GOVERNOR’S CONFERENCE CALL REPORT
By Denny Geiler – May 11, 2010
The USPA Governors had their monthly conference call on May 11, 2010 at 2 PM, Pacific Time. The meeting is administered by Jim
1. Adren Nance, Border Circuit Governor, reported that they had established a Border Circuit Polo School which is being managed by Yvonne Golston. It had been established as a corporation with officers and a board of directors. The school has two locations, El Paso, Texas and El Coso, New Mexico. Kris Bowman, the USPA Club Development director, said she will be visiting the schools this summer. Adren reported that the program is doing a very good job of developing new polo players. Do to the unique nature of the program, the two locations, the strong support of the circuit governor and that there are no other PDI – Club Funded projects in the Border Circuit, the program was awarded PDI Funding.
2. Kris Bowman reported from Hawaii where she has been meeting with Chris Dawson, the USPA Hawaii Circuit Governor, working on the Honolulu Polo Club’s new Wounded Warrior Program in conjunction with a US Army Base adjacent to the Club. She was also meeting with Mike Dailey, the previous circuit governor, to discuss the affairs of the North Shore Polo Club.
Kris gave a report about the Regional Polo Centers. She said that the USPA will be developing an e-mail blast that each governor can send to their regional members and delegates. The message would be announcing the location and contact information for the nearest Regional Polo Center. The personnel of that center would be available for consulting with any other club on any issues of interest. The message would also include the names of the regional clubs that were receiving PDI Club Funding.
Kris wanted to emphasize that the personnel of the Regional Polo Centers receive training on all phases of club management, marketing, funding, advertising, website development, membership management and related issues so that they assist the other clubs in their development.
3. Polo 101: It was reported that Lynn Bremner is developing some generic marketing materials that a local polo club can send to newspapers, magazines and other sources of advertising. It would contain general information about polo and the local club can modify it to their liking plus add their contact information.
In addition, Polo 101 is experimenting with some joint magazine advertising. Lynn is developing the material which features a discount on the first polo lesson. The cost of the advertising is being shared by a number of Southern California polo clubs. The advertisement will be run in Riding Magazine. If the program is successful in developing new polo students then it will be expanded.
4. The I/I Black hole: Statistics have shown that the USPA is very successful in developing polo players at the high school and collegiate level. There are approximately 130 I/I teams in the United States presently. Unfortunately, life takes over and most of the students leave polo upon graduation and don’t return until age 45. The USPA is looking for ideas on how to fill the “black hole”.
Ahmad Pirasteh submitted some ideas for consideration which are being submitted to the Club & Membership Development Committee. Some of the ideas being considered are letters to the I/I seniors appraising them of the polo clubs in their region and suggesting that they continue their USPA memberships either as a regular or associate member. Letters could be created to the various clubs giving them the contact information of the graduating I/I seniors in their regions and a suggestion that the local club have an open house for graduating I/I seniors. Also the clubs could create volunteer programs where the I/I graduate can work for chukkers plus receive discounted membership fees.
5. USPA Badges: Blue sport coats with USPA badges are made available to governors, lieutenant governors, officers, USPA team participants and other representatives of our organization. The badge itself has gone through a number of metamorphoses so that presently individuals are wearing the blue blazer will a number of different USPA badges. USPA Properties has used its connections in the clothing industry to create some new designs so that a uniform one can be approved and instituted.
See you on the field,
Denny Geiler,
Pacific Circuit Governor