I looked at my calendar and had marked the 17th for a start date, only because it is a week before the full moon and I like to go in that time frame of the month.  So really, any date around that is fine with me and those of you with time constraints should decide the date.  If we each have our own permit we can collect or disperse as we please.
I would cheerfully do one, perhaps two longer portages, after that I would be whining  :P
I can drive to where ever the starting point is and meet the group.  I also like a laid back trip but mainly am out there to see new country as well.  With a kayak skirt on my boat I can paddle in almost any weather and wind conditions.
It would be easiest to plan to bring our own food for most meals, and maybe to have a few "pot luck" sort of dinners scattered in also.