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Post by mtnme on Apr 5, 2008 21:22:46 GMT -5
Well, I guess I'll put in my two cents. I kind of like pairing a couple of the names together. The Rocker Fund - Giving Back to Short Trackor Go-To-The-Start - Giving Back to Short TrackApolostarr just pm'd me and said for grins and giggles, she made a 'test' t- shirt with The Rocker Fund - Supporting America's Short Track Skatersand wore it to Target. She was stopped by a couple of hockey players who saw the word 'skaters' and knew what a 'rocker' was. See, we're catching everyones attention already! LOL In all honesty, if were gonna keep that slogan, I think it should say "Supporting America's Short Track Speed Skaters".That is their title, after all, isn't it?  Poles close Sunday Night, (no, you don't get a whole week to decide like GOTW!!!! LOL) So put in your vote, or forever hold your peace, because come Monday - we would like to get this party started one way or the other.  ____________________________________________________ On another note Gee, Thanks Lori, for all those nice things you said, I'm kinda blushing here...  But I'm giving credit where credit is due. Lori has been working very dilegently behind the scenes and doing her part to get this off the ground, and I couldn't have done it without her. We all have our specific talents, and when a team comes together, to really have it function well, each member should be given the tasks that best fit thier special gifts. Lori can charm just about anyone (I think it's that southern drawl, ya'll) but more importantly, she is a good foil against her much more fiesty and firey partner in crime (ie - me)  She was always their to take the ball when I couldn't keep up with everything or my social skills for patience and/or tact were lacking. (Yeah, -This is YOU at GA (or elsewhere) being surprised....)   So hats off to Lori too, for helping to make this happen  (Lori, in your honor, I'll be sure to edit this several more times - check back often! LOL) _________________________________________________ Apolostarr has the ideas for the website, so she's on top of it for that project as soon as we've 'delivered' this baby, and it's old enough to walk on it's own. And, as always, much love to Lindsey and the Mods here. Not just for your generosity with this project, but for being the wonderful ladies you are, and providing such a wonderful place for all of us to hang out. ________________________________________________ But enough gushing...! On to more important things. We're really excited that we are almost 'OK To Go" on this project. Mutual admiration society aside, Lori and I felt that this was a unique opportunity to do something pro-active for some very deserving athletes and possibly make a difference in a few lives, even if it's a small one. - And that's a good thing! If this plan has any degree of success, who knows what we fans, as a group can accomplish. Today, funding for skaters....tomorrow, World Team championships televised on American TV! ....Hey, one can dream, can't they?  |
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Post by skaterswaltz on Apr 5, 2008 23:08:17 GMT -5
For some reason I like "Go-to-the-Start." I think because of the feeling of anticipation whenever you'd hear the announcer say that before a race. And I also like the tag line: "Supporting America's Short Track Speed Skaters." But I'm cool with whatever everyone decides to call it. "The Rocker Fund" has a cool vibe to it. Thank you everyone for all of your hard work and research on this project!!
