Regarding the poll, the committee just got off the phone via conference call, and through much debate, reviewing people’s desires about additional “run-off” polls or not, and looking at the statistics for votes that came in for the poll during the last few minutes, we have decided their WILL BE a run-off poll to determine the location of the 2009 meet-up. We see that 167 people voted, and while we’d absolutely LOVE to have each and every one of those people in attendance at the 2009 meet-up, we noted that several votes came in during the last few minutes of the poll from people who had less than 50 posts (some with less than 10), and we feel it brings a question of validity to our poll to have so many people with less than 50 posts votes casting their vote at the last minute. We noted 1 person had 0 posts, and we feel obligated to question if each of those voters are serious about attending.

Therefore, in order to be most fair to those who are serious about attending the 2009 meet-up, we are going to take chattiesmom’s suggestion from the original 2009 venue thread to charge people for their vote. We feel this will be the most efficient way to ensure the counted votes are from those serious about attending and not those who are simply trying to sway a city (thanks for the suggestion Cindy :thumbup:). Furthermore, if you remove the top 2 scoring cities, there are 68 people who cast their vote for other cities, and their voice is no longer being heard once we remove those cities from the options. This will give those people an opportunity to state where they’d like to go.

We will be charging $20 per vote, and while this may seem steep, we are hoping this will not be a burden to anyone who is serious about attending the meet-up. The $20 will go toward your registration fee when you register, and for those who ultimately choose not to register, your $20 will go to a Yorkie rescue. You can vote for either ALEXANDRIA, VA or SAN DIEGO, CA by PayPaling your $20 to yorkietalkmeetup@yahoo.com. For those who wish to pay by check or money order, please send me an e-mail to yorkietalkmeetup@yahoo.com. We will tally the votes, and we will post a count at the end of the poll regarding how many votes each location received and who voted for each location, so you can ensure your vote is properly counted. You can begin PayPaling your money and casting your vote now, and we will continue accepting votes through NEXT MONDAY, July 14th, 10:00 PST. Please note the winner of this poll WILL BE the location of the 2009 meet-up. There will be no additional polls offered.

i think charging us to vote is simply ridiculous, especially $20. If the meet up was in VA i was definitely going to go. however now that you decided to charge us just to vote, i'm not going to participate in this next poll.

i don't know what the big deal is with everyone. I thought the meeting was going to end up in CA. i was fine with that because it meant it would be on the east coast in 2010. so many people are complaining about it being on one coast or the other, and that it should be in the middle. Well that are some of us that want to go and can't even afford to make it to the middle of the US, so having it on a coast is the only option. if it is in VA this year, then great i'll be there. If its in CA, then i'll just wait till the next year. simple as that.

But now that i'm not paying to vote, i probably won't be able to come anyway if your only allowing paying voters to attend the meeting (not sure if that was mentioned).

Lisa and others who are organizing, I appreciate your coordinating the next YT meetup event. You did a wonderful job on this year's event, and I am looking forward to future meetups. However, I will not be voting now that there is a $20 fee. I could understand $5 or $10 to deter those that aren't serious about attending, but on principle $20 seems a bit steep just to vote on where the meetup will be. (That's the recommended dollar amount for gifts for one YT GE!) I think it will exclude some members who really want to be there and prevent them from casting their vote due to financial constraints. It sounds quite strange to me that there were voters who had less than 50, or 10, or even 0 posts who were voting on this-it does seem as if something was up, but there has to be a more fair, more economical way to determine who gets to vote. Can this be done by post count, length of time each of us has been a member, or some other criteria?

I truly want to attend, and I am planning on it, however, as many of you know, my life is changing in the next year, (as it does for all of us), and there is a chance I will not be able to attend, but I won't know until next spring whether I will be able to join everyone or not. Are you only allowing those who vote to attend? Or can others join you even if they don't vote, but it works out for them to come?

Thank you again for coordinating, and for hearing me out on this. Let me know if I can attend even if I don't vote on the location. I'd really like to be there!

Not voting in the 2nd poll does not exclude you from the ability to attend. The $20 price tag is to deter those who really aren't serious and perhaps cast a vote just for the sake of voting. We are considering it a "layaway" plan toward the future registration price. Especially for those who plan to attend regardless of where it is, this may help in spreading out the cost a little more.

And for those of us who had the priviledge and pleasure to meet you - I'd like to see you again as well!!!!!!

Although the East coast had more votes than the West Coast it was too close between the top two cities, especially since at least one person accidentally hit the wrong button (and said as much in a very early response) and intended to vote for San Diego. And for the many other votes who chose a location other than these two and may have a preference, it is allowing their voice to further be heard.

