Post by Ultra on Dec 31, 2013 15:51:27 GMT -5
Well another year has come to pass and I would like to post up the usual lengthy review of airsoft in our state, but honestly this year there wasn't a whole lot going on. I played only a few times this year at some pick up games and small scenario outings that were held in our area. Thankfully, I was able to attend Codename Thunder again this year with Norris and the 29th MEU which allowed me to get out of the state and see what some of the other groups are doing.
It's in these visits up north that I not only get to observe, but talk to team leaders, community leaders, website guru's, site owners and event organizers about our situation and strategies for growing our area. Also I come back fired up and excited, only to turn on the computer, pull up our board and nothing. At most, there is two or three people complaining because no one has booked a game. So I'm going to leave 2013 behind me and move onto some positive ideas for 2014.
2014
If you have noticed the sudden surge of energy around here lately it's because we are working to patch some holes and redo the infrastructure for future growth. Let's face it, WV Airsoft has for the most part always been ran by a small group of people that planned and hosted the games. None of us are getting any younger and sometimes life happens, we can't always be there to host a pickup game every two weeks to keep everyone interested and happy. It is also in this small group that perhaps we have gave off the wrong impression to outsiders of being control freaks and in the age of two clicks and you have your own airsoft forum, this may be why we have twenty odd groups across the state, but more on that later. I'm going to let you all in on a secret if you didn't already know, there is no structured apparatus behind our scenes, there is no power hungry fake rank grabbing arm chair airsoft general controlling things. It's a bunch of friends, sure we don't post a lot of stuff out in the open, but it's not like it's some conspiracy. We shoot each other texts, Facebook messages or talk on the phone. We used to have a practice of going out to eat after games, this was Saac and Cows idea where everyone was invited and we all sat around and talked about future games, rules, website crap etc. Some of you that haven't been around that long like Beachhead, Archer and his dad and the returning Shadowmerc get messages from me all the time asking for advice and favors. This group isn't just about one person or one group after all, we need quality people to make this happen.
Key hopes I'd like to see-
- Improved and streamlined website and organization.
- New playing sites and development of what we already have.
- Team building, put together some squared away groups. Host your own games and support other teams games.
-Big Events, the planning and execution of bigger milsim events where our teams and groups can come together for a larger themed event.
-Travel group, I already posted a few ideas about an out of state expeditionary unit. I'm still working some details that I hope to post up soon.
-Bridge building among other WV groups, This is important for us, there is quite a few groups out there that are having games between 7-20 ish people attend. Now what if we combined those groups into a working community and now games could triple in size for everyone .Invite people over here while online or to one of our games. Do not be rude, if you go to their pages consider yourself as a representative of our community and be professional. We can't expect people to attend our games if we act like turds online.
For me as an individual, I have a field to begin working on and I will continue to work on a few ideas for us here in the organization. Some may work, some may not, so don't be afraid to send me feedback on anything I do. I'm going to try to attend what games I can, I won't make them all unfortunately. I may have to pass on pick up games in order to make a themed event. I will be attending Codename Thunder again this year and possibly a couple more larger events if I'm lucky.
Now my little plastic bb minions go forth into 2014 and post your thoughts below on 2013 and the future year to come!
It's in these visits up north that I not only get to observe, but talk to team leaders, community leaders, website guru's, site owners and event organizers about our situation and strategies for growing our area. Also I come back fired up and excited, only to turn on the computer, pull up our board and nothing. At most, there is two or three people complaining because no one has booked a game. So I'm going to leave 2013 behind me and move onto some positive ideas for 2014.
2014
If you have noticed the sudden surge of energy around here lately it's because we are working to patch some holes and redo the infrastructure for future growth. Let's face it, WV Airsoft has for the most part always been ran by a small group of people that planned and hosted the games. None of us are getting any younger and sometimes life happens, we can't always be there to host a pickup game every two weeks to keep everyone interested and happy. It is also in this small group that perhaps we have gave off the wrong impression to outsiders of being control freaks and in the age of two clicks and you have your own airsoft forum, this may be why we have twenty odd groups across the state, but more on that later. I'm going to let you all in on a secret if you didn't already know, there is no structured apparatus behind our scenes, there is no power hungry fake rank grabbing arm chair airsoft general controlling things. It's a bunch of friends, sure we don't post a lot of stuff out in the open, but it's not like it's some conspiracy. We shoot each other texts, Facebook messages or talk on the phone. We used to have a practice of going out to eat after games, this was Saac and Cows idea where everyone was invited and we all sat around and talked about future games, rules, website crap etc. Some of you that haven't been around that long like Beachhead, Archer and his dad and the returning Shadowmerc get messages from me all the time asking for advice and favors. This group isn't just about one person or one group after all, we need quality people to make this happen.
Key hopes I'd like to see-
- Improved and streamlined website and organization.
- New playing sites and development of what we already have.
- Team building, put together some squared away groups. Host your own games and support other teams games.
-Big Events, the planning and execution of bigger milsim events where our teams and groups can come together for a larger themed event.
-Travel group, I already posted a few ideas about an out of state expeditionary unit. I'm still working some details that I hope to post up soon.
-Bridge building among other WV groups, This is important for us, there is quite a few groups out there that are having games between 7-20 ish people attend. Now what if we combined those groups into a working community and now games could triple in size for everyone .Invite people over here while online or to one of our games. Do not be rude, if you go to their pages consider yourself as a representative of our community and be professional. We can't expect people to attend our games if we act like turds online.
For me as an individual, I have a field to begin working on and I will continue to work on a few ideas for us here in the organization. Some may work, some may not, so don't be afraid to send me feedback on anything I do. I'm going to try to attend what games I can, I won't make them all unfortunately. I may have to pass on pick up games in order to make a themed event. I will be attending Codename Thunder again this year and possibly a couple more larger events if I'm lucky.
Now my little plastic bb minions go forth into 2014 and post your thoughts below on 2013 and the future year to come!
