No more Tour Fee Excuses

[MelloHorn13]

That's not what we're doing, Stu. A few thoughts:

• We've never turned away a prospective member due to financial challenges. In that regard, this program is no different.

• We don't have the luxury of allowing folks to stroll through the door free of charge, and we're certainly not going to throw away 21 years of debt-free existence by suddenly abandoning our values and good business sense and trying to spend money we don't have. Further, we would never take the corps on the road without delivering a safe and World Class experience. We don't cut corners at the expense of the corps members.

• The plan is relatively straightforward: members can name an amount which they think is fair and within reach, then we can agree on how much we'll need to fund-raise together to cover the total cost of participation. Let's create a solid game plan to achieve our goals and let's work the plan. There's no misrepresentation and no bait-and-switch... and we've had a few thousand kids go through the program doing it precisely this way.

• Each year including this one, several members are able to march for little or no out-of-pocket expense, by taking advantage of the numerous grass-roots fund-raising opportunities we provide. We're adding to that effort this year. Others may be able to take advantage of incentives for their parental involvement in key operational roles. We also have generous alumni and friends who contribute to make it possible for people to participate based on their willingness to work hard to achieve the goals and requirements of membership. Some of the corps members will raise funds this year to rollover for 2012 fees, and some will raise funds beyond their own quotas in order to help other corps members who fall short.

• The impact of the current economic situation as it relates to our members and prospective members seems to be different this year than it's ever been before. We're trying to be in tune with that and to adapt to their needs. We have quite a few age-eligible vets who absolutely need to work this summer in order to cover their college expenses this fall, and couldn't do the tour even if we were to waive all fees. Some families simply don't have the cushion they've had in the past, for a variety of reasons... and thus, priorities need to be adjusted to manage "real world issues" ahead of participation in drum corps this season.

• We don't do a full tour by choice... and providing the alternative to the full time tour is fundamental to our mission. A large percentage of our membership are high school students who would not be able to participate in an extended "Spring Training" sessions and the full 8 weeks on the road. Some have summer classes, some have summer jobs and others need to deal with other issues. Although this decision not to tour may put us at a competitive disadvantage, this is what we are... and many of our members, volunteers and instructional team wouldn't be able to do this if we changed the format. It's not that we don't want to "win" nor that we don't have competitive pursuits... we discuss our goals and priorities each year and this year will certainly be no different. We just want to make sure this is sustainable, which gets more difficult for the entire drum corps activity every year.

By rolling this out, we're hoping to eliminate the "big scary number" as a perceived barrier to involvement. If someone really wants to be a part of our team, we can collectively set our sights on how we can make that happen.

I hope this provides a little clarity. I've received several notes over the past few days, some of which surprise me. It seems that there are some folks who seem to feel that we should pack it in since, in their opinion, we're obviously not committed to building a World Championship-caliber competing unit. Like many other businesses, we're trying to survive, to deliver on the promise of our mission, and to continue to grow.

I'm more than happy to discuss this further with anyone who has questions, comments or concerns.

Thanks!

Bob

And there you have it folks

[GUARDLING]

That's not what we're doing, Stu. A few thoughts:

• We've never turned away a prospective member due to financial challenges. In that regard, this program is no different.

• We don't have the luxury of allowing folks to stroll through the door free of charge, and we're certainly not going to throw away 21 years of debt-free existence by suddenly abandoning our values and good business sense and trying to spend money we don't have. Further, we would never take the corps on the road without delivering a safe and World Class experience. We don't cut corners at the expense of the corps members.

• The plan is relatively straightforward: members can name an amount which they think is fair and within reach, then we can agree on how much we'll need to fund-raise together to cover the total cost of participation. Let's create a solid game plan to achieve our goals and let's work the plan. There's no misrepresentation and no bait-and-switch... and we've had a few thousand kids go through the program doing it precisely this way.

• Each year including this one, several members are able to march for little or no out-of-pocket expense, by taking advantage of the numerous grass-roots fund-raising opportunities we provide. We're adding to that effort this year. Others may be able to take advantage of incentives for their parental involvement in key operational roles. We also have generous alumni and friends who contribute to make it possible for people to participate based on their willingness to work hard to achieve the goals and requirements of membership. Some of the corps members will raise funds this year to rollover for 2012 fees, and some will raise funds beyond their own quotas in order to help other corps members who fall short.

