Xmarks Tent

**Burly Brute** · 16th February 11, 08:54 AM

If there is such a thing please disregard, if this has already been mentioned then please direct my thusly, but I couldn't find mention of this topic.

I was wondering, what if we had a Xmarks tent at festivals, games, etc? Wouldn't that be pretty neat?

**Jordan** · 16th February 11, 09:02 AM

This has been mentioned before but there are problems with it if I remember correctly.

The main one i can think of being that we are not a clan in the traditional sense and of course who would staff it?

Just my tuppence however, if it was possible I think it would be quite a good idea

**Burly Brute** · 16th February 11, 09:05 AM

Originally Posted by Jordan

This has been mentioned before but there are problems with it if I remember correctly.

The main one i can think of being that we are not a clan in the traditional sense and of course who would staff it?

Just my tuppence however, if it was possible I think it would be quite a good idea

Good point, but maybe it could be located between the clan tents and vendor tents...and who would staff it? Well, we would of course! Lol I am sure if there was a small manual drawn up even the most amatuer could figure it out. Maybe just an informational tent about the site/community/kilt making. The last celtic festival/highland games I went to had no tent sponsoring information on kilt making or the like. Just an ideeeear! lol

**Jack Daw** · 16th February 11, 09:07 AM

Highland games are very open to Scottish organizations posting a tent in the clan area. Just pay the $20 or $25 fee for the tent space.

**Burly Brute** · 16th February 11, 09:09 AM

If someone who has experience running the tented area wants to write up a small manual, with added info specific to xmarks, I would be glad to edit/format it and prepare a .pdf. We could also post it online.

**auld argonian** · 16th February 11, 09:12 AM

This has come up before but since the forum is under new management, It should probably get kicked around once again.

Here in Chicago, we have enjoyed the hospitality of GlenC, who has been the host of the Clan Chisolm tent for the past couple of years. Besides giving us a place for all of the Xmarksers to check in, it's also been good for getting us unbelievably WHITE people out of the June sun before we turn all red and itchy. While I look forward to seeing Glen this year, we haven't heard much from him on the forum lately, so I'm not sure what the deal is this year.

Thus, it occurred to me that it might not be a bad idea to look into a separate tent....but this idea has been negated in the past...for good reasons, mind you...and that has extended even to whether or not we could even put up a sign that specified an Xmarks meeting place when we had a situation like ours where Glen generously allowed us to meet up at his clan tent.

So let's see how it works out now. Otherwise, we just have to keep an eye out for the guys with the wilted dandelions pinned to their caps and lapels...

Best

AA

**Whidbey78** · 16th February 11, 09:16 AM

It's a nice idea. Good for PR. But I think the logistics would be complicated. I would think that at most games and such most of the members in that general area will be involved in other things with the games, clans, etc. Staffing could be very problematic. I know I would rather be doing other things...of course, I'd never bill myself as a public relations type anyhow. It would be, to me at least, like going to see the circus and instead being put to work taking tickets.

**Burly Brute** · 16th February 11, 09:24 AM

I guess as far as logistics go, I was think of a more volunteer type thing, where it's completely optional. I know for me personally, most of what I do at events is walk around and talk to people, so it would be easy for me to just stay in one specified area and do the same, just let the people come to me. Also, if there were more than one who volunteered, they could do shifts of sorts...

It would also be a great reason to have my significant other fetch me food and drink MUAHAHAHAHAHAH

"Sorry hun, gotta watch the booth" lol

**thescot** · 16th February 11, 09:37 AM

I have run a clan tent a few times, and the real problem would indeed be the logistics. You really need a bunch of stuff--handouts, photos, things to draw attention, etc.--and it's bad enough when there's a local organization to pass it around locally. Our clan Donnachaidh Society only covered a couple of states, but even that was a big job when it came to making sure someone had all the stuff: flags, tee shirts, broshures, table cloths, books for regerence, and the other items members might bring, like swords or targes.

Extend that to the western world, and we'd have a fortune tied up in stuff to put out. And even by selling badges, pins, etc., we'd not likely break even.

Then there's the manpower issue . . .