone throws in a few $$ towards wine/gas things like that.
If you have museum-oriented people, find out group rates. We skipped church on Sunday. Anyone who wanted to go, just went and caught up with us later.
I think US DGers will cross the border. Other family members might waant to attend,
inanda
Sounds like fun, I would definitely attend something like this. I am an hour out of Ottawa, and an hour and a half out of Kingston...either would work.
LeeAnne
Maybe we should D-mail each of those 65 to see what interest there is. How many do you need to have a successful event?
Ann
I think about 6 would be right!
Holy smokes, to organize a weekend for that many people (say 50) would be huge for 2 people to organize! Accomodations, transportation, entertainment. I have to admit, I was thinking in the 10 range! Inanda, how many people were at the BC roundup?
Sandy
About 16 I think. Not everyone was there for everything. People went off and did their own thing. It worked well.
You really don't have too rganise too much.
First find hotel rates and campgrounds near to venue. Maybe the campground would be a good place for potluck and plant swop.
Find out how many people will maybe attend, after you have done the preferred date thing. You may end up with 15 - 20.
Dont forget that everyone will talk to each other, choosing room mates/things to bring to plant swop etc.
Faancyvan, are you really thinking in terms of 6 or so or was that a typo?
inanda
Sandy - having done all the business end of organizing the 1999 International Viola Congress held in Guelph (attendance about 200) and having been involved with organizing the Provincial Handbell Festival in 2005 (500 ringers), a weekend for 50 or fewer sounds like a piece of cake. But unless gardeners are very different from most other poeple, I'd be surprised if we had that high a turn out. There are always long term plans that conflict as well as inertia. But I might be wrong.
Well Sandy I was being a bit silly actually but personally I hope it wont be a huge group for the prairie RU I am the only active member in Calgary and there are a few others scattered around and of course I have no idea yet how many would come from outside the province. I will get a proposal together by the end of the month but I think it will be the 2nd or 2rd weekend in June.
Well, maybe next year for Ottawa. I'd be interested to see how the prairie round up goes, might even attend!
Sandy
As much as I would love to have it held in NL, I realize that it is rather far away from most eastern Canadians. Plus, with our plant export restrictions, we would not be able to do swaps. Ontario would be the best location. More than likely I won't be able to attend anyway since my vacation time is being used up with my trip to Alberta. Despite 65 people in the east, I agree with Inanda that only 15-20 people are likely to attend.
Todd,
I didnt realize NL had different regulations regarding exporting plants, I would have thought you would be the same as the rest of Canada.
LA
Hey, that's interesting! Didn't realize there were plant export restrictions in NL either. Guess you guys are 'speshal' on that island, eh? ;-) lol
Sandy
Yeh, so special...its really a drag! We have Golden nematode so to prevent problems with the potoato industry in Canada, we are not allowed to export plants without a phyto certificate....personally I thinks its a way to keep Plant Inspectors in Newfoundland employed! (but I'm not bitter!)
We're planning a trip 'home' the 1st week of June. (tentative) Haven't been to Ottawa since Gr. 8 so I'd try to include a RU if it was the first wknd in June. Nothing for sure yet tho. :)
Where are you going - Ottawa? Or other parts east. whetehr there is a RU or not, you'll have to let us know when you will be in the vicinity.
Ann
First visiting DB and friends around Lindsay, Bowmanville, Port Perry, etc. Then the rest is up in the air. I wanna go to Ottawa so we'll stop by, RU or not. :)