Saturday November 8^th 2008 1000 hours

Shasta Lake California

The following "Report" is a compilation of information and comments regarding the 2008 Shasta County Veterans Day Parade.

The Lions Club began immediately (First Meeting) to organize individuals who attended the Parade Meetings and volunteered for the "Committee".

The Lions had a structure of individuals who understood the basic concept of the Parade and how it should be organized and conducted. Each man in the Lions contributed and did an outstanding job in the planning and execution of the Parade.

Special Note to Jim Mark for setting up a site within his Web Site to advertise the Parade and offer information and assistance. This assisted the PR and entry part of the planning greatly. It should be noted now that he also did an outstanding job of photographing the parade for historical purposes.

Ed and Elmer did an outstanding job of LEADING, MANAGING and selecting volunteers who fit well to cover the myriad of Chairmanships, and responsibilities that went into planning and executing the parade.

Some examples of this were the diversity of backgrounds of those who helped. I want to note, the Lions themselves, the Veterans Groups and Individuals, Civic and Fraternal Groups and Individuals, Candice from North Valley Bank, Legislators from Shasta County and the City of Shasta Lake, in particular Supervisor Linda Hartman and David Kehoe. All First Responders, Law Enforcement & Fire, Active Duty and National Guard units, Businesses, Media and special groups like the FFA and Senior Citizens Center. And last but not least, those individuals and groups that donated the money to help put this Parade on. Without their kindness and generosity this would not have been possible.

Parade Management was excellent and with the maps provided and the lay out on the streets, entries had little if any problems finding out where they should go. The Lions had the help of the Kawanians and others and everyone did an outstanding job from Registration to line up to directing everyone where to go to start their entry in the parade.

The announcers were excellent and did a great job. As did the Script writers.

Identify what day the 2009 Parade is going to be held. Usually it is held on the closest Saturday to November 11^th, this year we have two choices, November 7^th or 14^th.

Format/model the Parade the same each year, but always come up with a "New" Theme. Keep a record of those who volunteered for the Parade Committee from year to year and invite them back to help. Keep all records of Entries on file for the following year.

Meetings to organize and plan the Parade should be set up as they were in 08. This worked out very well and there were always enough Volunteers, Committee Chairman and others who took on responsibilities to conduct a meaningful meeting.

Get the City of Shasta Lake and Shasta County more involved both from a logistical perspective to a financial point of view.

Get ALL Veterans Organizations deeply involved especially American Legion Post 720. They reaped a huge financial benefit from the Parade and should be involved both from a financial point of view and also by providing support personnel (Bodies)

The Shasta County Veterans Affiliated Council (SCVAC) and other unaffiliated Veterans Groups must be involved from the moment "Next" years Parade is being planned. They need to be briefed (personally) and emailed, sent updated notices etc to insure they stay involved and assist in the event.

An Administrative element MUST be developed by the Lions Club to insure that necessary paperwork is prepared, sent out and filed properly. You may be able to recruit a Veteran, or Veterans Group to do this. This needs to be done NOW!

Plan the Parade Management as you did in 2008. One problem I saw was the promptness of the Custom Cars that were to carry the Grand Marshal and the other Vetean Dignitaries. Some how these people are going to have to be pinned down better if that is possible. Also the arrival of the Veterans to ride up front. They need to have a firmer time of arrival and be readily identifiable.

In the future try to involve the Business Community of Shasta County more in FUND RAISING. The 2008 Parade was almost totally funded by the Veterans.

Narrators should be laid on as soon as possible. Law Enforcement needs to be updated regularly and involved from the start. Also plan on who will be sitting on the Reviewing Stand. This should be a very special HONOR…

The FLY OVER Project should be organized as soon as possible. This takes time to develop and I would ensure that who ever is doing it has some experience with it. This year Larry Trimble and Bob Maraviov did the hard and tedious work of dealing with our Government Bureaucracy and as you saw they came through like a champ. I would certainly ask them to return next year.

Records show that we had a total of 72 entries in the 2008 Parade. This is not counting the 400 to 500 Motorcycles that participated this year.

Keep and updated an accurate list of all past entries and develop potential entries as the planning progresses.

For example: Ensure that ALL HS and Jr HS Bands are invited for 2009. Make sure that they have ALL of the information they need to put us on their schedules.

Some how plan on notifying the potential entries of the upcoming event. This could be done electronically a month or two in advance of the start of planning. This should be a part of what ever PR Plan you have for 2009.

Contact as many Past Grand Marshals as possible and invite them to ride on a special Float. This will have to be a separate Chairmanship and project for it to come off properly.

Entries Packet process was excellent. Do not change it…

Numbers of spectators vary because not all of them were on Shasta Dam Blvd. They were many of the side streets we used to marshal the Parade before it began. Some estimates have put the total at 1000.

This is important because Cal Trans will monitor this figure and "If" you do not have a sizable turn out they will not allow you to close the hwy that is used as your parade route.

This is also important for the City being used as the Venue for this Parade. Shasta Lake was NOT prepared for the Crush of humanity that showed up in Shasta Lake on November 8^th.

Even the Pancake Breakfast and BBQ was "overwhelmed", (Their words) and everyone from Circle K to the restaurants in town commented on not having enough STAFF to accommodate the patrons they had on Saturday. Somehow the City or Committee must have a way to communicate with business on what to expect.

A good plan needs to be developed NOW to start this process early enough that interest will be maintained and build enough desire that will make the Shasta County citizens WANT to come out and view the Parade in 09.

In order to have a sizable Spectator group you must advertise in advance and use the pictures and comments from this year’s parade to help get the message out. For some reason many who should have viewed this parade did not show. The Schools and Senior Citizen Centers along with the seniors in residential facilities should be recruited.

The Veterans Groups and media need to cooperate with this by advertising in their Newsletters and other publications. I put the parade dates in my Chapter’s 2009 Calendar. ALL Veterans Organizations (Posts, Chapters, Auxiliaries, Districts, Regions etc. have a Yearly Calendar) and must be encourage to list this event as soon as we notify them.

Law Enforcement did an outstanding job in Crowd Control. They were gently in their efforts to ensure safety for everyone. The Lions ensured there were plans in place for emergency services if needed and also provided restroom facilities for the spectators.

The flow of the entries leaving the Parade was also excellent and no problems were noted.

Incorporate the 2008 plans for 2009.

For Your Consideration

John E. Cleckner Sr.