When I first heard there would be a $20 charge to REpoll, I was just flabbergasted. Reading your explanation, however, I can see how that last-minute, low (or 0) post count votes put a suspicious light on things.

However, there must be, as Suzy suggested, a more equitable, reasonable way to ensure fairness. $20 per vote IS going to be a hardship on many, and deter some who would have voted in the second poll.

I have to voice my objection to a Pay to Poll vote....with no disrespect towards Cindy.
I understand completely that you are concerned about the last minute votes that were cast and that some were from members with few posts to their credit, but this was the poll decided upon to determine the city that would most suit the needs of this forum. Whether or not those members have 5, 000 votes or 5 .... they are members of this forum and their vote should count towards the final tally, and if there were going to be limitations on who could vote, that should have been specified before the poll began.
I completely understand the argument that you would only want people who are definitely planning on attending this meet up to have a say, but realistically that is not possible. There is not a single person here who can say for certain and without doubt that they will be attending the 2009 meet up, as sometimes life throws us a curve and changes things and we can only vote with our best intentions and hope for the best.
With that being said, the first meet up was a total success and those of you who were fortunate to attend have paved the way for future meet ups that will most likely surpass our wildest expectations, but please let us not forget that this forum is for everyone, whether you post a lot, or a little.... you are still a member and your vote should count for something.

A re-vote! $20!

So, is the $20 going toward a Yorkie rescue (as stated by Lisa), if so, which one? OR is it going towards our registration fees (as stated by Jodie)?

Is Admin okay w/ all of this? It just seems odd that a poll was taken to see where most people would like to go.....like Kimberly said, shouldn't that be it?!

If the committee is soo intent on having the meeting in San Diego (which I like too, have friends there)....then there should be two meet-ups....ONE for those who have deteremined to hold it there...and those who have voted for VA.

Cindy's originial idea of a $5 or $10 vote at the beginning of all this, is WAY more fesible and doable to a wider range of people, then $20-- especially when people do not know where their money will be going to. If it would go toward their registration, I think you will get a lot more serious people voting....afterall, w/ so many people hurting (money wise right now), knowing that their vote counts and that money will go toward their fees, that is a great way to get more people in, as well.

I did notice and went to the profile pages of a lot of "last minute voters" -- course I was one of them too (beign out of town so much the last two weeks! --But just because someone doesn't post a lot....that doesn't mean they should not be counted. I know of several who are on here every day, but they may not post....they read and skim...either because they are at work and can't post, or just whatever the reason.

I'm not being difficult....and I think most others or not as well...I think there are honest questions and concerns out there that really need to be addressed...and in a fair manner.

It's just sad to see something so fun get so political and un-necessarily stressful for all, it just makes the thought of it, well, just not fun anymore!

I think there are many who have felt that having a central location would be LESS of an expense/hassle for all -- instead of flying or driving from, let's say, Key West Florida, to, let's say, Hollywood, CA....you only go half way. AND I think (not sure) that is the reasoning for so many thinking having it centrally located will be better for people.

I agree....it was said that if one coast gets more votes over the other...it will be that coast this year and the next coast next year....but I think when there is a pre-determined idea of where it is going to be...that just gets it all confusing to everyone...meaning, it really (and sorry for putting this out there), seems that most were all set on San Diego...and now that so many voted for the other...that is when the pay re-vote came in, etc.

I personally do not care (well, in a way, I guess I do) where it is held...I just hope to be able to attend....and not have all of this nonsense that is happening!

Forgive me everyone I just don't understand..yes I do know things can change in a year (times are rough now and probably going to get rougher as time goes on), but if it's a hardship now to deposit $20 for a meet-up that will be used towards your registration fee (and if you don't go for some unforseen reason that your $20 would go towards a Yorkie Rescue) then how can those not able to pay the $20 now pay for a trip like this later on? :confused:

I know that I am going no matter where the meet-up is held as it was an amazing experince in KC for me and Izzy. And if something happens that I can't go next year then I know my $$$ will go towards the Yorkie Rescue...win..win in my book.

And, yes, Jen, I'm amazed too how political this thread got and something that is supposed to be so much fun and exciting to look forward too has now gotten not so fun.

