OK GB & Don Blizzard are going to kick my butt, but...

[JohnR]

... I forgot to mention that we need to have a discussion on handling the raffle for the Bloocrab piece of art & the Captain Chet - Nor-easter Charter/ Cutty shuttle trip that both of these have offered as a benefit to S-B. These two items were decided to go to the floor 2 weeks ago but yahoo here (me ) forgot to do it. Basically, we wanted these two big items to be available to all, not just as part of the S-B night out!

So I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on how to do this?

Thanks,

John

[gilligan]

im not sure what your plans are on how to use the proceeds but i know that the MSBA Charity Tournament Comittee is starting to gather sponsorship and prizes. what if you held a raffle and used the proceeds for sponsorship in the name of www.striped-bass.com. i know you sponsored last year but im not sure if you funded it or it was the website members. everyone who joins the raffle could feel like they had a part on sponsorship and the end result is helping unfortunate kids thru "The Make a Dream Come True Fund" a charity run by the Weymouth Elks.
just an idea.
oh ya heres some more info
Massachusetts Striped Bass Association

__________________________________________________ __________
410 Quincy Avenue, Route 53

Braintree, Massachusetts 02184

http://www.msba.net

Dear Friend of Massachusetts Striped Bass Association,

The Massachusetts Striped Bass Association would like to offer your
organization the unique opportunity of being involved in our Sixth Annual
Charity Striped Bass & Bluefish Tournament.


As you may or may not be aware of, The MSBA Annual Charity Tournament is
a weekend long fishing tournament held in Massachusetts State Waters. Last
years tournament, our fifth, grew by over 15%, even in a struggling economy.
Last years Tournament drew over 300 entrants.



For the third year in a row, all proceeds after operating costs will be
donated to a local charity for children. The 2002 tournament raised $2500.00 for the Shiner's Burns Hospital for Children. This year's tournament is being
held to raise money for the Make a Dream Come True Fund, a charity based out of
Weymouth, Massachusetts that grants wishes to terminally ill children.



Another reason this tournament is special is our prize structure. The
Grand Prize for combined weight of Striped Bass & Bluefish is $1000 guaranteed
by MSBA. We will also have prizes for the top 20 places in both the Striped
Bass & Bluefish categories. There are also special awards for juniors and a
giant raffle at the awards ceremony held on the Sunday evening that the
tournament ends.



The dates for this year's tournament are Friday, June 27th through
Sunday, June 29. The tournament is open to all Massachusetts waters and
Official Weigh Stations will be located throughout the State.



Obviously, MSBA cannot make this event happen without Sponsorship at
various levels. This is why we are contacting you with this letter. As a
result of input by many past participants we have worked out three levels of
Sponsorship so that all interested may have equal opportunity to be involved.

These Levels and the benefits to your Organization are listed below:

a.. Major Contributor can be obtained with a donation of cash or
product (retail value) in the amount of $2000 or more. Major Contributors get
their organization's name / logo in the largest stand out print on ALL
tournament advertisements, Weigh Station posters, Tournament Flyers, MSBA Web
Site, and the tournament T- Shirt given to each paid entrant.


b.. Major Sponsorship can be obtained with a donation of cash or
product (retail value) in the amount of $500 or more. Major Sponsors get their
organization's name / logo in large, stand out print on ALL tournament
advertisements, Weigh Station posters, Tournament Flyers, MSBA Web Site, and the
Tournament T-shirt that is being given to each paid entrant.


c.. Sponsorship can be obtained with a donation of cash or product
(retail value) in the amount of $300 - $499. Sponsors get their organizations
logo included in all tournament advertisements, Weigh Station posters,
Tournament Flyers, MSBA Web Site, and the Tournament T-shirt that is being given
to each paid entrant.


d.. Supporter of the tournament is a donation of cash only in the
amount of $100 - $300. Supporters will be listed by name only on Weigh Station
Posters, Tournament Flyers, and the MSBA Web Site.

If you wish to be involved in this year's tournament, we must have your
commitment in writing by March 1, 2003, as we have printing and design deadlines
to meet.

