Some of the other recent threads in this section set me to thinkin', and that's a dangerous thing. One was the "drags" thread and the other was the statement that less than 1% of the duners belong to the ASA and participate on the bbs's. Would it be feasable to ask the BLM if an informational pamphlet could be included with every season pass that is sold? This pamphlet could include a list of rules, an article emphasising safety at "the drags", a small blurb about environmental blah blah, and a listing of the various sand orgs and how to get info from them and to encourage them to utilize the bbs's for much more immediate information than any newsletter can provide.

This would get into maybe 20%-30% of the duners hands, and certainly into the most frequent users. Of course there's no guarantee that the purchaser would read it, but it might be a step.

This is something they do at pismo when you go in the gate, and I don't remember anything like this last year when we got our pass. So, this is certainly not original..but maybe worth discussing.

It's actually a great idea that has come up from time to time.

The problem is, the closure groups get all excitable if a leaflet or pamphlet or informational item is handed out by a ranger if it is produced by an access organization. That's even if the document in question is good for the health of the dune system. No, I'm not kidding.

But... there is nothing that precludes someone from the duning community from handing out said document. The problem there is, getting the volunteers to commit to the task.

Vicki

Bob-there are duner info bags that are have been passed out on some of the major weekends, usually as people are pulling in at Gecko and the washes. The bags had to be stuffed very carefully, as all literature had to be pre-approved by the BLM and could not mention the orgs
Being a relative newbie, you may not have understood what a big step it was when the first brochure came out with an orgs name (the ASA) on it along with the BLM's. There were also dozens of volunteers who would spend time on their weekends at the dunes to walk camp to camp and hand out these bags. Two and 3 seasons ago I know there were alot of people doing this, unfortunately, as time went on and the same small group of people were doing all the work (getting the copies made, picking up supplies to stuff bags, stuffing bags, getting the bags to volunteers to distribute and the actual distribution of bags), I think it has just gone by the wayside as those people got pulled into other projects. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure there are still those few, tireless, absolutely awesome volunteers who are still doing this (does the code name "SANDUNERS" ring a bell? ) and I'm sure they could use any help anyone is able to give towards the efforts of informing and mobilizing other duners.

Hey, lookie here Bob: http://www.americansandassociation.org/committees/index.html

You could be the Chairman of the Committee and get this rolling again!

I knew my "idea" wasn't too original..glad to hear it's been at least tried. It's a shame that the blm won't allow the org's to be included. I wouldn't be offended if the cbd wanted to give me a flyer on the way in...I could always use something to use to start the campfire...

In part it depends on where/how you get your pass.

When I bought mine at the SSSS the past two years I was given a number of flyers and pamphlets by the BLM including one which had a list of rules.

A few years ago when I actually drove down Gecko on a major (halloween) weekend I was also given a bag full of literature by the BLM even though I already had my pass.

Problem is even if you give people literature there's no way to make sure they actually look at it. That weekend I saw quite a few of those flyers the BLM was handing out being used to start fires and tossed in the trash...by people who didn't even know there were closures that had been in place for over a year at the time. I spent a couple hours around the campfire with people I had never met before filling them in on what had happened and how to get involved in fighting it.

Probably got more info out that way than the BLM did total with all the flyers they handed out.

I'd say one of the best things that EVERYONE can do is to talk to your "camp neighbors" each trip. You'll meet a lot of interesting people, probably make some new lifelong friends, and you'll help get the word out. It's not hard and if you go over with a small cooler of drinks to share making friends is pretty easy. Or you can do it our way - just build a BIG campfire, tends to attract a lot of cold people with small fires and they'll galdly sit around and listen just for the chance to warm up

I'd love to pass out flyers to fellow duners as they enter the dunes!

Had this idea years ago, but didn't know where/who/when/how to get this started..... glad to see someone else has the same thoughts as I ....

Another man at the ASA that will put you to work is Bob Mason. He's got more projects going than anyone I know. We always can use help, from simple things like taking newsletters to shops, handing out flyers, phone calls to the harder stuff like website work and BOD work.

There's room for you.

Greg

Ok people, help me out here.

How do we get started?

What's it gonna cost us?

How much time do we have to dedicate?

Will we be passing out flyers at businesses? the dunes? where?

I also have 5 kids who "WILL" volunteer ....

remember, w/ kids comes a lot of commitments also, so please be
patient....

Frog-
I PM'ed you some #'s of some of the people mentioned in this thread....if anyone else wants them, post here and I will get them to you also.
Julie

I love you guys!!!

thanks so much for all the #'s Julie.... I'll get started making calls on
Monday .... thank you again ....

^^^ that sounds awesome ...