Promoting Our Sport

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Ellen from ReLofts was kind enough to offer this list on another post. I was so impressed with it, that I am taking it to our next meeting. I also wanted members of racing pigeon clubs to see this, and perhaps add some ideals that your club is currently doing.

Thank you Ellen, you are a credit to the sport, and I am learning much from you.

1. Each Club member donates 2 birds to new flyer.
2. Club purchases clocks that are to be loaned or setup on a layaway plan for the beginner via contract of course with funds they have made via auction of one bird per member, one loft race, barbeque fund raiser or what ever you all decide on.
3. Have club members donate unused feeders, waters, crates etc. for the startup of new flyers.
4. Have club members donate vitamins, medications for new flyers of their excess.
5. Reduce club dues for new flyers for one year, it is better to get a new flyer started and assist with the costs later then carry the costs amongst fewer flyers.
6. Lower the cost of shipping for the first year, again this will pay off in the end.
7. Assist with the training of the new flyers birds, the old timers have to train their birds anyway so what is it for a couple extra to ride a long.
8. Have a club member mentor/sponsor your new flyers and give the club updates of what the needs are of the new flyers so all of the members can be involved.

Currently one of the clubs we are flying with loans all new flyers clocks, no cost for shipping or dues for junior flyers, and the training is no cost for juniors, there are many ways to assist with the costs of startup.

[re lee]

Those points are fine. Getting new members requires promoting interest. News articles about the local club history of the races. Shows and such That the public can attend or relate to. Encourage an active membership that pulls together For the club. And bringing new members. . A loft will not have to be a big expence .But practical. Racing is getting more expensive to get into. So giving Good birds. Not Birds that you would be willing to keep fly or breed from. That can help a person go forward. Be able to compete with the other club members. Helps alot. To many times new people end up getting low rate birds. And get frustrated Not being able to compete on a level field. Unless they go out and spend some bigger dollars. To get good stock. It takes a while to be willling to spend a larger amount of money on birds. The clubs can put together a basic care and training manuel for new members. Going 1 extra round from your top breeders And giving them to a new flyer Does not hurt the breeder. But helps the new person get good birds to start with. AND sometimes it is better To encourage that person Not to hurry the first year to get them racing. Let them raise train attend the club meetings. Sort of get ther feet wet the first year. Then the next They are more educated and ready for what goes on in racing pigeons. To many times a new member is pressed to get the birds ready race the first season .Be old bird or young bird So the club has another flyer. Then the new person gets discouraged and drops out of flying. And there goes a potencel flyer that may have been a good asset later. Sure if they are ready the first year and want to get them up in the races. Help them. But If they need a little more training age of birds Or anything That the second year could bring them into a better flying program. Then let them know that it would be best if they just learned thru the first year.

[relofts]

re-lee,

very accurate, it is important to get a good start, I had pressure the first year to get the school birds up and competing, well I shot it down and allowed the kids to get to know their birds, they have now had their birds for a full year in April and will have their first race on April 2, I am very nervous and want to do what is best. My birds are getting double the training in order to help with their training on the normal as well as the training of the schools birds to teach them to break off with their birds being on the east side of the valley and mine on the west side of the valley. I can say I just want this to be a success for them so bad, I have not pushed what so ever and we have had fun getting to this day, I hope that they all just make it home as these birds have been spoiled by these 32 kids and their teacher. They were provided with some top of the line birds from top lofts in the USA as well as a breeding pair imported from a top flyer. I sure hope I don't have to go chase these birds down to show them the way home, they just all have to make it home.....LOL I think I am just loosing it here with the pressure of shipping them this Friday.

Ellen

[elvis_911]

That list could be emailed to Clubs everywhere, getting more people into this
sport is essential for keeping it alive, No offence but a large part of the pigeon
racing community are old people. Espeically in calgarys club they'res like 5-10
people who are younger than 30 and 80-90 older than 45(but they're are a lot of programs teaching kids how to handle pigeons) thats not nessesaryily a bad
thing the older people know more, and can be the biggest help in promoting
the sport, but it just seems so many pigeon fanciers are pretty old This sport has to promote more young and old people to the sport. Before i became interested i was curious and pigeon racing didnt seem that fun on how the people made it sound Really boring, then i visited a pigeon fanciers farm and i he gave a me birds i was so happy.



Elvis

[re lee]

Relofts. Sounds like you have a good interst in helping the school kids With there birds. A great thing that it helps to. Is it gives them something rather then bad things to do too. So it pays off both ways. let us know how race day goes. And hope the kids really enjoy the out come. . And elvis. Yes more older people are into birds now. NOT as many younger people coming into the sport as it was years ago. And young people are the future. Part is parents think it a bad hobby. And they need educated about benifits for youth. Other is Youth leaders in the clubs. Taking part to aid in raiseing training And assisting the younger members towards becoming good flyers and breeders of racing homers. And young people can help by bringing in other friends to the hobby. And the A U offers scholorships for college. My nephew recieved one last year. He said that makes racing pigeons more interseting and it helped on his college.. So clubs can assist in that area too.