Though it would be easier for our volunteer committee if all product and
monies were received earlier, the deadline for receipt of ALL product and monies
is June 1, 2003. The address for shipping product and mail is:

MSBA Tournament Coordinator Mike Bousaleh
c/o Grove Street Sunoco
357 Grove Street
Braintree, MA 02184

Tournament Contacts

Tournament Coordinator
Mike Bousaleh
H: 1-781-848-8666
M: 1-617-909-2125
EMail: bigmikeb30@aol.com Tournament Vice Chair
Steve Bailey
H: 1-781-335-0415
M: 1-781-789-2471
EMail: bails745@attbi.com


On behalf of all the members of the Massachusetts Striped Bass
Association, we would like to thank you for considering supporting our Sixth
Annual Charity Striped Bass & Bluefish tournament.

[TheSpecialist]

John just my opinion, but I think that you should have one seperate raffle with first prize the trip, 2nd prize the artwork. Make the tickets 20.00 a piece. There are probably only a few people on this site that could afford to win that trip based on an auction scenario. This way everyone has a good chance.

[JohnR]

Gilligan, I've been INCREDIBLY busy in work & at home so I have not gotten back to your PM 2 days ago - which I'm not still 100% clear on but we'll get to that shortly.

Gilligan - I, chief cook & bottle washer of Striped-Bass.com, was a SPONSOR of the MSBA tourney last year. I will do so again this year once I know what resources we have here. Whether we are a major sponsor like last year or a mid level sponsor like the year before will depend on a lot of stuff not yet figured out. I've been a member and a supporter for MSBA for many years now - long before I started this website. I am also a fan of the people running it at all levels and for those that volunteer valuable time to make it all click. As part of our S-B night out function, you may recall that we have decided to pull some resources for stuff for the Striper Swipers, the MSBA youth club.

The picture by Bloo and the Charter by Nor-easter were donated here to help support this site, and they are both tremendoud donations indeed. But it's not my place to transfer someone elses donation that they were nice enough to do for here. Things are also tighter financially for me right now so I can't put in the thousands I've spent in the past on software licenses, server hosts, software, prizes, and the like. With the help of these donations and others I won't need to spend money from my bank accounts to make this all happen.

Everyone here has been FANTASTIC in their support of this site. To the point where I'll be able to hopefully add a few cool things for the members here and I'll only be doing the labor - which I like doing even though I'll never get paid for the hours I have in it.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that we can look at what S-B will do for the MSBA shortly but for right now, the event coming up and the items that people have gone out of their way to donate, and the legwork, time and effort they have spent, should continue to be directed to support this site. Everyone "owns" a piece of S-B in a sense, this is everyone's site - not just ME - and what I want to ensure is that the groundwork is laid out so all the members get "Their" site for this year and for years to come.

I hope you understand.

Thanks,

John

[nightfighter]

Well said.

I for one feel I cannot begin to repay John R, GB, Saltheart (to name but three) and the numerous others who have given of their time, resources, knowledge, money, and many other gifts to this site, its gatherings, and more personally, to me. This site has been the single greatest source of new found knowledge about striper fishing and new friendships. I have never felt a need to trump anyone here, but I do struggle with ideas to contribute and feel a sense of payback for all I have gotten from S-B.com.

Raffle em for those that can't attend, and have chances available at the gathering too. Maybe we could use a remote from the hall to announce winners! Simulcast pics for those who can't make it even... now I'm getting stupid.

JR, thanks for putting this site together. It's made a difference in this angler's life.

[gilligan]

i know you were a major sponsor last year and i stated that in my suggestion and i agree every cent should be put into this site. i was just making a suggestion in which i believe some people(not all) may agree with.you would not be transfering someone elses donation because the proceeds would go to put this site on the flyers/entry forms. you may or may not wish to sponsor the tourney but i just figured that this would take some financial burden from YOU and provide some advertising for the site.
you can be 100% clear what i pm'd you about was this type of fundraiser.
by the way you are not the only on INCREDiBLY busy!

[mikecc]

In my opinion you should do a Chinese raffle.

Place a bucket at the base of each raffle item people who purchase tickets can place as few or as many of their tickets in whichever bucket(s) they wish.
The larger more desirable items naturally will have more tickets.
When you start to raffle of the items hold up the item and pull ticket from the appropriate bucket. This way people only get Items, which they want, or bid on

[bloocrab]

..mike

I'm not sure thats a great idea. What if no-one puts any tickets in my basket? How would that make me feel? Like no-one was interested in my donation. I'd hate to see someone's basket empty . . .

[gilligan]

any comments on my idea?

[bloocrab]

Gilligan, I'm not GB or DonBlizard...but here are my thoughts...

...donation of cash or product (retail value) in the amount of $2000 or more..

...a donation of cash or product (retail value) in the amount of $500 or more..

