What is the purpose of TDSA? Can someone point me in the direction of a mission statement? You would have to ask Wayne, I'm not sure if they have a written mission statement.
Our desire as a club is to get people interested and excited about Frisbees. Not to make money. Money is a very useful resource. Is TDSA having an issue with finances? Is that why we are trying to increase our membership? While I'm not an Admin, I can assure you the club is not having financial difficulties. However, in the near future the club will require a large infusion of captial in order to host a major event. The city will not be able to assist with this. The responsibilty of the courses has always been on the shoulders of the club. This doesn't come cheap. If the club doesn't make money, then you don't have events to play or new courses going in. These things don't happen with just peace, love and tye-dye.
So, we need more money because are courses need work and to run events? Very reasonable, in my opinion.
What does a larger membership mean for TDSA? More influence in the community? More leverage with the PDGA? The ability to attract sponsors for the various events we promote? Yes to all three. In addition the club will need a larger active membership to pull offf a major also.
So, we can agree that a larger membership is a good thing.
What makes a non-member a bad thing? I think that non-members who participate in minis are awesome! Everybody who plays in a mini is giving money to TDSA! We should be encouraging people to participate in minis. Not giving them a reason to not play! Being a non-mem is not a bad thing. We were all non-mems at one time, we were all newbie's at one time. Yes, everyone that playes is giving money but members are giving more and getting less than those of you that continually play minis but don't join.
How is it not giving a new member a reson not to play? Did is cost the new player more to play? No. It only affects those non-mems that play a lot of minis, who cash regularly without being a member.
Members give $20 more a year. They get more benefit than non-members; disc, tag, mini, the right to vote, etc....
As a club, we would be much better off talking to people individually and explaining why becoming a member is a good idea. Tell them how TDSA has installed and maintained courses throughout the years. Invite them to one of the great events that TDSA puts on. Explain to them that becoming a member not only supports TDSA, but allows them to become involved in the process! I agree and I can say I have see just about every TD in town use this approach on new players. It hasn't worked.
While it may be true that TD's do this, in the three years that I have been participating in minis, I have never had anybody (TD or not) personally encourage me to join the TDSA. (FYI, I am a current member of TDSA)
What is being proposed is equivalent to telling people that if they are not a member, we don't want them to participate! That's absolutely ridiculous!
Then why are you a proud member of the PDGA at 5 times the ost of a TDSA membership? They charge ALL non-mems to play their events an extra fee over the entry. We are only talking about charging a fee to those that cash. Adam, do you think you can go out to Meadow Brook every day and play without a membership? Can you go to All American to work out day after day without some type of membership? I'd have to answer no to both of those questions. So why is it wrong of the club to allow ALL players to enter at the same price, member or not but to charge a small fee against those non-members that continually cash at most club events but refuse to be a memebr, such as yourself.
It is wrong to charge non-members unequally. I think a one dollar non-member fee per mini is much more reasonable. If one non-member plays better than another non-member, he pays? Ridiculous.
I think the modified payout table is a horrible idea. I will not play any minis for the month of September.
I'm sure you do feel that way, since you are what we were trying to address.
Adam, would you not agree that your disc golf career, along with Paul's and josh's would not be where they are without the club's support? let me clarify that....had it not been for the club and all of the courses and events that they have made available to you to play, would you now the pro you are and a proud member of the PDGA?
Why is it that you feel you are entitled to full membership benefits without the price of a membership? Why is it you feel you are above or against a membership with the club that has helped you grow as a player but gladly pay your money to the PDGA?
Is TDSA a for-profit organization? TDSA is not a members only club. TDSA is a group of people who love Frisbees and seek to encourage the growth of Frisbee as a sport/hobby. One of the main reasons I go to TDSA events is to support the TDSA. We need more reasons for people to become members. Next year, we should do the bag tags for members only. We need more members only events. Discounts for members at large events.
You're calling me the problem that you are trying to fix. Look how it has made me react? Still think it's a good idea?
Plain and simple the club needs an endowment type of funding to insure that they can host the major that you and other players have asked for.
Had it not been for the club that you choose not to be a member of you would have :
MClure, Haikey, Hunter, Dovillio with Dirt pads, NO Hawks, No Lodge, NO Moose Run, No Centennial.........and thats about it.......get the point.
I have never asked TDSA to host any type of event. I am very grateful for all that TDSA, yourself included, has done.
Who do you think made that happen? Members.
What have you done for disc golf lately Adam? Or ever?
I'm questioning the merits of your idea, not you. I hold no illusions about my level of influence.
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