Participation Part 2

[gregn]

OK, I haven't been on here much, but I'll start it. Is this all it really took? A $15 incentive brings 30+ bowlers back to the table, and just like that we are back at 90 bowlers. I really thought the issue was a little more complicated than that. I would love to hear from all those recruits what did it:
Was it the $15 dollar break, was just the fact that someone asked you to bowl, or something else. It's kind of nice to see something positive, so please lets hear what it is so Jason and the board can run with it!

Greg

[castaway]

I cant speak for the recruitees, but i believe that the asking and proding seems to work. I remember when i first started bowling the word about All Stars was all positive. Charter members like R.C. asked and influenced us young hacks to get involved,offering to drive,teaching us the game and alot of positive influence. I think that most of us young hacks didnt return that investment into recruiting and doing those same things to the next wave of players. The torch only gets passed if you give it to someone. My two cents

Wynn

[cookiemonster]

The $15 is only part of it. It is actually $40 for the people out of the money, but I do beleive it was the ASKING. My recruit Jary Kapus (who has bowled before) was on the fence already considering it when asked he said "sure". Others in that same league wanted to know about the $25 fee, so for them money is at least part of the decision. Don't dismiss the attraction of Roxy as a place where people have good experiences with BIG tourney's (ie the Master's) and now we have bowling specials, drink specials, etc. This is a center that is attractive to the "serious" bowler. Combine all those things in a blender and you have a "Perfect Storm" scenerio for A weekend. Some combination of these things should be attempted again to see if the results are similiar...Cookie

[mccleary]

I think the postive response to the recruiter promotion is likely a combination of factors. I think a lower entry fee has a bigger impact for some bowlers ($60 instead of the $85 for a non-member entry), while being personally asked to bowl by someone you know has a much greater impact with others. Additionally, in my opinion we will always have better turnouts in GP, Medford, & Roseburg because of their more central location to the highest concentration of scratch bowlers, especially when gas is $3.21 a gallon.

I spoke with Kevin Coucher on Tuesday night, and we have agreed to run the same recruiter special for next month's tournament (Jan. 27th) at Caveman. I hope this promotion will continue to boost entries and I believe there are some bowlers who might not have been able to bowl this month (especially during the Holidays) that may give it a chance next month. At the very least, this promotion has given us a chance to see what are some of the most important factors when we look at what impacts entries.

Jason

[voiceofthevolcano]

Is it just me, or does anyone else feel the organization moving forward?
Steve Mead, the first adult beverage is on me, just for old times sake!

[exprez]

Thanks Randy. You're on. I have no words to explain how geeked up I am to bowl with all of you again. As wonderful as the All Stars has always been, it has never had a time when it wasn't confronted with its share of challenges. Just my opinion but, scratch bowlers are, as a group, the biggest whiners this side of poker players. I myself have been as guilty of this as anybody. Possibly, opening up an internet message board for everybody to air the dirty laundry on hasn't been the most productive step in the world. Possibly, other factors have intervened. The bottom line is, this is one of the truly great bowling clubs in the country and it should always be respected for that in spite of anybodies perceived feelings of imperfection. Props to Jason McCleary for hanging in there through a tough start as the prez. He might have experienced the shortest "honeymoon" in history but he stuck to the task at hand and clearly seems to have things pointed back in a positive direction.
I know that I personally have missed bowling these events in a big way. Tomorrow is going to be a very big day for me regardless of how the bowling goes. Thanks for keeping it alive guys!