In the last month or so there has been a lot of discussion around creating an NOWT membership. This potential membership would be required to fish the events on the trail. The fee would be minimal at $10. The membership dues would go towards covering costs and marketing the NOWT which increase our visibility and increase our sponsorship. This will help all of the events by having more available prize packs for each event but also help market each community.
A strategic plan, a budget and annual report would be available on the site so that all members can see what it is we are trying to accomplish each year. Membership feedback is something that will be very important in this process. In return for the membership dues, we are looking at partnering with potential sponsors that will give special discounts to our members only. As anglers we are always buying new equipment and now each NOWT member can enjoy a discount on the equipment we are buying. The $10 membership could save you hundereds each year on new gear.
Each member will have the opportunity to post a profile but it is not required. We are looking for feedback on this idea. Let us know what you think!
The membership fee is a positive move on the part of NOWT. An annual fee will go a long way in supporting advertizing and attendance at Fishing and boat shows.
Although a mere $10.00 may not be enough to cover these expenses.
Hi Jim
Thanks for the reply. Your feedback is very important and appreciated. I agree that $10 is a low amount but we need to start somewhere and many anglers don’t want to pay anything. It is important for everyone to understand that we want our trail to grow and growth means more sponsorship opportunities. More sponsorship leads to more prize packs for each tournament which might actually raise our prize purses without increasing registration fees. Last year we had approximately 800 different anglers participate. That would have amounted to $8000 to cover some costs, marketing and angler of the year prizes. Again thanks for your interest.
Shane Turcotte
Maybe charge alittle more but give a membership hat and decal. This way you also get good advertising.
Good idea and great work on the new web page. Looking forward to 2011 to see all you guys again.
Dan Hein
Thanks for the feedback guys. We could definitely do something along the lines of a hat or t-shirt and decal for your membership fee. I would hope anglers will support the membership fee as a way to create a better NOWT in the future. I believe we have the best walleye circuit from a participation standpoint in North America, 7 tournaments in 2011 and over 800 participants in 2010. Great support!
I have no issue with a membership fee. I am planning on fishing 3 tournaments minimum and will be elidgible for Angler of the year. However the average angler who may only fish one event could have opposition to paying the $10/angler extra to be a member. They would also not be elidgible for Angler of the year. I beileve we should entertain a higer fee for those who fish 3 plus tournaments ($25) for example. Then make T-shirts, Crests,Hats, NOWT boat or truck window stickers available for purchase. Perhaps maybe give each angler who is not a member and fishes a tournament a crest or sticker for advertisement, which can be a right off at tax time.
Just my thoughts, this should open a can of worms…
its a good idea but local that fish only the local derby will probably be against it.lots of them local fish only for fun just to participate and they will never fish another tournaments.
I wouldn’t make it mandatory to participate in NOWT events. But those who do buy the membership, should recieve a member discount on entry fees to NOWT sponsored/sanctioned events.
In addition, membership priviliges could include discounts from NOWT sponsors.
Maybe not mandatory for those who only fish 1 or 2 events, but mandatory to qualify for the Angler of the Year. Members who pay can enjoy the membership benefits and discounts of the NOWT sponsors. A championship Ring for the Angler/Anglers of the year would be nice. So, $10/angler for 3 tournaments to qualify = $30 membership fee. Or even $20/angler to qualify. Like Craig says, hats or shirts would be nice for the fee and merchandise that non members can buy may be the way to go.
I like the idea of mandatory membership to qualify for AOY for 3 tournaments.
I think the key is to not make the NOWT and its events appear exclusive to members only.
You’ll have to manage information flow and control rumour-milling among participants if things are misunderstood or misinterpreted.