$20!!!!!NO WAY!!....i had talked to my hubby earlier before this poll because of the statement of a possible fee and he agreed to $10 cause if money doesnt figure out...it would be ok....not good but ok....here in my house we count every penny not dollar...if you dont believe me come look....i have coin jars everywhere.....and he had even agreed to coming with me if it was on the East coast....and as of last night i was getting my wish....hubby and i havent taken a trip together in over 3 years......now im again wondering if i even get a chance to go....i have talked to quite a few people who said that if there was a fee they would not vote...that being said....this NEW poll will still not be an example of who TRUELY wishes to attend....good luck with NEW poll.....JMO(this whole thing is beginning to feel bad)....hope it turns out truely fair.....another thing that bothers me is that those who can pay to vote are in better financial state...and those are on the west coast...im a poor girl from a rural community....i just think this whole new poll thing stinks....and no i dont think there should have been a new poll even if SD had won....i would have just waited for 2010...again JMO

ditto, ditto, ditto.....well said

I really, really don't want to upset or offend anyone, but I do want to share my thoughts and comments.

I do not have a problem with paying to vote in principle, but I do feel like the time has passed to do that. If this poll had started with a $5-10 fee to vote on the coast first and then a second poll to pick the city on the winning coast, that would have made more sense. To charge now, IMO, feels like sour grapes from those who are upset with the results.
I also agree with what Marci said in an earlier post on this thread. People may be serious about voting and wanting to attend and may be willing to pay to vote, but if their city doesn't win, then a certain percentage will not be able to go to the other city. So charging will NOT give you accurate numbers on who is planning to attend.
I'm sure most of us would love to be able to attend, no matter where it's held, but unfortunately that isn't practical or realistic for alot of people.

The poll was close, only 8 votes separated CA and VA until the end. If the gap was wider, like 20, 30 votes or more and a ton came in then maybe it should be questioned, but that wasn't the case.
I think alot of people thought CA had it, I know I did and I was prepared to Congratulate, even though I would not be able to attend and I was prepared to wait until 2010 and hope at least that the Yorkie rescue would have the fair in MI next year, where some of us could attend.

Again, I'm just sharing my opinions. I was not able to attend the KC meet this year, but I did go the fair in MI the year before (I know this wasn't a YT planned event) and I really want to attend and meet lots of people from YT!

I think there is confusion about where the $20 is going...
When Lisa posted, she clearly states that it is going to "a Yorkie rescue". It doesn't state which one, etc.
Then when Jodie posted, she states that they have thought about the $20 going into a "layaway" for future registration fees.

So, I think if we can get clarity on where this fee will go...I think that will help a lot of people.

I for one, would be more apt to "donate" $20 if I KNEW that that would be taken off my registration fee, etc.

Maybe we should just do away w/ San Diego and VA altogether...and start fresh:D Oh boy...wouldn't that be something.....OR maybe it just might be better! :p

I was all for a paying poll, but $20 seems just a bit much IMO. Good LUck, I won't be voting but I will be trying to come no matter where its held (it would actually be cheaper for me to fly to San Diego than it would be to drive to Alexandria)

My understanding is the $20 goes towards your registration, but if you can't attend, then it will go towards a Yorkie rescue. That's the way I'm reading it.

From what I've seen you 3 did a WONDERFUL job!!!

Couldn't agree more about political!! Well this re-vote struck home in 2 ways....My daughter voted and has less than 10 posts and planned on attending the meet up if its on the east coast she is a real voter and very much a part of Yt even tho her post count doesnt reflect that. I cannot afford 2 plane tickets to the west coast at this moment but the gas would be less that 100 for the both of us if on the east coast big difference. I will not pay to vote. Yes the money goes to a rescue, but many rescue are scams funding puppy mills. Most on here know me pretty well to know I give WAY above a beyond what the average person gives to rescues and I want to pick and choose where my money goes. For me and Avery to vote its 40 dollars. Thats probably what it would cost me to drive to VA from here. Im over this whole thing. Its turn into a fight and a whole lot of questioning. I guess you step back and trust the committee to make the right choice and whatever it is, it is. Being it's turned to votes and revotes and pay to vote....Either way I am stepping back and out of this. I wont attend either way anymore It just doesnt have that fun meet up feel. Maybe as time passes it will but for right now Im over it. Im not angry with anyone and I hear what everyone is saying and there is no way to make everyone happy. This isnt worth fighting over or losing friendships. I care about too many involved to be a part of that! Good luck with whatever decision is made.

I agree. the pics looked great!

I didn't vote when the poll was FREE simply because I am unable to commit a year away and quite honestly location would be a determining factor.

