WELCOME BACK!

Welcome back to the 2007/08 Under A Ton Winter Season!  This year we have big plans for big changes to improve our league and we hope you will all be very happy with the results!

2007 UTMDC Captain’s Meeting -- September 11, 2007 -- Meeting Minutes

1. As you may know, the Under A Ton Dart Club hosts a “Darts Ontario Qualifier” tournament at the start of each winter season.  Clarification of participation eligibility was requested and the following was stated:  Only those members of the UTMDC who played for either the 2006/07 Winter Season or the 2007 Summer season are eligible to play in this tournament.  This condition is outlined by the Darts Ontario Board Of Directors and must be adhered to.

2. Also, for those players who win the Singles Buy-In to the Darts Ontario Provincial Tournament next year, you will b required to put down a $50.00 deposit in order to hold this spot.  In past years, winners of this tournament have either had no intention of attending, or have been unable to attend for whatever reason.  This has left the league short of representation at the tournament and has also cost the league money as this "Buy-In" must be paid for at the first Darts Ontario Meeting of the season.  So, please do come out to participate!  However, if you are unable or unwilling to attend the Provincials nest spring, please let us know as soon as possible so that a replacement player can be found. .

3. Change to rule 8.1 in regard to Format:  Our Play Format has changed this year!  This new format will consist of 8 Doubles Cricket games, 8 Doubles 501 games, and 9 Singles games.  In order to ensure that all players are drawn an equal number of time, the Singles are to be drawn FIRST.  However, the order of play will follow that which is set out on the Score Sheets provided to you.

4. Clarification of Rule 5.7.  There has been some confusion with this rule in the past.  Please let us clarify, that we do allow coaching as long as the shooter has asked foe assistance and as long as said player has either turned away from the board or has stepped away from the toe line.  While this is in different that those rule set out by Darts Ontario, we are allowing this in order to make play easier for those of us who are either new to the league, or still require some assistance.

It is the sincere hope of the Executive Committee that this increase be temporary and only for the current season.  We are working on several fundraising ideas (outlined below) that will help to raise income for the league and in turn, allow fees to be largely reduced for future seasons.  Our ultimate goal is to have enough programs in place and raise enough funds to reduce member fees to ZERO.  This will take some time and it is our hope that you will have patience and support our efforts.  Please see below for a more detailed outline of the plans and goals of your committee.

Fundraising Ideas Currently Under Consideration

1.      UTMD to host Dart Tournaments for the purpose of increasing club membership.  This idea was put to a vote at the 2006/07 Captain’s Meeting, which resulted in a unanimous decision to move forward.  More information will follow and we welcome any suggestions and volunteers to help with these events.  Currently, we are in need of  two or three league members, who would like to offer their time to help run these events. Please keep in mind that this may require a small commitment of your time and anyone interested in volunteering should forward his/her name and contact information to Kate or Tim.

2.      Another fundraising opportunity for the league is advertising for local business on the website.  It is our intention to offer one full calendar year of a web advertisement for a league sponsorship of $100.00.  More information will follow very soon.  Any one who is interested, or may know someone from outside the league who is interested, please contact Kate for further information.

3.      The list below shows just a couple of the great ideas we have for the fundraising.  We are very interested in hearing your ideas as well so if you have one not listed, please contact any member of the executive with some info!

Ø      50/50  Draws

Ø      Season Specific Ballot Draws – I.e.: Turkey for thanksgiving.  Diner For Two – Valentines Day, etc.

Some of you might ask why all the fuss about fundraising?  Well, the cost of running the league has increased considerably over the past few years, while our membership has declined.  It is our hope to drive up the membership while offsetting the cost to our members by funds received through fundraising.  We eventually hope to be in a financial place where Member Fees can be reduced to ZERO, Banquets will be bigger, better and FREE!  We’ll have better Prizes, Trophies, Music and Meals!

We hope you will all agree that the 2007/08 Winter Season along with our Executive Committee will mark a new and prosperous era for our league.  Lets get back to basics and make this league what we all know it can be!

A great big thanks to those members who have already stepped forward and offered to volunteer this year!  We need as many hands as we can get, so if you are interested in helping out please contact any one of your executive members!

Kudo’s To Our Current Volunteers!

Olive Gilmore & Harry Gilmore -- Darts Ontario Affiliate Shoots Organization

Thank you to all our members for your continued membership and support!  Here’s to a great 2007/08 Season!

Yours truly, The Under A Ton Mixed Darts Club Executive Committee.

Tim Young – League President , ---  Kate Leger – Vice President & Webmaster, --- Lou DeRosa – Secretary & Statistician