A Volunteer's Frustration...

[Bullseye]

So... yesterday I had someone come up to me and unload on me about how unfair it was that we are offering Stumptown members preferred registration for the Slosh event at Blue Lake. He seemed to think that we were trying to make sure only Stumptown members got to play at Blue Lake, and that was not fair to him because he didn't want to join Stumptown. At the same time he took the opportunity to make sure I knew the only reason anyone is playing in our Slosh series is so people can get rated rounds in time for Worlds in 2014, and no one will be signing up for them next year.

I can't even begin to tell you how much this entire exchange pissed me off. Not only because I thought his entire argument was absurd, but also because this was someone that I have repeatedly gone out of my way to help many times over the years. I can't event remember how many times I've paid his entry and let him pay me back. Perhaps, it was this fact that has made this whole ordeal so hard for me simply "Let it go!".

First off, I announced the preferred registration for Stumptown members before we ran a single Slosh event this season, so this should not have been a surprise to anyone who took the time to read the announcement. Also, the disc golf course at Blue Lake Park would not even be there right now if not for Stumptown & Next Adventure. As individuals, we disc golfers do not wield much clout. However, when we band together as a group, like we have with Stumptown, then people start to take us more seriously and we can get things done. Even if you don't want to be involved in a club, just the act of joining will help that club get things done. Intelligent people understand this, so they do join clubs whether they plan to be active in that club or not. They understand that good things will get done in their name... and that is what matters to them.

Now... can someone please tell me why it is unfair that members of the club who helped get Blue Lake in the ground should not have first chance to register... for an event that club is running.... at a park that club helped install? Because I'll be honest, I do not see this as being unfair at all. I see it as a small reward for people who are actually helping us get things done.

Thanks for listening...

Jeff Hagerty
President - Stumptown Disc Golf.

PS: In the event you have not heard this before... Stumptown Disc Golf is a 100% non-profit organization run completely by VOLUNTEERS. Not a single member of this club profits from their hard work. Everything the club does is done altruistically, with the sole goal of helping promote disc golf in the Greater Portland Metro area. If someone tells you otherwise... they are lying. Period.

[Matt B.]

So... yesterday I had someone come up to me and unload on me about how unfair it was that we are offering Stumptown members preferred registration for the Slosh event at Blue Lake. He seemed to think that we were trying to make sure only Stumptown members got to play at Blue Lake, and that was not fair to him because he didn't want to join Stumptown. At the same time he took the opportunity to make sure I knew the only reason anyone is playing in our Slosh series is so people can get rated rounds in time for Worlds in 2014, and no one will be signing up for them next year.

I can't even begin to tell you how much this entire exchange pissed me off. Not only because I thought his entire argument was absurd, but also because this was someone that I have repeatedly gone out of my way to help many times over the years. I can't event remember how many times I've paid his entry and let him pay me back. Perhaps, it was this fact that has made this whole ordeal so hard for me simply "Let it go!".

First off, I announced the preferred registration for Stumptown members before we ran a single Slosh event this season, so this should not have been a surprise to anyone who took the time to read the announcement. Also, the disc golf course at Blue Lake Park would not even be there right now if not for Stumptown & Next Adventure. As individuals, we disc golfers do not wield much clout. However, when we band together as a group, like we have with Stumptown, then people start to take us more seriously and we can get things done. Even if you don't want to be involved in a club, just the act of joining will help that club get things done. Intelligent people understand this, so they do join clubs whether they plan to be active in that club or not. They understand that good things will get done in their name... and that is what matters to them.

Now... can someone please tell me why it is unfair that members of the club who helped get Blue Lake in the ground should not have first chance to register... for an event that club is running.... at a park that club helped install? Because I'll be honest, I do not see this as being unfair at all. I see it as a small reward for people who are actually helping us get things done.

Thanks for listening...

Jeff Hagerty
President - Stumptown Disc Golf.

PS: In the event you have not heard this before... Stumptown Disc Golf is a 100% non-profit organization run completely by VOLUNTEERS. Not a single member of this club profits from their hard work. Everything the club does is done altruistically, with the sole goal of helping promote disc golf in the Greater Portland Metro area. If someone tells you otherwise... they are lying. Period.

"Even if you don't want to be involved in a club, just the act of joining will help that club get things done. Intelligent people understand this, so they do join clubs whether they plan to be active in that club or not. They understand that good things will get done in their name... and that is what matters to them." This was my favorite part. I joined Stumptown a couple months ago, prompted by it being easy to join online, my long time admiration of what Stumptown does and has done, and so I could possibly play the Blue Lake tournament.

