Exploring Crowd Funding with checkers/draughts?

[Dennis Pawlek]

Since most of the issues posted related to tournament play are money related... accomondation, travel etc. since it seems to be a trend recently how about exploring the idea of Crowd Funding in view of donation for social project that do not offer certain return. I seen this done before with certain NGOs asking for funding this way.

How about to explore such an option for our underestimated game that would like to be a pro sport but is not yet reconized as such in most countries?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crowd_funding

Just my two cents and just a stroke of an idea I had.

I am fully aware that it does not solve all problems but it could create an opportunity to raise funds and create new projects our game would benefit.

Comments welcomed.

[George Hay]

I would call it small donations, who wants to follow the crowd!? IMHO, the wisdom of the crowd was a
goofy idea floating around just before the GFC! I am inspired by the volunteers who keep this great game going.
Checkers has a great history of small donations that make a big difference even during the Great Depression!
--George Hay

[Travis Weddle]

I definitely like the idea of crowd funding. If anything, maybe we could get more people who are already interested in checkers to donate. If there was an easy-to-use, central location to make donations, I'm sure there would be people who would chip in, myself included. With social media the way it is, there's free advertisement to spread the word.

[Danny_Alvarez]

great idea Dennis.... there are a few issues that need to be ironed out but this is a great idea nonetheless

[Dennis Pawlek]

John

1. I believe it could be under supervision of WCDF but it is as well possible to do the same for each federation. Distribution would be another problem but it could be like by membership numbers or even lump sum per member federation. Many ways to go about this. Propsal and as in politics an vote will in the end decide.

2. Would be another optino as probably most of our beloved checkers writers can confirm sales of books are twindeling as side effect of our decreasing numbers. I give an example the German Open book which I made years ago while still living in Germany to raise small money for trophies and equipment only sold about 30 of total of 50 numbered editions. Never gave the print order for the last 20 of the 50.

Out of curiousity Alex: How many issues of your great book seven did you sell?

3. An important questiion but being in the legal business by myself I would not be worried about that it can be project specific or not. Even a holding structure or a own management entity would be possible. You can always ask for donation but if they are tax deductable in the end or not is another question. I seen some of this crowd businesses even fund themselfs through their network.

George

I do agree about it in parts but isnt it better to have a certain stream of money coming in to build up capital that could even make it possible to have full time professional representatives or money free for certain projects at will instead of depending on donations and charity of our twideling numbers?

[George Hay]

Dennis, I was commenting on one part of the article from Wikipeadia, sorry to get off topic! It is too bad Wikipeadia won't include Jim Loy's excellent article on Tom Wiswell! I am all for networking. I think grass roots funding is a better phrase than crowd funding. The word "crowd" has too many negative connotations for me! Yes, we need networking and grass roots funding, and an increasing number of checkerists! This is a good topic, thanks for starting it!
--George Hay