A FIRST YEAR STATE BASED RUGBY ORGANIZATION IN REVIEW

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RUGBY OHIO

• A FIRST YEAR STATE BASED RUGBY ORGANIZATION IN
  REVIEW

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BACKGROUND

• The Ohio Union was comprised of Ohio, Northern
  half of Kentucky and Northwest West Virginia.
• The youth and High School programs were part of
  the senior Ohio Rugby Union since their inception
  in 93.
• They did not pay dues, paid reduced referee fees
  and had a Youth High School Coordinator
  position in the Union.
• The state championships were at a local park with
  3 parents and a dog in attendance.
• Still, organically, 40 teams were up and running
  since the early 90s

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BUY IN

• Step 1 - Buy in to overall concept of
  organizational structure.
• Step 2 - Stakeholders Buy in.
• Note
• I want to stress the importance of Stakeholders.
  They are not your loudest coaches or the
  president of the Senior union. They are the
  quiet workers who make the mountains move. They
  are parents, mayors, Athletic directors, etc.

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TIMELINE Preparation in 2007

• Nashville YCOG 06 made it clear that state based
  organizations would be the future.
• Spring 07 - Drafted the basic skeleton
  constitution, operating documents and mission
  statements.
• September - Statewide constitutional convention
  (we had 10 people there).
• October - Elected statewide board and Non-profit
  status was finished. (we had 20 at the election)
• San Diego YCOG 07 introduced the centralized dues
  and administration
• December - Board ratified the Central
  Administration system.

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TIMELINE Action in 2008

• December January - Coach buy in meetings,
  structural documents, policies and procedures,
  Website and learning how to run a non-profit.
• January - Hired our Executive Director.
• March - High School season.
• May New State championships.
• June - Select Sides.
• June - focus shifted to youth rugby. Day camps,
  Gym classes, clinics, camps and informative talks
  throughout the fall.

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SUCCESSES in 2008

• Building a non-profit organization with the focus
  of youth and high school rugby programming,
  administration and growth.
• Bringing trainers to all games and activities
  played
• Hiring a full time staff with the time to
  accomplish tasks
• A State Championship in a stadium with 3K in
  attendance
• A voice on the other end of the line when coaches
  had questions or concerns.
• 5000 kids participating in rugby during 2008
• 1000 kids receiving rugby during gym class
• 12 new High School teams for spring 09

This is a soccer mom fix. Do not underestimate
the power of the soccer mom. All of your
policies, procedures, safety items, game forms,
paperwork, trophies, Matching uniforms on every
kid, games starting on time, seating at games,
everything should be with this woman in mind.
Getting her bought in and comfortable gets you
the kids.
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CHALLENGES in 2008

• Rushed Work
• Original Board setup
• Executive Director choice
• Note
• The qualifications of the paid staffer must be
  similar to an executive secretary, not a good
  rugby buddy. Priorities must be 1. Communication
  2. Organization, 3. Accounting, 4. Self
  motivation, 5. Then all the rugby stuff
• Communication Without information, chaos

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ADVICE TO EMERGING SBROs

• Communication
• Newsletter, email group
• Website
• Updated, current, relevant

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ADVICE TO EMERGING SBROs

• Branding and Marketing the organization
• Dont Get Lost!!! Stay on Mission
• Sustainability
• Rugby Paycheck Guilt
• NON-PROFIT, Not Rugby Group

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Thanks for your time!