But the vote only included one weekend in May and no weekends in March or April. I hardly consider it a decision that has already been made if the earlier dates weren 't even options.

I agree. Last year at this time we had already determined a date and were on our way to determining a city. If we had wanted to consider March or April dates, then they should have been brought up before the poll started so they could have been included. Or we should have chosen the city first so that dates could have been discussed.

Actually the dates were brought up during all of this:

I'm not trying to be pesky either... I just (half) remember a conversation about going place first so places could pick dates that work well for them specifically. Like, if we're in the south not so late toward the summer, etc. - Trudy Post #3473

Another thing with picking dates first -- at least in Boston, those first two and maybe three weekends are going to very difficult for hotel availability due to graduations. - Jon B. #3485

Date considerations:

Avoid like hell Mother's day weekend, which is graduation for UNC and Duke.

It can easily be in the 90s by May. - Flea #3499

No March or April dates for NC? -Java Cat #3501

Yay flea for NC pimpage! Weather is lovely here in March and April. - Amyth #3503

If it's in April or early May, the most beautiful spring you have ever seen. Dogwoods, azaleas, daffodils in great swaths of color.

By late May, it's Too Damn Hot. -(Both Regarding Atlanta) Ginger #3509

No March or April dates for NC? -Java Cat #3501

By late May, it's Too Damn Hot. -(Both Regarding Atlanta) Ginger #3509

Yay flea for NC pimpage! Weather is lovely here in March and April. - Amyth #3503

Were all brought up after the poll had opened.

Again, this is the reason that choosing the place first would have made more sense for the East Coast as there is such a difference in climates from end to the other at varying parts of the spring. Which is the point of Trudy's post.

As far as the graduations, well, nothing can be done about that unless we go somewhere that doesn't have a major college town in it.

I don't even see where there was a point to discuss the dates. A list was made and a poll created in the midst of folks starting to make comments about the dates.

I don't even see where there was a point to discuss the dates.

You're right. There wasn't. I started off with cities because back in June people said they wanted to choose a place first. There was come city pimpage a few weeks back with no mention of dates at all.

Then was some more city pimpage and then people wanting to vote dates first so that they could have a better chance of attending. So I asked Jessica to set up a poll and there was some, but very little discussion about spring break dates.

Quite frankly, I could care less when or where it is. I was trying to get it flowing so we could choose a place and a date and then let the contact person take over from there.

It will happen somewhere. It always does.

Did we ever decide if Toronto was east coast or midwest?

Ok, this is going to be Abi playing "let's make a decision".

Are we going to: 1) Revote with more dates 2) Throw out the results and vote on place first 3) Accept these and move on with places

Keeping in mind that there will be no decision that will make everyone happy.

I do not, at this moment, care about feelings. I just care about getting this done in a way that will not cause the Supreme Court to decide the election.

Since Aimee volunteered to be in charge, I would lean toward letting her have the majority of the say.

I would say, that based on the issue with dates that has come to the forefront, we re-vote with new dates.

I'm more a fan of place before date. Keep in mind that there will be no certain temperature range in any of the suggested places on a particular date. (except of course it will be hot in Florida during the entire range of potential dates) It can be in the 90's in Atlanta in March and it can be chilly in Boston in June.

The scorching heat did not ruin DC or NO. And it was quite chilly walking in the rain after the ballgame in SF. We'll choose a place and a date, or a date and a place. We'll get together and play with other Buffistas and it will all be good.