the pdga

[ronconversjr]

What do you expect the PDGA to do for you?Been giving a lot of thought to this lately and want more opinions.

[MOthrows]

Other than promoting our sport as a whole, the big reason that I joined was because of the magazine and the ratings. I was really bummed to read that the magazine is going to get taken away, or at the very least changed drastically.

[Anita]

I thought that they (the PDGA) were considering a "magazine optional" membership. There was also some loose talk about a "non-touring" membership for those of us who don't get around much anymore, but who still want to support the cause.

[Eaglehigh99]

The PDGA has not proposed to do away with or even change the magazine.

The board approved a magazine optional membership starting 12/31/07 assuming the decreased cost to the PDGA can justify the option.

There is to be a "request for proposal" put out to request bids for magazines similar to what we are all currently getting. That is simply good business practice and is an attempt to make certain the PDGA and its members are getting the most reasonable price possible for the quality product the we all request.

Nothing has been decided at this point. We don't even have the RFP drafted.

Any rumor of no longer getting the magazine is from either from someone that doesn't know the facts or is due to a business decision that may be made by someone other than the PDGA.

Personally, I plan on renewing my membership with the magazine attached. I encourage everyone else to do the same.

[MOthrows]

Well, I don't think you could exactly call it a rumor when Rothstein writes "PDGA's Director of Special Projects Dan Roddick called to inform us of the board of Director's decision not to renew our contract to supply this magazine to its membership after issue #84". This was a quote from the last page of the DGW spring 07 isssue. I realize that he goes on to write that the pdga is going to open up a bidding process, but Rothstein makes it pretty clear that DGW if it does come back won't be the same. I think it's really a shame, as I consider it the best bang for my buck that I get out of the pdga membership.

[ronconversjr]

Read the newest copy of the mag yet?Rick called all candidates to ask for 125 words on our views about communications between pdga and members.He got answers from all candidates and printed all on the last page.Unless I`m greatly suprised,the mag will go on (or at least some form of it,maybe better).
Besides setting standards to insure1)fairness.2(safety. and promote Disc Golf in general,what do YOU want from the PDGA?don`t lose the thread!!I really want to know.

[carlbren21]

I guess I would expect the PDGA to continue what they are doing. We are at the bottom of the s curve for a sport (headed in the right direction for sure) and can use all the help/events/organization that is given. The pdga offers great structure to the sport. To tell you the truth, if you love the game and want to see it mature, you shouldn't worry about the perks you get in return.... just help when you can.... and play! I do understand that the perks attract more members, but even if they didn't offer the magazine, you should still be a member. The usga for example gives out a bag tag, and rule book when signing up. That's it. No magazine, no eqpmt. Don't get me wrong, the magazine is great, and I'd be sad to see go... but it shouldn't stop anyone from becoming a member. Anyway, off of the mag deal.

The one thing I think should be considered in the pdga, and probably has already, is more clear player division guidelines. I believe there is a guideline for the separation between intermediate and advanced, but there is no clear line between adv and open. The easiest thing to do would be to put a player rating guideline on it. Maybe another way would be along the lines of having an individual work their way up to the open. In other words, you would have to qualify for it and earn your right to be an open player. Then when a player qualifies for it, they would think of it as a privilage, and not just move up because everyone is telling them to. I'm not sure what the best way to do it is, but I think their could/should be a clear line.

Thoughts on this? Ideas?

[carlbren21]

Besides setting standards to insure1)fairness.2(safety. and promote Disc Golf in general,what do YOU want from the PDGA?don`t lose the thread!!I really want to know.

I guess my previous ramble falls under the fairness category. OK then, how about a push to make it an olympic sport!!!!!!!!!! Probably a stretch, but I know they have some pretty ridiculous shi## in there (badmitton, curling, water ballet, etc....), so why not DG??? Ever tried?

[MOthrows]

Hey, curling was a blast to watch......

[MOthrows]

Read the newest copy of the mag yet?Rick called all candidates to ask for 125 words on our views about communications between pdga and members.He got answers from all candidates and printed all on the last page.Unless I`m greatly suprised,the mag will go on (or at least some form of it,maybe better).
Besides setting standards to insure1)fairness.2(safety. and promote Disc Golf in general,what do YOU want from the PDGA?don`t lose the thread!!I really want to know.

I did read the latest issue and I've already voted for you. Playing the first rd at the Wichita icebowl with you was all I needed to know about you anyway. I just really like the magazine and I'm a bit of a collector (pack rat) and I do think that it's a great way to promote our sport.

[Anakha]

Maybe another way would be along the lines of having an individual work their way up to the open. In other words, you would have to qualify for it and earn your right to be an open player. Then when a player qualifies for it, they would think of it as a privilege, and not just move up because everyone is telling them to.

DG needs much more/bigger sponsors before this would work, but a grand idea.

[Eaglehigh99]

MOthrows wrote:

Well, I don't think you could exactly call it a rumor when Rothstein writes "PDGA's Director of Special Projects Dan Roddick called to inform us of the board of Director's decision not to renew our contract to supply this magazine to its membership after issue #84".

