----- Original Message -----

From: Joe Ewing

To: seattleschoolofaikido@yahoogroups.com

Sent: Tuesday, February 28, 2006 10:46 PM

Subject: [seattleschoolofaikido] Hope to see you all at the dojo this Friday!

Here are the condensed minutes from our last All-Dojo meeting in the fall.  Please read, see how much we all have done since then, and put your thoughts towards next steps you think we should take.  We hope you can come and join us on Friday for another All-Dojo meeting and potluck.  Training is at 6pm, potluck around 7:30pm. 

 

Thank you ALL for the upswing in energy at our dojo in the past few months.  It is great to be with you!

 

- Kim

 

 Seattle School of Aikido

Minutes of the 10/05 All-Dojo Meeting

Condensed in preparation for All-Dojo Meeting

3 March 06

 

Present: Rupert Berk, Laura Mortensen, David Kaplan, John Peng, Christy Purdy, Jain Rutherford, Mike Ullmann, Jan Keller, Kim Roberts, Yvonne deReynier, Robert Huberth, Zenith Morrison-Weiss, Catherine Ketterick, Don Wootten, John Kahler, Tracy Read, Dane Doerflinger, Kyle Marcroft, Mona Jin Shi, Dierk Yochim, John Sweval, Alan Lindwall

 

Called to order:  21 October 05, 8:00pm (or so)

 

 

All members are urged to register on the Yahoo group (the link is on the website).

 

Board Introductions

Robert (loveofthemountains@...) and Yvonne (bathybius@...) have volunteered to join the Board.  (Since this meeting, Zenith has stepped down from the Board.  Thank you for all your good work, Zenith!)

 

Financial Report

Jain reported that, with our balance diminishing over the last five years, we are currently down in revenues for the year by $1700 (income – expenditures).  We have a bank balance of $5000 - $7000.  Real estate taxes were $1100/6 months this year.  Now we pay $1700 rent per month, as of next July we will pay $1800/mo plus a percentage based on cost of living increases.  We can anticipate a cost-of-living increase of 4~5% for 2006.

 

Mike reported that we have fewer students joining while rent and insurance costs are going up.  gIf we donft change the way we do business, wefll be out of business in a year.h 

 

David suggested the possibility of changing the way we think about our dojo.  We currently are a school of teachers with students.  We could shift to a place of practice, absorbing people interested in starting aikido as they come.  If the dojo is energetic and welcoming, people will be attracted.

 

At this point, we split into groups to brainstorm ideas for raising income and increasing the vitality of the dojo.

 

Small group brainstorming

Raising money

Ask for money – donation button on website, find patrons, members can make tax-deductible pledge, find grants

Do other dojos have $ problems?  Can Seattle dojos work together to raise public awareness in general?

Rent dojo space when not in use for classes through Craigfs List ** Done **

 

Raising SSA profile

Offer classes through CYO, YMCA, Seattle School District, UW, community colleges, malls

Open for field trips

Advertise a.m. & Fri. p.m. classes

Look for opportunities for free advertising – Seattle Times article, seminars

Big sidewalk sandwich sign (especially for beginner series gBeginning classes nowh)

Put contact info on outdoor signs

FAQ sheet for back of our flyer; update brochure ** Done ** Thanks, Yvonne & John!

Always raise blinds for class

Bumper stickers ** Decided not to pursue, due to expense **

Community marketing – community hospitals, Childrenfs, Laurelhurst, community newspapers

TV – news (sportscasters – Ericfs Little . . .)

Advertise at U Village – coffeeshops, stores - * local exposure *

Run some aikido clips on a TV in the window for folks passing by on the sidewalk and the bus (10 sec mpg, Steven Segal clips J )

 

The Board has since decided that we will not pursue this last idea.  Some feel it makes us look desperate; some feel it is not in keeping with the spirit of aikido; some feel that it is outright tacky.

 

Seminars

Big 30^th anniversary festivities for SSA – seminar? ** Currently under consideration**

Schools, community centers

Offer through Discovery U, Experimental College– Japanese language and culture section (Japanese one day, aikido another, flower arranging another – Robby?)

Japanese language class for aikidoka – how to say, gHit me,h how to order at a restaurant, what all those terms mean (Kim & Christy?)

Select teaching themes (for a month – perhaps on Thursdays?) and advertise at other dojo

Have a movie night here and invite folks from other dojo.

 

If seminars are to raise funds, they must draw on aikidoka from outside SSA.  Otherwise, we are still drawing from the same pool.

 

Focus on beginners

Survey at end of beginner classes – what do you like? What donft you? Why/why not?

Revamp ideas about how beginners start – can choose beginner series, but also welcome to come and try any class ** Done **

Advertise along #74 bus route ** Still being researched **

More advanced students come to beginner classes so the beginners will want to come back ** Done **

Open House – before or after class – not just once, but every time therefs a beginner in class

 

Inside the dojo ** Done? ** (^.^)

Smile more – be talkative and friendly to anyone who comes in the door.  Someone other than the instructor has to go over; the teacher canft

Inspiring beginners

 gEgos left at the doorh

 

Website

Pictures for website

On-line newsletter with interesting gpersonal experienceh articles

 

Fee structure

Discount for parents of our students

Have more seminars, invite more guest teachers from elsewhere; have our own senior students/teachers offer seminars

Join events with other dojo

Start-up deals – two weeks free, punch cards, prepaid classes ** Done **

Coop model – if we make goal, members receive payback ** Decided not to pursue **

Direct deposit discount ** Done **

Flexibility in dues paying – incentives, such as discount for 3 months advance payment ** Done ** Thanks, John P!

 

Still on the mat

John K. offered to build a sandwich board.

Kim, Robert and Tracy offered to generate a list of local places to offer demos.

Catherine offered to develop the idea of a pledge drive.

 

Adjourned:  9:40pm (or thereabouts)