TSTC Meeting July 21, 2009 @ Shuckers 8pm

[smadigan]

Natalie brought to the board in regards to TSTC the different players that were interested in playing. Because there was not an actual shoot at any of the three locations the FWDA has agreed to take the players that have shown interest. We have asked Natalie to arrange a meeting with all that are interested. If there are enough players for a team then FWDA will sponsor that team. If more then enough show up then Natalie will hold a round robin at that time. If there is not enough players that show up then FWDA will not sponsor a team.

Each person must pay their $10.00 at the meeting if you have not already paid. Please let me know if you have paid and to whom.

[Natalie Lowe]

Yes, Sherri is absolutely correct in the above post.

1st) There was not a shoot and not enough players to have an actual shoot at each of the 3.

2nd) The total of players that attended all 3 did not quite make up a team.

3rd) The decision was decided at Saturday's Board Meeting, Motioned,
2nd, and voted in favor of going ahead to sponsor a TSTC Team and to hold
another meeting/shoot as a last effort to get enough players. The question was shouldn't this be open to any FWDA member? The board's decision was "yes" because not one of the scheduled shoots shot a round robin. Money was only taken from one of the shoots. But No darts were actually thrown.

4th) The board asked me to go forward with this and it was agreed that this would take place the following week after all league play ended.

5th) The date set for this 2nd chance FWDA Try-out team is Wednesday, July 22 8pm, at Shuckers. If we do not have enough for the team, The FWDA will not sponsor a team at this year's event. We save the $250.00 per the decision of Saturday, July 11, 2009 board meeting.

[sanewcomer]

some of us shoot mda summer on tues so what does that do

[cjmtexas]

Sherri,

I have money in my envelope for

Billy Turney
Buddy Galloway
Brant Newberry
Jon Bodiford

That is all that have paid. I will bring it to the meeting on the 21st.

[Natalie Lowe]

This whole thing is frustrating. My apologies for Tues. wasnt thinking about MDA but just trying to get this done. My phone has rang off the hook today about all of this. It is really sad, because at of the end of the 3 shoots it didnt look like we had enough. Players that showed up said they may or may not play because of another team, whatever. All I wanted to do was to ensure that we did send a team because of the few that really were interested. It has been a good thing, but a controversial expense, so that's why it was brought up in the first place. After talking to many, it looks like there is actually enough to make a team as is. We still need to get everybody together and finalize the team. So, there shouldnt be a conflict with Wed, July 22 so we will go from there. I dont care either way, I am not the bad guy in this, I simply tried to salvage something that was going to get canned because there were not any shoots. The agreement made regarding the tryouts was that all three would be tallyed and then the 7 men and 4 women would be derived from the highest precentages. Since none of them happened there aren't any percentages to pull from, money was only taken from one and not all three. It really does take us back to square one, in my opinion!

[Natalie Lowe]

The date is Wed July 22, not the 23rd. Sorry.

[Dart Geek]

I am an out sider looking in on this and my understanding is: 1) the players that came out to the try-outs paid the $10.00 and they didn't have to try out. 2) there is going to be a meeting to see if there is more interest 3) there will be a round robin to see who will be on the FWDA TSTC team if there is enough interest.

I feel that those players that came out to the try-outs should be on the team and they should not have to play for a spot. They went through the motions to be on the team and have shown the interest that is needed for a good team. Those that are NOW interested should play for substitute postions (if there are enough players) since they did not show up to the try-outs.

Why penalized the players that did the right thing? What if one or more of these other players that shows up to the meeting wins the round robin? That would kick a player off that went to the try-outs...

This is my opinion...right or wrong I just don't want to have players that did what was required getting a bad wrap...and then not wanting to try out the next year b/c of how they feel or how they were treated. OR, dropping out of FWDA.

:banghead:

[JonB]

Louise, I couldn't agree more :)

[sanewcomer]

i think it would be more funner to have a shoot and earn my way on the team instead of havent it handed to me just cuz i showed up somewhere if more ppl do show instrest we should have a shoot

[SciFi65]

Since naked treadmilling is a TSTC afterhours requirement I say let them slug it out there. Nic can be judge....he's the expert here.

[JonB]

So if we are going to have yet another "try-out" if more than 7 people show up, why do we bother to have 3 in the first place? Why not set one date, at one place, and that be the only try-out in the future... just make sure to announce it a couple months in advance so people who are interested can clear their schedules, just like they would have to for the TSTC tournament if they are interested.

[pelligrini]

We've done just one shoot before, but lots of people complained about having to miss the single shoot date. Having two seemed to work out well, especially when they were done on the opposite sides of the area.

