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BGonline.org Forums
The USBGF
Posted By: Albert Steg In Response To: The USBGF (Carter Mattig)
Date: Monday, 21 August 2017, at 4:13 p.m.
I also appreciate the work Karen and others have been doing for USBGF. Having been around the tournament scene for only a couple years, I haven't had the time to work up a lot of impatience with progress, but I have to say some of Carter's complaints ring true. I think working on an official rules set is a worthwhile and natural thing for a body like USBGF to do, and I think the approach Rich Munitz has brought this round of the process is very encouraging. Working on Rules isn't a capital-intensive process (it doesn't cost any money to wrangle rules), so it shouldn't preclude doing the other good things that Carter is suggesting should be primary: growing the game.
The website just seems obviously the far-and-away most pressing thing that needs to get fixed. For a 'virtual' (non brick&mortar) organization, having an effective website that is inviting, content-rich, and regularly updated is just fundamental. I've actually avoided sending some players to the USBGF site because I just think it's so bewildering, and I've had a hard time forming an argument in my own mind that money is better spent on a USBGF membership than on, say, a GammonVillage subscription.
The magazine is a really nice product, with a nice balance of BG scene news and analysis. I think at some point, it would make the site more content-rich if the BG-playing articles could be indexed so that the individual articles could be accessed by members without having to page through the issues (for example, a link to articles focused on early blitzes, or "Too Good to Double").
One of the features I find truly stunning is that Primetime Backgammon magazine isn't even a benefit you get when you join the USBGF at the basic level -- only "Premium" and "Founding Sponsor" members even get to look at it! This seems really crazy to me. I can't think of another organization I've ever seen where a newsletter / publication isn't the primary and most obvious 'gift' provided to members. I'd think advertisers might be appalled to learn that a large % (possibly a majority?) of USBGF members are not even allowed to see their ads.
I've shared these observations and some other suggestions with Karen and found her warmly receptive and encouraging of involvement. I wish I were a web-designer! (I've offered to participate in the conceptual side of a site re-design).
The other area I'm interested in is trying to grow our local club attendance, and Karen has given me access to some folders where I hope to start compiling various documents / materials that might be of use encouraging newcomers. I find the efforts of Mike and April in Minnesota really inspiring and would love to knock around ideas with them, Carter, whoever!
I understand some towns have made use of "Meet Ups" to get more locals involved in backgammon and looked into doing this in Boston -- but was discouraged to find it's a $ service we're not quite up to affording. USBGF subsidizing local Meet-Ups for member clubs might be an effective use of $ to popularize the game at a grass-roots level.
Albert
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