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Sunday, May 15, 2011

Exploring Options for the Fall ETC Sale

Hi CCPOM Members!

Here on the Board, we are always trying to think about ways to not only benefit our members, but to expand the reach of our club and include more families of multiples. As we know, the ETC Sale is the biggest event that our club sponsors, one that benefits our members while also benefitting the community where it is held. For the past few fall sales, we have held the sale at Martinez Junior High School, a location that has met our basic needs. As our club continues to grow, our needs also grow and change. What we'd like to explore is the idea of moving the fall sale only out to the Antioch fairgrounds with the idea that the sale would be held on a Saturday and Sunday instead of a Friday and Saturday.

This is a RADICAL change, so let's look at the pros and cons:

* Being in Antioch for the fall sale would more closely involve members who live farther east -- those folks in Pittsburg, Antioch, Brentwood, Oakley, and Discovery Bay.

* The fairgrounds would provide us more space for the fall sale. While the junior high is sufficient in space, we are pretty cramped -- there isn't much wiggle room. The fairgrounds would give us room to expand the fall sale in terms of items we are able to sell without having to give members a limit.

* With an entirely new location, Antioch would open the sale up to an entirely new group of buyers, potentially very motivated buyers.

* The spring sale at St. Francis works well because people know us there, but our fall sale has historically moved around and we aren't able to establish a regular date year after year. We could potentially accomplish this with a move to the fairgrounds.

* Traffic. Let's be honest: driving Highway 4 on a Friday night out to Antioch would not make for happy sellers or happy buyers. In order for the sale to work for members, we would move the timeline to Saturday/Sunday instead if Friday/Saturday. So instead of members shopping on Friday night, members would shop on Saturday night; instead of the public sale on Saturday morning, the public sale would take place Sunday morning.

There are many pros and cons to the idea of moving the sale. Our hope is that you'll use the blog to discuss your thoughts, your concerns, and your suggestions.

Because a potential move affects our membership, moving the fall sale requires a vote. Our June General Meeting on Thursday, June 17th, will be dedicated entirely to the discussion of and voting on this item. More details are forthcoming about the location of the June meeting.

Please post your thoughts here -- we can start a dialogue on the blog that will continue at the June meeting. This is also the place to post your questions; Tracy and I will answer them here instead of via email.

Let's see if Antioch is a good fit for the club.

Cheers,
Stacey, Tracy, and your Board