| The "100" Club |
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| on 28 Nov 2006 | |
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The 100 Club A few years ago a young Dutch soccer coach worked a summer of soccer camps in Northern California. One evening after camp, we sat around a deck conversing about soccer in Holland. I was interested in every aspect of his club - history, fee’s, number and level of teams, fields, club house and membership policies. During this conversation he told me of a club within his club - the 100 Club. What is the 100 Club? The 100 Club is a completely voluntary club within their club. The 100 Club is a club for members who donate $100 a year to the soccer club. In my Dutch friend’s club, they have had club members who have donated $100 a year for over 50 years. The club has a wall in their club house which list’s the 100 club members. The longer one has been a member the higher they move up the list and the wall. In this club, it is prestigious to move up the wall either as an individual or a family. The club had, a few years ago, 500 members in its 100 Club bringing in over $50,000 a year. After visiting many clubs again this summer, I found out many clubs in Holland have such support groups. What is the money used for in the club? This Dutch Club’s fund is used for many things. If a player becomes injured and is hospitalized they send flowers to the player. If a team decides to travel abroad they can apply for 100 Club money. If long time board member retires they may use the money to host a dinner at their club. In some case’s, they pay a players club fee’s. Who decides how the money is spent? All funds are approved by the 100 Club Committee elected by the 100 Club members and coaches every two years. Their committee contains two coaches, a board member and three other members elected for this board. There are certain restrictions on spending 100 Club money - ie not on players or coaches salaries. Proposal to Clubs. So begin the 100 Club in your club. Donate the first $100. Volunteer to sit on the 100 Club Committee until elections are held. Propose the board is appointed for the first 6 months. Propose the Committee is made up of 2 Coaches, 2 parents and one player. Propose the 100 Club Members are celebrated/listed on the club web site. Propose the board considers at least %50 of the money be used for players scholarship. Ask for immediate action on this proposal by your board. It will build a tradition as well as a simple way to have some money to assist your club. |
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