3 PIR Meet & Greets?

[Bandito's Mom]

I noticed in the Events, that there are now 3 different Meet & Greets for PIR.  Ramada, Sarge's and Flanagans.  I really hate to see this competition and fracturing of the group.  Sarge's was just getting started as an alternative to Ramada when my Sailor PIR'd in November.  I think I actually missed out because I thought it was important that I make both of them.  I think I was the only one that did.  Hard to leave Ramada in time to go to Sarge's and hard to arrive at Sarge's after that (smaller) group had socialized.  By the time I got to Sarge's it was all about his presentation, and I wanted it to be all about meeting other N4M's.  

I imagine that it is very confusing for new N4M's to decide what to do when they go to PIR.  Is there a way to decide on one venue?  Do we really need 3 venues?

[BunkerQB]

Good points. Wouldn't know how to resolve. Maybe some of the others will comment with some ideas. Question, of course, is who will take care of trying to get the two/three venues to reschedule (?) or work together.

[Bandito's Mom]

Each PIR the discussion begins a new and no one really knows what to do, so some decide one M&G and others decide a different one.  Those N4Ms aren't together long enough by then to realize that they have business clout in the area.  I wish the 3 venues would resolve it, but there must be some fractures among them that caused so many in the first place.

[Hannah88]

Hmmm. Personally, I wouldn't want to sit through anyone's presentation (I suffer through enough of those at work), no matter how well intentioned and after being on N4Ms even for less than a year, I feel pretty informed, which will only grow exponentially with time.  I was actually looking forward to the M&G (even tho it's really far away :) ) to socialize, swap stories, pictures, letters, phone numbers, email addresses, etc. Just my two yen.

[FireTeamLeaderWife aka FTLW]

I post liinks to the M & G on each PIR group. I have only been to the Ramada one and so know what it is like. I can only go by Sarge's based on his info and from what the moms have reported back about it. Flanagans is new and again can only go by what the creator of the event states about it.

That being said, I don't think there is a "fracture" just individuals organizing their own personal venues. Don't really see them getting together on it. I don't like the "division" it causes but don't have control over it and quite frankly don't think anybody will. They are their own entities with their own agendas.

The best I can do is describe each event as best as I can and let the members make the decisions...or organize their own.

I have had some say they really like the "talk" at Sarge's and others who feel like Bandito's Mom and Hannah88...they felt informed enough and wanted to do exactly what it says...meet and greet.

Right now, I set up both two of the actual events with the details that I have...but with the addition of a third, I am thinking of reworking that. Sarge and Flanagans have set up the event page on their own (didn't know Sarge was and had already added mine), I did it as a courtesy and to let them members know about them. Talking with my other veteran moms on the PIR groups and getting input from them as to how to best set it up on the groups.

[OldSarge]

I would like to respond to all the comments above in one statement. 

I am not a business like the Ramada and Flanagans. I do not own the Sundance Saloon nor am I employed by them. I retired from the Army with over 20 years service and I host the Meet and Greet for families and all expenses are paid from Me and my wife's personal funds. I do not compete with them and have nothing to gain from the meet and greet. The benefit I get is seeing the families and taking care of their sailors who stay here for training. I am very informative and present information that is not found in any publications other than the official Navy website. As a Gurnee resident I got Stationed here in 1981. I retired here in 1991. When I arrived here I witnessed what Navy families had to endure when the where coming to graduations. When I retired I became a Realtor and I now am a Real Estate Broker. I have established many business relationships within the Lake County area. I have been instrumental with local businesses to extend special pricing and free dinners for navy families when they come to graduation. The Sundance Saloon allows me to use their facility for free because they are PRO-MILITARY. I Order food from the local businesses to treat the families on Thursday nights. I do own a Taxi and Limo service and I offer unheard of discounts for the families such as round trips to and from O'Hare at $96.00 (round TRIP PER CAB) I also offer round trip to Midway or Milwaukee at $148.00  If the families use my service to come in from the airports I Also give them a FREE RIDE to the PIR on Friday morning. My presentation only last about 45 minutes and is very informative. I show the families how to save money and you should search the N4M website and see the comments. I make them feel at home. I hope this clears the air. I wish all good luck. God Bless the USA and our Servicemen and Servicewomen who give all they have so we can really know the meaning of Freedom.