Disc golf is full of really awesome people. Also, disc golf is full of worthless, ungrateful, unhelpful shit birds who never do anything positive or giving and just take, take take, and complain. Fuck them, fuck the shitbird in this story, and fuck all the finger pointers who whine about all the stuff "the club" doesn't do while taking full advantage of all the club's hard work.

[emmarose]

"Even if you don't want to be involved in a club, just the act of joining will help that club get things done. Intelligent people understand this, so they do join clubs whether they plan to be active in that club or not. They understand that good things will get done in their name... and that is what matters to them." This was my favorite part. I joined Stumptown a couple months ago, prompted by it being easy to join online, my long time admiration of what Stumptown does and has done, and so I could possibly play the Blue Lake tournament.

Disc golf is full of really awesome people. Also, disc golf is full of worthless, ungrateful, unhelpful shit birds who never do anything positive or giving and just take, take take, and complain. Fuck them, fuck the shitbird in this story, and fuck all the finger pointers who whine about all the stuff "the club" doesn't do while taking full advantage of all the club's hard work.

put a bird on that shit and fuck it?

[DGOD! Disc Golf]

Love Stumptown! Love Blue Lake! Love the Slosh Series!... Love Jeff Hagerty!








Love,
Dan Brown


P.S. Who was it!:chinscratch:

[DGOD! Disc Golf]

put a bird on that shit and fuck it?

:puke:

[Matt B.]

Love Stumptown! Love Blue Lake! Love the Slosh Series!... Love Jeff Hagerty!








Love,
Dan Brown


P.S. Who was it!:chinscratch:

Ditto to all of this. You can PM us with said shitbird's name so that shaming may begin around the region.

To clarify, for the uber-sensitive types. I'm kidding.

Except I want to know the name. :)

[Garro]

maybe the guy's a member of another club, and maybe he's misinformed, and maybe he'll see the error of his ways and come around...but I think it'll be harder for him to do so if we all pile on here. and if people really feel the way he implies they do about stumptown (i'm absolutely not sure they do) then they are wrong. but I am sure that it will do no good for us to act like dicks like this guy did.

thanks to the people who are trying to bring the disc golf community around here together. jeff's one of them, and dan brown's one of them and there are a lot more of you out there.

from jeff's story he has every right to not give this guy the time of day anymore. I would probably do the same.

garry

[Bullseye]

Thanks everyone. I didn't bring this up with the intent of hanging this guy out to dry, so I won't be naming him, nor will I be holding it against him. I really just wanted to make sure everyone knew exactly why I felt what we were doing was FAIR and that we told everyone well ahead of time.

With all of that said, I really think we need to start teaching Chess in school. Clearly Checkers isn't working out for us, since we can't seem to think more than one step ahead these days. ;)

[WestsoundBT]

Jeff is entirely on track with his thinking.

Membership is important
membership means something
membership should have privledges (not just could... it should!)

side note: Membership means so much in how you relate to the community.

"Hi, I'm a board member of the non profit disc golf club named Stumptown disc golf"

- "Nice to meet you. So you can speak for them - how big is your membership and how many people do you represent?"

These are almost verbatim the exact questions any official or agency will ask to evaluate how much your input is worth. Who are you, and how many people do you represent?

One of the great ways to enroll membership is in offering benefits to membership besides commodities. Instead of just relying on "become a member and get a [shirt][disc][etc]", the ability to provide a benefit that costs the club nothing is fantastic! I've advocated for members priority registration or.. gosh, I'd even be good with a members only event/drive.

[Flash]

Club run events around the country charge non-members more to play in their events. Its the nature of the game. Clubs set up events that offer something tangible to the players and ask in return that they support the club. That support comes either in membership or non-member funds.

Stumptown has always agreed to keep the SLOSH events the same cost for members and non-members, partly because they are smaller events and because if you are not a PDGA member you have to pay $10 extra dollars on top of the entry. In our case we are offering an early registration for members of the club, sure it costs you money to join the club but there are also benefits to the club. If you can't see past the money that it costs you to join then you are never going to understand things like this. Its your self serving right to complain but rest assured your opinion has little weight with this crowd and complaining and debasing Stumptown to the President, TD of this Series and one of the Directors for the 2014 Worlds Committee is a pretty stupid way of convincing someone to see your way.

Clearly this person does not see the benefit of joining Stumptown and probably will always hold a grudge. However when they are on the outside of the Amazing event Jeff has planned for SLOSH #4 at Blue Lake looking in on the waitlist they surely will realize that even though they see no value to Stumptown the 10 bucks sure would have been worth a chance to compete in the first PDGA event at Blue Lake.

