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Eric Kingsley wrote:
> In lugnet.events, John Neal writes:
>
> > 3. As for the ILTCO, we are hoping to organize an International LEGO
> > Train Convention which will move annually across country to cities which
> > contain host LTCs. If people wanted to piggyback on this event as a
> > National LUG convention, that would be up for discussion, but sites
> > would need to be in LTC-hosted cities.
>
> I think is already been said but an International LEGO Train COnvention that
> moves across country (USA infered) doesn't sound very international.
See my post above. "International" refers to the membership. We are an
organization of train clubs from different countries.
> Second what is an "LTC-hosted city"?
A city in which an LTC is based (or chooses to call its base).
GMLTC- Minneapolis
NGLTC- Atlanta
GFLTC- Tampa/St Pete
WAMALTC- Washington DC
etc.
> Is Boston an "LTC-hosted city"?
> Technically there isn't an offical LTC in the Boston or New England area
> because we choose to be a LUG. We do train shows though so does that qualify
> us?
I don't know the answers to those questions. They are for you guys to answer.
> I am real sorry about this part of my post, I hate being negative. I just get
> the feeling that if you don't call yourself an LTC then you just arn't worthy.
Worth of what, Eric? Being a member of an LTC organization? It's true that we
have decided to focus our energy and efforts into trains and train layouts. If
the NELUG is a LEGO group who occasionally does train shows, but is focused
elsewhere (or nowhere), I don't know what to tell you.
> > I just think a National LUG convention that moves around wouldn't
> > work. There doesn't exist an organization/committee/group that would
> > organize and run it. If anything, a National LUG convention should be
> > held in one place, and one place only.... Mecca (Carlsbad;-)
>
> OK maybe it wouldn't work today but we wouldn't be talking about a National LTC
> convention if the ILTCO wasn't started and that came about just a couple months
> ago.
Exactly. That was by design.
> What is preventing the LUGs of the world from starting their own umbrella
> organization that would organize a National (or International) LUG convention?
> And why can an International LTC convention roam the "contry" while a LUG
> convention can only be in one place?
First, the ILTCO wouldn't "roam" the country, but just move from host LTC city to
another (sort of like the NMRA's national convention). Second, I guess I just
don't see the need for a national LUG convention when there are such big events
like Brickfest already established. It's kind of like a national convention by
default-- until other areas start up their own big-time events. At that point,
perhaps a national convention would would make sense (but I still think that it
should be at LLC every year).
> LUGs are not individuals. LUGs are groups of individuals that share a common
> interest and meet on a semi-regular basis to share that interest. Sounds like
> a Club to me. LUGs are no more or less organized than LTCs, we just share a
> broader interest set.
>
> Note: I am not volunteering to start a national LUG umbrella group just stating
> that such a group is possible and could happen. If someone wants to take the
> idea and run with it then I encourage you to do so I would be willing to
> volunteer help and ideas but I don't have the time to organize it.
>
> Note2: I have nothing against LTCs. They are great. Its just that LUGs are
> great too and can do things just as well as any LTC.
Except maybe the ability to focus. Train clubs are centered around LEGO trains.
LUGs may be a group of Mindstorm geeks, Brickwars fans, castle, pirate, technic,
or some of or all of the above-- you get the idea. While train clubs might have
members who are also into that other stuff, it is not focused upon. Also, the
primary purpose of a train club is to show off the group's train layout to the
GP. LUGs don't have such convenient venues (that I'm aware) such as train shows
to display their stuff (unless, of course, they show their train stuff at train
shows:).
It seems to me that LUGs get together more to socialize and share with each other
than to show off to the GP (except, on-line-- "here are the pics of when the XXLUG
got together last month"). A lot of LTCs think of themselves as ambassadors for
the brick to the GP. We don't just build with LEGO because we enjoy it-- that's a
given. We want to inspire the generation of ninetenelevendo kids to do it as
well. To turn off the TV and turn on to LEGO.
While LUGs may have the same aspirations, I don't think that their existence is
for that purpose. Ours is. We have specific goals. Not that we don't have a lot
of fun in the process! And not that socializing with each other isn't important!
Heck, after having met guys from other LTCs in NYC last winter, I *want* to
socialize with these guys every year! That would be the primary reason for a
National Convention for us.
-John
>
>
> My 2 cents
>
> Eric Kingsley
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