Ahoy Steve, Ahoy Committee, Roysh, I've corrected a few date-related and location-related mistakes in the survival guide that Steve sent out on Christmas Eve. I'm attaching the updated version - and here's what I did with it: Changed the dates from 2006 to 2007 (the ones that Steve missed anyhoo) and changed the relevant days of the week to avoid confusion. I've stressed that regardless of how one gets to the airport, we all HAVE to be there at 7.30am on the day of departure. The location and subway stop of some of the theatres were incorrect - not anymore. I added a big section about liquids on planes that Jay Fallon mailed to me - after the hullabaloo over the summer, there's no harm in telling our travellers exactly what they can and cant take with them. I made my US number a bit more prominent - I could be the only one with a US mobile over there and got more than a few calls last year (usually to say the person calling would meet us at the theatre rather than the hostel) so it's important to make sure EVERYBODY has my number. I suggested (after the shite we had to go thru last year trying to get people to move on time) that persons who take a long time to get ready to go out should return to the hostel earlier in order to be ready to go out on time. It may not have any effect, but at least no-one can say they weren't warned.... Suggestions/Hints/Allegations/Questions: Print 40 copies of the itinerary and BRING THEM TO THE AIRPORT. Do not, repeat, do not assume people will print off their own or bring their itineraries if you give them to them early. Cos most of them won't. Start using the counting off procedure from the minute we get to the airport - get them used to it early. Use it every time we get off a train, enter a subway station, get to a show and so on. Essentially anywhere where someone could wander off or get separated from the group. At Dublin Airport, can we try to get the entire group checked in together and sat together on the plane? We were a bit scattered last year - I know that I personally was sitting on my own, 5 rows behind everyone else, which sucked. Try to get everyone on the same subway carriage; at rush hours it'll be tricky, but if not, count off. A lot. People will moan, but it's the safest and quickest way of keeping track of such a large group. Are all the contact numbers listed correct? There was a bit of mixing up done last year (oops). Has anyone actually called all 40 numbers to confirm that they are correct? I did this last year (using the Clubs & Socs Phone). I would recommend that all persons travelling should be PHONED at least once to confirm that their passports, carry on luggage and visas if applicable are in order. People don't always read their email - so don't rely that they will. Speaking of visas, Ana Popovich will have to be chased to ensure that she sorts hers out. I'm dreading Steve receiving a phone call on the evening of the 28th to announce that she's not coming. Dorms: We have 21 Girls and 19 Boys on the trip. Currently the set-up is: 2 Girls, 1 Boys and 1 dorm with 9 boys and 1 girl. While last year, none of the 9 girls had a problem sharing a room with Joey, it's gonna be a seriously brave girl who shares a room for 4 nights with 9 guys. It has been suggested to me that we re-organise thusly: 1 Girls, 1 Boys, 2 mixed dorms consisting of 6g/4b and 5g/5b. Given the amount of couples that are going on the trip, I don't think that this will be a major issue. Or at least we could ask our travellers how they feel about it. Ice Skating: It's been left in the itinerary, are we going again? There was a bit of grumbling after last year's trip that not all members of committee pulled their weight in terms of organising and supervision whilst on the trip. Will all committee members be assuming a mantle of responsibility this year, or have you guys discussed this? I don't think that all 11 of you should be in charge - that'll be too many chiefs. Maybe if you guys nominated perhaps 4 to take charge of things while we're there? I have no problem helping out; I know the joint like the back of my hand anyway (and for some reason, people tend to listen to what I have to say...) I will definitely suggest that if ANY member of committee sees a member of the group overtly misbehaving (in a manner likely to get them arrested, or to bring shame to the name of DCU), then that member of committee should step in and put a stop to it. You guys organised the trip; its success or lack thereof is on your heads. Cancellation list: Have we exhausted it? What if Ana cancels? Taryn did 2 days before the trip last year, remember.... Isn't Lyndsay McGregor coming? I could be wrong about that, but I don't see her name on the list. Security: wherever we go out drinking (Mullen's, woo!), SOMEBODY has to be in a position of responsibility. Last year, I practically had to physically restrain a member (not Anna; I knew and trusted the guy she hooked up with) of the group who wanted to go HOME with a complete randomer she had met in the bar. It was the only time on the entire trip that I had to put my foot down and say "No Fucking Way. I'm in charge; it's on my ass and I'm not letting you go to this guy's apartment. End of discussion." SOMEBODY is going to have their eyes peeled for shit like that, people getting too drunk etc. Organise a friend to take them home; NEVER let someone who is hammered off into the New York night by themselves. I don't care if it wrecks your buzz if you have to babysit someone, would you rather see the headline "DCU STUDENT DIES ON DRAMA TRIP" ??? I hope that I don't sound like too much of a nag, and you've probably already considered most of the points I've just raised. These are just a few of the last minute things that occurred to me in the weeks leading up to last year's trip, and I hope they have occurred to you too :P Thanks for listening, there's probably more, but it'll come to me later. Happy New Year! Bob -- Roibeard O Mhurcu # 54144094 CS3 Class Rep. (2006/07) SPC Chair (2006/07) BICS Board Member (2006/07) HUB Management Ctte (2006/07) Office of Student Life (2006/07) Jedi Council (A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far Away...) http://student.dcu.ie/~omhurcr2 http://life.dcu.ie/societies