[pdxdiscer]

just wondering if you, Jeff , were the "frustrated volunteer" in the thread title
or was the complainer the "frustrated volunteer":
as in, had he volunteered time/effort to Blue lake work party[ies] and was bent about this effort not allowing him to register early vs. paying a $10 membership with no volunteer effort would allow someone else to register early?
this doesn't change the points you go on to make, but may shed some light on where he was coming from/ his thought process
your personal history of helping him out and the jab about who and why folks play the Slosh didn't help his argument
Slosh players with "X" under the 'current PDGA' certainly aren't playing for the rating and i expect next years' Slosh are gonna fill just fine

[LJ Jubner]

that’s a pretty effective slogan.

Jeff
It’s too bad some shit stain ruined your day. Why is it always in the morning so you have all day to think about it?

Is the DG a pDGA member? If so throw the ass under the bus.
If not As TD just make current pDGA member first, Current stump 2nd and then fodder last,

I am a firm believer in club only events. There should be other ways to join the club besides payment. Asking the same commitment that you or I give “to volunteer locally…” for the betterment of the sport, locally!” Sweat equity is what I am talking about. Big or small organized work parties benefit all.

With this being said
This does not give any yahoo the right to work on the course without proper supervision and direction is vandalism plain and simple.

Not every DG has the vision for long term goals on course design. In fact more of my experience is getting to clean up someone else’s mess. The Sequoia just in front of #2 SeaTac is a glaring example of some dumb ass who thinks he/she knows better then the 6-8 who have 100’s of hrs given building the course.

Our biggest problem is some players see no worth in the efforts to build and maintain a course. They believe it has always been there or it just fell from the sky one day for their exclusive personal pleasure. Screw the rest of you I am the most important thing. Until we can show how valuable our efforts been/are really worth; the time, effort and expense we few give freely and yes sometimes foolishly. just so some one disc pony can chew me a new one?

I think not
jub

[TreeLove]

I wasn't going to play the Slosh at Blue Lake. Until I read this.

Now I'll do it just to help make sure the ingrate doesn't get in!

[TreeLove]

Oh, and this:

Love Stumptown! Love Blue Lake! Love the Slosh Series!... Love Jeff Hagerty!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ :bowing:

Love DGOD, too!

[Scott]

I wasn't going to play the Slosh at Blue Lake. Until I read this.

Now I'll do it just to help make sure the ingrate doesn't get in!

Genius. :yay:

[chris7graham]

Jeff I think you and Stumptown have done an outstanding job with all of the courses that you have put in and still are. I love ya Jeff and all you do!!!! Please don't let this one person bring you down and stop your speed forward and the progress you have achieved. Disc Golf Rules!!!!!!!!!:biggrin2:

[TreeLove]

...P.S. Who was it!:chinscratch:

Well, here (http://www.stumptowndiscgolf.org/memberlist) are 555 people who it wasn't...

[PhilStomp]

Thanks Tree Love,
Now I know my Stumptown number.

Jeff,
I'm sorry about this event happening to you.
I had a similar issue about the ace pot and memberships three Slosh years ago.
I posted my opinion and got quit a back lash from this very forum.
Stumptown members are very loyal.
I was trying to understand something and was trying to make my point. Again, quit a back lash.
Then, you posted the details of "why".
I said Thank you but I disagree and I did not play the Slosh that season. My choice, my loss.

I may not even attempt to play the Blue Lake Slosh BUT with all that I like about what you do and the things I see Stumptown doing, I decided to join Stumptown when I signed up for the next Slosh.

With your story, I look back and see a little bit in what I did. GOD, I hope I wasn't even close to that F 'n bad.

Sometimes we have our opinions and sometimes we should keep them to ourselves.

Again, sorry for what happen.
Hope you keep the faith in what you are doing because I'm sure that there are more of us that "THANK YOU" than that guy. No more letting him slide.

Sincerely,
Phil

[jeffmonty]

Jeff,
I think you're being too hard on yourself if you're losing sleep over this guy's point of view. I for one couldn't tell you that it's unfair for Stumptown members to get first shot at registration, sounds very reasonable to me. As pdxdiscer mentioned, the guy may have a justified (to him) reason to get his shorts in a twist over having to wait for the 2nd round registration, but until he steps up to TD his own tourney, it's not up to him. He's completely out of line. I get so tired of seeing these stories about guys that seem to feel they're entitled to have everything they want without contributing anything for the cause. They always seem to complain the loudest.
Even up here in Washington, we know how much Stumptown has done to make the DG experience in the PDX area as great as it is. For some reason some people think a genie in a bottle makes courses happen. Actually, I think i'll go to the Stumptown website and send in my $10 for a membership as i've taken advantage many times of the hard work that they've put in, most recently Stub. Thanks for that, guys.

