Post by hhutch on Jan 11, 2011 22:32:03 GMT -8
As some of you know, I was at one time the Oregon director for the USTSF. I've been laying low since our Regional Tourney of last Spring, however, and would really like to have someone else step into the role. There have been a couple of "possibles", but nobody has actually said they'd do it. So...if there is someone out there with a thick hide and a knack for organizing, please contact Mike Donaldson (USTSF Regional Director, and Washington Co-Director).
Having said that, after attending a meeting of Oregon Swimming last week, I think we need to start again in earnest to get some organization into our group. Oregon Swimming is a part of USA Swimming. They have a tight organzation, with a crisply run meetings, and a no-nonsense approach to accomplishing their goals. I suggest our foos community follow their example.
One thing that needs to be done is to hold players accountable for their need to compete. While it should be obvious to all, some players don't understand that there is no easy or inexpensive way to run a quality event. It takes organization, determination, and money. But pure sponsorship is quite unlikely until the player base grows to the point that a business entity takes notice. Until that time, we need to be open to new ways of raising cash.
A way to raise the needed capital would be to offer membership in the USTSF in exchange for some sort of yearly dues. The collected dues could be used for promotion of events throughout the year. All players would be required to be a registered member before they could enter the tourney. This is exactly the model USA Swimming uses, and they have thousands of members.
The USTSF has the basic structure already, but it hasn't to this point been able to muster much support for charging a fee. It's time. Unless the foos community can pool its resources, we're going to stay pretty much as we are now: small local and regional events, with only occasional national level tourneys that are generally poorly attended. But once the registration idea takes hold, the pool of collected cash can be used to augment the payouts and awards. This in turn will act as a magnet to attract the larger crowds, further increasing the payouts. Once the machine gets set in motion, it will sustain itself. And once the player base begins to expand, sponsorship and endorsements will follow.
Whoever takes over the reigns should seek to implement such a system. And I think the USA Swimming Bylaws handbook would be a good place to look for ideas.
Comments?
hhutch
Having said that, after attending a meeting of Oregon Swimming last week, I think we need to start again in earnest to get some organization into our group. Oregon Swimming is a part of USA Swimming. They have a tight organzation, with a crisply run meetings, and a no-nonsense approach to accomplishing their goals. I suggest our foos community follow their example.
One thing that needs to be done is to hold players accountable for their need to compete. While it should be obvious to all, some players don't understand that there is no easy or inexpensive way to run a quality event. It takes organization, determination, and money. But pure sponsorship is quite unlikely until the player base grows to the point that a business entity takes notice. Until that time, we need to be open to new ways of raising cash.
A way to raise the needed capital would be to offer membership in the USTSF in exchange for some sort of yearly dues. The collected dues could be used for promotion of events throughout the year. All players would be required to be a registered member before they could enter the tourney. This is exactly the model USA Swimming uses, and they have thousands of members.
The USTSF has the basic structure already, but it hasn't to this point been able to muster much support for charging a fee. It's time. Unless the foos community can pool its resources, we're going to stay pretty much as we are now: small local and regional events, with only occasional national level tourneys that are generally poorly attended. But once the registration idea takes hold, the pool of collected cash can be used to augment the payouts and awards. This in turn will act as a magnet to attract the larger crowds, further increasing the payouts. Once the machine gets set in motion, it will sustain itself. And once the player base begins to expand, sponsorship and endorsements will follow.
Whoever takes over the reigns should seek to implement such a system. And I think the USA Swimming Bylaws handbook would be a good place to look for ideas.
Comments?
hhutch