I’m not sure about a championship ring, though. I’d rather drink my championship champagne out of a cup… a BIG cup. 😉
Great Feedback. I like the idea of charging only anglers who are chasing angler of the year honours(3 tournaments minimum). The problem is we only had about 50 anglers who fishing in at least 3 tournaments. At $30 per angler, that only equates to $1500.00. If you used half of the money for(plaques, a cup, cash prizes, hats, t-shirts or decals), This only leaves $750 for the NOWT. The NOWT needs to raise money to develop a marketing strategy(outdoor shows, advertising, sponsorship packages, etc) to grow our sponsors(dollars or inkind prizes) which we can then give back to the communities who helped us along the way. The NOWT is big and we need to tap into corporate sponsors. We obviously have teams that fish just one tournament the whole year. We definitely don’t want to ruin things for them. Most tournament trails operate on an 80% payback of registration money to anglers. If we can get more Sponsorship prizes(really nice prizes) for each event. Perhaps the circuit can function on a 80% payback to anglers, 15% payback to the community hosting the event and a 5% payback to the NOWT. Just ideas guys. Obviously the NOWT needs to demonstrate what the money is going to and the value for each community(Board members are event organizers so eveyone has a say) Need to develop strategic plan, open book budget, vision/mission statement and etc. Your thoughts and help are appreciated.
Shane
Have we looked into selling advertising space to any fishing related companies. They would pay a fee to advertise on our web-site per month for this opportunity. I am sure there are many companies,lodges,tackle manufacturers,tackle stores, boat dealers, for example, who would use this as an advertising write off. Instead of them being a sponsor they would just simply put out an ad. As for membership, any one should be able to join the NOWT, but what are we going to give them in return? If they pay $10 to be a member, they should receive something other than a hat or t-shirt. Perhaps we could look at a news letter sent to there home, including fishing tips, tournament updates, interviews with anglers, etc. We could also use this newsletter for revenue as well by selling advertising in it. If we had a sponsor such as Princecraft donate a boat like they do for tournaments, maybe we could have a yearly draw for all members who do not fish three tournaments a chance to win it for their $10 dollars. it a raffle plus membership included.
Any thoughts guys and gals.
I really think that a yearly membership fee would be a great idea , $10 seems a little low , why not $25 and give it a good kick start. This would leave some breathing room to put together a good membership package , some people already have some good ideas , with hats, decals, T-Shirts, maybe some advertising, and it should be paid by anybody wanting to fish any of the tournaments,$25 is pretty minimal to be a member in something that has such a bright future ahead of it . I fished my first tournament in the N.O.W.T. last fall in Sagomok , I was totally impressed with the proffessionalism displayed by M.R. Mazucca and the people of sagamok well run and very organized. I am looking forward to this season we are fishing at least 3 of the tournaments and I just cant wait for this hard water to leave.Good luck and Good fishing……
I like the idea but I think it should stay at $10 per angler like it started out at the top of this conversation. I don’t know about everyone else but I enter these tournaments to fish and have some fun. I never think of angler of the year. I leave that for Mr. Hein and his partner (LOL). I go fishing and if I win something it is bonus. if paying $10 membership fee will help the organization then I am all for it. Keep the cost low and EVERYONE will pay. I am sure that all the funds collected each year wouldn’t be spent and the bank would possible grow. We can also look at giving back to the lakes and rivers we fish on. Well that’s my 2 cents!
There are a lot of great ideas presented here, I believe the member ship fee of $10 is a good starting point. Princecraft donated one 12 foot aluminum boat per tournament – could these boats be an incentive to get theses membership fees from the guys who only fish one or two tournaments, Implement that only registered members are entitled to win one of these boats in draw at the end of each tournament. This way for $10 dollars you become a member with a chance to win a boat. I think this could be a win/win situation
Jeff
I would agree with jeff, but I have bigger visions on this one, why not a bigger package? I would be willing to go up to a hundred maybe more if it would be a rig and to help out the cause. We as good citizens are not without spending a couple of hundreds each year in taking tickets, heart lottery etc, etc. It ain’t cheap but the winner will be very happy. Make the draw at Sagamok, this will bring more people for the end event also. And have a talk with princecraft, I believe they would be happy to send the package to the nearest dealer of the winner. It could be a win win situation for everybody.
Denis
I think if you stay at $10 most participant would pay the fee, but if you start to put it to high like a $100 you would have way less people willing to participate and your rig might be disappointing Mr. Martin (lol)…
I think this a great idea,i would surely join to help these tournaments keep rolling.I think all the organizers and sponsors are doing a hell of a job keeping us fishing nuts out on the water,see all you guy’s this season.
To all anglers coming to Mattagami First Nation Annual Walleye Derby, I was just informed this morning that Twin J Hideaway Lodge has had 2 cancellations..They have 2 cabins available for the weekend…June 3, 4 & 5 th…If you interested please call – Les & Gisele Brown at 705-894-2495
Cindy