• The impact of the current economic situation as it relates to our members and prospective members seems to be different this year than it's ever been before. We're trying to be in tune with that and to adapt to their needs. We have quite a few age-eligible vets who absolutely need to work this summer in order to cover their college expenses this fall, and couldn't do the tour even if we were to waive all fees. Some families simply don't have the cushion they've had in the past, for a variety of reasons... and thus, priorities need to be adjusted to manage "real world issues" ahead of participation in drum corps this season.

• We don't do a full tour by choice... and providing the alternative to the full time tour is fundamental to our mission. A large percentage of our membership are high school students who would not be able to participate in an extended "Spring Training" sessions and the full 8 weeks on the road. Some have summer classes, some have summer jobs and others need to deal with other issues. Although this decision not to tour may put us at a competitive disadvantage, this is what we are... and many of our members, volunteers and instructional team wouldn't be able to do this if we changed the format. It's not that we don't want to "win" nor that we don't have competitive pursuits... we discuss our goals and priorities each year and this year will certainly be no different. We just want to make sure this is sustainable, which gets more difficult for the entire drum corps activity every year.

By rolling this out, we're hoping to eliminate the "big scary number" as a perceived barrier to involvement. If someone really wants to be a part of our team, we can collectively set our sights on how we can make that happen.

I hope this provides a little clarity. I've received several notes over the past few days, some of which surprise me. It seems that there are some folks who seem to feel that we should pack it in since, in their opinion, we're obviously not committed to building a World Championship-caliber competing unit. Like many other businesses, we're trying to survive, to deliver on the promise of our mission, and to continue to grow.

I'm more than happy to discuss this further with anyone who has questions, comments or concerns.

Thanks!

Bob

ok so it seems all you are saying is name you # to get in and we can figure out a fundraising plan to cover the rest. I would think many corps do this. Only Caution.....( from experience ) MAKE SURE THEY DO IT!!!!!!!! Good Luck to you

[Stu]

That's not what we're doing, Stu. A few thoughts:

• We've never turned away a prospective member due to financial challenges. In that regard, this program is no different.

• We don't have the luxury of allowing folks to stroll through the door free of charge, and we're certainly not going to throw away 21 years of debt-free existence by suddenly abandoning our values and good business sense and trying to spend money we don't have. Further, we would never take the corps on the road without delivering a safe and World Class experience. We don't cut corners at the expense of the corps members.

• The plan is relatively straightforward: members can name an amount which they think is fair and within reach, then we can agree on how much we'll need to fund-raise together to cover the total cost of participation. Let's create a solid game plan to achieve our goals and let's work the plan. There's no misrepresentation and no bait-and-switch... and we've had a few thousand kids go through the program doing it precisely this way.

• Each year including this one, several members are able to march for little or no out-of-pocket expense, by taking advantage of the numerous grass-roots fund-raising opportunities we provide. We're adding to that effort this year. Others may be able to take advantage of incentives for their parental involvement in key operational roles. We also have generous alumni and friends who contribute to make it possible for people to participate based on their willingness to work hard to achieve the goals and requirements of membership. Some of the corps members will raise funds this year to rollover for 2012 fees, and some will raise funds beyond their own quotas in order to help other corps members who fall short.

• The impact of the current economic situation as it relates to our members and prospective members seems to be different this year than it's ever been before. We're trying to be in tune with that and to adapt to their needs. We have quite a few age-eligible vets who absolutely need to work this summer in order to cover their college expenses this fall, and couldn't do the tour even if we were to waive all fees. Some families simply don't have the cushion they've had in the past, for a variety of reasons... and thus, priorities need to be adjusted to manage "real world issues" ahead of participation in drum corps this season.

• We don't do a full tour by choice... and providing the alternative to the full time tour is fundamental to our mission. A large percentage of our membership are high school students who would not be able to participate in an extended "Spring Training" sessions and the full 8 weeks on the road. Some have summer classes, some have summer jobs and others need to deal with other issues. Although this decision not to tour may put us at a competitive disadvantage, this is what we are... and many of our members, volunteers and instructional team wouldn't be able to do this if we changed the format. It's not that we don't want to "win" nor that we don't have competitive pursuits... we discuss our goals and priorities each year and this year will certainly be no different. We just want to make sure this is sustainable, which gets more difficult for the entire drum corps activity every year.