We originally were just doing two this year (announced in May) http://fwdadarts.org/forum/showthread.php?t=690 Another shoot was added later at Volcano's. As I understand it, there were some folks who expressed an intrest in having a shoot over there. I guess there wasn't that much intrest.

At the board meeting last Sat. we were going on the minimal information provided to us. We were under the impression that there were not enough people to make a team. Instead of just not having a FWDA sponsored team we decided to give it one more go to see if we could fill it.

[pelligrini]

This is my opinion...right or wrong I just don't want to have players that did what was required getting a bad wrap...
I'm not really sure what the best way to solve this would be, but there were requirements set out from the start to be fulfilled. I don't know if all the prospective shooters got their copy of the newly created guidelines, but there were some specific requirements about how the team would be chosen. It was to be based on an accumulation of points received from the shoot (or shoots). I guess it could be argued that everyone has the same amount of points (none).

Another requirement was the shoot entry fee, and only a few were collected. That could have been something not done by the person running the shoot.

I do think all the folks who did show and did have a genuine interest should get preference.

[smadigan]

Louise you have brought up a very good point and Scott I do see both sides to this. I think this could be tossed around, now on the flip side to this a lot of the players that have shown interest in the shoot later are people that have been enlightened about what TSTC is all about.

[Dart Geek]

When I tried out for TSTC there were two shoot outs and I think that was a great idea. It meant that people that live closer to Shuckers had opportunity to shoot on that side of town and also the same for Volcano's. So, I don't think that there is an issue with that...so why the "new" interest? How many people? Do you want to have another FWDA team or is there only one this season? Did all of the people on the team go to the try(s) out or were they hand selected (or volunteer) to make a full team? These are all questions that have to be considered before a decision is made on this issue.

:banghead:

[Natalie Lowe]

The reason we had extra players that showed an interest were because they were asked or they called. The team showed full on paper, maybe, but I already had a good idea that Scooter would break off and form his Brother's Grimm team taking at least one woman and possibly 2 other men. Leaving a big hole in our team! And it was because the FWDA team did not have a couple extra vacancies for Scooter to include some of his planned players he decided to go ahead with his own team. I knew this was a possiblity from the beginning. That's why I started talking to teams in our leagues was there any players intereseted, the response was positive, therefore bringing about the proposal I submitted to our Board.

Taking it to the board, showing that we had some players that showed interest that missed the shoots or new players who did not really understand what TSTC was all about and what it is...I knew we would have holes to fill. The debate at the board meeting was what do we do? What if more players actually showed up than slots to fill? The Pros & Cons were considered such as basically we are back at square one. We Did not have any Shoots, yes players did come out but there were never enough to have an actual shoot. And since we were having this 2nd chance to have a team, it was debated about what was fair and what wasn't. There are only 7 slots for men, and 4 for women. Truly the board debated about all of these aspects, the players that did come out, only one shoot collected money, but the shoots were all basically cancelled due to lack of participation. Do we just can the whole idea this year, save $250, or start all over and try again? That's how the decision was arrived at by saying if more players came out than the 11 available slots, we'd have a round robin to determine the team.

I am sorry that this has caused much controversy. It was not meant to exclude or include anyone person but to be a brand new shoot, if we have 11 players that actually show up, we have a team, if we don't. It goes away and the FWDA does not send a team to this years event. And if we have more than 11 then there would be a round robin to determine the pecking order of team and subs.

After many phone calls, input, and comments on this site: Players have definitely voiced that the ones that showed up to the 3 shoots should automatically make the team and only play the round robin for the vacant slots for the ones who did not make the original shoots.

I hear you all. It's just tough to try to be fair in both situations. Personally, If there had actually been a shoot at even one of them, I would agree wholeheartedly, but because this thing that no one actually threw a dart, I have to agree with the board that this is a last chance/do or die situation, we either have a team or we don't.

Honestly, I don't know how many are going to show up to this meeting, but the board voted in what they thought was the best interest of the Association; by opening it up to anyone who is an FWDA member. And actually hold a shoot, if necessary.

Let's face it, TSTC is 6 weeks away. Is all this negative really worth it? I hate to let the ones down who did make the effort by coming to the posted shoots , But Im pretty close to giving up on this! I proposed to the board to keep it, but if it's causing this much turmoil and persons talking about leaving the FWDA because we tried to be fair to all of our Association, it's almost not worth it!

