Meeting Objective
What it is: This is an informal meeting to build a working cooperative and relationships between the various southern reenacting organizations, events and their organizations, mainly for sharing information, etc.
What it isn’t: This is in no way an attempt to form a group with any type reenacting hierarchy.
Event and Reenacting Issues and Solutions:
Issues:
Politics (Reenacting and event organizations)
Event Attendance by Reenactors and Spectators
There are fewer reenactors and the number of events is increasing
Not enough Federal numbers at events
Reenacting organizations do not reciprocate with their attendance
Sometimes, the Military Command play favorites for battle scenarios
Event registration costs are rising
Difficult to get Reenactors to register on time to allow for proper planning
Event liability insurance
Every SCV Camp, small skirmish battlefield, town, etc. wants to have an event, on simultaneous weekends
Event boredom - Events are consecutive, routine and never change
Communications
Resolutions:
Ignore the politics and attend events if you like the event
Reciprocate by attending other events when possible
Share resources for port-a-lets, insurance companies, etc.
Change up or alternate events
Improve Communications
Galvanizing, in sufficient numbers, by the Confederate Troops
Event Selection: Each attendee explained how their organizations select events. It was more or less the same. There is an Organization meeting in January, events are listed, maximum efforts are selected an event list is established for that region or area. Some organizations meet twice a year, January and July, selecting events in six month periods.
Event Attendance: If an event has 8,000 spectators most sponsors would be happy. Marketing your event is major item. Take Gettysburg for example. They marketed their event heavily and had a great turn out. Chickamauga did not market well and did not have a proper viewing area for the spectators. Another issue is spectator viewing at local events. Many events tend to put the spectators in areas where they cannot see the battle. Spectators should be on high ground to give an over all view. Battles taking place in the wooded areas, where spectators cannot see, may better suited as non spectator tacticals designed specifically as fun for the Reenactors at off times during the weekend.
“I’m not attending his event because he never attends or supports our event”. This happens a lot. Also, favoritism can play a large roll. Example was the last Corinth. Some Battalions hardly fired a shot all weekend.
Insurance: Premiums are rising. Not much can be done about this.
Fewer Reenactors: For the Battle of Atlanta, if it has 2,000 to 2,500 rifles present it will be considered a success. As these numbers are considered large by today’s standards and are typical of major or national events these recent years.
There is a dip in reenacting through out the entire hobby. Economics are playing a major roll in this. Many units are picking events closer to home and venturing to far from their regional areas.
Perhaps the 150th anniversaries will bring the numbers up.
Communications: Create a website that has a link to the major organizations (Divisions, Brigades, Battalions, etc.). That link goes to the Division, battalion, etc. Their individual websites list their maximum efforts and regional events as well as their staffs, officers, companies, etc. (This will also help with recruiting when being researched via internet).
Use the Atlanta Campaign website to host the new links.
Send all correspondence to John Nash, Jr. (at above email).
Send the respective organization event lists, link, etc. to John
Website Mission Statement: This site is a cooperative effort for sharing and distributing regional event information to reenactors (and spectators (?)). This is in no manner an attempt to form any type of reenacting hierarchy or for event marketing. (or something to this effect)
The website should also contain maps to the selected events
The website should start small with minimal data and develop as required
These are “SELECTED” events and not a comprehensible list of all events. Not promoting one over another.
After action reports, tell what you liked or did not like about the event. Be tactful and respectful when doing so. Event organizers cannot make corrections if they are not aware of the problems. Most organizers are more than willing to make improvements as long as they have the funding, ability and approval of the land owners.
Event Scheduling: Some events are so repetitive they are seeing a sharp decline in participation. Mosheim was an example, it no longer exists. Alternating events to every other year can help with boredom. The Battle of Atlanta is going to every 5th year due to time and resources required. It also gives the event hosts a chance to rest, improve, etc. their sites. Draw back can be the loss of sponsors, land, local support, etc.
Federals: The Federal numbers at events are very low. There are very few Federal Reenactors in the south. At events, the Federals are “swamped” on the field. The disproportionate numbers are seen by the spectators, especially when the Federals are supposed to be the aggressor or win that specific part of the engagement. The Federals desperately need the assistance of the Confederates.
General Notes/Comments:
Battle of Atlanta:
Cleburne’s Division – Approximately 200-300
Bill Rambo – approximately 200
Hardee’s (Fla.) – No numbers given
TVB – No numbers given
MDM – Approximately 110
Earl had spoken with Ken Sumner on the phone and Ken wished to make a plug for:
Selma – Last Weekend of April
Corinth –
Brice’s Crossroads – Is advertised as a National event.
Ken Padgett and Chester Jackson spoke about Resaca and this year's improvements, plans and intentions.
Powder & Cap costs are rising. Powder, Inc. in Arkansas is where many are purchasing their items. They seem to have the best rates.
Everyone thought the meeting was beneficial and would like to have two meetings per year. One in December, and one in July. Thus, next meeting: Nash Farm Carriage House, July 11th, at 1400 Hours (2pm Eastern Time)
Meeting adjourned at 4:30pm (E.T.)
It is with my sincere gratitude and respect that I wish to thank those that made the meeting and participated in it. I believe we have at least begun a dialogue that will help take us to a better understanding of cooperation and respect for what we all believe can be accomplished in our region. I look forward to our meeting in July.