[Pigeonpal2002]

Great thread and discussion everyone. Excellent advice and suggestions as well. As a person not involved in the "sport", the only thing I would like to add to this conversation is this....I think when new people are brought into the helm, I think it's a top priorty to encourage true love for the birds and try to nuture that ideal. Unfortunately with many things in life, people get caught up in the winning aspect of things and as a result, the large prize monies that can be gained by a winning bird. Some fanciers....and I do stress the word "Some", unfortunately advocate winning above all else and could perhaps instil this way of thinking into new or young people just starting out. It's vital that the right people are stoked and pruned to continue this honest and wonderful hobby of keeping any pigeon in the sportman's arena.


Just my humble opinion

[re lee]

That is in away very right Brad. A person has to realize. Winning is just a part. And doing so takes effert and time. Being a good sport is a must. But if not helped in getting a good start. Its much harder for the beginer to build a sucsessful loft. Thats why helping them get good birds first keeps them going. Every one wants to win. But we learn that in anything we ever do we have to try. That key builds from there try and try. Then it happens.

[whitesnmore]

Warren, Our conversation early on in regards to the various "types" of people you will encounter in this sport were all to true. I have had a very difficult time trying to connect with a club in our area to get my son and I in. Everyone seems to not want any fresh blood in their club as it may upset their precious winning ways. I finally had to seek help from the AU area leader in order to get some of the club members to respond to my requests to visit their club meetings. Sad that a new person trying to get in this sport has to go thru so much. Wish I was in your area. I have yet to find people in my area like I have met on the web.
Ken

[elvis_911]

Personally with a prize money i'd just improve my loft, get more meds, ect.



Elvis

[relofts]

Originally Posted by whitesnmore

Warren, Our conversation early on in regards to the various "types" of people you will encounter in this sport were all to true. I have had a very difficult time trying to connect with a club in our area to get my son and I in. Everyone seems to not want any fresh blood in their club as it may upset their precious winning ways. I finally had to seek help from the AU area leader in order to get some of the club members to respond to my requests to visit their club meetings. Sad that a new person trying to get in this sport has to go thru so much. Wish I was in your area. I have yet to find people in my area like I have met on the web.
Ken

I am so sorry that you had to go through this, what city do you live in? I feel really bad about this, do you have a mentor now? If I can help you please let me know, I will do what I can and will also try to get other's involved in assisting you. I am currently doing the Eleanor Roosevelt School Project with 32 kids, Tanya and her daughter (they are easy students), a new person in the central USA that my husband is mentoring, but again I will do what I can and locate someone as well to assist, you can email me privately if you prefer at relofts@sbcglobal.net

Welcome to the sport, I hope I can help make your experiences better for you for the future, I am willing to at least try if you would like.

Ellen
www.relofts.com

[elvis_911]

I emailed the local club this is the response i got.

"I highly doubt the club would consider that list"


Elvis

[elvis_911]

http://www.angelfire.com/tx5/CPFA/OBJECTIVES.html

This site has some good objectives for they're club

Elvis

[relofts]

Whitesnmore,

Have you had a call from anyone there local yet, I was able to speak with the help a begnner director who inturn made some calls, well anyone the calls went around and the President of the North Valley Combine - Rick Neitzer was going to call you and do what he could to assist you from your end. I haven't heard back and I didn't want you to think I had forgotten you so I figured this may find it's way to you in case my emails didn't. Looking forward to hearing what has transpired, I am thinking positive here.

Ellen

[SmithFamilyLoft]

Hello Ken,

Once you finally find a club, you will have to do your best in promoting our sport, in spite of the lack of support you may encounter at times. The old saying, it is better to light a candle, then to curse the darkness.

There will always be about 5% of the membership, which does 95% of the work. And if you think about it, isn't that true with many organizations ? Seek out the true sportsmen or sportswomen, and direct your energys toward them. Do not allow the negatives to discourage you. Just might be, that you will have to "Lead" and help develope your local organization. The sad truth is, you may not be welcomed with open arms. Especially, if the members suspect you may win some races.

(I am kidding here) Just make sure, you tell them you only have a few pair of barn pigeons from out East, and they may not feel threatened.

Somewhere in your area, there must be a flyer or two, that will help you get set up. Fortunately, there are sportsmen and sportswomen like R & E Lofts, and others, who will offer encouragement, and share in your success, even if it is at a distance.

Keep focused on your goals, and don't allow local conditions to discourage you. You just might have your work cut out for you. If I can help in any way, you know where to reach me.

[whitesnmore]

Ellen & Warren,
Thank you both for all the long distance help and friendship you both have shown. You both are a credit to our sport. I am committed to sticking to this to learn as much as possible and have as much fun as possible. When it gets discourageing I will just chat with you guys Seriously, I got a call today from the Lake County Club and will be visiting their club meeting with my son tonight (provided they aren't playing an April Fools Joke on Me). Any suggestions on what to look for in a club. I havent the faintest clue what I should be looking for.
Ken