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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>Greetings!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>Well to get the ball rolling, these are the first
things that popped into my pea brain....I'm not advocating anything in
particular though.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>1. What did we originally pay for it (approximately)
and how much (approximately) have we spent repairing it so far? Roughly
speaking, how many times have we used it? </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>With those questions answered, what has it cost us per
use? Have we gotten our money's worth, and if not, is it reasonable to think we
ever will? Especially if we continue to need repairs after each
use?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>(I suggest also considering the less tangible costs of
dealing with Big Blue, it takes time from "someone's" schedule to either do
minor repairs or transport it to a place that can do them, the hassle of
setup/teardown, loading and unloading, etc. some of which will exist with any
pavilion, but the size sometimes makes it onerous if there are too few folks to
help.)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>2. What are the benefits that might justify the
"costs"? It may be a source of pride for some, as it is fairly
impressive looking. Does it help attract prospects and other folks at demos and
events? Does it help us appear more credible at say "Highland Games" than a
series of small pavilions would?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>3. With cost per use established, we have a benchmark
to compare the cost/benefit or return-on-investment of any proposed
replacement.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>4. If we choose to retire it, what will replace it? And
what is our budget for such? Does it "need" to be replaced?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>5. If retired, could we make use of it for other
purposes? (ie, cut up into banners, signage, mundanity covers for use by the
populace, maybe use the walls to mask/hide parking areas at events,
etc.)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>6. Would it be more cost effective to simply try and
sell it "as-is"?</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>I'm sure there are lots of ways to approach this, but
that's all I've got time for at the moment. I'm very pleased to see the
leadership in addressing the situation. EVERYONE should be able to contribute to
some degree and be part of this process. NOW is the time to help out by speaking
up.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>Just my initial thoughts.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=797250322-13052008>-=Armand=-</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV><FONT face=Arial
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<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> Jhan Knebel<BR></FONT><BR
clear=all>Greetings Friends,<BR><BR>At Springfaire, due to the condition of Big
Blue the autocrat staff decided not to take it to the event and set it up. This
turned out to be a good idea, as Big Blue in it's current condition would not
have survived the event and the 55 mph wind gusts.<BR><BR>So, here is my
question to the Barony:<BR><BR>We have a pavilion that is not functional, and it
appears may be too much to repair, as we have learned that it will continue to
rip. What ideas do you have for fixing this situation?<BR><BR>In Service and the
spirit of discussion,<BR><BR>Rixende<BR><BR>-- <BR>Honorable Lady Rixende de
Rouen, CIM, CSM<BR>Central Region Rapier Marshal<BR>Quidam audit valde, facit
valde </DIV></BODY></HTML>