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| SlowHuck, I was actually writing an article for one of the magazines on this very subject, but I did not get it done in time for this past indoor season.... | |
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After a first-of-April weekend with snow on the ground on Saturday and a cold, blustery wind both days, I'm of the mindset that the "indoor season" is year-round, especially for a certain contingent of our membership.
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| What kind of place? ---> Churches, Private Schools, Public Schools, Multi-Use facilities (hold everything from rodeos to flea markets) Colleges, Ice Skating rinks, Local Armory's, older airports (former military is a plus because of the size of their hangars). ETC. | |
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The only obvious options in your list are public schools. We are on the way outskirts of metro Richmond, VA and the other facilities you mention are few and far between... at least those with appropriate indoor spaces.
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| How to approach them? ---> I think you have to decide your intended purpose first? Is this a short term deal? Do you want to make a longer term, ongoing club thing? Do you want to host an event there eventually? | |
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All of the above, except short-term. I'm thinking that the public schools would offer a great opportunity for community and educational outreach, which would serve to create more interest in membership with the club. We are a 30+ year-old AMA sanctioned club whose membership is declining in activity, even though we have two outstanding outdoor sites, we need new blood. Although securing an indoor venue for active members is of primary interest, a MAJOR secondary agenda is exposing new potential members to the hobby.
Who, precisely, should I approach? School board chairman? City Councilman? School Principal?
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| After I've answered the questions above, I typically walk in in my business dress clothes and ask to speak to the facility administrator (It helps me a little bit that I have facilities under me at my work). I then explain what I am inquiring about and for what term. I also always have my AMA card handy and explain what the AMA can do (insurance certificates, etc). | |
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Check, check and double-check. Are you aware of any documented AMA initiatives to support such efforts? I'm embarrassed to say I have yet to explore that avenue.
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| I've been lucky. I've been told 'no' a few times and 'yes' a few times - and I have not yet had to pay for a facility I arranged for myself.... I also have a handful of friends that are much better at this stuff than I am......
Some other things I've experienced-- Private schools and churches are more likely to say yes than a public school. Some of those listed above make money renting to people like ourselves, and some are just happy to allow someone to use the facility when others are not. You are typically fighting for floor time against little-league basketball and volleyball at the schools and churches. It helps greatly to get on their schedule early whatever the facility is that you are talking to....... | |
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All great advice. I thank you for the reply. I need more! Feed me with your ideas!!! On a certain level, I feel that the long term survival of our club and the future growth of the hobby is dependent on what I can accomplish in the near-term.