Bleeding Kansas Event

[ElizabethClark]

The recent cancellation of this event has sparked my interest: what caused the holdup in citizen participation and registration?

It's hard for event organizers to offer more accurate citizen event scenarios if they are unable to get feedback on what works, and what doesn't, and if we can't support their efforts, they'll stop trying (which would be unfortunate.)

I know the only thing that stopped me from registering is a three to four day drive each way, two kids, and business commitments... but those things can be worked around on my end.

Any thoughts on how to get the word out on upcoming events for citizens, and support the good intentions of new organizing?

[Campjacksonboy]

The recent cancellation of this event has sparked my interest: what caused the holdup in citizen participation and registration?

It's hard for event organizers to offer more accurate citizen event scenarios if they are unable to get feedback on what works, and what doesn't, and if we can't support their efforts, they'll stop trying (which would be unfortunate.)


Any thoughts on how to get the word out on upcoming events for citizens, and support the good intentions of new organizing?

Elizabeth
I'll try to pen this without the satrical bite from my own frustration and discouragement any detected are not intended.

Back when we planned this there was a long delay waiting to get a few final ok's with event insurance and event site. We expected the "flood gates" to open and figured with the demand for Civilian events we would get 75 people to show up easy - 50 was a worse case scenario. With the unique opportunity to do something a little different we thought people would flock to Kansas. We had visions of horses, wagons rations being bought from a general store, a wet plate colodian, an authentic tent city, and a large unruly mob of ruffians.

Well February and March Went by with only 2 of us registering. The "flood" turned out to be a "trickle". The Event sponsors began to panic and saw potential to lose a lot of money. After all rations and stuff was to be part of the deal and no one wanted to get stuck with a large bill for smoked bacon. April came and went with only 15 registrations as of April 26. The call went out yet few registrations came in. The side show at Clinton Lake that was supposed to outdo the main attaction in Lawrance was begining to fade fast with so little support. There was no way this could be pulled off accurately with only 15 people.

There are probably a few things that we could have done differently. Maybe we could have opened registration sooner. Or maybe signing on to the Yahoo groups proved to be too much of a hassle. We are all in effect volunteers working out of a labor of love to the hobby. It was a lot cheaper to set up websites than it was to mail out registration and guidelines (I was not even willing to do that). On my part other obligations got in the way. I figured this event would take care of itself because everyone seemed to want an event for the civilians I mean hear was the big chance to actually have one. Aside from the factors on our end, the information was out there and lots of people knew about it. Ultimately it was the lack of registration that killed it. Deadlines are deadlines and we all have that tendency to procrastinate. If you want a civilan event you really ought to support the next one that comes around-That is if you really want to have one. With the declaration that "the civilains have so few events and the military treats civilians like scum," its not like the civilians have an overwhelming control over their destiny. I expected a lot more.

Another factor might have been that the event was to be in Kansas. That was a bit too far west for a lot of people I suppose. We wanted to be among the first to try something different and believed people would be willing to make the trip for that reason. We figured this would get a lot of young men (and women) to head west and that is just the support we were counting on to make it happen. In the end the event sponsors got discouraged and quit just as you put it.

I'm sorry this event got cancelled it sounded so promising and cool back when we planned it.

Frank Aufmuth
(One of the perpetrators)

[ElizabethClark]

Frank, is there any chance of resurrecting the event idea at another time? Or has the site soured on it, with the cancellation?

I understand the frustration--I've had it on a different angle, trying to work with a site admin person up here who got seduced by a "Battle & Ball" Californian (no offense to progressive Californians on the forum)... and ultimately the great event idea is going to be postponed a year, and moved to a different location (which may turn out for the best, after all.)

[Campjacksonboy]

Elizabeth
To answer your question it is very unlikely it will be resurrected. For one this was the 150 year big celebration this was the key year and this was a year of peak interest. This also means this is the year that people are willing to tackle the "S" word (Slavery). This was the year of opportunity but I'm afraid the opportunity has passed unless you want to organize a company for the Oregon trail.

This event cancellation has also effected another civilian centered event. Since bleeding Kansas didn't work out. The same organizers are giving the General Order #11 event another look. We had planned that one for Labor Day weekend next year. Whether or not that happens will need to be revisited. Presently it doesn't look good the key organizers are pretty discouraged.

General Order #11 is when General Ewing ordered all civilians along the Kansas border to vacate their homes because many of them were aiding bushwackers. They were harassed by the military being subjected to searches and such as they were escorted out of their counties and pushed south. The only thing that would get me out of my shell is 100 e-mails pledging support for the event and the guidelines that go with it. It would take one company of Infantry, some federal cavalry, a few (and I mean very few hand picked guerillas and I know who I want already) and a ton of civilians. It would take place on a long dirt road and would require the same time and attention as a large event. Then again who would show up to an event to go on a long 5+ mile march with all their belongings, farm animals and be abused by soldiers on the way? This will never happen because it's unrealistic but get me 100 e-mails and we'll talk.

We have the venues here for civilians but we lack the numbers to pull this stuff off by ourselves and I think bridges have been burnt.