I've had several discussions with Rick about this and it is unfortunate that he took things the way he did. The board had made no decision not to renew the contract; it is just placing the contract out for bid. Rick got the contract initially in a similar bidding process. Out of respect for Rick and the process, I won't go into any further details of our discussions, etc. I just wished to clarify that the PDGA has made no final decisions as to the magazine yet. Our intention is to still have a qualtiy magazine for the membership. If you wish to see the official minutes about this, please go to the following link. http://pdga.com/org/index.php

carlbren21 wrote:

OK then, how about a push to make it an olympic sport!!!!!!!!!!

There are many things that the PDGA board has been working on for many years that the general membership is not aware of. This is one of them and boy is it a political power battle. Long story. The short answer is "not in the near future". I can't tell you which minutes to read but this is also discussed in the minutes. See the above noted link.

I have to get to work now so I can't elaborate any further at this time on either of these subjects. Hope this helps though.

[Rick Rothstein]

[quote="Eaglehigh99"][b]MOthrows wrote:[/b]

[quote]Well, I don't think you could exactly call it a rumor when Rothstein writes "PDGA's Director of Special Projects Dan Roddick called to inform us of the board of Director's decision not to renew our contract to supply this magazine to its membership after issue #84".

I've had several discussions with Rick about this and it is unfortunate that he took things the way he did. The board had made no decision not to renew the contract; it is just placing the contract out for bid. [/quote]

Whoa there Bob. The contract would have extended automatically if neither party cancelled it within 120 days of it's expiration. Dan Roddick's call to me was, indeed, a cancellation of the contract.

Bob says <<Rick got the contract initially in a similar bidding process. >>

That statement has no factual basis. I wrote about the process how DGWN initially hooked up with the PDGA in Parting Shots of issue 80. There has never been a "request for proposal" for a publication in the history of the PDGA. I was on the Board in 1987 when we contracted Joe Feidt (who intitiated a proposal) to do Disc Golfer. I was on the Board again in 1995 when it was decided (with me not voting of course) to go with DGWN. DGW also initiated that proposal.

<< Out of respect for Rick and the process, I won't go into any further details of our discussions, etc. >>

Bob, you have full permission to discuss here anything we have spoken about concerning this topic.

Bob again: "I just wished to clarify that the PDGA has made no final decisions as to the magazine yet. Our intention is to still have a qualtiy magazine for the membership. If you wish to see the official minutes about this, please go to the following link. http://pdga.com/org/index.php"

Yesterday morning I spoke with PDGA Exec Dir. Brian Graham, to whom the Board (after its decision not to renew it's contract with DGW) pawned off the task of creating the "request for proposal." He said the instructions he got were that the publication needs to have a color cover, should come out not less than 4 times a year, and that the PDGA wants eight 8.5 x 11 pages (or the equivalent) for its pages. Beyond that, they wanted it purposely vague to give all bidders and formats a chance. As to "quality" of the next publication that contains the PDGA news, we'll have to wait to sse it before we can make a judgement.

Here are some numbers for y'all to ponder. When we hooked up with the PDGA in 1995, we charged the PDGA $2.00 an issue to deliver it to USA-based members. At that time, PDGA dues were $20 for ams and $25 for pros. Our magazine was 48 pages then with only a color cover. Currently we bill the PDGA 3.35 per issue for a 96 page (1/2 of it color) magazine. The PDGA dues are now $50 for ams and $75 for pros. I think there is an adage about some people knowing the cost of everything, but never understanding the value.

About the USGA: I wait every year until they finally offer me a membership for $15. I get a rules book, a US Open cap, a bag tag, 3 or 4 four-page newsletters a year, and a fat glossy US Open program. Of course, the USGA is actually an association of clubs, not of members. PDGA members still have the right to vote for its Board of Directors, thus it remains a membership organization.

Rick

[ronconversjr]

Besides setting standards to insure1)fairness.2(safety. and promote Disc Golf in general,what do YOU want from the PDGA?don`t lose the thread!!I really want to know.

I guess my previous ramble falls under the fairness category. OK then, how about a push to make it an olympic sport!!!!!!!!!! Probably a stretch, but I know they have some pretty ridiculous shi## in there (badmitton, curling, water ballet, etc....), so why not DG??? Ever tried?

Remember the---Games in Japan a few years ago? that`s the minor league or trial run for Olympic sports!Still trying!!

[ronconversjr]

I have to say that given the cost of a gallon of gas,pack of cigarettes,or most of our other "elective"expenses(what`s a steak cost at the grocery store?)the cost of a qaulity magazine included with our membership seems small.Internet access allows lots of information to be recieved and transmitted,but I bet the amount you spend comparatively for Disc Golf info far exceeds the cost of the magazine on a yearly basis .I`m not a starving student anymore,but I do work 40-60 hours weekly to support the children I`m raising now (so it`s not like times are easy).This said,I do want the most bang for my buck ,and it makes sense to periodically make sure that you are getting it.I`m not suggesting we settle for anything less than that which we recieve now,but if the opportunity to improve the value our members recieved arises,I think it should be carefully examined.
Asking for a service proposal seems to be a fair way to look at all the options available. In fairness,DGWN may be our best option ,but I would like to have the opportunity to see what`s out there .
Besides, who knows what will happen if I spend all the money I save (not paying for a magazine )on beer !:shock: Bet I could`nt get the Winfield golfers a decent buzz!