Rainier Plateau Junior Rugby

1/22/09

Meeting Date - 1/22

Location - New Bonney Lake Starbucks (opposite McDonalds)

In Attendance
A. Ramsay
A. Garvin
S. Smith
K. Anderson
C. Anderson
D. Pearson


Apologies
K. Worthen
A & G Hines


This was the inaguaral meeting for the newly created Parents Oversight Committee which was intended to provide coach Ramsay an opportunity to outline his vision and thoughts on how this committee could best assist in club operations and overall development of the club. After a brief discussion the group conducted some overview of short term needs.

Home Field Location - We have 5 home games that need to be played. Options are limited and field turf is not a preferred option. Coach Ramsay is reviewing a few possible locations and hopes to finalize these by early February.

Post Match Food - Once game locations are established we will need to find volunteers willing to purchase (costs refundable) and prepare post match food. It was agreed that we should provide hot dogs, hamburgers etc and keep the costs manageable. Hopefully we can find local sponsers for soft drinks, chips and other menu items.

Scoreboard - It is challenging for new parents to understand the rugby scoring system and to keep up with the score so it was decided that we need to create a portable scoreboard. A product used by the local Lacrosse team will be purchased and then modified by John O'Connor. It should be ready by our first league match.

Car Washes - It was decided that we should create and sell pre sale car wash tickets for the 3/1 car wash which can be sold to family and friends. Kelli Worthen is creating these tickets. Each player will be expected to sell a minimum of 5 tickets.

Monthly Parent Meetings - Coach asked how we could maximise attendance at these meetings. It was suggested to include the meeting agenda in correspondance associated with this meeting.

Recruitment - Coach Andy has had recent informational sessions at Enumclaw HS and has club promotional materials at all local high schools except Sumner. Generally the rugby club has been well recieved at all the schools and as more students start to play this will only improve. A recent newspaper article in the Auburn Reporter should also help attract boys from this area. It was suggested to provide players and parents some club buisness cards to keep in their wallet. These may be handy when recruiting or talking to potential sponsers. Coach Andy is planning on hosting a recruiting clinic at White River HS in mid February once wrestling and basketball is finished. It was also suggested that a recruitment drive in a local buisness car park such as a supermarket may be good for promotional purposes. The club has one girl currently expressing an interest in playing and potentially some others at EHS. Coach Andy is making arrangments for these girls to continue to train with the boys but play with the Gig Harbor Club. One of the clubs goals will be to establish a girls team during 2010.

2010 New Zealand Tour - Brief discussion on the proposed tour to NZ in June of 2010. Fundraising will be critical during the latter stages of 2009 to ensure that sufficient funds are available to include all interested players in this exciting opportunity. It is very likely that a auction/dinner night will be the marquee fundraiser.

Sponsorship - Coach Andy will provide Doug a copy of the clubs sponsership request packet for his review. We would like all members to look for opportunities for sponsership with an emphasis on smaller items such as water, post match food, field lining supplies.

Next Meeting Thursday 2/26 at Starbucks 6.30pm

Andy