President's Letter 3-18-13

Dear DOVES,

Stuff happens. Good stuff as well as bad.Sometimes the good stuff surprises us and makes us laugh. Many DOVES laughed a lot at the good stuff that happened for 5 days in March at the Third Annual ERV Road-E-O in Robstown, Texas, near Corpus Christi, where ERV drivers from many Red Cross chapters brought their ERVs and tested their driving skills on a challenging obstacle course.

In addition to ERV drivers, Red Cross disaster responders from across the country attended the generous offering of disaster classes at the rally. RV parking on location at the fairgrounds made it easy for DOVES to stay in their rigs at night and attend classes and the ERV challenge during the day. The price was right: $20 per night for camping, all classes and meals free. We ate a lot, talked a lot, laughed a lot. And we were surprised that:

* DOVES originated and spearheaded the Road-E-O concept: Larry Paton and Nevada Linford

* so many people attended: 122

* so many Chapters sent representatives: 23 +

* ERVs showed up from the entire region: 17

* DOVES came in force: 24

* many rare classes were offered: 18, including DIST, Bulk Distribution, ERV, Kitchen, and Forklift Operator

* half HALF! -- of the entire group took Forklift training: 68 of 122, and DOVE John Laffey helped train and certify them.

* DOVES were a hot topic at every activity, every meal: DOVES 101 was offered 2 x

* one of our brand new DOVES won 2nd place as Best Driver on the ERV obstacle course: Karen Jacobs (go Karen!)

* the food, classes, fun, and fellowship were extraordinary Good stuff蓉nexpected stuff--happened in South Texas because we showed up and opened ourselves to something new. Want to be surprised by good stuff, too? Look around. Physically position yourself to receive new information, to make new connections, to laugh--attend the Escapees ACRE and WARE rallies on the East and West Coasts, and the Escapade in Gillette, Wyoming. Check in with the local Red Cross chapter wherever you travel and attend the classes and activities they sponsor. Get outside into a new environment預nd let the good times roll!

I wish you the best (my new quote from new Road-E-O DOVE friend JC Cobb)

Anita Laffey, President

(Another quote recently from DOVE Jane Gerber on Facebook dovebof is appropriate here: Mega thanks to Larry Paton and Nevada Linford and all the staff and volunteers who made the week of training and fellowship simply awesome!! Well said!)