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The Ft. Stevens event is nearly upon us and there have been some changes and additions to the schedule: news about when and where to register; President Lincoln will be speaking to us; Colonel Stanovich is celebrating his wedding at this event; and information about modern camping.
But the MOST IMPORTANT thing we all need to remember is that Event Cards MUST be carried by all members, children through grannies, all the time. This is important and Chairman Scott Ingalls has stressed the importance and necessity of this over and over. So keep your signed Event Card on you at all times.
Now I know that some of you are of the "Inquiring Minds Want to Know Sort" and you are wondering why the change in policy and what's in it for you? Glad you asked! Here are some things to consider:
1. Our insurance policy requires that all of our members are registered for each event. If someone fails to register and then is injured or causes injury to another, two things will likely happen: our insurance will NOT cover the injury/damage/accident, and we would lose our insurance.
Why does THAT matter? Well, if our insurance won't cover the injury/damage/accident, that leaves the person who caused it responsible. That could be mighty expensive.
And if the NCWC loses its insurance we lose the ability to participate in our hobby. The various Oregon State Parks require tons and tons of insurance (like almost $4 MILLION dollars of it) in order for us to use their parks. No insurance means no Willamette Mission, no Ft. Stevens, and no McIver. That leaves us with Lebanon and Chehalis. 'Nuff said.
2. On a happier note: This new system means less standing in line for everyone, returning, day-trippers, re-uppers, pay-to-players, you get my drift. You'll notice that now there will be FIVE (5) different Registration Lines (the "regular" one for those who have monetary business to take care of; the Union one, the one for the Confederates, the Civilian Alliance/Traveling Townfolk, and the Artillery registration line) open all day on Friday as well as on Saturday morning. That means you might stand in line for just a minute or two, rather than for an hour. That sounds like good news!
3. With this new system we are going to do our best to make sure that EVERYONE who participates in this event pays their fair share towards event expenses. That means no one will be sneaking in, setting up, and "forgetting" to pay their membership dues.
4. By expanding the number of Registration Lines, this will allow the Registration Volunteers to actually do some reenacting during the weekend. (Yep, these good folks get paid nothing to sit at that table and sign you in, and when you stop by their "home" to "just drop off some paperwork" during their dinner you are eating into their little bit of free time [pun intended].)
5. For you overworked soldiers who have to lug all your gear and your family's gear and set up an entire household with second-story loft apartments and running water water closets, this is going to be a godsend. Imagine after all that hard work of setting up, especially by the light of your headlights, instead of traipsing all around trying to find the Registration table you can just waltz (or cha-cha - your choice) to your Battalion HQ, register, and then sink gratefully into your bedroll, content to know that you have done everything you need to do before Reveille.
There is also information from our Web Guy, Steven Robinson, and a notice about a change of date for the September Board Meeting.
Finally, I always appreciate it when I find out that people really read the Bugle Call. I know at least two of you did last month, because one of you wrote to tell me how much you liked it, and another wrote to tell me that I made some mistakes on the article on Tattoo and Taps. So I turned to our resident expert on all things bugle, Steven Betschart, and asked him to write an article that was more accurate. Thanks to Steve for agreeing to do so!
See you at the Fort!
Kate Eakman
Editor
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