Your Obedient Servant,
Earl Zeckman
Military Division of the Mississippi
What it is: This is an informal meeting to build a working cooperative and relationships between the various southern reenacting organizations, events and their organizations, mainly for sharing information, etc.
What it isn’t: This is in no way an attempt to form a group with any type reenacting hierarchy.
Event and Reenacting Issues and Solutions:
Issues:
Politics (Reenacting and event organizations)
Event Attendance by Reenactors and Spectators
There are fewer reenactors and the number of events is increasing
Not enough Federal numbers at events
Reenacting organizations do not reciprocate with their attendance
Sometimes, the Military Command play favorites for battle scenarios
Event registration costs are rising
Difficult to get Reenactors to register on time to allow for proper planning
Event liability insurance
Every SCV Camp, small skirmish battlefield, town, etc. wants to have an event, on simultaneous weekends
Event boredom - Events are consecutive, routine and never change
Communications
Resolutions:
Ignore the politics and attend events if you like the event
Reciprocate by attending other events when possible
Share resources for port-a-lets, insurance companies, etc.
Change up or alternate events
Improve Communications
Galvanizing, in sufficient numbers, by the Confederate Troops
Event Selection: Each attendee explained how their organizations select events. It was more or less the same. There is an Organization meeting in January, events are listed, maximum efforts are selected an event list is established for that region or area. Some organizations meet twice a year, January and July, selecting events in six month periods.
Event Attendance: If an event has 8,000 spectators most sponsors would be happy. Marketing your event is major item. Take Gettysburg for example. They marketed their event heavily and had a great turn out. Chickamauga did not market well and did not have a proper viewing area for the spectators. Another issue is spectator viewing at local events. Many events tend to put the spectators in areas where they cannot see the battle. Spectators should be on high ground to give an over all view. Battles taking place in the wooded areas, where spectators cannot see, may better suited as non spectator tacticals designed specifically as fun for the Reenactors at off times during the weekend.
“I’m not attending his event because he never attends or supports our event”. This happens a lot. Also, favoritism can play a large roll. Example was the last Corinth. Some Battalions hardly fired a shot all weekend.
Insurance: Premiums are rising. Not much can be done about this.
Fewer Reenactors: For the Battle of Atlanta, if it has 2,000 to 2,500 rifles present it will be considered a success. As these numbers are considered large by today’s standards and are typical of major or national events these recent years.
There is a dip in reenacting through out the entire hobby. Economics are playing a major roll in this. Many units are picking events closer to home and venturing to far from their regional areas.
Perhaps the 150th anniversaries will bring the numbers up.
Communications: Create a website that has a link to the major organizations (Divisions, Brigades, Battalions, etc.). That link goes to the Division, battalion, etc. Their individual websites list their maximum efforts and regional events as well as their staffs, officers, companies, etc. (This will also help with recruiting when being researched via internet).
Use the Atlanta Campaign website to host the new links.
Send all correspondence to John Nash, Jr. (at above email).
Send the respective organization event lists, link, etc. to John
Website Mission Statement: This site is a cooperative effort for sharing and distributing regional event information to reenactors (and spectators (?)). This is in no manner an attempt to form any type of reenacting hierarchy or for event marketing. (or something to this effect)
The website should also contain maps to the selected events
The website should start small with minimal data and develop as required
These are “SELECTED” events and not a comprehensible list of all events. Not promoting one over another.
After action reports, tell what you liked or did not like about the event. Be tactful and respectful when doing so. Event organizers cannot make corrections if they are not aware of the problems. Most organizers are more than willing to make improvements as long as they have the funding, ability and approval of the land owners.
Event Scheduling: Some events are so repetitive they are seeing a sharp decline in participation. Mosheim was an example, it no longer exists. Alternating events to every other year can help with boredom. The Battle of Atlanta is going to every 5th year due to time and resources required. It also gives the event hosts a chance to rest, improve, etc. their sites. Draw back can be the loss of sponsors, land, local support, etc.
Federals: The Federal numbers at events are very low. There are very few Federal Reenactors in the south. At events, the Federals are “swamped” on the field. The disproportionate numbers are seen by the spectators, especially when the Federals are supposed to be the aggressor or win that specific part of the engagement. The Federals desperately need the assistance of the Confederates.
General Notes/Comments:
Battle of Atlanta:
Cleburne’s Division – Approximately 200-300
Bill Rambo – approximately 200
Hardee’s (Fla.) – No numbers given
TVB – No numbers given
MDM – Approximately 110
Earl had spoken with Ken Sumner on the phone and Ken wished to make a plug for:
Selma – Last Weekend of April
Corinth –
Brice’s Crossroads – Is advertised as a National event.
Ken Padgett and Chester Jackson spoke about Resaca and this year's improvements, plans and intentions.
Powder & Cap costs are rising. Powder, Inc. in Arkansas is where many are purchasing their items. They seem to have the best rates.
Everyone thought the meeting was beneficial and would like to have two meetings per year. One in December, and one in July. Thus, next meeting: Nash Farm Carriage House, July 11th, at 1400 Hours (2pm Eastern Time)
Meeting adjourned at 4:30pm (E.T.)
It is with my sincere gratitude and respect that I wish to thank those that made the meeting and participated in it. I believe we have at least begun a dialogue that will help take us to a better understanding of cooperation and respect for what we all believe can be accomplished in our region. I look forward to our meeting in July.
Your Obedient Servant,
Earl Zeckman
Military Division of the Mississippi
