I'm OUT of the 501st!

[TK-352]

I joined the 501 a couple years ago. Yes we have our problem children, but eventaully word gets around and they are handled. I have made sooooo many friends due to being in the 501st that its almost hard to keep track of them all. The current Command staff for the Legion is a great bunch. They seem to really care about the group on both a personal level and a group level. I have been pleasantly surprised by the ingenuity of this group, they can make the most amazing costumes. And I do believe the more accurate the costume the better.
There is nothing like having a 6 year old kid walk up and hug a sandtrooper. Seeing the look on kids(and parents ) faces as we walk in a parade or make a hospital visit, nothing like it.
On the subject of custom Mandos, well a group of people now have a forum to talk about custom Mandos and all things Mandalorian. Come join us.

http://z6.invisionfree.com/Mando_ade/index....com/Mando_ade/

Jim
TD/TB-352
Ohio Garrison
501st Legion

 

[Cpl Smith]

Ive always found this interesting....http://www.vaderpainter.com/501st.html
Oh, Im sure there will be some snide comments about "Oh thats not true" blah blah blah....I guess I was making it ALL up as I went through it with this guy.




I too got fed up with it and quit... I figured they did this much to this guy, what was next for the founder of the Ga. Garrison (me). And for some odd reason, Im still listed on the Ga. site...after all these years....funny.
I have NO love for the organisation that I helped build when we were only 9 members strong....yes, thats a "9". Single digit.

Derek

 

[rollerboi]

<div class='quotetop'>(Jumpin Jax @ Aug 4 2006, 09:57 PM) [snapback]1294062[/snapback]</div>

Well another event comes and goes, Peter Mayhew hits town due to the club, more specifically the work of one of the troops that arranges it, and visits a hotspot club on a Saturday. Being the cool guy that he is, he bends over backwards for everyone he meets. Now, he's selling auto's as part of the bargain, but a couple of the troops ask their mighty leader if they might swindle a couple of freebies from the man, perhaps he wouldn't mind?
The man says no, Peter refused. Peter...was never asked. When approached personally, he says "Of course. Bring whatever you got."
It was at this point that it became clear that the little man wasn't really interested in helping out his fellow fan. SO..
It was decided amongst a few of the troopers......ok MOST of them, that there should be a separation of the club and garrison--NOT hostile side-taking, just a little divider to make sure everyone knew where they [/b]

Heya, JJ. Long time, no see.

Don't forget that earlier in the day, most of these troopers had been trooping as personal escort for Mayhew through the Seattle Center, upon personal request from this leader. Several hours in full costume in the middle of the day with no reparation, no reward other than the sweat off their sacks ;-).

And then weren't they "uninvited" from a breakfast or lunch opportunity? Time dimmed my memory on that one.

The trooping at the nightclub was simply the icing on the cake. The garrison member in question wanted autographs for his *kids*.. Mayhew was totally cool about it, but the so-called-leader flipped his top and went off on him for supposedly tainting the image of the group and whatnot. Blah blah whatever.. the whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth as well, which lingers to this day. But the friendships I made remain.. (shout out to all my seattle peeps.)

Personally, I joined for the coolness of the whole thing - I had been looking forward to going to Childrens' Hospitals and the like, which I never got to do. My excitement quickly waned, and while I recognize that the Seattle garrison was its own isolated little experience, I will think more than twice about actual affiliation with a group in the future simply for my own emotional well-being.

 

[Geniepants]

While I'm sad to see that people have left the 501st, I understand that if you're not having fun with it, there's no point in sticking around. I guess I'm lucky that my Garrison has a lot of fun people.

 

[SHalamar]

I know, and have heard, that the Seattle Garrison has had quite a few problems in the past. And as such, our membership is rather low at the moment.

We are working hard to improve the image. But all of this was way in the past. I hope that people can look past it, and perhaps come out and see us sometime. But I understand if not, as a couple of the 'old guard' sometimes appear as well.

 

[dropshipbob]

Just a word of caution to everyone to keep this discussion civil. It has so far, just don't get carried away.

 

[WebChief]

Every time one of these threads pops up on the RPF, TDH, Fan Force (whatever) I get a huge kick out of the broad brush the organization is painted with. :rolleyes

Like the 501st or dislike it, that's your choice but please don't insult everyone in this organization with generalized comments like many have made. Just because some of you have had unfortunate experiences with less than desirable members that doesn't mean we're all that way. If you had a bad experience with your former CO that doesn't mean that I as the CO of the New England Garrison or Scott as the CO of the Florida Garrison are jerks. I take pride in doing my best to improve my Garrison and the Legion as a whole and help out in any way that I can. I've been involved with the 501st in one form or another since Sept of 2001 and I feel it's never been better. Our ties with LFL are closer than any fan group could ever imagine. Our name is more recognizable than just about any other fan group. Our charitable donations and efforts are a fantastic product of our member's enthusiasm and generosity. And best of all, the friendships I've made WORLDWIDE because of the 501st far outreach any other group/forum/club I've ever experienced.

