I usually only organize the Annual London Prez Weekend Dos, and did the post-Freddies LA Do, and some occasional LA dinner dos. They're fun & you get to see people you know & meet new people who all travel and/or have this crazy interest in travel.

Having said that, it does take a lot of organization (something I don't think all attendees really realize), and there are invariably a few complaints (some so minor you want to shake your head; some such a pain that you want to say ok, then YOU do it next time).

And of course then you get the folk who short on dinner and/or other things, such as rsvp'ing & not showing when the host had to outlay some $$ & then not paying. I had that happen 2x (dinner short) at the London Prez weekend Dos, and even last year at the London MegaDo when I helped out another FTer who has ignored requests for repayment, and occurred at Freddies post-LA Do. Hmm, maybe I need to rethink doing Dos if I'm footing the bill for some of my fellow FTers???

Re: the 'purists' getting together for their own private dos Just sounds like a group of folk who have met through FT & like each other & like traveling together; I don't think at that point it's a Them Do or FT Do. And doesn't necessarily mean they don't attend FT Dos, as I've seen some of the said 'purists' at dos. And really it's not that big a deal because while they're not fond of all other FTers, not all other FTers are fond of them either so they're not necessarily missed And there's such a variety of Dos at all times of the year at all parts of the globe; there's something for everyone.

Anyway, with each Do I organize I try to learn from previous ones - tighten up the parameters so no misunderstanding, pick places that you can do individual bills, and 'God grant me the serenity to know what I can change & not change' or whatever that saying is .

I do want to give a shout-out & kudos to sandiego1k, jenbel & wingnut for organizing the London MegaDo. Dos of that scope just boggle the mind, and I wouldn't blame all 3 of them should they decide to retire (but hope they don't & that we'll see another one in a couple of years).

wingless asked my sister a few years back, 'so what do you think of your sister being involved w/ FT?'. My sister, 'don't know. never heard of it. is it a cult?' Well yes it is, and I'm proud to be a member of it, so yup you'll still me attending some dos & probably even organizing a few. (Note: my sister is now up on FT, so when I whine about my mileage balance declining she tells me to do a mileage run ).

Cheers.