Where to start!!!! If you get set up with some permenant grounds one thing to be real careful of is accepting donated machinery. A lot of people will think you are the perfect place to dispose of grandpas Plow, corn Sheller, Fanning mill, etc. But after a while these things become a real albotross around your neck. Need to be moved to mow etc and no one really cares for them like the grand child thinks they should. Makes for some unhappy donors better to tell them no in the begining than have them disapointed later. Another is storing other peoples tractors etc. Set a policy in the begining that if you don't come and run it in the course of 2 years it becomes the property of the show to do with as they please. Sell these items ASAP they will be better cared for in private hands. Make sure all donations except CASH are without strings (like you have to run or can never sell)!!!! You may have to turn some nice things away but every one will be happier in the long run. Ladies seem to like crafts and the like. Try to avoid any backbiting. Best way I can think to do this is have all greivances aired in the open and settled in a calm manner (very dificult to do sometimes). MOST IMPORTANT COVER YOURSELVES ON LIABILITY. THIS MEANS TALK TO A ATTORNEY. I AM NOT KIDDING HERE THIS OLD MACHINERY WE LOVE CAN BE DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY FOR SPECTATORS THAT DON'T REALIZE WHERE THE DANGERS ARE. WE LIVE IN A LITIGOUS SOCIETY AND SOME PEOPLE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SUE FOR A HANGNAIL. IT IS A LOT CHEAPER TO HAVE A LAWYER KEEP YOU FROM FALLING IN TO A HOLE THAN TO HAVE HIM DIG YOU OUT. TALK TO A ATTORNEY TALK TO A ATTORNEY TALK TO A ATTORNEY I do have some experience in this area have served on the board of my local show that normally draws 10,000 to 14,000 for 6 years and am VP of another tractor club that puts on a small show. MOST IMPORTANT REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN!!! jt
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