A handful of jerks don't a Legion destroy.

Again, I'm sorry your experiences weren't good with the 501st but for every negative experience any one of you could produce I could produce ten positive ones.

 

[TK-352]

Well said Webchief.

Sometimes people get a position with some power and it goes to their head. Thats doesn't mean everyone is like that. The Ohio Garrisons CO is a great guy, we love him to death. He is also a straight up guy, no BS, if someone screws up they hear about it, but he is fair. I guess what it boils down to is that if you enjoy it enough you will stick with it and make it better.

 

[tuskentrooper]

<div class='quotetop'>(hyperdyne @ Aug 7 2006, 02:38 PM) [snapback]1295635[/snapback]</div>

That's rich, somebody in the organization screws you and then they wont deal with it?? [/b]

There's only so much Legion Command can do in certain situations. The system is set up as such that members of a local unit can vote out their leader if he/she is not handling things the right way. We can and have also expelled members for severe violations of our Charter (profiteering off of Legion merchandise, mishandling of donated funds, etc.). None of these situations is pleasant, and I can tell you the Legion Council doesn't look forward to dealing with them. We're a fan club of adults, and the 501st really needs its members to look after themselves as much as possible so as not to be consumed with resolving interpersonal issues. As such, we are adopting "Council Resolutions" to avoid certain pitfalls of bureaucracy and to give individuals a bit more accountability for their own actions and transactions:

http://www.501st.com/councilres.php

Just as I wouldn't expect my neighborhood association to be responsible for resolving a bad deal with my neighbor involving the purchase of his used lawnmower, it's not fair for members to expect the Legion to take action over personal transactions gone bad. (Bear in mind that if a member develops a serious and proven track record of ripping people off with malicious intent, it's possible that action will be taken against their membership....although that's all we can do is revoke their membership. It makes much more sense to pursue legal action and to notify the local authorities if a situation is really that bad.)

 

[Skaught]

The 501st has no legal power, so we can't force people to pay money that another claims they're owed. When person "A" says they're owed money, and person "B' says they don't owe money, we have no way of figuring out who is telling the truth.

As for Hawkins, I was actually the person who started the public ball rolling that got him booted. I wasn't even a member yet and I had ordered a t-shirt and other merch from him. When I started asking about the status after I didn't receive anything, others in the Legion got involved and one thing led to another and he was driven out. I never received any threats or angry emails as a result. I'm sorry you did, but again - the words of a few schmucks aren't the opinion of the entire organization.

I'm sorry you don't like your Squad Leader (I have no idea who that person is). The other 3,999 people aren't responsibility for their poor personality. We don't have rules about not being a jerk. Neither does the RPF or any other group who wants to have any members.

Broad brush strokes are still being applied to a vast majority over the bad experiences with a tiny minority. In elementary school a black classmate punched me in the mouth. I guess I should dislike the entire race as a result? That's the same mentality I see here.

An interesting aside - a year later Paypal sent me a refund for the Hawkins order as a result of my inquiring. I wonder how that happened?

Scott

 

[womo68]

I really would like to join and troop with my suit and R2 (that's where all my money has gone ) but I only have an FX trooper suit and would not want to be ridiculed by a 5'4" trooper in a TE suit. But I still would like to get out with my R2 with the guys.

So how do I get in touch with my local in Dallas chapter and do you think they will want to use a droid?

womo

 

[rigormortis]

PM'd ya, Womo...

 

[tuskentrooper]

<div class='quotetop'>(womo68 @ Aug 7 2006, 04:16 PM) [snapback]1295681[/snapback]</div>

Are those pics of Albin on the Vaderpainters site current? Man those make me sad. I'm not really sure about that...I recently contributed to a R2 for his daughter Katy and heard nothing but good things about him.[/b]

Pretty low blow of someone to use pics of Albin in that context. Of course he's a good person, and of course he likes to have fun like anyone else. (BTW, he is also known to drink alcohol and use naughty words from time to time.) I would hope that silly poses don't really make you regret donating to the memory of his daughter and the joy R2-KT will bring to countless other children. Let's keep it in perspective and in context.

<div class='quotetop'>(womo68 @ Aug 7 2006, 04:16 PM) [snapback]1295681[/snapback]</div>

I really would like to join and troop with my suit and R2 (that's where all my money has gone ) but I only have an FX trooper suit and would not want to be ridiculed by a 5'4" trooper in a TE suit. But I still would like to get out with my R2 with the guys.

So how do I get in touch with my local in Dallas chapter and do you think they will want to use a droid?[/b]

FX armor is welcome and a fully-qualifying costume. :thumbsup R2 units are also welcome to most events and I'm sure the troops would be grateful to have a real droid to troop with. Looking for your local 501st members? Look no further than 501st.com...

 

[Skaught]

<div class='quotetop'>(womo68 @ Aug 7 2006, 04:16 PM) [snapback]1295681[/snapback]</div>

Are those pics of Albin on the Vaderpainters site current? Man those make me sad. I'm not really sure about that...I recently contributed to a R2 for his daughter Katy and heard nothing but good things about him.

