Plea for Help

CHP is coming to a crossroads in its existence. When I started this group, I was hoping for people to be onboard. For people to get active. For people to bring things to the table.

Life happens, and I understand that. Well, Life is happening for me. My job description is changing, drastically. The department I work for has been cut by 50%, leaving me, all alone, as the sole support for 150 PCs, 13 servers, 50 printers, and our phone system. I don’t have the time to dedicate to doing all the things I have been doing. I have had to push a lot of things off on to Ryan (Renn75), and that hasn’t been fair to him either. We need help, or CHP will end up folding.

There needs to be at least two more “officers”. This is a commitment. This includes:

• Playing a minimum 50% of the weeks (I have missed only 2 weeks since this started, and I was out of town on week long vacations both times)
• Creating and posting a play list on your week
• Running the games on and keeping things going on your week
• Keeping an eye on the forums
• Scoping out, creating, begging, borrowing, stealing, or otherwise bringing new games to the group

Right now, Renn and I have to alternate weeks that we lead, and it is starting to bog down on each of us. Last week, Renn was the only person to post game requests. I am partly at fault here, but I knew that as Admin, I could add whatever I wanted.

There are forms created to help you create the list, then get it ready to post in the forum. We want to keep this going, but it is wearing both of us thin. Some weeks, I would just like to sit back and play the games, and not worry. I get to do that 50% of the time. It would be nice if I could do that 75% of the time.

Renn and I have put a big commitment into this. We have also had to make some sacrifices to make this happen. Ryan's wife had to change alot of her routines, and has had to start putting their son to bed solo on league night. I plan social events around this. I have been invited out on Thursday evenings, and turned down the invite becuase of this league. When I then see members on-line, and playing other games, it makes me wonder if CHP is even a good idea anymore. Are Renn and I putting too much effort into something that people don't really care about? Is this worth it? Should I focus on playing different games? Maybe on Thrusday nights, I could start playing the campaign over. Or get on-line with one or two friends and play some of the multi-player games that are out there. Is this league importaint to anyone else? Or is it just a, "Gee, if I am free Thursday night, I might join."

I know many view it as "just a game", but bowling is just a game. Softball is just a game. Yet, there are leagues for those. And you have to pay to join that league. And you have to show up on the appointed night, or you are dropped from the league. Just becuase our game involves a TV and a Game Consule, it is no different then other leagues.

So, I am putting out a plea for help. We need more officers.

If we don't get them, CHP League will end.

Thanks,
Cap’n Tomi.

SEPTEMBER 2008 RANK EARNED:

1. Hljl Krnsk / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 4 / Ship Mate
2. Master Durge 01 / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 4 / Ship Mate
3. Renn75 / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 4 / Ship Mate
4. JKFireinsomniac / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 2 / Swabee
5. SaintTeddy / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 2 / Swabee
6. Sktz0 / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 2 / Swabee
7. XKILLERX88 / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 2 / Swabee
8. Axl777 / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 1 / Fish Chum
9. oI Azn Panda Io / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 0 / Fish Chum
10. FearTheSwoop / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 0 / Fish Chum
11. Hiokami / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 0 / Fish Chum
12. LE610N X / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 0 / RICKY RECRUIT
13. Rensik1 / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 0 / Fish Chum
14. ShotgunFreindly / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 0 / Fish Chum
15. TheKilla88 / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 0 / Fish Chum
16. TwinsGuy14 / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 0 / Fish Chum
17. TwoKidsInMn / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 1 / Fish Chum
18. xxNIKONxx / TOTAL NIGHTS PLAYED: 0 / Fish Chum

Well over half our ACTIVE members were CHUM for the month....not looking very promising.

I have to work Monday nights and Thursday nights. =(

I will be looking for a new job because I'm sick of the hours at Quizno's. My friend has informed me that one of the spots at the vet he works at is open, so I will be going today to fill out an aplication.

If I do get the job at the vet, I will e available to play every Thursday. At which point in time, I would happily help out.

i unfortunately have tried my best but it is not looking bright for me to be able to help much do to the sole fact that school is my dead right first priority

ShotgunFreindly wrote:

i unfortunately have tried my best but it is not looking bright for me to be able to help much do to the sole fact that school is my dead right first priority

I'm having the same problem as shotgun. My schoolwork takes up a lot of my time, so when I get on XBL, it's usually not until late at night, and then only for a little while. I'm also actively searching for a new job, so when I'm not doing homework, I'm spending time browsing job postings and sending resumes and applications. I'd like to commit more time to the league, since the few times I have played, I've really enjoyed it. But my school and other commitments have to take priority for me, unfortunately. It seems that weeknights just don't work for me for dedicated gaming time like they used to, at least not until later at night.

