Fencing.Net - Your Guide to Fencing & Fencing Equipment

Pa55w0rd · 05-07-2002, 04:32 PM

*** DELETED ***

shouldn't post under the influence of alcohol.

:-)

[ 05-07-2002: Message edited by: Pa55w0rd ]

schlager7 · 05-07-2002, 07:57 PM

Fine...What is YOUR new input?

KShan5[PrFC] · 05-07-2002, 08:16 PM

One main problem, in our high school team/club is getting everyone to fence. There are a few fencers in our club, myself included, who eat and breath, fencing. But for the most part there are kids who just sit and chat the whole practice. Plus that contributes too a lack of practicing equipment, since they talk while fully suited up.

arcon · 05-09-2002, 10:22 AM

Schlager7,

In all seriousness i doubt that i can give you the "answer". Im afraid it would be taken to personal by some. If the persons involved could
objectively look at their behavior,attitudes,ideas
etc. and objectively understand why others percieved it in a negative way,(to the point they choose to not stay around)....then maybe...BIG
maybe...the problem with RETENTION of new people (new blood)
could be solved. It doensnt just envolve(personalities)coaches,founders,etc.
It envolves the very way my club is percieved
as a whole. Its direction or lack of.
What you call "dynamics" is growth. Yes, the bigger something gets the more complicated it gets....but alot of what im speaking of may not be intentional but m ay stem from plain unawareness.
There is a huge gap between group fencing classes and fencers who been fencing 5,7 and 10 years.
Many new people simply fall through the cracks.

arcon

Schlager7, Ive reached a point that i no longer
push or promote any new ideas or goals in my club.
If im required to vote....I vote.
I no longer look forward to any significant changes. I simply go and fence.
It was not always like this and the jouney here was not a pleasant one but the end result I seek will be much more rewarding and for the most part free of
the problems Ive talked about. So take and do what you will with the info ive given you....dimiss it...take it to heart....ignore it and consider the source. Enjoy your club, continue feeling proud......believe me when i say this to you.
"I do remember when i felt the same way".

respectfully yours

arcon

[ 05-09-2002: Message edited by: arcon ]

schlager7 · 05-09-2002, 03:58 PM

Arcon wrote:
[quote] What you call "dynamics" is growth. <hr></blockquote>
My point, exactly. These conflicting drives which pull us in different directions keep us aware and vital. They make us grow...sometimes. When I first came to our club, as what is now called a "beginning veteran" most of the emphasis was on the high school aged fencers (and younger). The emphasis was on sending young fencers to JOs and NACs.

In time, they grew up, went to college, etc. Then, the club experienced a "graying" as the in place adults aged and new, but older fencers joined. The emphasis was on veteran's events, like our annualFete de Lunetournament. It got to a point that the adult but under 40 fencers in the club (like my wife) were being cut out due to emphasis on veterans.

Now we are seeing a renewal of young...sometimes very young fencers. A core group is forming. We need to perform that basic balancing act that will keep new fencers, of all ages, coming in. Just having a period where we are adding more youngsters only helps in the short run...since they grow up and move on.

As well, we must remember those who are neither so young they could fence in JOs nor so old they can go into veterans events. This is the hardest group to maintain (out of school, working for a living, raising families...read this "Busy.")

Then there the competitive/club fencer dialectic. There is also the sport/classical division. Plenty of stuff to keep us on our toes. In fact, I feel that as long as we stay pulled by all of these forces and do not stay with a single emphasis, we will grow.

Into what? Who knows?

arcon · 05-09-2002, 05:49 PM

Well, you addressed the "dynamic issue",but i still think for the most part you dont get the rest. Our club president said just the other nite
he didnt understand why we have a problem with retaining members. I know why some leave.
Im a bit weary of trying to make my point now.
So Im making the motion to end this discussion.

Good luck, "live long and fence".

arcon

[ 05-09-2002: Message edited by: arcon ]

135711 · 05-09-2002, 07:25 PM

[ 05-22-2002: Message edited by: 135711 ]

arcon · 05-09-2002, 09:15 PM

Very good input 135711.

arcon

135711 · 05-10-2002, 10:53 AM

okay, don't mention it.

arcon · 05-10-2002, 02:20 PM

I (did) already. Mention it that is.

arcon

135711 · 05-10-2002, 02:25 PM

your welcome

arcon · 05-10-2002, 02:27 PM

Thanks for the "your welcome".

heheheheheh.

arcon

arcon · 05-10-2002, 02:29 PM

You know if we keep this up Craig will lock this thread down for getting off subject.

How did you come up for the numbers for your name
?.....if i may ask. Then we have to get back on
subject.

arcon

135711 · 05-10-2002, 07:31 PM

<img src="graemlins/freak2.gif" border="0" alt="[Freak]" />

[ 05-22-2002: Message edited by: 135711 ]

135711 · 05-11-2002, 06:43 PM

[ 05-22-2002: Message edited by: 135711 ]

Jeeves · 05-14-2002, 09:53 PM

We recently moved our club into a deal with the local "Y".
They provide the space and advertise to the general public, and the local "Y" members. We provide the equipment and teach. Sounds like a good deal, right? Dead wrong! We end up paying $99.00 per person for 8 weeks, even if you can't come twice a week. "Y" members get 8 weeks for $45.00 and free equipment provided by us.
Essentially we fund the program and the local "Y" members get to fence. This deal was brokered by a single club member and he gets a fee to teach at the "Y". Needless to say, all of the better club members have left and now either fence in Milwaukee at Neevel's club, or we car pool to Fencing 2000 in Chicago.
While on the surface it may have seemed like a dream location with great backing, it wa just not worth the $$$spent.

135711 · 05-16-2002, 06:45 PM

<img src="graemlins/freak4.gif" border="0" alt="[Freak2]" />

[ 05-22-2002: Message edited by: 135711 ]

135711 · 05-16-2002, 06:48 PM

<img src="graemlins/jawa.gif" border="0" alt="[Jawa]" />

[ 05-22-2002: Message edited by: 135711 ]

swordsen · 05-17-2002, 03:01 AM

Boy I wish I had an answer to this issue. The college club I have been affiliated with since I was a freshman oh so many years ago looks like it is about to die. And no one who is a student at the university seems to care. they all like to come by and fence but don't want to deal with all the little that need to be done. I.E. interfacing with the University admin. (who insist that students do it because it is a student club) It will be sad when the club goes. It has been around for more than 30 years now.
sigh.
But on a better note, I have been hired to start a program at a new charter school that is opening.

arcon · 05-19-2002, 05:37 PM

Mango, Mango,Mango where do you come up with these things? For what is was worth I had to vent. So now ive vented. aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh , yes i feel better. Well, truth is .....you cant save the world.......so.......i dont try ........
best to let things take there course if you cant change them. Put some things together ....make up
your own little world...if your lucky some will like it.........for those that dont....probaly best just to be oblivious......but dont turn your back. See ya..........mango ......still love ya

the arcon