All I can say is show up on Wed and the date is wrong on the earlier posts it is WED JULY 22nd, not the 23rd, we will meet as a group and try to do the most fairest thing possible, and that it will be decided as a team effort by the players that really do care! By which I mean not the board, not the peanut gallery, but by the players who really want to make this thing work! That's the best I can offer!

[cjmtexas]

That sounds like a good idea to me. I will see you guys on Wednesday.

Carrie

[Candice]

I agree too! Will see you on Wednesday

[Natalie Lowe]

Thank You! I just want it to a positivie experience, without nonsense like last year. Im looking forward to seeing everybody on Wed, and just really how much interest there truly is! :) Thanks for your positive comments!

[PFCJoker]

Since naked treadmilling is a TSTC afterhours requirement I say let them slug it out there. Nic can be judge....he's the expert here.

I second this

[caksings]

I think that this year's annual treadmill event should also include rollerskating around the pool-last one without road rash wins! You can judge this event, Dingee!
Contestants must shoot a jeager bomb after each lap-levels the playing field, don't you think? ;)

Angela

[jmdutton3]

I have put together a team this season which consists of players who have been dedicated members of FWDA. Unfortunatley, we have been struggling to collect the money required to participate without possibley spending money from our own pockets. We have been making commendable efforts for sponsorships and have still fallen short. I understand that creating a fully FWDA sponsored team is intended for the best, however, i feel that the money should be split up amongst the teams who REAllY want to play. If there have already been numerous failed attempts, the knowledgable resolution would be to donate the money to all teams that support FWDA. Either way, i think in the future this should be refined and altered to suit everyone equally.

[Natalie Lowe]

Setting the record straight before this gets out of control...The FWDA is only sponsoring up to $250.00 of the the $450.00 entry fee. It costs each player trying out $10. and that goes toward the entry fee, then the rest must be raised. This includes the rest of entry fee that is needed and shirts.

So please understand that the FWDA does not get a free ride, expense free. They also need sponsorship and each player is asked to raise some funds for this event along with the work of our TSTC Chairperson-Carrie Milam. Hopefully, the combined efforts will eliminate an out of pocket expense but if not enough is raised then there would be an out of pocket expense for each person.

Thanks,

[jmdutton3]

Nothing is getting out of control. I said what i did in all defenses, i simply wanted to voice the fact that EVERYONE is experiencing problems with their efforts in TSTC sponsorship. Most importantly, we, as an association should develop new and useful ideas to benefit everyone equally in the future. I genuinely wish the best for all teams, and the more the merrier!!! Kayla

[pelligrini]

The TSTC event does generate a lot of interest from FWDA players. There is a large part of our association that does enter it, but not the whole association. This is a money tournament with some large payouts. The money is not the only reason a lot of people go, but it is a factor.

We've got around 250 active members right now, so it works out to over $1 from every member for the TSTC teams. There's the partial entry fee we now pay for the FWDA sponsored team, as well as $5 a person for shirts for the other teams if they request it.

A few years back it was proposed that if a sponsored team placed, they'd give a portion to the FWDA. There was quite a negative response from the teams. Personally, I'm not too keen on putting a lot of FWDA money into the TSTC. There have been times where the FWDA spent far more money on 22 people than it did on the Fundart for the whole association. We're looking at having to raise our dues soon, our spending is greater than our income right now. I don't think it is in the association's best interest to make a large expenditure. If I went to every member in the FWDA and asked if they'd give me a dollar to send 11 folks to a tournament there would be many that would tell me to get stuffed. I've always tried to get the TSTC event to cover itself.

I wouldn't mind a bit if all the teams would like to get together and do fundraisers and all. That would probably generate more funds for the teams. There's a few folks that are pretty good a soliciting donations from bars and business too. If all the teams wanted to pool it that would be cool too. I'm not sure if everyone would go for it though.

[JonB]

I think if an FWDA sponsored team, or a team that was given money for shirts cashes in the tournament, and doesn't make a donation back to FWDA for what they were given, there is something seriously wrong. Even 4th place in the tournament pays 10%, which ends up being a pretty nice chunk of change, and more than enough to cover the $250 and the $55 for shirts.

[Dart Geek]

From what I have heard, there will be a benefit tourney for the team(s) in August to raise more money for the team(s) going to TSTC this year. In fact, since the TSTC is here in Fort Worth it will be even less expensive then the the previous years. Which is a great thing b/c more of our players will be representing FWDA than in previous years. Time to get on that treadmill Nic!!

