Suggestions to improve racer starts/membership – Discussion Outline

Category 1: Outreach (coordination and recruitment)  - Coordination

Issue:  There are many racers out there, including league, club, Southern California Masters, and other regions (especially Intermountain and PNW) that may wish to race in one or more FWM races.

Background:  FWM may occasionally schedule some of our most attractive races on dates which conflict with major club, league, or other regions, especially Intermountain and PNW.  When other regions know about races (e.g. Heavenly Viva Italia), and these races do not conflict with their races, we have increased start numbers due to out of region racers attending.

Benefits:  Scheduling our races to not conflict may result in increased racer starts, especially if coupled with an invitation to race with us.  FWM race scheduler is already aware of this in many instances, but may need additional information re: So. Cal Masters, college, league and club races from others.

Barriers:  FWM races are “the low man on the totem pole”, as junior races take priority, and ours usually aren’t scheduled until all other USSA races are bid and scheduled.  Individuals knowledgeable about other races (league, club, college, out of region) must make an effort to let our race scheduler know very early (summer/fall?). This coordination has the potential to increase the work of the already-busy race scheduler

Possible solutions: 

1.  Have one or more volunteers to assist contacting groups/regions, coordinate with race scheduler.                                                                                           (WHO?)

2.  Have this as a standing agenda item for National meetings          (FWM President?) 

3.  Increase coordination with So Cal Masters (Snow Summit)         (George Crezee?)

4. Send invitations to other regions                                                     (WHO?)

5. Get information from other regions as to what they do to increase starts. (WHO?)

6. Bring a friend to a race; personally invite racers you know.           (all FWM racers)

Discussion/Recommendation:  Insititute now?  More information needed?  Who?

Which of these can be instituted easily?

What other information is needed? 

Who to take lead getting information or making contacts, if lead person is needed?