I really would like to join and troop with my suit and R2 (that's where all my money has gone ) but I only have an FX trooper suit and would not want to be ridiculed by a 5'4" trooper in a TE suit. But I still would like to get out with my R2 with the guys.

So how do I get in touch with my local in Dallas chapter and do you think they will want to use a droid?

womo
[/b]

No one will ridicule you, womo. Well, to be honest, I'm sure you'd get a lot of "aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper" comments from igits on the street, but then again I hear that all the time, and I'm 6'2". We have plenty of under and over sized troopers. I can't speak for Texas, but I know in Florida we love to have an R2 around whenever possible. We only have two in the Florida Garrison right now. I'd love to build one myself but funds keep finding their way into other things instead. Darn mortgage.

As for the Albin pics, those are from DragonCon I believe, and a lot of people get a little crazy at DC. All my experiences with Albin have been great, so I wouldn't let a few party pics from a con form your opinion. Myself, I don't drink and I've never been drunk. But if someone with ill intent selectively chose photos of me in Orlando this past June, you'd think I was a raving alcoholic because I drank one shot and fifteen people took twenty pictures each. I guess it was quite an unusual event. I had to wash out the taste with my Diet Coke. Nasty stuff that tequila.

Scott

 

[womo68]

<div class='quotetop'>(tuskentrooper @ Aug 7 2006, 03:52 PM) [snapback]1295699[/snapback]</div>

Pretty low blow of someone to use pics of Albin in that context. Of course he's a good person, and of course he likes to have fun like anyone else. (BTW, he is also known to drink alcohol and use naughty words from time to time.) I would hope that silly poses don't really make you regret donating to the memory of his daughter and the joy R2-KT will bring to countless other children. Let's keep it in perspective and in context.
[/b]

You know what, I have to agree. There are times when I myself have been known to use a swear word or two But I also have to say that if I took pics like that and my wife saw themÂ…troubles for me.

I just wanted to say that even though those pics are "off" IMO I have heard nothing but good things about Albin.

And just to make this perfectly clear, I do not regret contributing anything for Katy and Albin's family. I will edit my post accordingly because I do not want that as misconstrued.

Thanks,
womo

 

[TK-352]

Posting pics of Albin at Dragon Con acting a little bit wild is a classless act on VaderPainters part. And for the record in in 2 of those pics one of the women involved happens to be Albins wife. I think if Albin was acting inappropretly she would have something to say about it. Personally I think VaderPainter is jealous that the 501st has flourished *agast* without him.

And agian for the record, I have met Albin twice, and he has been nothing but a warm hearted, kind man.

 

[DarkLordSalvo]

<div class='quotetop'>(Skaught @ Aug 7 2006, 09:01 PM) [snapback]1295705[/snapback]</div>

Nasty stuff that tequila.

Scott
[/b]

Well, no wonder. Your first drink EVER was a tequilla shot? What, there wasn't a kerosene lantern nearby for you to drink out of instead? You'd have faired WAYYY better.

 

[TK765]

I had enough of the 501st after working close to 20hrs at C3 and not getting reimbursed for my ticket as promised. :unsure At least I worked so much that I missed out on all the fun, thats a bonus :rolleyes

 

[hyperdyne]

<div class='quotetop'>(Skaught @ Aug 7 2006, 02:00 PM) [snapback]1295674[/snapback]</div>

The 501st has no legal power, so we can't force people to pay money that another claims they're owed. When person "A" says they're owed money, and person "B' says they don't owe money, we have no way of figuring out who is telling the truth.
[/b]

Yeah, but the 501st as an organization should stop being an enabler or conduit which allows these types of transactions to occur. I wouldnt be owed anything if it wasnt for the 501st. The guy owes me money from an "official" event. How much more concrete does one have to be? In a slam dunk case, the upper ranks in command certainly dont attempt to do the right thing even in the face of indisputable evidence. They simply wrap the issue in red tape, decide to wash their hands of the entire affair, and claim "sorry".

Gee, the last time my old squad did any charity work was, oh, heck I cant even remember. Most of the time troops are for swag, media attention, picking up chicks, etc... :unsure

Bah.

 

[The Clone Emperor]

If a deal goes bad on the RPF, a thread can be started to inform other members. If the offending member's offense is chronic, they are like to be banned. As far as restitution goes, I doubt anyone could think to ask the mods of the RPF to do anything more.

¿What more should the mods of the 501st forums --or 501st command-- do?

¿If a case is open and shut, why not involve those who have the legal ablitiy to arbitrate; the police?

I am a member of Legion Command Staff and I help our members as best I can.

I am sorry for Hyperdyne's experience. (I have a great respect for you sir.) I wish I could do more on his behalf.

I would mention from my experience trooping is not done for swag, or the promise of sexual promiscuity. My own Garrison is one of the oldest and largest. We troop regularly for charity. And for fun. I argue that these purposes are not mutally exclusive.

Be well,
Thomas