RV Boot Camp at Gillette Escapade

To become a safer, more skilled RV driver, check out the Escapees RV Boot Camp at the Gillette, Wyoming Escapade on June 27-29.  This hands-on training is well worth your time and money.  You can still sign up for the class.  www.escapees.com/bootcamp.

Pipeline Newsletter Available

The Logistics-IKD-DREC-DSMC quarterly newsletter Pipeline is available here.

Response to Re-engineering at National

Heads up:  National is re-engineering again.  And again.  And again.  What will that mean for DOVE?  It means that we will have less resources, fewer experts to turn to at National when we need assistance, and greater demands for our services.  It all goes back to the lack of money due to decreased contributions, of course.  We can’t solve the problem of insufficient funds or stop the huge cuts in both personnel and budget at National.  But we can choose how we will respond.  We are DOVEs.  So we will inspire others to keep doing their best, to help relieve the suffering of others, to live with courage and hope.  All DOVEs are leaders by nature.   Proof?  How many times have people said to you, “Oh, I wish I could live like you do.  I wish I could travel and play, and then do some volunteer work from time to time.   That’s always been my dream, but I can’t do that because…” and they fill in the rest of the sentence in 100 ways.  But you made a different choice.  You stomped on all your excuses, grabbed hold of your dream, and by example, became a leader for others to follow.  “If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader,” according to John Quincy Adams.  That’s the definition of a DOVE.   And that’s how DOVEs will respond to the re-engineering at National.  We will work with integrity, encourage those who are discouraged, and lead the way for others to follow.  If some of us run low on hope or courage, we’ll yell for help—knowing that a whole flock of DOVEs will immediately rally to our side.  DOVEs can do more than cope with adversity; we can transform it.  Changes are tough. DOVEs are tougher. 

DOVEs are not immune to danger.

This past week has been a sober reminder that those of us who are DOVEs are not immune to danger and disasters.  About 10 DOVEs have recently been deployed to the tornadoes or floods in Texas, or to the multiple tornadoes in Oklahoma.  Last weekend, our DOVEs in Oklahoma had to take cover from the dangerous tornadoes that swept through the areas where they are working and staying in their RVs.  It was very scary—some of the DOVEs truly thought they were going to die.  We’re thankful that none of them were injured, and we also want to remind all DOVEs to stay alert to possible hazards in areas where you travel or provide disaster services.  Will you be driving through Tornado Alley on your way to Gillette?  Get the free Red Cross tornado app for your smart phone.  Read more about it at https://intranet.redcross.org/content/dam/redcross/documents/our_services/preparedness_healthsafetyservices/individual_and_communitypreparedness/mobile_apps/TornadoAppTalkPts.pdf.   That application will sound an alarm whenever you are in area that is threatened by tornados, whether your phone is turned on or not.  Recently my application sounded the alarm through my cell phone four times between Houston and Dallas.  It got my attention and made a believer out of me.  All the Red Cross safety apps—First Aid, Hurricanes, Shelters, Earthquakes—provide valuable information about preparing for and responding to disasters. 

Tips for preparing to drive to Gillette

Before you blast off for Gillette, be sure to check out the article by Mark Nemeth on Escapees web site for good information about preparing for the trip.  Mark has some very practical suggestions that might save you some time, money, and frustration.  For example, did you remember to bring a garden hose “Y” connector in case you need to share a water hookup?  Link on http://escapees.com/ClubNewsArchive/viewarchived.aspx?Club_News_Number=10390 .

 

GOING TO GILLETTE? WANT TO PARK WITH OTHER DOVEs?

If you are going to Gillette and want to park with other members of the  DOVE BOF, please email anitalaffey@att.net ASAP.  We will arrive and park together on Saturday, June 29^th.  Boondocking at Wal-Mart is available for early arrivals.

Crossnet replaced by Exchange

Crossnet is now extinct. The new information site is called Exchange. Info from national is here.

SABA Helper for Gillette Classes

If you're having trouble registering for the DOVE classes at the Escapade, info and a sample SABA page can be found here