Transcript Dakota Curling Club

USCA Summer Conference
Publicity and Fundraising
Paul Ellarby
•
•
•
•
•
•
President of Dakota Curling Club
Started curling in 1983, Rochester NY
Moved to Colorado in 1990
Moved to MN in 1999
Member of Owatonna CC
Formed Dakota CC in February 2006
Darcy Ellarby
•
•
•
•
•
•
Treasurer of Dakota Curling Club
Started curling in 2003
Saw curling during 2002 Olympics
Went to Owatonna CC to watch / join
Curled in Inverness in March 2006
Formed Dakota CC in February 2006
Dakota Curling Club
• Underlying principles
– It is a member-driven organization
– We do it ourselves
– We borrow where possible
– We ask for donations if not
– We buy only what is necessary
DCC Timeline
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Grand opening 4 Nov
Curl
Buy and
sheet
markings.
Paul’s
Reality
plan
– –Directors
–6-10
Open
ice
Nov
Famous
last
words….
Electinstall
Board
of
Negotiate
anovice
contract
Curl
with
League
play
starts
13 Nov
MoveOpen
into
and
prepare
our
Run
4Mon
new
curler
classes
–2
over
Open
novice
Burnsville
Ice
Center
for
–
women
6:30
/
men
8:30
Voted
in
as
member
of
MCA
NEW
WINTER
HOME!
REST
“I know – Open
let’s start
our
own
“regular”
120
people
Tues
- open ice
leagues
curling club!”
Open
“regular”
Wed
–for
Open
novice
Start looking
winter
home
Mixed
Add
another
league!
Thur
–
Open
standard
Beg for equipment
Mixed
Fri – Mixed 6:30
/ singles 8:30
Dec
Publicity
•
•
•
•
•
•
Web Site
Tell everybody!
Local publications
City-wide newspapers
Specialist magazines
Radio / Television
• Do it again!
Web Site
• Critical to publicity, credibility
– First place media go to look at your
credentials
– Excellent place for “anyone” to find you
– Training classes filled in 24 hours, without
publicity
Tell Everybody!
• And I do mean everybody
– Family
– Friends
– Business Acquaintances
– The Mayor’s office
– City Council
– Chamber of Commerce
– Flyers / posters at the Arena
• If you are not excited, nobody else will be!
Local Publications
•
•
•
•
Burnsville This Week
MN Sun-Current
Pennysaver
Burnsville Magazine
City-Wide Newspapers
• If possible, create some competition
• St Paul Pioneer Press
– Did first “big” story
– Asked if the Star Tribune had interviewed is
• Star Tribune
– “South of the River” edition
– Asked if we had been in any other publication
Specialist Magazines
• Business Journal
– Decided not to publish when they learned this
is not a money-making venture!
• Burnsville Magazine
– New magazine, looking for local color
– To publish in September
Radio / Television
• Cities 97 drive-time
– Called one morning, after Pioneer Press
article
• KTTC-TV Rochester
– At Owatonna CC, learned about Dakota CC
What do they want?
• Personal interest
– “my” story
• Talk about Paul’s curling experience
• How Darcy was introduced to curling
• How many other people have joined the club
– Others in the club
• A single family who curl as a team
• Very young / very old curlers
• People who curled years ago, and have just
started again
What do YOU want?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Get out the word about the club
Location
Date / time
That it is easy, fun, open to all
Availability of classes, league play
Web site address
Make it easy for people to find you!
Funding
“How I can get everything for nothing!”
Equipment
• Borrow everything!
– USCA - hacks
– Owatonna CC – rocks, Ice King, brooms,
sliders, pebbling can
– Cambridge CC – rocks, measuring stick
• Make everything else you can
– Rock rack, broom rack, scoreboards, etc.
• Buy as little as possible
– Brooms, sliders, pebbling can, lumber, signs
Sponsorships
• Sold advertising on each sheet
– $250 per sheet x 5 sponsors
• Sponsorship from a local bar
– Benchwarmer Bob’s
Discounts
• Negotiated discount for curling supplies
– Dakota Curling Supplies
• Bought sliders, brooms
– Becker Arena Products
• Bought house markings
– Home Depot
• Lumber
Clothing
• Pins
– Dakota Curling Club pins
• Clothing
– Hats, shirts
• Take orders
– Get the money up-front
– Place firm orders for already-paid for items