By rolling this out, we're hoping to eliminate the "big scary number" as a perceived barrier to involvement. If someone really wants to be a part of our team, we can collectively set our sights on how we can make that happen.

I hope this provides a little clarity. I've received several notes over the past few days, some of which surprise me. It seems that there are some folks who seem to feel that we should pack it in since, in their opinion, we're obviously not committed to building a World Championship-caliber competing unit. Like many other businesses, we're trying to survive, to deliver on the promise of our mission, and to continue to grow.

I'm more than happy to discuss this further with anyone who has questions, comments or concerns.

Thanks!

Bob

Bob: I mean this, I do have high respect for you and your corps, and thank you for this detailed explanation. That said, allowing an entity to gamble on the risk of going in the hole through hopeful fund-raising is still not a sound business practice; but for some reason many corps' are ran in such a manner and you have now decided to up that risk to a level never before seen in the activity with this plan. Setting dues at xyz and helping members who cannot afford those dues with fund-raisers to meet that obligation goal prior to them going out on tour is vastly different than allowing them to set their own price and then banking on them to kick in a huge extra effort to hopefully cover the rest of their costs through back-end fund raising. You might get lucky and this plan works once or twice and I hope the best for your corps; however, it will only take one time, just one time, for a majority of the members to fail in meeting their funding goals and the corps will be placed in a huge deficit situation. To me you should collect the money "then" commit to expenditures (not the other way around). That is why, even with your explanation, I still believe it is not a very good business decision.

Edited April 4, 2011 by Stu

[MelloHorn13]

Some of you would make great drum corps directors, you have seem to know the solutions to ALL problems.

[Stu]

Some of you would make great drum corps directors, you have seem to know the solutions to ALL problems.

Simple solutions to success: A) You determine that you want something that costs $10; B) You then raise $15 before you even think about committing the $10 for that expenditure; C) You then take $10 out of the reserve to pay for said expenditure leaving you $5 in the black; D) You then raise $15 (or more) to replenish the reserve allowing you to spend more capital; E) Never vary from this cycle; and F) Sometimes you just have to say no on taking the kiddos to Disneyland. If this simple growth cycle is followed, where you raise capital then spend slightly less than what you raised, and then put back in slightly more than you spend, it will even work well when you get to the $1 million level.

[GUARDLING]

Some of you would make great drum corps directors, you have seem to know the solutions to ALL problems.

lol..it's DCP where have you been....lol...all the answers are here haven't you read other posts.... lol

As far as this thread MAYBE some of us have seen that train wreck coming before and Have been in the directors show and just don't want it to happen to them or anyone.....and business is business warm and fuzzy doesn't get kids fed and gas in the bus...ask corps that arent here anymore because of finance.

[Jeff Ream]

Jeff: What a great idea!!! Contact Scott Anspach, President and Co-Founder of Main Street Financial, and tell him that in these hard economic times you want him to model his mortgage business after the Bob Jacobs "Name Your Own Price" model because out of Love and Compassion people deserve the experience of owning their own home even if they cannot pay for it. Come on; lets see what he says!!!

You're a riot. Scott actually knows a little bit about drum corps too. We discussed it when we had dinner in Indy this past August.

and actually, if you look at our business model, we're not afraid to think outside the box...that's why we aren't one of the thousands of mortgage companies that died during the recession.

[Jeff Ream]

That's not what we're doing, Stu. A few thoughts:

• We've never turned away a prospective member due to financial challenges. In that regard, this program is no different.

• We don't have the luxury of allowing folks to stroll through the door free of charge, and we're certainly not going to throw away 21 years of debt-free existence by suddenly abandoning our values and good business sense and trying to spend money we don't have. Further, we would never take the corps on the road without delivering a safe and World Class experience. We don't cut corners at the expense of the corps members.

• The plan is relatively straightforward: members can name an amount which they think is fair and within reach, then we can agree on how much we'll need to fund-raise together to cover the total cost of participation. Let's create a solid game plan to achieve our goals and let's work the plan. There's no misrepresentation and no bait-and-switch... and we've had a few thousand kids go through the program doing it precisely this way.