...donation of cash or product (retail value) in the amount of $300 - $499..

Last years Tournament drew over 300 entrants.

..all proceeds after operating costs will be donated to a local charity for children. The 2002 tournament raised $2500.00 for the Shiner's Burns Hospital for Children

$2500 ???

..the numbers don't add up to me...what exactly are "operating costs"???...

[mrmacey]

as i consider myself a member here i watched this whole party unfold right from the begining the prizes donated were going to this party to be raffled off at the party, i feel that raffles, videos, time pepole donated is such a gift for this site,we are putting together our first, maybe annual winter get together, lets make this time, the best we can. i dont see the need for a controversy we can do something for msba when that time comes but right now its time for the s-b winter fling and all prizes for this should be open to everyone there! we allready did the rod for everbody on the site!! lets let donations be at the party for pepole at the party!! what good is it gonna do someone out in jersey for a charter up here if they want it come to the party!! and i want bloos pic!!!

im sorry i didnt know the decision was made to put it on the site!

[Clammer]

IMO this was started to get people together & help the site, & these guys have been busting their #$%^& to make this happen, I feel whatever is leftover go to the site as planned,
I beleive we probably all have favorite charties that we do something for, never mind the ones in the mail or Telemarketing that catch us one time or another
Let things stay the way they were planned///

Thats like someone working for or donating to {example]the Cancer fund & then monies to to the Red Cross

Just the way I feel ////////////////////////////

[Jenn]

Let things stay the way they were planned///

Maybe I'm misunderstanding (or maybe not...)

I personally dont think that monies donations prizes etc....that were kindly offered to help John out with running this site should go elsewhere!!!! dont get me wrong, I am not against good causes.....but people FROM here donated TOO HERE so they can continue to ENJOY HERE!!!

I know this may sound crass, but I cant believe this is even an issue!

[JohnR]

Gilligan - I'm going to lighten up a bit. I saw your reply after getting some marginally bad news.

Basically, alot of people busted their butts to pull this off and for the reasons they did, and the reasons I mentioned previously, it really needs to stay this way.

Based on what I see here now since you edited your post, I know S-B will not be a major contributor. That's practically the sites YEARLY budget. So if S-B was a major sponsor, they'd be nailing the doors shut or would be razzing each other over e-mails (yes - I've put thousands into this over time - some people collect pet rocks, I burn CPU time to meet some pretty cool people and people I will call friends for life). At what other level will we be? Not sure yet.

The MSBA is a fantastic club & we will do what we can with our limited resources here but I need to make the site click above all else.

Bloo - last year's tourney did donate all the proceeds, after the prizes and operating costs (mainly flyers & shirts to the participants), to charity. That $2000 level was not there in the past so hopefully a few more bucks will be raised this year. I was on the Charitee Tournament commitee (actually a volunteer) 2 years ago.

What if no-one puts any tickets in my basket? How would that make me feel? Like no-one was interested in my donation. I'd hate to see someone's basket empty

Your basket ain't going empty - I can guarantee that

Well, before the mild U-Turn here - the thread was designed for having people that cannot make the Night Out, still have a chance at what several of us consider the top prizes - the trip & the blooage. GB & Don suggested this, I thought it was a great idea too.

Specialist - good idea - $20 per chance I think is too high though. And personally, I want a chance to chance on both

[PNG]

Nice response John. You are to be commended for your restraint.
Keep the $ here.
Chris

[bud8fan]

I agree with MrMacy on this one!

Everyone has put forth effort whether it be food, prizes, help etc for this night out!
Donated raffle prizes should go to the people buying the tickets at the party.

The money taken in prior to(for tickets) and on the night of the fling should go to this site.



As far as how much the tickets for the two big prizes go?

I agree with John that $20 may be a little steep. What about $10 for one $25 for 3?



JMHO


Russ

[mrmacey]

5.00 a chance 3 for 10.00 something people can afford!!! mrs suggestion!!

[GBOUTDOORS]

Something stinks around here. Oh sorry Chris John its up to you but i do know that Don had started this all to go to the site and thats why I jumped on to help him so lets just leave it at that and we can do for the MSBA later. Buy the way can you do a live hook up at the get together??????

[JohnR]

I'm with Mr Macey on the prices for those two prizes. If someone wants more - go for it ... But this has been a tough year financially, tougher for most of us I think...

GB - ... As for the "Live Feed", uhh, don't think so. That service is too expensive (although just maybe, I'll test drive high speed wireless internet in a few weeks)...

