The Explore Disc Golf Foundation --- Meeting Minutes 2014

[Brian Giggey]

After a very successful Rafflepalooza tournament this past fall, The Explore Disc Golf Foundation is looking to expand its reach in hosting these tournaments, and ultimately, the gift of a 3-6 hole "pocket course" donation to a school at each location we host at.

This thread will host meeting minutes for FY 2014. You can read them in their entirety, as we want to remain as transparent as possible. We welcome you to join any meeting.

Thanks for your interest in The Explore Disc Golf Foundation, a 501(c)(3) who's mission is to grow disc golf by installing "pocket courses" at schools and city parks across the nation.

Member include:
- Chris Barden, President
- Andy Neal, Treasurer
- Zeena Hutchinson, Clerk (non-voting)
- Ed Faits, Board member
- Brian Giggey, Board member (non-voting)

[Brian Giggey]

The Explore Disc Golf Foundation
Meeting Minutes

Date: January 26, 2014
Location: Chris Barden’s house – Hampden, MA
Time: 3:00p – 4:30p
Members Present: Chris Barden, Andy Neal, Ed Faits, Brian Giggey

Agenda
1.) Welcome Ed Faits, newest member of the Board, and bring up to speed on our mission, finances, etc.
2.) Go over finances from end of FY 2013.
3.) Discuss other forms of revenue creation for FY 2014.
4.) Discuss everything related to 6-hole installation at Gateway Regional School in Huntington, MA.

Talking Points
- Welcomed Ed Faits, and confirmed his role as a member of the Board of Directors. Filled Ed in on The Foundation’s mission, roles and responsibilities, and discussed how Zeena and Brian are non-voting members.

- Ran down the yearly expenses for The Foundation --- usually just $50 for the annual report and Form PC. The other forms, like the 990N which Brian completed and sent to the IRS --- which shows we made less than $50,000 last year --- has no cost.

- Ran through finances from the end of FY 2013. After the success of Rafflepalooza at Flat Rock, The Foundation has $1,692.29 in the bank account. We then discussed having other members adding on to the bank account, or even a debit card for direct purchases.

- Ed asked about visibility and websites. The Foundation has a Facebook page, but no website. We discussed buying a domain --- http://www.theexplorediscgolffoundation.org, or something similar.

- Brian confirmed, after speaking to Innova Disc Golf that morning that they are still going to offer DISCatcher Pros for $200, plus shipping. This is a HUGE savings, and Innova has agreed to this for “one to two pocket courses.” Brian will follow up to see if this offer is extended for future installations.

- We discussed using other manufacturers, but all agreed that Innova Disc Golf would be the best; especially for beginners.

- Total costs of 6-hole pocket course donation to Gateway Regional School District --- $1,500 for 6 DISCatcher Pros (includes shipping), $75-100 for 25 DX discs, $50 for cement and locks. Chris and Andy confirm they can find 5-gallon buckets to provide for the project. After the course installation, the bank account would be down to roughly $50.

- Ed asks about other forms of revenue creation and discussion ensues. Can we raffle a DISCatcher Sport off at NEFA tourneys? Would we make more than we spend? Will Innova give us free Sports for this as a fundraiser? Does Maple Hill have tourneys like Rafflepalooza, or would they be interested?

- Discussion evolves into hosting multiple Rafflepaloozas in 2014. After discussion, we pin down interest it the following locations: Peabody in spring, Bousquet in summer and Flat Rock in fall. We will hit three sections of Massachusetts, and each Rafflepalooza will raise funds for a “pocket course” donation to that town. Maybe we can get Bousquet and Flat Rock to waive their $5 greens fee since it’s all going to charity?

- Ed suggests tournaments should be beginner friendly, more so than competitive. Brian quickly agrees, as Peabody is a beginner-friendly course, and that is the largest demographic of players. A suggestion is made the Peabody feature a clinic in between two 9-18 hole rounds --- free of charge for kids, and any paying player.

- Chris suggests Bill Stewart be contacted to head up the tourney and local players, although The Foundation will mostly oversee the tournament production and logistics.

- Chris mentions we contact disc golf TDs to see their interest in hosting other Rafflepalooza events. Maybe have them submit bids so we see who can do what, and for how much? Then we can have tournament running, raising funds, and installing pocket courses outside our region.

- Ed mentions merchandise for Rafflepalooza, and addition revenue creation. Brian says that his merch company, Soundscape Imaging, could only donate apparel and screen printing services since taking money from the non-profit would be a conflict of interest. Everyone agrees and then we move into discussion about number Rafflepaloozas or just leaving it as is to increase branding and reduce overstock of older t-shirts, etc.

- Discussion moves towards locking down dates for Rafflepaloozas this year --- March 16th for Peabody? We could play off the Vineyard Social which is Saturday, March 15th. Bousquet would be in June/July and Flat Rock would be in Sept/Oct. Since Peabody is beginner-friendly, and Flat Rock is party-friendly, could Bousquet be a NEFA or C-tier event? More expenses, but we will look into.

- Brian will contact the city planner and park/rec director for the city of Peabody about hosting a spring tournament. No one mentioned who will contact Bill Stewart. Brian will since he spoke with Bill several times about a new project in Topsfield.

- What pros can we get for Rafflepalooza at Peabody? Nikko, Avery, Brinster or someone local to Mass like Cam Gallant? Would we have to do a kick back to the city and each event location, or is offering a “pocket course” enough? We could have $1 ace runs on hole 1 at Peabody to increase revenue.

- Discussion moved to Flat Rock, where we dropped the ball on the DISCatcher Sport. If you bought into the tournament, you got an automatic entry into the basket and a one year membership. After that, we didn’t take any more tickets for those items. Lots of money lost! We need to fix that at next Rafflepalooza.

- We all agree that the three Rafflepaloozas for 2014 reach three different demographics, all with the end result of a free “pocket course” donation via The Foundation.

- Discussion moves to the installation of the “pocket course” at Gateway Regional School.

- Brian has a meeting on Tuesday, January 28th at 9:30a with Brian Wing, the Facilities Manager. They are going to walk the proposed layout and Brian will report back via e-mail to the Board. If all is good, work days will begin this weekend.
- Ed and Brian will meet at Gateway on Saturday, February 1st at 10:00a to approve final layout and begin cutting. Chris, Andy, Brian, Ed and hopefully other friends will meet at Gateway on Sunday, February 2nd at 12:00p to cut the course.

- Donavan Gravel is right next to the school. Can they donate some gravel for the tee pads? When will we buy the baskets and discs? Cutting will take place first, and depending on how all is going, The Foundation will purchase 6 Innova DISCatcher Pros and 25 DX discs as soon as we can.

- Meeting is adjourned at 4:30p.

[Brian Giggey]

After a successful Rafflepalooza 2 fundraiser tournament at Flat Rock Disc Golf in late October, The Explore Disc Golf Foundation is now ready to donate and install their "pocket course" for the year!

All clearing at White Brook Middle School in Easthampton, MA is finished! We just need to drag some brush, dig 3 holes and sink 3 brand new DISCatcher Pro baskets Below you can see a picture of the donation --- 3 DISCatcher Pros, 25 DX discs and the EDGE curriculum --- valued at over $1,300!

If you would like attend the installation, information is below:
Saturday, December 6th
10:00am start time (but you can get there whenever)
Bring tools if you'd like, but most of the hard work is over.

[Brian Giggey]

The 3-hole "pocket course" at White Brook Middle School is in. Thank you to the volunteers and Board of Directors for The Explore Disc Golf Foundation for their time and resources.

Here is the 3rd basket...