Call To Action: Regional FReeper Convention: Florida

Free Republic ^

[Roos_Girl]

Okay, I posted to the Florida board and I heard back from no one interested in helping out to get something set up locally. Below is a good starting point that I borrowed from a W. Va Freeper getting started in his neck of the woods. I think this is a good starting point that can be massaged. Is anyone interested in teaming up with me to get something worked out in Central Florida? No one else is going to do it except us.

9AM - MeetnGreet over coffee & donuts

10:30AM - Introductions and brainstorming session to

come up with initial goals for the group

Noon - Lunch on your own

1:30PM - Session to refine our goals & objectives

3:00PM - Activism 101 workshop

5:00PM - Special Guest Speaker

7:00PM - Dinner/Social

[Roos_Girl]

Hey y’all,

I think it would be fantastic to have our convention the same weekend as the planned protest in Orlando being headed by Lisa Feroli. I am a little concerned about the timing. The protest is being planned for the weekend of March 21/22. I had been looking at a date of April 25 for the convention. Any reason why March 21 would be too soon for y’all to get to Orlando? It might be too short of notice for invitees to get it in their schedule.

Also, I want to give you some info that I’ve gotten on pricing for a conference room and hotel rooms. Of course the ultimate price is going to depend on how many people actually come, but right now a guest room will be approx. $90/night and the conference room will be approx. $400 for the day to be set up in a classroom style to accommodate 75 people.

A FReeper has already committed a donation of $50 for the conference room. I will match his donation. We’ll need to “pass the hat” to come up with the remainder. We also have a FReeper who has offered to provide the PA equipment.

The hotels that I’m looking at to host the conference and reserve rooms also have an on-site restaurant and lounge. I think I’ve narrowed it down to a hotel that’s in downtown Orlando that would make it easy to get to/from Lake Eola where the protest is to be held and a hotel on International Drive, but if we’re changing dates will have to reverify.

Please provide input on dates and whether you can make it. If we’re moving it up to March I’ll need some hard RSVP’s to get rooms lined up if we want a discount on them and the conference room.

[adorno]

I'd like to see this gathering happen sooner rather than later. I was thinking we should be able to have enough info together to have the event in late March or early April. I see this being a brainstorming session; certain people have certain passions, talents and contacts. So we need to find out what those are.

All great ideas. Which makes it imperative that this thread is kept alive for a long time until all Florida FReepers have indicated one way or the other their intent to attend or not. Perhaps we can entice those that are hesitant with some fun in addition to the seriousness of the meeting.

I myself have an idea which perhaps can be used as a tool in battling the mainstream media.
I'm in Tampa (Town-n-Country area) and I'm very interested in attending.

It looks like they have a conference room that can hold up to 60 people for $100 for the day. Or a room that can hold up to 150 people for $600. I don't think we'd be looking at more than $15 per person/family.

Just a thought:

Since this meeting would occur in Florida and in the Orlando area, then perhaps it can be turned into something much bigger than just for Florida Freepers. It can be turned into a mini-vacation as well as a meeting. There are plenty of hotels which I'm sure would welcome a mini-convention in these times of faltering economics, and perhaps we can get a large meeting room at a huge discount..

However, it would still be nice to identify each FReeper with a tag indicating which state they're from.

[MindBender26]

re: Lisa Feroli

Please let us have nothing to do with the Ron Paulians.

[MindBender26]

I'm in Downtown Orlando.

No need to get anywhere near I(nternational) Drive and get intermingled with the tourists, horrible traffic, etc.

There are some good properties in the Downtown area (walking distance from Lake Eola) where we should be able to get some great rates assuming there is no big Magic game, convention, tractor pull, concert, etc. that weekend.

There is also a free bus that runs every 6 to 12 minutes all day and evening through that area.

I have a full time travel agent and also a full time event planner on my staff? Can they be of any help?

We should also have someone working in advance for media coverage from Bud (an old friend) and possibly some others.

[seekthetruth]

Sounds great and looks like plans could come together for the March 21/22 weekend.

I sent out the link to this thread to all the Florida Freepers on my extensive list on 2/16. As soon as plans are finalized I can get the information out with the RSVP. :)

[rodguy911]

IF there is a ping list for this let me know.Also let me know when the date for Orlando is I may be able to attend don't know yet.

[rodguy911]

THe Bud man has a great show up there and huge signal on 540,he would be a great contact.

[tiredoflaundry]

placemark

[Ricebug]

Time and place. I’m all for it.

[sonic109]

You all should check this out , click on state chapters. There are some good people over in this place .http://www.resistnet.com/

[Guenevere]

21st...Yes!--(what time?)...

..and maybe on the 22nd.

[Guenevere]

Regarding the timeline for Saturday morning, the 21st...

There's a very large Christian conference in Orlando starting on the 19th and ending the morning of the 21st....

I'm going to the conference first....but wondering if I can network with likeminded folks there?...maybe

[ThreePuttinDude]

Hey RG, I can get the Incredible Shrinking Budman in Sarasota.
They have one heck of a signal.

I'll attend a gathering in Orlando, but might have to incorporate work with pleasure.
I can't commit to any time frame, but will be in attendance.

TPD

[VeniVidiVici]

I’m in. I won’t need a room.

Not sure what you are looking at downtown but there is a large group (10+) of newer hotels across from OIA. They may have some good rates on rooms/conference rooms right now.

It’s only about a 20min drive to Lake Eola from there but on a Saturday, traffic shouldn’t be too bad.

[7mmMag@LeftCoast]

Just moved to Florida (Safety Harbor) from Washington state in August, been a Freeper since 2000. You can count me in!

[Matchett-PI]

NOTE to all:

This “Orlando Tea Party” is not related to the FReeper Convention which will be at a later date - in April.

Orlando Tea Party
email | February 22, 2009 | Lisa Feroli
Posted on Sunday, February 22, 2009 11:42:10 AM by Roos_Girl
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2191375/posts?page=32#32

We have secured the Ampitheater at Lake Eola for Saturday, March 21 from 12:00 - 2:00. Bud Hedinger is on board. We have been contacted by Lloyd Marcus who is a conservative, patriotic singer, song writer and entertainer. He is on board as well and will be performing. There are many other plans in the works. So clear your calendars and spread the word. We are going to have a Tea Party! We are going to need to ask for some help with funding the event. We will be forwarding to you our website link which will be completed this afternoon. The website will have all needed information, updates and Paypal account for contributions for the event. Thank you for your patience and support!

KEYWORDS: orlando; teaparty

This is an email I received from Lisa. Will post the website when I get it. ~ Roos_Girl bttt

[publius321]

Seems like there are a few Palm Beach County Freepers here. Are there ever any organized Palm Beach County Freeper events?

Maybe everyone should organize chapters in their respective regions of Florida, then each chapter nominate a delegate to help organize a state meeting?

I’m somewhat new here so I may be stating the obvious and if there are local chapters, I would be interested in joining.

Any Palm Beach Country REC members here?

[Matchett-PI]

This is a cross post to the separate thread entitled Orlando Tea Party
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2191375/posts

The web site for the Tea Party is now up for those interested in attending that event also (in addition to the FReeper convention in April)!!

Join me at The Orlando Tea Party
http://www.orlandoteaparty.com/

NOTE: You may need to copy and paste the link into your browser manually if you get a “blank” screen when you click it. bttt

[seekthetruth]

Just a bump and wondering how plans are coming for our Florida Freeper Convention in Orlando in April. I am ready to help in any way I can! :)

[Roos_Girl]

Still trying to nail down a location. Will let everyone know when that’s done.