In late January, I started talking the club up, posting information on various websites, hoping to drum up some business. When people talk about a grass roots effort, this is what we embarked on. Amazingly, we had about 15 people at the first meeting and by years end, we had 50 members. As you can imagine, I was excited.
My goal of the club was to offer a one time fee to join the club. I wanted to GIVE members everything from uniforms to trainings. Through a number of phone calls and emails, we got some sponsors, t-shirts and uniforms. As luck would have it, Keith Jordan was willing to pay our club to volunteer at races and bag stuffing. There were many nights that our group was eating pizza and stuffing over 2000 goodie bags for races. It wasn't a great time, but it allowed our club to bond and become better friends.
Our group quickly became a close and united team. There was tremendous support and genuine caring for one another. We had a number of trainings throughout the season and our club was becoming very recognizable throughout the state. At any race, you would see our club, proudly wearing our t-shirts and uniforms.
Jump ahead to 2009. The GSTC has evolved. Yes, uniforms are better! We have socks, t-shirts, tattoos, sweatshirts, club tent, banners and a working website but we are still a true NON-PROFIT club. We have a board of directors who do it because they love the sport and want to help others. No business. No dictator. No copying. Just a group trying to give back to others in the sport they love.
Our membership is not housed out of a health club or some other business. It is a group of hardworking board members who give up their own time to make the club run. We don't have a "boss" telling us what do do. We take suggestions from members and work towards getting them what they need. Our ideas are as original as our colors. Don't mistake our GSTC uniforms, club trainings, logos or volunteer efforts from some other club that is trying to copy us.
Membership has remained constant even with the addition of 4-5 new clubs. While some members have come and gone, many of the core group are still involved. Those who have left the GSTC for one reason or another, I still consider them GSTC'ers and friends. I cheer for them at races and support them in any way possible.
Our club still thrives on the excitement and positive energy that we have created. Whether racing in New York, Vermont, France, Philadelphia, Florida, Arizona, Massachusetts or wherever, our member proudly wear the Orange and Blue. We are not the biggest club, nor do we flaunt the best athletes in the state. However, we are a true to our beliefs.
To me, our members are what make us go. Last night, I was about to go in for a swim at a local lake when a new member stopped by and we started to chat. He had lost weight. He was excited about racing. He was jacked about volunteering. He was doing something he never thought he would do and was happy. This is WHY I started this club.
I am sure the GSTC will continue to survive and membership may go up and down in the years to come. I can tell you that WE do it for the right reasons. I have been fortunate to talk with many other club leaders and I can honestly tell you the ones that are doing for the right reasons. I can see it in the way the care about their members. How they approach racing and supporting their members. I enjoy talking with S2 and Team Mossman, Team Riptide and some others. They are in it for the right reasons too. Some others, not so much.
There are so many options out there and people have to do what is right for them. I hope if and when you consider joining any club, you do your research. Ask people questions. And go with the club that is doing it the right way, for the right reasons.
If you want any more information on our club, please check out our website at: http://www.gstriclub.com/
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