Is the economic downturn affecting your club in any way, such as a decrease in participation, (or even increase if swimming is seen as a cheap pastime, like movie-going and rentals?) Is your club doing anything as a result, or is it preparing for a bad economy in any way? Any drop or increase in meet participation attributed to it?
The reason for my post is that our club administration has been contemplating possibilities for the club and program in the bad economy, but it appears the bad economy hasn't had much effect...yet. I wanted to know what others were experienceing, and planning (if you actually plan:)) I wanted to know if our club's experience is unique.
Ray, Good to hear the Tropical Splash meet was another success!
I agree with you that we're in a unique area. The government will always be here - as will the contractors - and with the administration turnover, we'll probably see some transplants coming into town in the next several months.
As for the rest of the country, a couple things I thought of are:
1 - hold a meet! hire your teammates to time, get some sponsors to help offset costs (ie local sub shop for food). if membership dwindles, you still have to pay for a coach and lanes - and this is a good way to raise funds for things like those.
2 - Katie had a good point about running. Most runners and triathletes spend a good deal of money on new gear - especially for the bike - throughout the year. From where I sit, if money is tight and my bike equipment is working just fine, why not spend the money i have on training... and that is where we (USMS) come in. The same $500 that I would be spending on a new crankset could also come in handy for a summer pool membership.
The reason for my post is that our club administration has been contemplating possibilities for the club and program in the bad economy, but it appears the bad economy hasn't had much effect...yet. I wanted to know what others were experienceing, and planning (if you actually plan:)) I wanted to know if our club's experience is unique.
Ray, Good to hear the Tropical Splash meet was another success!
I agree with you that we're in a unique area. The government will always be here - as will the contractors - and with the administration turnover, we'll probably see some transplants coming into town in the next several months.
As for the rest of the country, a couple things I thought of are:
1 - hold a meet! hire your teammates to time, get some sponsors to help offset costs (ie local sub shop for food). if membership dwindles, you still have to pay for a coach and lanes - and this is a good way to raise funds for things like those.
2 - Katie had a good point about running. Most runners and triathletes spend a good deal of money on new gear - especially for the bike - throughout the year. From where I sit, if money is tight and my bike equipment is working just fine, why not spend the money i have on training... and that is where we (USMS) come in. The same $500 that I would be spending on a new crankset could also come in handy for a summer pool membership.