• Each year including this one, several members are able to march for little or no out-of-pocket expense, by taking advantage of the numerous grass-roots fund-raising opportunities we provide. We're adding to that effort this year. Others may be able to take advantage of incentives for their parental involvement in key operational roles. We also have generous alumni and friends who contribute to make it possible for people to participate based on their willingness to work hard to achieve the goals and requirements of membership. Some of the corps members will raise funds this year to rollover for 2012 fees, and some will raise funds beyond their own quotas in order to help other corps members who fall short.

• The impact of the current economic situation as it relates to our members and prospective members seems to be different this year than it's ever been before. We're trying to be in tune with that and to adapt to their needs. We have quite a few age-eligible vets who absolutely need to work this summer in order to cover their college expenses this fall, and couldn't do the tour even if we were to waive all fees. Some families simply don't have the cushion they've had in the past, for a variety of reasons... and thus, priorities need to be adjusted to manage "real world issues" ahead of participation in drum corps this season.

• We don't do a full tour by choice... and providing the alternative to the full time tour is fundamental to our mission. A large percentage of our membership are high school students who would not be able to participate in an extended "Spring Training" sessions and the full 8 weeks on the road. Some have summer classes, some have summer jobs and others need to deal with other issues. Although this decision not to tour may put us at a competitive disadvantage, this is what we are... and many of our members, volunteers and instructional team wouldn't be able to do this if we changed the format. It's not that we don't want to "win" nor that we don't have competitive pursuits... we discuss our goals and priorities each year and this year will certainly be no different. We just want to make sure this is sustainable, which gets more difficult for the entire drum corps activity every year.

By rolling this out, we're hoping to eliminate the "big scary number" as a perceived barrier to involvement. If someone really wants to be a part of our team, we can collectively set our sights on how we can make that happen.

I hope this provides a little clarity. I've received several notes over the past few days, some of which surprise me. It seems that there are some folks who seem to feel that we should pack it in since, in their opinion, we're obviously not committed to building a World Championship-caliber competing unit. Like many other businesses, we're trying to survive, to deliver on the promise of our mission, and to continue to grow.

I'm more than happy to discuss this further with anyone who has questions, comments or concerns.

Thanks!

Bob

:worthy: :worthy:

[Stu]

You're a riot. Scott actually knows a little bit about drum corps too. We discussed it when we had dinner in Indy this past August.

and actually, if you look at our business model, we're not afraid to think outside the box...that's why we aren't one of the thousands of mortgage companies that died during the recession.

Jeff: Thinking outside the box is sometimes a "good" thing. Such as, lets put Jeff Ream on a street corner wearing nothing but a thong Speedo and Groucho nose-glasses with a sign that says "I will put my clothes back on when we reach our xyz donation goal". However, thinking outside the box is sometimes a "bad" thing. Such as, lets tell "everyone" they can have something for little or no personal investment (Name Your Own Price) and we will certainly try to cover all expenses in arrears with various fund raising.

[Spartans87]

Jeff: Thinking outside the box is sometimes a "good" thing. Such as, lets put Jeff Ream on a street corner wearing nothing but a thong Speedo and Groucho nose-glasses with a sign that says "I will put my clothes back on when we reach our xyz donation goal". However, thinking outside the box is sometimes a "bad" thing. Such as, lets tell "everyone" they can have something for little or no personal investment (Name Your Own Price) and we will certainly try to cover all expenses in arrears with various fund raising.

Ah yes, the negativity of DCP shines again. "Little to no personal involvement".....I didn't read that in any press release. I also didn't see it in any post regarding the subject. I believe, from reading what I have, that the members that may not be able to pay a full tour fee from the cash they have (or don't have), will be offered the participation in fund raising efforts to offset the lack of cash from the tour fee. I also read, that if the new member does not have the ability to participate in any fund raising (really a desire to participate issue I would guess), they may not be a member for very long.

Every single thing you do in life comes with positive and a negative potential outcome or result. But we, as a society, still try to do things that could come out bad. Measuring risk vs. reward - that's what we all do even if we don't think of it that way, that's what we do.

Just for once I would love to see every post, at least on a topic "potentially" as positive as this subject, was positive thoughts and well wishes for the idea. Would be strange for DCP, but would be a nice surprise..

Good luck Mr. Jacobs. If at any point I have the ability to help you out financially or otherwise, I would be happy to do so.