[OneDarkRebel]

I think any event should be open to anyone, fairly and in a fair venue. I've volunteered my time at more than a course or two...even some that didn't "belong to my club". I have never wanted to subscribe to excluding anyone because they didn't help build it or weren't a member of a club.

[OneDarkRebel]

I think any event should be open to anyone, fairly and in a fair venue. I've volunteered my time at more than a course or two...even some that didn't "belong to my club". I have never wanted to subscribe to excluding anyone because they didn't help build it or weren't a member of a club.

Let it be known also that I wasn't going to this event, however this is my opinion and not some sour rant because I'm not getting in.

[Jason Philips]

I understand where you are coming from with this. I am all about inclusion. I sincerely believe in opportunity for all.

I think one of the issues is that you consider this move by Stumptown as being exclusionary. While I respect your opinion I do disagree.

I am a part of many cultures and scenes and nearly all ticketing and registration for tickets or inclusion at times includes a chance to pay more for pre-registration or pre-ticketing. If you take the fact that the Slosh #4 is open to Stumptown members first and then take that fact coupled with the fact that Stumptown allows anyone to join, I see this as a pre-registration fee and not excluding anyone.

In my understanding your events charge non-members $10 more an entry. In this case Stumptown asked for the $10 upfront to register early. They did not exclude anyone from joining Stumptown, they did not keep this all secret without allowing new members to sign up before the pre-registration. They notified people in general that the last Stumptown Slosh would be open to members before the general public back in November. This means anyone who was not a member had three months to pay an extra $10 (Like your non-member fee but this was for membership) and get the chance to register before non-members.

I honestly respect your opinion but your approach here is really pointed and from the replies makes volunteers feel their efforts are in vain. These pointed comments further push those that promote the sport away from organizing tournaments.

[Sausage Fingers]

In my understanding your events charge non-members $10 more an entry. In this case Stumptown asked for the $10 upfront to register early. They did not exclude anyone from joining Stumptown, they did not keep this all secret without allowing new members to sign up before the pre-registration. They notified people in general that the last Stumptown Slosh would be open to members before the general public back in November. This means anyone who was not a member had three months to pay an extra $10 (Like your non-member fee but this was for membership) and get the chance to register before non-members.

Hey Jason, thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts on the matter, it helps us to see all sides of an issue by hearing different viewpoints.

I just wanted to clarify one thing. The $10 non-member fee is for non-PDGA members and not non-Stumptown members. If you play in ANY PDGA sanctioned tournament and are not a PDGA member then you are subject to this fee for each tourney that you play. This fee goes directly to the PDGA but the TD's are responsible for collecting it and sending it to the PDGA. If they do not collect this fee they still have to pay that $10 for each and every non-PDGA member that plays in the PDGA sanctioned tournament. This is the cost for getting to use the PDGA provided insurance and for the round ratings for all participants among other things.

But one of the benefits to being a Stumptown member is getting $5 off your PDGA membership costs, so you are getting half your money back in savings. Another benefit is to get early registration to this tourney.

Once again, I am not trying to take a shot at you Jason, I just wanted to make this clarification.

Can't wait to play Blue Lake!:rockon:

:pirate:

[Jason Philips]

My understanding (Marcus, correct me if I am wrong) is that Rebel Members get occasional discounts on tournaments. I wasn't referring to the PDGA. I wasn't very clear I can see from the quote above.

[Crawdad]

Hagerty and all Stumptown members and affiliates,

Josh “Crawdad” Johnson here. I do not visit the forum regularly nor generally remain abreast of current discussion topics. However, my lovely wife and many of our friends do. Yesterday she and a friend we're chatting about this recent spirited discussion over the slosh/blue lake tourney. From what I understand, some negative comments were made against the club and possibly you directly. Hopefully a mere misunderstanding and I trust it will all work out without any hard feelings one way or the other.

It did get me thinking however, I just wanted to send a quick note to express our support and say that Sarah and I always appreciate all that Stumptown and you individually contribute to Oregon Disc Golf as with all the local clubs. We have both just registered as paying members of Stumptown today and plan to renew annually (with no intention of playing the aforementioned tourney btw). We should be embarrassed for not having become dedicated members prior. In addition we have become a “Friend” level sponsor of McCormick Park. Although we are rarely able to participate in Slosh events or physically contribute to course development/maintenance, we greatly value and take advantage of the world class level courses and tournaments that Stumptown has been integral in creating and providing. In the future we hope to be able to contribute and donate our time further, but for now please consider this a small act of appreciation. Keep up the great work!!!

