Dear Rollie and Chris:
I would like to thank the two of you for all the work you put into the derby this past week-end, I'm sure you must be exhausted today.
I have some observations as it relates to the derby. I feel I need to share:
First: I felt the entire prize procedure lacked transparency. The buzz around the tables was that the organizing committee and the old guard won far too many prizes and frankly that appeared to be the case.
Who drew the tickets? When and where was it done and where was the transparency as to what each drawn ticket won? Half the fun in going to a derby is being part of the draws. A computer screen adds confusion and congestion. Again Transparency!!
Where is the accountability to the sponsors? Don't they wonder? There were several comments floating around the room expressing dissatisfaction in the process and this will be heard by the sponsors as people were vocal.
Second: the meal was very poor. I paid for my ticket for the meal. $15.00 really? I don't have a problem paying that or more but please a decent meal is a must. Hamburgers and hot dogs would have been plenty. Where was a simple dessert? A simple snack of pretzels or nuts on each table would have kept people occupied and happy for the long and boring wait for presentation. An unnecessary wait!
Third: the presentation itself was poor, the PA system was terrible. We simply could not hear what you were saying. It was also very loud and annoying on the ears. We totally did not get the appreciation presentations.
Fourth: why is it that there were people who did not catch a fish and yet got a prize and but others (like my husband who caught a 12.5 lb salmon) got nothing? Plus we noticed there were some that got more than one prize. Transparency!!!
Fifth: the raffle for the tables was lame and a waste of time. Why not have table numbers and do a silent draw. You would still generate revenue without the confusion of having to silence the crowd and delay the meal.
Sixth: there appeared to be no real encouragement for younger fisherman. A reduced entrance rate to attract the young would ensure that the future of this derby and others would be cast. A simple look around the room told me and others that this derby does not encourage the young fishers. Like the Salmon enhancement program our future also lies with the young. It was further noted that when Zack Witherall won once again, a lot of comments could be heard that he had won before and that his Grandfather was one of the main organizers in the tournament!!! Transparency!!!!
Finally: my own experience was not good from the get go. I bought a ticket for my husband on line and never got the ticket in the mail as promised. He went to the last presentation as we had waited for the ticket and was treated terrible because he could not produce a ticket and they refused to accept my receipt.
I appreciate that in speaking to the two of you this was cleared up the day before the tournament and I thank-you for that.
We came from the mainland to this tournament and participated with our daughter and son-in-law. We could not afford $200 for each of our Grandchildren thus this was not a family affair. Never mind $15 for banquet tickets for 3 of them. Is this tournament only for the rich or is everyone encouraged to participate? Our kids are a young working family and we are retired with a decent pension but found it pricey for the extras. We have participated in many Derbys in our time and frankly found the nepotism in this one very offensive. I feel you will find this will be reflected in your upcoming Derbys particularly to young people and those ( like us) who have travelled to attend. I can attest to this simply by having listened to the buzz in the hall. Be reminded that this was our first participation in your derby yet all of these points are based on the buzz in the room plus our own observations.
I don't believe in being critical unless one is prepared to step-up and if asked I would be prepared to do that. I am told the two of you are fresh blood in the organization and I am hopeful you will make some positive changes.
Respectfully submitted,
I would like to thank the two of you for all the work you put into the derby this past week-end, I'm sure you must be exhausted today.
I have some observations as it relates to the derby. I feel I need to share:
First: I felt the entire prize procedure lacked transparency. The buzz around the tables was that the organizing committee and the old guard won far too many prizes and frankly that appeared to be the case.
Who drew the tickets? When and where was it done and where was the transparency as to what each drawn ticket won? Half the fun in going to a derby is being part of the draws. A computer screen adds confusion and congestion. Again Transparency!!
Where is the accountability to the sponsors? Don't they wonder? There were several comments floating around the room expressing dissatisfaction in the process and this will be heard by the sponsors as people were vocal.
Second: the meal was very poor. I paid for my ticket for the meal. $15.00 really? I don't have a problem paying that or more but please a decent meal is a must. Hamburgers and hot dogs would have been plenty. Where was a simple dessert? A simple snack of pretzels or nuts on each table would have kept people occupied and happy for the long and boring wait for presentation. An unnecessary wait!
Third: the presentation itself was poor, the PA system was terrible. We simply could not hear what you were saying. It was also very loud and annoying on the ears. We totally did not get the appreciation presentations.
Fourth: why is it that there were people who did not catch a fish and yet got a prize and but others (like my husband who caught a 12.5 lb salmon) got nothing? Plus we noticed there were some that got more than one prize. Transparency!!!
Fifth: the raffle for the tables was lame and a waste of time. Why not have table numbers and do a silent draw. You would still generate revenue without the confusion of having to silence the crowd and delay the meal.
Sixth: there appeared to be no real encouragement for younger fisherman. A reduced entrance rate to attract the young would ensure that the future of this derby and others would be cast. A simple look around the room told me and others that this derby does not encourage the young fishers. Like the Salmon enhancement program our future also lies with the young. It was further noted that when Zack Witherall won once again, a lot of comments could be heard that he had won before and that his Grandfather was one of the main organizers in the tournament!!! Transparency!!!!
Finally: my own experience was not good from the get go. I bought a ticket for my husband on line and never got the ticket in the mail as promised. He went to the last presentation as we had waited for the ticket and was treated terrible because he could not produce a ticket and they refused to accept my receipt.
I appreciate that in speaking to the two of you this was cleared up the day before the tournament and I thank-you for that.
We came from the mainland to this tournament and participated with our daughter and son-in-law. We could not afford $200 for each of our Grandchildren thus this was not a family affair. Never mind $15 for banquet tickets for 3 of them. Is this tournament only for the rich or is everyone encouraged to participate? Our kids are a young working family and we are retired with a decent pension but found it pricey for the extras. We have participated in many Derbys in our time and frankly found the nepotism in this one very offensive. I feel you will find this will be reflected in your upcoming Derbys particularly to young people and those ( like us) who have travelled to attend. I can attest to this simply by having listened to the buzz in the hall. Be reminded that this was our first participation in your derby yet all of these points are based on the buzz in the room plus our own observations.
I don't believe in being critical unless one is prepared to step-up and if asked I would be prepared to do that. I am told the two of you are fresh blood in the organization and I am hopeful you will make some positive changes.
Respectfully submitted,