I can think of several issues with charging 20 bucks. Whose account is holding these funds...not to mention access? No offense or implication to whomever that may be...but if it's someone else's money...they are entitled to know this. Another point...just how are you going to keep non payers from voting? Keep a running tally...then realize you need to X out this person's vote or that person's vote due to lack of payment? Further...if someone chose to mail payment...when are they allowed to vote? When the funds are received and cashed? How would you stop them from voting prior? What happens if you never receive their payment?

i dont see a NEW POLL...so am i understanding that if you dont pay to vote you cant even see the poll or am i missing it...i cant find anything and it has been 9 hours now since people could start ""voting"" again....even if i dont get to vote...i still would like to be able to follow it...if the whole Yt family cant see the poll it should be done...that is crappy and sounds a little fishy to me.....sorry but im ery of hidden things in today's world......I guess maybe we should have 2 different Meets...cause hidden polls are def. not the answer

Unless I'm reading it wrong, we won't see a poll. You vote when you make your payment and they will keep a running total and the results will be posted when it's over.

I cast my vote...because, in principal, I intend to go. I paid my twenty.

I'm concerned, however, that at this point, a pay to vote poll may give us a different kind of a "skewed" result. Those who are willing to risk throwing $20 away (I really can't but am hoping I get to apply it towards the registration) against those who aren't.

I have one question, :rolleyes: if the meetup gets cancelled because of all this bickering, will we get our money back?

All things being FAIR...if there is gonna be a Poll there should be a Poll thread that shows the tally of votes as they happen.....if not then at the very least there needs to be a thread that updates a tally of votes every hour at the very least.....not just at the end....JMO

if there is no meetup i think they may give the money to rescue but im not sure

Are you kidding me......? :eek:
If this is true then it is becoming quite obvious to me that my vote will not count one way, or the other.
Why even bother.....?

I also agree that this is becoming very heated and unfriendly.
I am not willing to lose my friendships over this and I will bow out completely of the voting aspect, as it is becoming quite obvious that some of our votes are inconsequential , as reflected in the initial vote.

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I agree. Is this poll public??? will ALL of us be able to see how it is going? You are going to lose MANY votes because of the cost. And you are putting way too much importance on people who were "Committed" enough last year.. many of us were comiitted to go and life got in the way. you seem to be putting these people in a very high catagory above the rest of us.

bravo....very well said....and no from our understanding this poll is not public....doesnt sound FAIR if you ask me JMO...

Morning Jenn! If you re-read my original post, it clearly states "The $20 will go toward your registration fee when you register, and for those who ultimately choose not to register, your $20 will go to a Yorkie rescue." I think this clearly states that your fee WILL go toward your registration fee (which we're considering a downpayment/layaway toward your registration fees, which will actually help spread the costs out for everyone, which should mean LESS of a burden on them later).

How we determined which rescue to donate the "profits" to this year was to ask that question on the evaluation forms we passed out at the 2008 meet-up. Since it was those people's money (from raffle ticket sales mostly) that made the donation possible, we asked THEM where they wanted THEIR money to go. Myself or the committee would never presume to make that decision for them, as we know money is very hard to come by, and for those so generous as to participate in the raffle and meet-up, we wanted each of them to have a say. The overwhelming majority suggested the proceeds go to the OK Yorkie Rescue - the new rescue some of our very own YTers have begun. We are able to make a $500 donation from the 2008 meet-up, and I think that's wonderful! Luckily the hotel didn't hold us to our minimum food and beverage charges that were originally in our contract, or it would have been a very different story though. That's why we're so concerned with making sure we have an idea of who's serious about attending - because we need to know that before we begin approaching hotels to negotiate rates and details.

For anyone who pays to vote and doesn't ultimately register, their money will be set aside, and that will be added to the donation we make to the Yorkie rescue using the 2009 meet-up "profits" (again, mostly from raffle ticket sales since the registration fee we have to charge is simply to cover hotel fees). I presume we would again ask people at the 2009 meet-up which rescue they want the money to go to.

Oh...well that answers some of my questions.

I don't think the secret aspect will go over too well...

I personally think this is ridiculas. I HONESTLY believe this wouldn't be happening if CA won in the poll. :( To many people were already set on CA and now things are not going as they wanted them to, so we have to repoll :(
Alexandria won fair and square. AND not to mention what Cindy tallied up that East coast won with OVERALL votes over West coast.
I don\'t have a problem with paying $20 to vote, BUT this should have been done to begin with. Why the heck did we even have the first week long poll anyways? To just get people riled up? I\'m not seeing any other reason?????.......
This is just turning into a big disaster and losing the fun due to inconsistantcy on decisions. :(