You two hit the nail right on the head. Everyone has other commitments. Everyone has priorities. I totally understand that. I am not trying to say no one should. What I am getting at is that, speaking for Ryan and myslelf, we have both put CHP as a high priority. We have been wanting to make sure this flies. We have been wanting to make sure this works. Not just for us, but for everyone. Whenever we play, everyone has a great time. Everyone enjoys it.

This does not just fall together each week. There is about 2-3 hours of prep / post work that is required for each week.

_1: Check the forums for requests
_2: Prepare the list
_3: Track the players each week
_4: Notice if there are "guests" and invite them to join
_5: Search for new and different games and maps
_6: Watch how an evening is flowing, and if people are having fun
___A: be prepared to swap teams around
___B: be prepared with games if only 4-6 people show up
___C: be prepared with games if 12-16 people show up
______Yes, the number of people make a difference.
_7: Listen to the language used, and be prepare to discuss if someone is out of line
_8: Watch the scores throughout the evening, be sure both teams win.
_9: Settle disputes
10: Try to find new players if numbers start to drop
11: Well, you get the picture

There is alot of work to doing this. Ryan and I both work full time jobs. Ryan has a family with two kids at home, one 13 and one 16 months. Both of those kids require sepcial attention from their daddy. As stated before, I have a large amount of responsibilities at my job. I am the office 10-11 hours every day, M-F, and have been working every weekend since the start of September. The last day I was not in my office was Sept. 1st. This is not going to let up. Coming up in the next months I will be making at least one, if not two or three, trips to our offices in California. During those trips I will unable to work on league items. I will be far from home, and without my X-Box to play or lead. I am looking at my priorities myself. Without other people willing to shuffle around a bit and comit to just a couple hours a week, Ryan and I will not be able to keep this up. That is all I am saying.

I might be able to help the job I get hours for is right after school but if I get a new one no garentees and I kind of need a new one seeing as my car is now going to a junkyard and I have to put gas in the family suburban. But i should be able to help

It's just a thought, but it seems like everyone still wants to get together and play, but the problem is just getting everyone together online at the same time. Now, this might not work, but what if we just met like once a month, rather than every week? Perhaps even on a weekend? That way everyone could plan far enough ahead, and go "Okay, on the third Saturday of the month, I'll keep my afternoon open so I can play with the league." That way it also would cut down on the work you guys need to put in to run it, only organizing one party a month, rather than four or five. And while some people might still work on the weekends, it'd definitely be more convenient for those of us with school and jobs all week. Thoughts?

I thank everyone for their input. There were some good ideas. I know that weekends don't often work for me. That is the time I get to see many of my friends and family. I treasure the time I get to go to Rochester and visit my Buggy.



After Thursday Night I am stepping down as Captain. I have to reorginize my priorities in life. I will always be here to help when asked. I will keep the web pages and forum up, but I will no longer be in charge.

Thanks,

Tom

Weekends won’t work for me because:

Friday night: Church

Saturday: Family day / Date nights with the wife – there are some Saturdays I may be able to play but I cannot commit to this night regularly.

Sunday: Picking up my 13 yr. old daughter from her mom’s, going over her homework, getting ready for the work week…..

Most Leagues are played on the weeknights because of similar reasons with family and work.

If anyone ever wants to set up random OR recurring “get-togethers”/ Halo Parties through this sight go for it! If I am free I just might join.

I have enjoyed playing with everyone, but especially to those who consistently made Shipmate & Swabee Rank I just want to say thank you for your commitment and passion for this League.

Your Shipmate,

Ryan (aka Renn75)

PS: TOMI you were a great Captian. I will miss being your LT.

I have discussed at length with Tom about taking over his leadership of our League.

I really want to keep it going because I enjoy it so much and I have a passion for Custom Games.

I am going to make some changes though to lighten the burden of running the show:

1. Weekly requests will still be adhered to BUT there will no longer be a posting on the homepage of the final game list.

2. I will not be keeping a STATS list in the forum for games played.

3. I will be Admin every week unless I cannot attend in which case Tom will run the League, but if anyone else wants to join the Upper Echelon and help lead please contact me. You will be required to maintain at least a Swabee status.

4. Only FORUM members are Official Members going forward and hence they will be the only ones with an opinion that matters.

5. I will be maintaining the monthly Rank for Official Members because I think members that are committed and have a passion for our League should be acknowledged.

If you take issue with any of this please contact me at 612-636-9921 and we can discuss. Otherwise I hope to see you all on Thursdays!

Your Halo Bud,

Renn75 (aka Ryan)

Renn75 wrote:

I have discussed at length with Tom about taking over his leadership of our League.

Your Halo Bud,

Renn75 (aka Ryan)

Thanks, Ryan. The thought of stopping this was not a happy one for me. Unfortunately, trying to keep it going, and trying to do all that was being done was just getting too much. This simpler plan is much better, and we can keep playing.

So, everyone, post your ideas. That way we can all enjoy.

Tom