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Post by lilyover76 on Apr 6, 2008 0:09:41 GMT -5
For some reason I like "Go-to-the-Start." I think because of the feeling of anticipation whenever you'd hear the announcer say that before a race. And I also like the tag line: "Supporting America's Short Track Speed Skaters." But I'm cool with whatever everyone decides to call it. "The Rocker Fund" has a cool vibe to it. Thank you everyone for all of your hard work and research on this project!! I'm going to "quote* you all the way here because you said it all for me! Thanks to everyone... ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D |
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Post by apolostarr on Apr 6, 2008 8:18:59 GMT -5
I'm so excited! I can't wait to work on this:)! Michelle sent you a PM
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Post by Lori on Apr 6, 2008 17:12:18 GMT -5
As we're getting closer to launching this project, I want to remind people of what Mtnme said - "no donation is too small." And I've been brainstorming about some ways people can donate without feeling too much of a 'pinch'... 1) Keep The Change: Ya' know the 'Keep the Change' program at Bank of America? Just round every purchase up to the nearest dollar, throw the change in a cookie jar and at the end of the month donate it to a skater. I tried this last month, and in going through my checkbook, credit card bills and coin purse I came up with roughly $30! 2) Do It Yourself: If you're in the habit of stopping at Starbucks every day or buying your lunch out, just take one day a week and make your coffee at home or take a sack lunch, and donate the difference. It could easily be $20 per month. 3) Serendipity: We all love to shop. What if you were prepared to pay full price for something and 'lo and behold', you luck up and it's on sale! Stash the unexpected '10% off' on that cute pair of pumps and help a skater pump up his/her Olympic dream instead! 4) The Small-Step Approach: Mtnme said waaaaay upthread that she was just going to set aside money each month and consider it just like any other bill. A twist on that for those of you who don't feel like you can do that (yet): Think about what you'd LIKE to donate (for instance, $20 per month). What can you handle right now? (maybe $5 per month?) Okay - start with $5 for month 1, then increase it to $6 next month. Keep increasing it by $1 each month until you get to your goal, and it won't seem so painful! 5) Welcome To The Program!: It is our hope that people will develop bonds with certain skaters and support them on a somewhat regular basis (and perhaps be motivated to put your fanny in a seat to watch them do what they do best). BUT - how about a nice 'welcome to the project' donation for every new skater who comes on board, even if it's just 5 bucks, and even if it's not the skater you choose to sponsor long-term... It would be a great gesture to let them know that we know they're out there and we're happy that they've put their faith in us as fans... Any other ideas would be welcome! |
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Post by mtnme on Apr 6, 2008 17:42:08 GMT -5
I'll add one more to Lori's ideas. If you're like me, and you could stand to lose a few pounds, you could make the commitment to cut the crud out of your diet (with the skaters as your inspiration- 3% body fat indeed- SERIOUSLY!  ) and donate the money you would have spent on chocolate chip cookies and Haagen Daz to a skater. The skaters will get the much needed funding for thier dreams, - and YOU will have the body of your dreams! LOL ...You'll also have the skaters to thank for your nicer, tighter Boo-taay. Now that's a Two-fer if I ever saw one!!! |
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Post by evie5 on Apr 6, 2008 18:23:17 GMT -5
I haven't posted on this thread (I don't think), not because I am not interested but because you have done such a terrific job of setting things up and putting things in place. I respect all of the ideas and thoughts that have been brought forth. I think this is a wonderful project. I look forward to getting to know these other skaters and supporting them, little as it may be. I personally like: The Rocker Fund - Giving Back to Short Track. But, I will be satisfied with whatever is decided.
Thanks for all your hard work. (I would name each of you who have put in so much time and effort but am afraid that I would miss someone and I wouldn't want to overlook anyone.)
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Post by number1fan on Apr 6, 2008 19:06:34 GMT -5
great find! i like their slogan too..."helping amateur athletes achieve their olympic dreams"The Rocker Fund - Supporting America's Short Track Skatersand wore it to Target. She was stopped by a couple of hockey players who saw the word 'skaters' and knew what a 'rocker' was. See, we're catching everyones attention already! LOL In all honesty, if were gonna keep that slogan, I think it should say "Supporting America's Short Track Speed Skaters".That is their title, after all, isn't it?
anyone here with marketing/adversting experience 
how exciting!!! this baby is ready to fly!
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Post by apolostarr on Apr 6, 2008 19:42:43 GMT -5
I have some experience in marketing and advertising, saved all my textbooks and notes from those courses! So I am drawing some ideas from that too:)!
