Livermore Aquacowboy Update - March 19, 2010

Hello LAC Families & Friends,

Welcome to my first blog - a new approach towards keeping us current on the "out of water" side of our Aquacowboy swim team.

My goal is to post updates on a regular basis -- things the board is working on, what's on the horizon, and it's a way to seek your help and support in keeping the business moving in the right direction.

Another benefit of this blog is to decrease the number of emails I send you on a regular basis - this is a good thing for us both!

The information I'll post adds to the content on our team web site, and does not replace what you see there! So, continue to get official dates and news from our site.

OK, I have a few updates I'd like to pass along to you and just one (1) area I need your help and support on.

First, reflecting back on the past few months I want to thank everyone for contributing to the team's volunteer and fund raising efforts. We stepped up fund raising over the holidays through February for a purpose. The funds raised went directly towards keeping current with management fees to LVTC and the purchase a few pieces of equipment for our senior swimmers.

We also gave back to our great community of Livermore through our community outreach efforts. I am also proud to see that 74% of our members met or exceeded their obligation through fund raising alone. Although meeting your obligation through writing a check to LAC is totally acceptable and I sincerely thank you for that, it's pleasing to see that having flexibility towards raising team money is working. Thanks to all!

On the topic of fund raising, several parents have spoke to me about the frequency and expectations of our fund raising events. Some feel we should have a couple of BIG fund raising events throughout the year. While others feel having an option to meet their obligation through smaller fund raising events better meets their needs. So, to this end, the board will publish a new fund raising calendar in April! You will see just a couple of big fund raising events during the year. These events will allow everyone to meet, or exceed, their family obligation. We will also have a hand full of "self service" fund raising opportunities available too. Meaning, if a parent chooses to sponsor a fund raiser, let's say for example - senior equipment.... then the board will work with the parent/sponsor on the details of the event.

I hope our new fund raising calendar better meets your family lifestyle!

OK, here's a BIG update -- LAC will host our FIRST USA Swim meet on November 20th and 21st at Las Positas College. Did you know that swim meets we (LAC) attend are hosted by a local swim club? Not only is this a way to support the larger USA swim program, but it's a very smart and efficient way to raise thousands of dollars for a swim program in a single weekend.

Having said this, it's not as easy as I describe. It will take all of us to make this a success. Many host teams reach out to other community service groups such as scouts, religious organizations, seniors groups...etc. for help with various jobs. So, if you are connected to a community organization, please reach out to them and ask for their support. We will have about 20 volunteer jobs posted to our web site within the next couple of weeks. Please mark your calendar to make our first hosted swim meet a success on November 20th & 21st. Look to our team web site for the posting on this event.

Another BIGGIE - we have our annual USA Swim-a-thon on June 5th. We will have prizes, USA swimming gift bags, and a BBQ lunch during this day's event. It will a great day. Look to our team web site for the details about this event.

And last, but not least, around the corner is our annual Mutual of Omaha BreakOUT swim clinic.

We have a tentative date for October 2nd with Josh Davis. This is a once in a life time, well... ok, once a year chance for our fortunate LAC swimmers. In recent years, Josh Davis, one of the nation's foremost swim clinicians and Olympic multi-medalist has brought Olympic metal winning athletes such as Kim Vandenberg, Arron Peirsol, Ben Wildman-Tobriner, and Randall Bal to our LVTC swim club. This is a rare opportunity to meet the Olympic gods of today! This event is open to the general public. Look to our team web site for ticket sale information.

Ok, as promised, here one thing I need your help and full support on --

We must raise the number of LAC swimmers to 110 by September.

Achieving this goal is the single most import thing we can do this year for our swim program.

Here's some background -- Today, we collect dues to pay for a percentage of our management fees (a.k.a. coaches fees). To supplement the shortage in our fees, we take on a fair amount of fund raising throughout the year.

A common and preferred solution, according to USA Swimming, is to meet 100% of coaches fees through membership due collections. By moving to this new model, we will remove the dependency and pressure on fund raising as a means meet necessary management fees. We will be able to shift monies raised through fund raising towards enhancing the LAC program for all swimmers.

How can you help? Well, glad you asked!

Bring 1 new swimmer and have him/her to try out our two week FREE LAC practice program offer. It's that simple. (contact Emily H. for scheduling of the two week free trial)

Do this by spreading the word to your friends, neighbors, kid's school mates, and within your professional and social circles that LAC has open enrollment for new members. We'd rather use "word of mouth" over spending LAC money on media advertising. Plus, word of mouth is more effective and creditable than splashy ads.

So, please spread the word and stay tuned for details on our new Referral and Incentive program. Through the R&I program, you will be directly reward for meeting this goal.

And remember, kids do not need to belong to LVTC in order to swim with LAC.

Ok, enough said. See you at the club.


Tom