Hello Fellow Darters,

Missy and I would like to thank everyone that has provided feedback over the last several weeks since we have taken over the duties of managing the CDC dart leagues. I would like to list some of the more common feedback that we have received, as well as our thoughts on each:

Issue 1: Lower fees-Higher payouts.

We will continue to strive to provide competitive league fees and payouts for our members. With the recent office restructure, the Club has put itself in a position to be a much more cost-efficient, which will ultimately lead to more attractive fees and payouts. President Tom Janis and the rest of the Board has worked hard over the last several months to make the tough decisions that were necessary, although as we are all finding out, change does not come without some pain. But I am confident that these changes will allow this Club to strengthen its financial position so that it will be able to improve all aspects of the Club, including making our leagues less costly, and with higher payouts.

Of course another important factor that affects our ability to offer lower fees and higher payouts is the number of members playing in our leagues. The more participants we have playing in our leagues, the more attractive we can make the payouts and/or lower fees. The CDC is currently initiating a promotional campaign to help increase our numbers, and more specifically, to reach out to former members to invite them back to our Club.

In addition, we will focus on doing more fundraiser-type events. This will bring in additional money that will be used to offset league fees and/or increase league payouts. Similarly, we will be looking to add fundraising activities for other aspects of our club (trails, ADO, All-Star team, etc.) so that those functions will become self-sufficient. We look forward to organizing fundraisers that will not only help raise money for the Club, but to offer our members an enjoyable social activity that will not only attract our current darters, but non-darters as well, including family members and friends.


Issue 2: Volunteers and Proactive members.

One of the results of the Office restructure, has been a significant reduction in the amount of money that will be paid to employees/sub-contractors/paid consultants. As mentioned above, this is a great move that will help improve the Club’s financial situation. However, with this change also comes the need for increased involvement by our members in a volunteer capacity. This Club offers plenty of opportunities for those members who would like to become involved in almost any aspect of the Club, including assisting with financial and accounting matters, assistance with league scheduling, etc. If anyone has a certain skill that they would like to offer the Club, their assistance would certainly be welcome. We especially need individuals with good business sense and strong sales and marketing skills.

In addition, we need our members to help promote our sport and club in anyway they can. Ask family and friends to try out the sport. When you are at the bars, and you see someone throwing darts, approach them and start up a conversation. See if they are interested in being in a league.

Issue 3: League Scheduling and Format for Next Half.


We have received quite a bit of feedback regarding the league scheduling and formats. We have listened and positive changes are on their way. A formal mailing will be sent to our members within the next month or so. This mailing will explain in more detail the new and improved format and fee structure, as well as other positive changes that the Club has undertaken to help improve the darting experience for all of our members.

Particular attention will be paid to scheduling. We will do everything in our power to ensure our teams are matched up with geographic and competitive considerations in mind. Of course the more teams we have, the easier it will be.

Issue 4: Recruiting New Members.

The decline of darters in general is problem affecting not just Cleveland but entire country. But the Cleveland Darter Club is committed to doing its part to help recruit new members to our sport. The Club is committed to continue its efforts to introduce our great sport to the youth of our community. Rose Scott has been very proactive in offering youth tournaments and even organized a dart clinic at one of our local YMCA’s this past summer. In addition, we need to look at other avenues for recruiting new members. One idea I have is to introduce the game at our local colleges and universities, and maybe even our local high schools. We need to get the word out on what a great sport darts is.

Please leave any comments or suggestions you may have regarding this post. I think the main thing to remember is that the Club is moving forward and continues to look to its members to help make this Club the best of its kind in the country. Also, if you are interested in volunteering in future fundraisers, or if you have a certain skill you would like to offer, please let us know.

Issue 5: Teams

Beginning darters have mentioned there are some teams claiming to be beginners that have too many "gold" darters on their team. With the current scheduling, I will be moving these teams up into better more competitive divisions. An idea has been offered about allowing 1 "gold" player, to be called a "mentor" on lower skill level teams to help instruct how to improve their game and make darts more enjoyable for all. I really need feedback on this before I implement it so I am sure it's something the membership likes and is comfortable with. I can not tell you how many negative responses I get on a weekly basis about excellent darters in lower divisions. That is one reason I am seriously considering staying away from the "gold, silver and bronze" designations. Rest assured that if you are a good team you will move up and if your an average team you will move into more competitive divisions. This also requires members help when filling out and submitting team registration forms. Be honest and tell me if you have a "mentor" on your team, and accurately a**es your skill level. Together we can all make our leagues more enjoyable for everyone.

Thank you for your time and patience in reading this and bearing with the club in this time of great change and opportunity. We will continue to make changes to improve the club in every aspect. Together we can build this club into something we can all be proud of.
Good Luck and please help if you can!



Jon & Missy London

Jon & Missy

Nice post and very informative. Keep up the good work biggrin .

One idea I have off the top of my head is, if a "mentor" is allowed on a "Bronze" team, when the nights games are being scheduled by the captains I believe "mentors" should be matched up against each other where ever possible.

Another thought/question, I don't personally like looking at the other teams line up or other team looking at my line up, but I believe the above idea is an exception to the rule.

Are we going to go back to the rule of not looking at each others line up?

Are there any incentives for a new team to try CDC?

One thing I forgot to mention in the original post was that mentors" would only be allowed to play in three games a night as not to influence the division too much. Although I do like the idea of trying to match "mentor" vs. "mentor" so players can watch a competitive and skilled match, (they hope) and see how strategies play out. I think we will try to go back to the old ways of filling out score sheets where the home team fills it out then folds it and then the visitors fill it out without referring to the home teams line-up. It brings a little gamesmanship and strategy into
the match. Captains could then tell each other which game to put the "mentor" in.
Good thoughts big "D"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Keep-em coming
Jon
biggrin

Another suggestion is to have a link on the CDC home page to this forum. I believe more people will see it and possibly contribute to discussions.

Sorry that I'm resurecting an old thread. I had given up on the forum, but was encouraged to give it another try, so here I am.

Would it be more appropriate to have a "Silver thrower be a mentor on a "Bronze" team? I've seen how "Gold" throw, and any "Bronze thrower might aswell skip there throw and have another beer.

I've always found figuring out how things work half the fun. The day I started throwing darts, I started reading books about how to throw darts.

Just my two cents.