I think that raising our dues is a necessary thing...it is only $20.00 to play for an entire year??? And think of the benefits that we all get from being in this assocation...Fun Dart Weekend, ADO (dues paid), having the great friends that we play with on a weekly (sometimes daily) basis, a TSTC team... The only thing that I see happening in this association that worries me is the fact that we are not retaining our members, at least that is what I am seeing and several others have voiced the same opinion. What do we need to do as an association to continue to retain these members so that we can continue to send a team to TSTC in the future? First, we need a new attitude in the league and on the board and if you want to make changes the best thing to do is to get on the board as a division secretary or an executive board member and have a vote. So, at the CPB meeting instead of saying NO WAY, offer up your services and see what you can do to make a difference in the league. It is not always easy to make decisions for an entire league of different people that have opposing ideas on what they want and what makes a good league.

As complicated as this might be for us as an assocation we have gotten through tougher times and I am sure that things will turn around.

This conversation has changed a lot since the first post but it is always good to communicate your ideas and opinions.

[pelligrini]

So, there was a meeting, and the results were???

[Natalie Lowe]

There were exactly 11 players that showed up, 7 men and 4 woman...
Brant
Dennis
Jon
Nic
Jose
Bill T
Buddy

Sharon
Candice
Nat
Earline

We are in the process of picking a name. Suzie is working on shirts, Carrie is getting the printing done when we get them, and Bill is purchasing Briskets which we all contributed an extra $2.00 for from our team. We asked each player to get some type of donation either sponsorship or raffle stuff for the benefit. We will be setting up practice dates, just have been swamped, but I'm working on that.

I do agree with Erik that TSTC is really a money tourney and that we need to reconsider our sponsorship/involvement with a team. It was easier to go ahead again this year because it was local. $250 is a lot of money considering our bank account and expenses that really need to be a priority.
I truly was ready to cancel this years team if we did not at least meet the minimum. We had the minimum show up and it was a go.

I'm alittle confused about an earlier post and what direction it was headed and at whom. In my opinion, the Association is thriving. Players come & go, come back, go again, mostly because of events in their own lives.

I am proud to announce we as a board-as a team, have worked hard to balance the Association, and keep the Association very stable. No it's not perfect nor will it ever be, BUT for the first time in over 10 years we have over 50 teams this fall season.

And Yes, Louise had a great idea that people should get more involved and step up to the plate to keep this association thriving and balanced! If only more would, maybe so much wouldn't land on so few! Thanks!

[kspratt]

nobody wants to step up. The whole "FWDA" is in such disarray. I have only been playing for about a year and a half and I am ready to quit. Everyone talks bad about each other but are best friends when at the same bar. If everyone is mad at Carrie, why is she heading the TSTC event? Why such confusing all the time. Because everyone is out for themselves only. Some one tell me why the association picks and chooses what bylaws they want to follow and then completely go against the rest of them. "FWDA" is supposed to cater to the members. The members make this happen not the board of members. Its funny how peligrini talks about it being such an expensive cost for TSTC, but Nat says the association is thriving. Which one is it? I am ready to quit and move to another association that has less drama. If anyone knows of one let me know.

[pelligrini]

Some one tell me why the association picks and chooses what bylaws they want to follow and then completely go against the rest of them.
Would you care to get more specific on this? I really try to keep things operating within the scope of our bylaws when working on our board. I truly would like to hear exactly where we are going wrong.

Its funny how peligrini talks about it being such an expensive cost for TSTC, but Nat says the association is thriving. Which one is it? It is both. We've got more league teams this season than we've had in a while, there are more people participating in other events, ADO, TSTC etc. There is also a bit more interest from people taking an active part in the association. I mentioned the expense because we are spending more money than we are taking in.

Sincerely,
Erik France

[Dart Geek]

In any association that you belong to, darts or community, there will always be drama. Because we all have strong personalities and a competitive drive, our personalities are strong and we all want it our way.

Communication is the key to success. If we were to talk about all of the issues that happen like we have in the last few weeks I think that this association would be one of the best and strongest!!!

[caksings]

[QUOTE=kspratt;1522] Why such confusing all the time.

???? What ??? I'm confused . . . . . . . . .

[caksings]

On a serious note - I came to the FWDA from the DDA. I left because I thought there was too much drama in Dallas. Got to Ft. Worth, and it was the same thing. Think of what we do, and where we do it. There WILL BE drama no matter where you play (ADO, TSTC, FWDA, DDA, MDA, etc.) We are a competitive bunch, and when alcohol is involved, drama begins. Since I love the game, I deal with the drama. :banghead: We sometimes say things or do things we normally would not after a few drinks, but the next day, most of us get along (or at least tolerate one another.) In the words of Mr. King (Rodney) "Can't we all just get along?" Time will tell . . . . . . . .:D

[PFCJoker]

What...the FWDA needs..is....more cow bell. It's...Crazy how....more cowbell helps....with.....monsters. I was never afraid of....Frankenstein.....but clowns....now there're scary!!!!!

