Originally Posted by
rlduckhntr
I concure with all of your post dkb. I have fished in SICA tournaments years ago and finally decided I liked to crappie fish to get away from the the pressure of working and to get out and enjoy the great resource we are blessed with here in Southern Illinois rather than competition. In addition, I like to eat the tasty things. To each there own. I understand why people enjoy competitive fishing. However, competition brings out the best and worst in people. Vince Lombardi once said, " If people do not care about winning, then why do we keep score".
Now, with the suggestions:
1. Members of the board, who actually create and enforce the rules of the tournaments should not be allowed to fish in the tournaments. Especially, since there is potential for monetary gain. This could be considered a conflict of interest. Now, if everyone is fishing for is bragging rights, then it should not be a problem for everyone to fish.
2. Get your website current and advertise on that site. Create pdf files for your rules and entry forms and have subpages for anyone to print off copies. Post all the pictures on there you have in an organized fashion. In the future, take all the pictures you can of everything, especially the crowds at weigh-ins. You can use these pictures as aids for potential sponsorships. You will also have ammo to spice up your website all the time. Also, sell advetising on your website (Banners). If you can not get money, settle for prizes to be given away at the tournaments. Either way, you come away with something for space you have available anyway.
3. Treat everyone as if they are your last member. Part of managing any organization (a big part) is conflict resolution.
4. Have signs made with your 2011 schedule made. (Standard 8.5" by 11" should be big enough) The two things that should have the largest font size on the sign are the organizations name and website, website, website. Did I forget to mention WEBSITE. Then post these in every sporting goods store, bait shop, gas staion, and everyplace you can think of in Southern Illinois. Most sporting good stores have places to hang stuff like this in them. Be sure and get these up at least a month before your cutoff date for entries.
Give/mail ten to every past member you can think of and ask if they can post them for you.
You can go to Staples and have a couple thousand printed in black and white on clolored paper for less than a hundred dollars.
Before you post the signs, create a google adword account and track your clicks for your website (Free). You can learn a lot about where to focus your marketing efforts by this tool.
Lastly, I realize you guys took this organization over recently and my above suggestions should not be confused as criticism. I believe you can grow leaps and bounds if you run the club like a business. Remember, in business, a customer/member is your most valuable asset. I wish you guys the very best.