And now, A Word from our Leader
—Ranger Director Big Bear

Big Bear sezz...
I became the Ranger Director way back in time (Burning Man time, anyway), in 1998 after working the event and being mentored by Danger Ranger in 1997. Burning Man 2000 thus marks the third year I find myself involved in the process of organizing the Rangers for the quite miraculous and unique thing we call Burning Man, and that most special place on the planet— Black Rock City. Several things strike me as I reflect on this— First and foremost, I am dumbfounded at my luck. For, at my side, I have that amazing collection of colleagues— "the khaki corps". What an amazing, eclectic collection of expressive, talented, and committed people!

I'm also amazed at how we've grown in size. It appears that Burning Man 2000 could be three times the size (in population, number of theme camps, pieces of art, etc.) as the 1997 event. More amazing is how the Burning Man organization in general, and the Black Rock Rangers in particular, have grown in quality of execution. I follow the continuing development of the Black Rock Rangers (BRR), from the inspired founding days of Danger Ranger, to our current adoption and excellent execution of what has become a City Management Model for the Rangers and Black Rock City. The BRR has become the entity which serves to protect, inform, support, and guarantee and enhance the quality of experience of the citizens of Black Rock City. And, this year, to add to the fun, our responsibilities now include the areas of Gate and Perimeter.

I reflect on what we have accomplished within the ranks of the Black Rock Rangers. I've seen "the Art of Rangering" go from a phrase coined to express a need— to becoming a powerful life force which touches people's hearts and changes their lives. I've seen "dots" go from a discussion on color selection— to a highly respected group of focused professionals collectively functioning as an essential participant safety factor in Black Rock City. I've seen Ranger expertise and decision making, as viewed by the external agencies and public entities we work with, going from scoffing disbelief— to respectful mutual problem solving and joint processes of thoughtful deliberation. I've seen our communication system go from a challenge of seeing how many radios it's possible to carry at one time— to a highly efficient system functioning as the irreplaceable communication artery for the entire Black Rock City infrastructure and Burning Man organization.

Over the last few years, we have set standards for minimal vehicular/citizen interaction, and accomplished it; we have created the Department of Mutant Vehicles. We have enhanced participant safety by creating the Burn Activities Team. We have evolved Ranger shift work into an organized process of event wide Ranger Operations, the scheduling and execution of which serves to manage many of the vital processes of Black Rock City.

Now here comes the year 2000, another exciting year of challenge and opportunity for the Rangers. By the way, 1999 was another very good year for us. We had over 24,000 people in our city for seven days, and we were able to get all of them home safe and sound. We are looking forward to Burning Man 2000 being just as successful. As you join into the swelling ranks of "the khaki clan", you will be filtered through a process of Ranger training (ROMs) and our own special version of Ranger Mentoring. The purpose of all of these activities is to prepare you for the best experience possible for you on the playa. It's on the playa where it really all comes together. I know that all of you who join us this year will have an experience that will be unprecedented in your life, and something you will cherish and never forget.

Remember, as we go forward, to focus on "the Art of Rangering", and to acquire "the khaki dot". By so doing, you will have shown that you have earned the right and the privilege to be called a Black Rock Ranger, and you will know that through your informed intelligence, your heart-felt feelings, and your effective actions, that you have always been part of the solution, and have never been part of the problem.

See you on the playa, my friends.