Frank Aufmuth

[huntdaw]

I, for one, would be very interested in the Order #11 event. I was very interested in the Bleeding Kansas one and had the registration form on my desk for quite a while but the calendar just never worked out for me to be able to attend.

I do hope there are future attempts to get a good quality "Border War" event going.

[tmdreb]

Frank,

I know it's not worth a hill of beans, but I would have signed up if I was not informed that I was not allowed to go to Kansas the weekend after we got back from the honeymoon.

[KarinTimour]

Dear Frank:

Did someone say something about a five mile march? With animals, guerillas, harrassment by the troops?

First of all, I'm very sorry to hear that the Kansas event was a wash. I knew that the timing on that one wouldn't support a trip to Kansas for me.

But I've been planning to attend the Order #11 event for several years now -- I remember when it first was proposed, I don't remember by whom, and then that fell through, then I heard it was on offer fro 2005.

So this is my formal acknowledgement that if you build it, I will be there. I know there are other civilians who are planning to go as well -- but I don't know that they know that their opportunity is about to be blown if they don't send you an email.

Have my hands full for this weekend, but will do my best to get the word out and we'll see how many emails we can generate in the next few weeks.

Count this as #1 of 100.

Sincerely,
Karin Timour
Period Knitting - Socks, Camp Hats, Balaclavas
Atlantic Guard Soldiers' Aid Society
Email: Ktimour@aol.com

[LindaTrent]

I know that one thing that held me back was the lack of knowing what exactly the event staff wanted out of the civilians. I know it wasn't immersion because there were going to be tourists, but was it going to have an authentic demonstration camp, or was it going to be semi-immersion like McDowell and Burkittsville? If the latter, what kind of guidelines were in place to maintain the authentic atmosphere, and how were the guidelines to be enforced? I personally feared the former when a schedule of events arrived that mentioned "ongoing demonstrations."

I don't mean for this post to be critical, though I'm sure it sounds that way. It's just my reasoning for not attending BK and perhaps it can help #11 be a success! I do applaude the amount of documents that were sent out telling what Kansas was like at the time and all, that was wonderful, and certainly not lacking. But I think what is needed is more precise information about what the organizers want the event to be how they're going to enforce their vision, and what the rules of engagement are.

Linda Trent
lindatrent@zoomnet.net

[M_Kupsch]

Linda,

To tell us now that you needed more information after the event had to be cancelled does us no good. If you found the event guidelines lacking, then you should have spoken up and posted your concerns on the Yahoo page established for this event. Your need for clarification and asking for such might have been enough to set straight others and enoucraged them to register.

I was one of the individuals that helped plan this event. A lot of time and engery getting donated resources (ie firewood, land, port-a-potties, hay for horses, etc) and logistical planning went into this event.

Bottom line, if you don't have enough information and need more, then ask for it and don't always think it needs to be spoon fed. To say you did not register because you had concerns is weak, considering you took time to tell us our short comings in getting out information. Possibly you should have spent some time asking us to address your concerns instead of sitting back and waiting until we had to cancel the event.

I know that one thing that held me back was the lack of knowing what exactly the event staff wanted out of the civilians. I know it wasn't immersion because there were going to be tourists, but was it going to have an authentic demonstration camp, or was it going to be semi-immersion like McDowell and Burkittsville? If the latter, what kind of guidelines were in place to maintain the authentic atmosphere, and how were the guidelines to be enforced? I personally feared the former when a schedule of events arrived that mentioned "ongoing demonstrations."

I don't mean for this post to be critical, though I'm sure it sounds that way. It's just my reasoning for not attending BK and perhaps it can help #11 be a success! I do applaude the amount of documents that were sent out telling what Kansas was like at the time and all, that was wonderful, and certainly not lacking. But I think what is needed is more precise information about what the organizers want the event to be how they're going to enforce their vision, and what the rules of engagement are.

Linda Trent
lindatrent@zoomnet.net

[Emmanuel Dabney]

All,
In my opinion, there is no time to be concerned about lashing out at people or discussing the quirks. Instead, listen to the concerns of potential participants and event organizers as we gear up for the future. If authentic civilians are to get to Missouri/Kansas area, we're going to have to stick together, not pull apart. And with the lack of great amounts of authentic civilians in the Missouri/Kansas area I think it would be wise to not go after potential participants, because most people will be travelling to the event versus being in a couple hundred mile radius of the event.

The next thing that is to be organized is the Order #11 event next September. If you are interested in it, then the info has been stated and is being passed around the net via e-mail to fight for the event.

I, personally believe that having these events would be fun and different. However, due to my own work schedule (which isn't always your typical schedule) and school, etc. I can't just hop on a flight to Kansas City or Springfield or wherever there is an airport out there. June isn't a great time for me to just say "Yeah, going to an event, need four-five days off." So I couldn't attend Bleeding Kansas. Nonetheless, I hope I will be able to attend the Order #11 event.

I cannot say lets unfocus from Bleeding Kansas and what happened, but let's take the comments/thoughts/complaints/concerns that may arise and turn them into positive for Order #11. Boo hiss to Ewing!!