[Scotch Bonnet]

I like the $10 range. $$ should go only to this site. Count me in on the raffle.

[BEETLE]

Hello All
Just needed to respond to a few things on this thread to keep it in control + perspective.
First off, I am the Vice /Chair of the MSBA 2003 Charity Tournament.
I got involved with this tournament last year on the same level as Gilligan, who is one of my 12 or so tournament volunteers this year.
Gilligan is showing a great deal of enthusiasm to make this a success, take it easy on him, he dosn't know the who's who yet, just as I did not year, it's a bitch doing "cold calling" looking for donations, I (we) are very fortunate to have these people pitching in this year, last year it was done 95% by FOUR people !

I have spent over 60 hours so far just doing PRELIMINARY work for this tournament over the last month, to insure that it be a huge success for the "Dream Come True Fund" a Charity based out of the Weymouth Elks, run by a fellow named "Disney Dan" Kertz, the Fund grants wishes to terminally ill children.

BLOO, As far as operating costs all monies have to be processed thru the club treasury, so its all on the level, if thats what your eluding to.

ALL the PRODUCTS that are donated are split into the prize categories of which there are 40. (last year 20th place Bass or Blue got a West Marine Bag with about $100. worth of stuff ) - what is remaining goes on the raffle table.

The only sources of CASH income for this tournament comes from - of course any Cash donations (relatively small amount)
the income from the Raffle Table and Registrants.
Out of that income comes the OPERATING EXPENSES :
$1000. GRAND PRIZE
TEE SHIRTS
PRINTING-introduction letters, Fliers,Posters, ect.
COPIES
ENVELOPES
POSTAGE
PHONE BILL
GRAPHICS PERSON to do the set up stuff for the printer and tee shirts
GAS - to drop off regisrations and tee shirts at shops
GAS - to pick up regisrations cash and leftover shirts, and drop off Weigh Slips.
GAS - after fishing your a$$ off all weekend to pick up those weigh slips and hurry back to the Awards Banquet.
HALL RENTAL
FOOD
WHEN ITS OVER - Make more copies thank you packs - large mailers or boxes, more postage.
STATIONARY GOODS ,
ECT, ECT, ECT,
Theres a lot a little things that i've seen already ( wallett full of slips from staples and post office !! ) add up quick.
PLEASE help me by contacting me by PM or my personal email -Bails745@attbi.com if you have ANY questions surrounding this tournament I will do my best to answer, or get an answer from another Club Officer. Then feel free to bring it to a open forum.
By the way we could use some leads on product donations - damn near anything you guys think might fit with this tourney.
We have 40 plus bags to fill again this Year, along with the raffle table. Also could use donaton of printing and Tee Shirts.

Steve "beetle" Bailey
Tournament Vice Chair / Volunteer
Need to know about me - talk to John R !!!!

[bloocrab]

Originally posted by BEETLE
..BLOO, As far as operating costs all monies have to be processed thru the club treasury, so its all on the level, if thats what your eluding to...

Beetle -

I wasn't "eluding" that your club/tournaments were off the level in any way....I was just curious about the remaining monies. I'm not a member, nor a sponsor. I apologize if my post seemed offensive in any way. I was merely curious as to how it works.

Gilly -

[MountainBreeze]

Originally posted by mikecc
In my opinion you should do a Chinese raffle.

Place a bucket at the base of each raffle item people who purchase tickets can place as few or as many of their tickets in whichever bucket(s) they wish.

...

I agree!

[gilligan]

im not very a very good salesman and i was just a bit surprised at your response. i dont want to cause any problems around here. the thread asked for suggestions and thats what i gave. the only editing i did to that post was adding the msba's letter to the end. im game for any kind of raffle and think mr.macy is on the right track as far cost of tickets is concened.
thanks steve (beetle) for the kind words.

[RickBomba]

I'm with mrmacey; I don't think we should go higherr than $10 a piece, you'll probably generate more money that way.
ps- John, I'm going to pay you at the door if that's ok.
Thanks,
Rick

[JohnR]

Gilligan - seriously, no harm no foul. And like I said, I had just recieved some negative news just before I saw that.

I guess what I'm really trying to say is that we should not confuse a fund raiser from the members of S-B for Striped-Bass to be diverted to that of the MSBA. We support the MSBA a lot here. Many of our members were MSBA people first and there are many MSBA members that went there from here. I also think that Striped-Bass.com may have influenced more people to join MSBA than any other non-MSBA event or entity. So the two work pretty closely when we can. But they are too entirely seperate entities.

