As I have stated before one of my biggest plans to help draw back members is to have Singles, Doubles, and Team Tournaments after each session. Only darters that throw on a team in the preceding session will be allowed to compete in each tournament. The tournaments will also be broken down into skill level categories.
Bronze plays Bronze**
Silver plays Silver**
and Gold plays Gold**

(**= if less than 8 people from the skill level attend the event, that division will be combined with the level above it and the money will be divided appropriately; Bronze will never compete against the Gold Division)

My plan is to hold open fundraisers during each session to also fund the prize payout. Combine that with bar add-ins and entry fees and there should be a nice pot to play for each session. I would also like the CDC BOD to add into the budget
purchasing some sort of food for each Tournament. For example, Each session I would pick a different food that the CDC to provide free of charge at the Tournaments. Pizza, Wings or Chicken, Sandwiches, Veggie and Cheese tray's,
and pretzels and chips with dip are just a few examples of food that could be provided. Then we could ask all participants that are coming to the event to bring a desert item. It would be an un-official party with a Dart Tournament and I am sure that we would all have a great time.

As is done now, Team Tournament will held following the Winter Session, Singles will follow Summer Session, and Doubles will follow the Fall Session. NOTE: The doubles tournament will be a bring your own partner and not a blind draw.

My every hope is to return this Club to past glory that it has enjoyed since it's inception in 1969. Lets work together to make sure that the great sport of darts remains around for future generations to enjoy. If you have any thoughts on how to bring members back or recruit new members, please, by all means leave your ideas here.

Always looking to improve the Darters Dart Club, The CDC,
Jon

hangin: cool: biggrin: B) bliss: bam: bike:

Jon, It was mentioned to me once by a member of Tommy's Flights dart team that when the CDC was being created that they would carry a dartboard into a bar to promote darts to the bar and to prospect darters.

As you know, Rob and myself now have 2 dartboard easels which it is our intent to use for the very purpose stated above but with the twist of bringing along the darters also. We feel this will help promote the sport and its potential to the bars, their owners and their patrons, maybe this could be applied by someone else. Or maybe even have traveling trails where boards are taken to establishments without teams or boards?

Not bad thinking at all, I think Tournaments would be the way to go. You could plan an event every month or so and pass out flyers and advertise on the web site and forum. Trails would be tricky as it would be hard to promote 1 every week and have to know where you have to go that week. Jeff might be willing to add trails points into the equation, however i was just told by a bar owner the other day that trails is in serious trouble, so to speak. These days people look at the fact, "What will I get back tonight?" Not "What will I earn and "bank" for my trip later down the road". the bar owner told me that people look at it as people put in 5+ dollars a night and only the top 2 or 4 get paid back, and then it is only like a 45%-60% return and that is if the bar puts in serious money. I would think that $10 entry fees along with a $5- 10 bar add in would bring more people out as long as it is 100% payback. It has always been my contention that once or twice a year we should do a "Super Trails" to help kick start the program. In that scenario people would get double or triple points for the evening and the Club and the Bar should add in money. Just look at the facts. There is typically more money in soft tip darts and the current trend has been to go from steel to plastic. The "Other Club" always promotes more $Cash$ prizes, which is a Complete fabrication, and they have been on a steady climb. It is my humble opinion that the CDC BOD needs to start pumping some money into the club. Correct me if i am wrong but is not the basic general rule of business:
" TO MAKE MONEY YOU GOT TO SPEND MONEY!!" ????
If that is the case, put the money up now and it will return later. offtopic:

Anyway you might talk to Jeff Inman, who I am sure will eventually respond to these posts, and maybe you two could co-ordinate something.

Best of luck and keep me posted!!!!
Jon
CDC Member 90-0278


bliss: bliss: cool: cool: woohoo: cya:

And where do you suggest we get these MONEYS from Jon?

Do you honestly think that we haven't been trying to gain more income? You need to get your head out of the clouds.

Jon Molnar - Details! Details! Quit bothering Mr. London with details!

dclotz wrote:

Dennis,
Great idea! I think the initiative you and Rob are taking is fantastic. Your efforts are appreciated.

Everyone else,
Don't forget to go to the St. Patty's Day Massacre at Danny's Tavern THIS SATURDAY, March 15. Registration closes at 6:45 pm.

Details

Payouts for our trails are generally very good. Spotted Dog on Wednesday nights puts up $175 when we have 12+ participants. And just for point of reference, yesterday afternoon we had 10 participants at our Sunday afternoon trails at Fraternal Order Orioles (our 3rd straight week with 10 or more participants!) and the payout for singles was $23 for first, $12 for second, and $2 each for 3rd/4th. For doubles we paid $22 for first, and $15 for second. In total we collected $70 in entry fees and paid out $86. (hardly the 45-60% you indicated, Jon).

Plus we awarded a total of 100 trails points for the day. (BTW, we have sent 17 different people on trails trips within the past 12 months).

It's also important to note that currently, 100% of all money received through trails gets either paid out during the tournament, or is used to pay for trips. It costs the CDC nothing.

I think there are some things that can be done (and there are plans in the works) that can help improve our Trails program, but to say "trails is in serious trouble" is ridiculous and completely without basis.