[Dart Geek]

I have a need for cowbell....too damn funny!!

Always my hubby or Brian to break the tension...:eek:

[SciFi65]

We sometimes say things or do things we normally would not after a few drinks, but the next day, most of us get along (or at least tolerate one another.)

So that was alcohol talking the night you said you wanted my hairy manly goodness?

[csowder]

I have been playing in the FWDA for about three years now and what I have seen is nothing but positive. I understand that there is drama between people which is totally understandable. There is always drama in every phase of life including family, work, and friends. If there is alcohol and money involved it certainly increases.

However I think we need to step back and look at the big picture. How many of us play league because we want to win money? Zero. How of us play tourneys on the weekends expecting to win money? A small handfull of us. Most of us play because we love the game and the people that play it. Few of us win every tourney we play in. I have made several friendships playing in the FWDA that I would have never made otherwise.

In regards to the TSTC, the main issue is money. I have never played in the TSTC or any other big tournament. The biggest thing that I have played in is FUN Darts (which I did not win any money in but had a blast). We look at the FWDA and expect it to sponser a team regardless. My question is Why? If you think about it if the best players did not form their own team they could have shown up for the FWDA tryouts and took alot of people's spots. Let alone taken the $250 sponsorship money.

I was honored that I was asked to be on a team. If I have to pay my way on if we don't have enough sponsors so be it. I am just looking forward to the experience and the camaraderie. In closing I believe that the FWDA has too many Chiefs and not enough Indians!

Cody Sowder

[Natalie Lowe]

Well, I have been too busy the last couple days to pay attention to all of this but boy did I hear about some of these posts tonight at CPB. Gotta love Brian & Jeremy right in the middle of the slinging, they make us laugh!

Im glad this TSTC has gotten so much feed back, because really & truly over half of these posts don't have anything to do with TSTC. But what they do offer are different points of view, new ideas, and loyality.

I first want to say the FWDA is the Best! We are Family. We have fun, we compete, we argue, we make up, but we stand proud!

The 2nd thing is that the FWDA is one of the few that has a forum to post your thoughts, grunts, jokes, concerns, etc. All Associations have drama. We get our fair share. We get through it and we try hard to make it better!

The other Associations have the exact same drama, remember the saying "Different Day but the same old BS", well, we just happen to publicize ours alittle more. Venting is good!

As for you KSPratt, I am truly sorry that our Association is not up to your standards. We try hard as a team to go above & beyond to get through our rough times, our drama, only to come out stronger and better. Good luck in finding a better Associaion that you will feel more a part of. I'm sorry that we will be losing a player and that we haven't made you feel welcome.

We have over 200 members this season playing 9 divisions. It's a give & take and I, as President, am very proud that our members try very hard to overcome personal conflicts, that our players step up to the plate to make the divisions better, and I am proud that we have so many top ranked players in the Nation that represent the FWDA all over the USA! In my eyes, we are the Best Dart Association in the area. We are flexible, we care, and we take care of each other. So, we quibble and get out of control on occasion, we are all human.

Besides we got the clowns in our corner to keep us all in check! I love you guys and appreciate your grand humor. LoL, sometimes you are just what the doctor ordered! Silly gooses! Please don't ever stop the fun!

On that note, it's 3:45 am, schedules are posted, the run down of CPB is posted, and I'm finally calling it a night! Thanks to All! :D :D :D
You ALL ARE THE BEST!

[Dart Geek]

OMG Natalie!!! Go to sleep already!! I know that forming another team at the last minute was a pain in the butt...but GO TO SLEEP!! Things can wait till the next day!!! Jeremy and Brian can come over with a cow bell to wake you up early if that is what you need.

I do want to say that no matter what my opinions are about issues that are posted on this site, we have the best players in the metroplex. I played one season somewhere else and it was okay...but coming home to FWDA was great!!

Everyone have a great season and to those of us on TSTC shoot well...just not as good as our team!! LOL

And Nick, I really don't want to see you naked...so please keep your thinger in your pants!! :D:D:D:D

[caksings]

So that was alcohol talking the night you said you wanted my hairy manly goodness?

Just because I was in the Navy doesn't mean I was in your Navy. Seems like hairy, manly, and goodness should NEVER be used together . . . . . . . no matter how true you think it is . . . . . LOL . . . .:D