Again - no harm no foul...

Thanks,

John

[Bliz]

Hello Everybody.

Please understand that as much as all of us do not have any problem helping out other associations, the purpose of this event was and is to garner support for SB.

This by no means lessens the signifigance of other groups that share the same passion, respect, and devotion that we all share for Striped Bass fishing.

Mr Macy & John have the right idea about the raffle for the top items to be offered.

We should offer the top items at a price that is premium, yet affordable for the purpose of raising funds to support this site.

I am so thankful to all that have selflessly given their time, talent and treasure so willingly to make this hapen.

As for charitable contributions for any other associations, please let us know in advance of planned tournaments and/or other events.

I am sure that I speak for most of us when I say that we will be happy to help or help out in any way that we can if possible.

As for the 15th, this event is solely for the support of SB and it's membership.

Thank you again, to the many individuals that have stepped forward over the past couple of months.

I am excited to see what lies ahead in the future of this site!

It is those like you who will insure that this sport will not only continue thrive, but grow over the course of time!


Don

[denis]

O.K. here is my 2ct.

From the begining I think the prizes that were donated are for the get together. To make a little cash for the site and try to have everyone who attends go home with something. So I think all prizes should go the night of the party to those that are there.

Now if they donated to make money for the site then you have a general raffle and sell tickets to all members,I mean look we havesay 80 attending the party break it down 40 members with wives or girlfiends, there are still 884 members that might show some interest.
One thing is for sure you cannot please everyone,so my vote goes
all prizes go the night of the party.

whow thats my longest post.

[mrmacey]

lets have an under/ over pool that night!! how many digital cameras will be there!! under or over 22!!!! winners that pick right number get the prize!!

[Saltheart]

I had typed up a quick response to this yesterday and then decided not to post it till I thought more about it. Now that the MSBA issue has been clarified and is better understood , I'm glad I waited.

The next issue is the raffles in general. I think it should be one big raffle with all tickets in a bucket and then drawn for a specific prize that is announced ahead of time. That is , we say , "Next ticket is for the Slipknot popper" and then draw a ticket. That way everyone is in the game for every prize and it keeps it exciting. We can mix up the order so there are higher and lower valued prizes mixed in as the night goes on. This also keeps it interesting and exciting.

I think a general auction like that keeps it in a better spirit than the Chinese raffle. You walk up to the table and buy $20 worth of tickets that by the luck of the draw may win you something big or small but you are in on everything. All you know when you buy the tickets is that $20 is going to the site and the rest is up to luck.
I understand the concept of the chinese raffle but feel it puts the ticket buying into a more pointed mode towards winning a particular prize if you can spend more money. One of the great things about a general raffle is that even if you can only donate a dollar (which is in the sprit of the event) you still could win a great prize if you are lucky.

I think the idea of a general raffle contributes to the success of the night as a big event. Maybe it doesn't maximize the take but thats not the only thing happening at this gathering. First of all the gathering is intended to promote the friendships we have here. Its a night out with your friends. Maybe we generate more cash with other scenarios but a general raffle where anyone could possibly win any given prize is more exciting and I think makes for a better gathering for all.

As far as the bigger ticket items go , I have mixed feelings. There is definitely a large dollar value to a charter trip (not slighting Bloo here but I know more about the value of a fishing trip than I do the value of a particular piece of artwork so I used that example). The question is , do we try to generate more cash by auctioning the trip or raffling it seperately or do we throw it into the big pool of prizes and figure it will mean more sales of raffle tickets in general but a lot more excitement for all?

I'm truly asking that as a question. Honestly , Smokey and I have been on Chet's boat and its a great trip! Smokey , David and I fully intended to bring several hundreds of bucks to try to buy that trip at auction which I understood it would be. I'm not trying to belittle the value of the trip. I'm just saying that if its going to be raffled instead of auctioned , we got to seriously consider whether it makes for a better Feb 15th event if its a seperate raffle or part of a big raffle unique to that night.

God this post has gotten lengthy (I'm on a roll! )
Last point is that there is a lot to be said about Clammers comment that we should stick with the plan. It was my understanding that this donation by Chet was to help make this a big night out. To change strategies at this late date to include more people or maximize profits or whatever , does IMO detract from the original plan and the bigness of this outstanding program put together for the 15th.

Of course all of the above is just my opinion right now. I reserve the right to deny everything said and change my mind at the drop of a hat!