[Roos_Girl]

I was writing this in response to a private mail I got, but I think I'd like to put this out there for everyone that's been following the thread.

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.

I'd like to see us all get together, meet each other, know that there really is a face to the names we see on the screen, feel that we have a base of like-minded people that we can call on for support, etc. I think we should come up with some goals leading up to the 2010 elections and then come up with some action items to start working on those goals.

I've already got two offers from two different individuals (thank you!) to give presentations on various topics. I don't think we should put the meeting off just because maybe we can't find an additional "special guest speaker" or whatever.

The difficult part may be this; we've got to find an appropriate location for us all to meet up. It's looking like maybe we'd have approx. 40 people attend from the response I've gotten now. We'll probably have to rent a facility, which means that every person/family attending would have to pony up a few bucks to cover the cost of the facility. Preliminarily we could use a meeting room at the downtown Orlando Public Library. I'm sure these will be "no frills" rooms. 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. Hopefully everyone will be okay with that?

Anyway, the more I think about it the less I think there is to "plan". So I want to throw out some dates and see what people are thinking...

March 28

April 18

April 25

All are Saturdays.

And sorry if I double pinged you.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Any of these dates is fine with me, although Saturday the 18th is Holy Saturday for the Orthodox.

[Guenevere]

April dates are better for me.

[seekthetruth]

Whatever date is decided upon is fine with me. Just let me know if there is anything I can do to help. :)

[Bob Ireland]

The Orlando Public Library presents parking problems... not as critical on a Sunday, but inconvenient.

Should I presume you are not interested in the facility that I arranged for the previous FReep? Parking there is at the door, and plenty of eating places nearby - which the Orlando Public Library does NOT have.

The cost is unclear, but probably in line with the library for a day; the facility I am suggesting would unlikely be available on Sunday, but last time people wanted to use Sunday for returning home. We found one day adequate for concluding all business. Friday night and Sunday morning people can meet at a restaurant or hotel lounge.

I was charged with pre-ordering about a dozen pizzas for lunch during the Saturday festivities. /:-O

[danamco]

Hotel accommodations are cheaper in Kissimmee than in Orlando. I recommend “Old Town”!!!

[MinuteGal]

You have freepmail.....

Leni

[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.