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Deer Park, WI

Club Leaders and Site Coordinators-

A couple months ago, I put out a call to encourage club leaders and site coordinators to come together as a group so that we may formalize a means to share ideas, resources, manpower, etc.

While there were many differing opinions shared on the "code of ethics" thread, one theme emerged that was agreed upon by most who offered comments: the need for clubs to pursue alternative, diverse sources of revenue to fund their activities.

Hence, one of the primary drivers of formalizing a leadership network is in the interest of pursuing the above stated goal, as well as allowing those of us who volunteer our time to share openly with the myriad ideas and processes that have allowed others to flourish.

I, along with a handful of others, believe that a crucial step in formalizing a network entails having a meeting place for like-minded individuals to share thoughts and ideas. Thankfully, Ken at BP.com has generously given us the green light to establish a club leadership forum, exclusive to those in leadership positions.

While we are in the building stages of this network, I will again ask those of you in leadership positions who'd like to partake in this network to submit your email address to me ([email protected]) so that you can share in the communication that is taking place while construct this network.

Happy Holidays

12/17/2011 11:24:55 AM

On top of Brush Mountain, Pa.

Joze, I think this is a great idea. I can tell you that many of the clubs face problems that are very similar. Fund raising is only one of the things we have been having to deal with in Pennsylvania. We are a wide state and geographically it is difficult for us to even have a meeting where we can communicate with one another. Also, there are a lot of people who love to grow pumpkins and other vegetables and attend weighoffs but are not as interested or able to participate in club work or running, as an example, a weighoff, a fundraiser or a patch tour. Someone has to do these things or they don't get done. For whatever reason it turns out to be a few doing the work of the many for a multitude of reasons, many legitimate. Since a few do the work of the many, the many can always complain about one thing or another but if someone did not take the reins, nothing would get done. It would be nice to get more active participation and to communicate more and have more input but this is difficult to manage for every club. If we all lived in the same town or saw everyone each day and had nothing else to do but pumpkin business, it would no doubt be easier. If our club lost a few of the active members, we might not have a club. We talk about the future a lot but don't know how to deal with it. Maybe a forum as you are bringing up would help us all and maybe we could even coordinate some of what we do. There is no reason for each of us to have to invent the same wheel. The problems we face are no different than those faced by the volunteer fire department,the horseback riding club, the library etc. Not-for-profit organizations working with volunteers and having to raise funds all have the same things on their plate. Go for it. Marv

12/17/2011 11:51:59 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Thank you Joze. We aren't a "normal" club and probably never will be, but the heart is in it anyway. And yes, this year is a grand year of continuing to blaze new trails; now in alternative fundraising. Hope this gets off the ground.

12/17/2011 8:21:44 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Well said Mud.

12/17/2011 10:59:45 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

Why not just communicate openly in this forum? Then anyone with a good or bad idea can participate.The more brains collaborating the better the solutions. Scott

12/18/2011 4:53:48 PM

Western NY

we all would like to be in on it but it would get bogged down like our government, plus I will say amelio.

12/18/2011 5:18:26 PM

Little-TON - Colorado

Thanks JoZe,

The momentum behind this is for collaborative efforts to benefit the clubs who then of course benefit their club members.
We have nothing to hide from the average grower and I am sure clubs would welcome any additional help from any club member or new members assisting this effort.

The motivation behind this is for senior club leadership to team together to share resources and ideas for the improvement of all clubs, and thus their members.

Like Marv said, each individual club doesnt have to reinvent the wheel, we are stronger as a whole than a group of individuals.

We envision sharing information to help clubs collaborate better between themselves for the benefit of all club members, the trickle down theory.

For those who will be attending the Vegas GPC convention we want to bring this up in that forum as well to gauge the interest and will put aside some Sunday time for questions and answers as we try to get this moving.

For instance. Some clubs have newsletters, The RMGVG may get sponsor monies for their club by advertising for say Product X from company X. Company X may also provide that same sponsorship offer for say the new South Dakota club starting up, that also has a newsletter and is part of this collabortive network. This would be a better way to represent ourselves to company X instead of 25 individual requests. One stop shopping per say. This may also increase the number of clubs with newsletters that would benefit those club members.

This is just one of many ideas that could help clubs profit by coming together than going at it individually.

We are asking that senior club reps email their contact names to JoZe or myself even so we can come up with a directory for additional plans and a conduit for this momentum.

Sound like a good idea? Let's Roll with it then..... We expect this to grow like our pumpkins do.

12/19/2011 2:33:40 PM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Scott, I agree.

12/19/2011 6:44:37 PM

Brooklyn Corner, Nova Scotia

Remember when we counted the leaves on a plant to determine the optimum time to pollinate.

Remember when vine burying was considered radical.

Remember when selfing a seed was unheard of.

This is but a natural progression. The club reps throw some ideas around and go with what may be called a "best practice". I am all for open forums, however, there is a tendancy for twists and turns that detract from the original subject matter. Call it the "Amelio effect".

I see this as an opportunity to connect with other clubs and to gain from shared experiences and knowledge. This will only help the individual clubs to be better at what they are doing. The positive outcomes can then be shared with club members and the BP community, we all win.

12/19/2011 9:39:52 PM

Rhode Island

theres an old saying that still rings true to this day "TO MANY HANDS SPOIL THE SOUP"
i think it would be a great idea for club officials to have a place to meet,share ideas and reap the benefits of "brainstorming".
after all, these club officials are the ones doing the work so its only natural that they would have a better grip on their organizational problems.
eventually? if successful then any good to come out of these meetings would trickle down to all club members as well.

12/20/2011 8:09:12 AM

Glosta

"exclusive to those in leadership positions."

Does this constitute only club president or all club officials?

12/20/2011 9:45:37 AM

Polson, Montana

I have to agree with Pap. I started a new club this past year with me doing all the work and bearing the expense. Hopefully that will change this next year. We have some funds now from membership fees but need to generate more to pay expenses. This past spring was really tough and discouraging for the new growers. Input from other club leaders would certainly be helpful and help us to avoid mistakes.

12/20/2011 9:47:31 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

GriZFan, Please email the WiZ!!

12/20/2011 2:31:55 PM

Alaska

Just like in the NFL. Revenue Sharing? If it's really about spreading the love of the sport then put all revenue in a community pot and split it evenly. That way the smaller clubs and weigh-offs aren't overlooked. One big non profit????

12/20/2011 2:51:59 PM

West Sacramento Ca.

Spudly. That'll be the day! Scott

12/20/2011 6:56:10 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Griz, email me too... debrebel (at) rocklore (dot) com

12/21/2011 1:11:49 AM

Deer Park, WI

Bry- You ask an important question. Pap articulated nicely the reasons why we feel the leadership forum should be limited to club leaders, however where that line is drawn remains to be seen.

It is for this question and likely many others that will arise that I am seeking to collect the email addresses of club leaders so that these decisions democratically answered.

12/21/2011 6:54:37 AM