Cheers,
Crawfolk

[LegoRules]

Hagerty and all Stumptown members and affiliates,

Josh “Crawdad” Johnson here. I do not visit the forum regularly nor generally remain abreast of current discussion topics. However, my lovely wife and many of our friends do. Yesterday she and a friend we're chatting about this recent spirited discussion over the slosh/blue lake tourney. From what I understand, some negative comments were made against the club and possibly you directly. Hopefully a mere misunderstanding and I trust it will all work out without any hard feelings one way or the other.

It did get me thinking however, I just wanted to send a quick note to express our support and say that Sarah and I always appreciate all that Stumptown and you individually contribute to Oregon Disc Golf as with all the local clubs. We have both just registered as paying members of Stumptown today and plan to renew annually (with no intention of playing the aforementioned tourney btw). We should be embarrassed for not having become dedicated members prior. In addition we have become a “Friend” level sponsor of McCormick Park. Although we are rarely able to participate in Slosh events or physically contribute to course development/maintenance, we greatly value and take advantage of the world class level courses and tournaments that Stumptown has been integral in creating and providing. In the future we hope to be able to contribute and donate our time further, but for now please consider this a small act of appreciation. Keep up the great work!!!

Cheers,
Crawfolk


You Crawfolk are awesome #561 & #562! :rockon:

Cindy :)

[Portland Rebel]

My understanding (Marcus, correct me if I am wrong) is that Rebel Members get occasional discounts on tournaments. I wasn't referring to the PDGA. I wasn't very clear I can see from the quote above.

The only Rebel perk I know of is being able to be a part of a tournament and player party run by the one and only, Ryan Lane. Anything else=sugar on top...

This Blue Lake tourney is going to rock!

[EnigmaSquad]

Jeff,
I am a member of WSDGA(West Sound) and therefore I would ordinarily not be interested in traveling for any of the Slosh Series. But I happened to be working in the Portland area for the Blue Lake #4 weekend. So I looked into what it would take to get into that one event. I saw my best chance would be to become a stumptown member. FWIW I thought the extra $10 was more than reasonable to get into the tourney. Plus the membership "in money only" would be supporting a cause I believe in, even if it is not in my backyard.

(Unfortunately, my schedule changed and I am not going to be around saturday or sunday to play... :shocked:)

[Matt B.]

The only Rebel perk I know of is being able to be a part of a tournament and player party run by the one and only, Ryan Lane. Anything else=sugar on top...

This Blue Lake tourney is going to rock!

I think the discount was referenced in this thread (which you kind of have to read to understand the context of this whole discussion that Marcus started with his questions about SS#4) For the record, I have no idea if there is such a discount, I would support the concept if there is, I have always enjoyed every Rebel event I've entered, and I'm not attacking anyone in this post.

http://nwdiscgolfnews.com/forum/showthread.php?t=10154

And I agree on this tournament rocking! Hopefully I can get my average score at Blue Lake under double digits over.

[Bullseye]

To Josh and Sarah and everyone else who has shown support for our club... thank you for your understanding.

Just to make this perfectly clear, As I always have, I welcome any and all questions regarding how Stumptown operates and how and why we make the decisions we do. No, we will never make everyone happy every time, but I am confident our hearts are in the right place.

My only regret with this particular situation was that while the original post had a number of very good questions, it also felt very accusatory. I think that fact alone put everyone on the defensive. I think a slightly different tone, whether it was real or perceived, would have gone a long way here.

In any case, I'm good with how this all turned out... and I have no problems whatsoever with anyone involved.

[Garro]

Way to go Jeff. You still the man!!

[907miller]

In addition we have become a “Friend” level sponsor of McCormick Park.

Thanks so much for the generous donation Crawdad!!!

[bryan_luoma]

Member #400 is now current again.

Thank you!

[jarednfischer]

Jeff: I wanted to at least comment on here instead of just reading and moving on. I totally support and appreciate all the work you and Stumptown do for the disc community and you should brush off any negative vibes. So many great courses would not exist, have as many amenities, or be as clean/impressive without your help. Keep it up and make Stumptown exclusive sign up times for tournaments more in the future. Don't let negative people get to you. I believe every disc golfer in the northwest should be a Stumptown member!

[Str8MaxW8]

Jeff: I wanted to at least comment on here instead of just reading and moving on. I totally support and appreciate all the work you and Stumptown do for the disc community and you should brush off any negative vibes. So many great courses would not exist, have as many amenities, or be as clean/impressive without your help. Keep it up and make Stumptown exclusive sign up times for tournaments more in the future. Don't let negative people get to you. I believe every disc golfer in the northwest should be a Stumptown member!

LIKE!