CSOB Meeting – Notes – Update

Gentlemen,

Sorry for the delay getting this out to the whole club; but recap from last meeting & board emails,

I’ll be sending a second email shortly for those not interested in this wall of text about more pressing matters.

~Keith

——— initial email

Meeting was a bit short on numbers (last minute, Tuesday), but we were able to discuss some items.

1. Recruiting / Numbers
   1. We do need to get more active players, if this club’s going to prosper.
   2. We need to determine why people aren’t getting other players out from their home clubs. Per suggestion, I’ll be putting out a form, requesting advice from the club, and hopefully we can use that to get feedback. Please get me any feedback on questions that are appropriate for this form.
   3. CSOB image
      1. There is some concern about the CSOBs appearing to be a 70s and older group, so we’ve attempted name changes in the past. One of the thoughts is to not change the name but refer to us as the “CSOBs” or “Colorados SOBs”
      2. On that note, Pete suggested a CO flag with a gold rugby ball and SOBs over it.  I’ve run a mock-up along those lines and would like your opinions
2. Scheduling
   1. Currently, we’re trying to get together a match each month leading to the GOs, and other events for everyone to get out to – * Indicates planned, ? should need discussion.
      1. * Jan 4, 1pm, “Winter Warmer”
      2. * Jan 18th, 6pm, “Annual Purple & Gold Party”
      3. ? Feb 15ish? Breckenridge Massacre – Old Boys Match/Bracket (TBD from Blue Goose)
      4. ? Feb TBA Pre-Post Season Party???
      5. ? Mar – TBD –
      6. ? Apr – TBD – Purple & Gold Family BBQ (potentially invite another team)
      7. ? May – TBD – Queen City
      8. * June 8-15 – 2020 Golden Oldies (may interfere with Elephant Rock &
      9. ? Elephant Rock Fundraiser (needs to be discussed in regards to support)
      10. ? June 19-20 – Rocky Mountain Challenge
      11. * July – Elizabeth Gaelic Festival
      12. * August – Vail Old Boys Festival
      13. ? Sep 17-20 – Aspen Ruggerfest
   2. We discussed how we might be able to set up matches with local OB clubs, and try to push for more involvement
   3. I think I caught everything in the works
3. There was discussion about the Golden Oldies & management, it does look well in hand

I believe that covers last night’s discussion, we’ll try to hold future meetings on the weekend to better facilitate those that come from out of town, and other weekday obligations.

If I’ve missed anything, please let me know, I’d like to forward this as an update to the club to show that we are active.

————— response from Tim Stephens

1. Recruiting / Numbers:  We always need to get younger, and I think we are doing exactly that.  The Springs boys definitely enjoy a good run-around (and appreciated the CSOBs who came down for our 50th anniversary match this summer).
   1. Need to make every effort to play on Sundays instead of Saturdays during the men’s club season.  We won’t get younger players out if we conflict with their home club schedules.
   2. We need to take a look at the new players that have come out this year, analyze where they came from, and see if we can get more.  Recommend we aggressively follow-up with those guys to see what events they would like to see in the future and how they think we can get additional bodies.  Younger players are in a much better position to recommend a recruiting strategy than old farts, like us.
   3. The image will take care of itself if we can field teams that at least belong on the same pitch with the competition (we’re not there yet).
   4. I like the flag logo.  Although I think the colors can change up a bit.  See my attached example.  I didn’t have the skill to include the Colorado “C” and the rugby ball, but I think the “C” would be purple in the middle (with the gold background) and gold top and bottom (with the purple background).  Ball could be white.  Not saying it’s the right answer, but I like purple being the primary color instead of gold.  I think it stands out more.
2. Schedule
   1. No issues with asterisked events
   2. St Valentine’s Day Massacre would be a great idea, but need to get the word out soon!
   3. Elephant Rock is 7 Jun.  Yes, it butts right up against the GOs.  We can’t lose that fundraiser.  It’s easy money and guaranteed funding every year, but if we miss a year, I think we put ourselves in jeopardy.  Need to start pushing hard for the guys who are not involved in the administrative aspects of GOs to help with Elephant Rock.
   4. Ruggerfest…  Misfits did not field a 55+ side in 2019.  I need to have a chat with Whitey to see what he envisions for 2020.  I’ll be honest.  If the Misfits field a 55+ team, we won’t be able to compete with them as far as getting numbers.  We’re both fishing out of the same pond.  Bottom line:  Colorado needs a team in that bracket.  If Misfits aren’t going to do it, we need to.  But, if they are, I don’t have much faith that we can field a competitive side.  One other option is that the Florida boys were there this year, but did not field a team.  If we decide to field a team, we need to contact them to get bodies from Florida.

——————-

Thanks,

-- 
Keith Slate
970-388-4997
kslateusa@gmail.com