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Post by mtnme on Apr 8, 2008 2:29:22 GMT -5
And- We're Off!!!! First things first, though- Many thanks to all the clubs, organizations, parents, and skaters who have taken so much of their time to answer our questions and help us gather all the necessary information so we could get this thing started. Many of these wonderful people have endured the most horrendously loooonnnnggg e-mails while we hammered out how best to put this plan into action. (and I would name them right here and now, if I had thought ahead to ask them if it was OK to post their names....I'll have to get back to you all on that! ) We have received a lot of information in the last few days, and I'm sure we are about to see a lot more. We will update the forum, as we get the skater's Permission, Pics and Bio's so they can be included in this little endeavor. Remember, no donation is too small (but bigger is better!)  - and our hope is that they will all add up. Eventually we will get the Rocker Fund on it's own website, but since you - the fans - are HERE, it makes sense to start this where you will all be sure to see it, and hopefully, participate. Please, DO continue to post your ideas, thoughts, plans etc here, so we can think of other ways of helping our ST skaters. Now, as promised, here is our first Skater of the Month, Lezleigh Jaworski. Lezleigh has her own thread now, where her personal information and donation info is also posted. Please use that thread to post your thoughts, well wishes etc. to Lezleigh, and we will keep this thread for general 'The Rocker Fund' information.  
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Post by mtnme on Apr 9, 2008 13:14:52 GMT -5
We now have a good working list of skaters who could benefit from The Rocker Fund. We will be contacting those skater's clubs to see if those skaters would like to participate. Once we get thier permission and bio's back, we can include them in our efforts. I had another thought for participation once we have a roster of skaters. You could 'ADOPT' a skater, and make that individual your personal responsibility, and donate whatever you feel comfortable with somewhat consistantly. Remember, your donations do not all have to be grand gestures. With the skater threads getting well over 100 hits a day, even if half of those sent in a small amount, it could still make a difference in the grand scheme of things. 50 peeps x even $10 = $500! Now that's some skating around money! EDIT: Also, we have plans to get Apolostarr's wonderful RockerFund logo made for a T-shirt/sweatshirt - which of course, we will be SHAMELESSLY wearing to all short track events! Hopefully, that will get folks to ask us about them, and they too will be moved to donate to the skaters.  |
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Post by mtnme on Apr 12, 2008 14:00:22 GMT -5
It looks like the GA forum website is being a little temperamental today. But it's time for an update. therockerfund.org has been registered as our domain name. - so we're official now!!! Apolostarr is diligently working on a website for The Rocker Fund. As we move through a different Skater of the Month, each skater will permanently have their information on the new website. As the skater's permission, pictures and bios come in, we will be choosing a different Skater of the Month, and with Lindsey's permission, we will initially post that info both here at GA and on the new site. I'm sure many of you have your favorite skaters, but this is a great way for everyone to get to know ALL the skaters, many who are juniors and will be the future of short track. You'll also recognize their faces and names when you see them compete at Nationals this year! You are ALL going, right?  We are currently brainstorming ways to get TheRockerFund sweatshirts for anyone who wants one to wear to the competitions. This part is Lori's baby, so I'll let her comment on that idea. Also, who wants to be part of 'Baver's Badasses' ? (- - Or is it by invitation only ,Lori?) LOL . |
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Post by wildfire on Apr 12, 2008 14:45:26 GMT -5
Nice work Mtnme, Apolostarr, Lori, and the countless others helping with this!!! Good luck with the website! Where's Nationals again?! If its UT that may be too far for me.... Sign me up...I've always wanted to be a "bad-a**"!! Thanks again for the updates! |
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Post by mtnme on Apr 12, 2008 14:58:08 GMT -5
Nice work Mtnme, Apolostarr, Lori, and the countless others helping with this!!! Good luck with the website! Where's Nationals again?! If its UT that may be too far for me.... Sign me up...I've always wanted to be a "bad-a**"!! Thanks again for the updates! Nationals are in St. Louis this year. The first World Cup is in SLC. I'll bet a lot of us will be there too! See ya soon, Wildfire!!!!  |
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Post by evie5 on Apr 12, 2008 20:45:13 GMT -5
American Cup I is Sept 27 & 28 in Minneapolis, MN. This will qualify skaters for World Cups 1-4. Is anyone planning to attend? I would love to go somewhere, anywhere, but financially it is going to have to wait awhile.  In the mean-time I will support the skaters with a little money and a lot of time in front of this computer with the rest of you. |
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~Lori
