Fundraising for young skater -- a concern I have

[Aussie Willy]

Okay this might take some time to explain but I am interested in people's opinions.

One of the coaches at our rink has a daughter who skates. She is a very supportive parent and is trying to fundraise to send her daughter overseas to receive coaching over there.

Now a group of us are holding a trivia night to help raise money for a jumps harness which will benefit everyone (with me as the quiz master - it will be such fun). However this coach has organised a fundraiserd at the rink for her daughter which also includes a "trivia night". In fact she had actually decided to hold her fundraiser on the same night as ours but then changed it to the week before after being spoken to.

Now after discussing this with another person last night, she expressed the view that because it is such an expensive sport for most people, why is this person going after others at the rink to support her daughter's skating? I know I can barely pay for my own skating, let along someone else's kid and there are a number of other people in the same situation. Also she has publicised her event which has caused confusion with the trivia night that we are promoting. After speaking to a few people though, they feel the same way.

From the point of view of myself, this seems to have stolen the thunder of our event which is intending to raise money for something that will benefit everyone. This coach also needs to remember that she will get the benefit of the harness too (particularly for her kid). I probably sound annoyed, but I came back from holidays a couple of weeks ago to discover that this coach has organised this other event.

So what do others think about this? I am finding it an ethical dilemma because I do like this skater and her mum, but I just can't help feel a bit backstabbed that we are going to lose out for our fundraiser at the expense of one skater because when it comes down to it people can only provide limited support for causes. I suppose it is up to people how they choose to spend their money, but this harness will be such a great thing to help the development of all skaters (and we can use it to do Peter Pan at the end of year show!!)

[garyc254]

I don't see anything worng with the coach holding a fundraiser to help support her daughter's skating, but I would take exception with her as to the timing and events.

It sounds as if she's purposely trying to one-up the fundraiser you have already scheduled.

[plinko]

Wow, that coach either has nerve or a cement head.

Our club's unwritten rule is that "competitive" skaters do not fundraise from the same pond as the club does. Also the competitive parents band together and plan a joint fundraiser that benefits all those skaters (casino night), and the club does a different fundraiser (valentines dance) for the everday running of programs, and which also incidentally includes a donation to the competitive skaters bursary fund - so they win both ways in the end.

Never the same theme and not within months of each other.

[mary]

I would boycott (and try to have everyone else do it, too) her fundraiser as she in fact did steal your ideas and knows that only one fundraiser is what most people are willing to go to and contribute to. That's why she turned around and scheduled it before yours knowing that hers will get the majority of attendees/money. The nerve of some people, you know.

Her fundraiser is for her benefit, only. Your fundraiser is for the betterment of all who skate at your facility. I say boycott hers and then give her the cold shoulder from there on.

[who]

Aussie Willy,

There is an unspoken rule that competitive skaters do not fundraise individually at our rink, all our skaters going to Nats get the same amount, raised by the club), for the club. Fair is fair. Her timing lacks thought, but I also think that her actions (although with good intentions) also makes it look like her daughter is more worthy of support than others.

Personally, I would much rather go to a function (and our club is having it's own trivia night on Tuesday) supporting a club (more than one skater) than individual skaters.

[Aussie Willy]

Thanks for all your feedback and opinions.

I think I will raise this with the club. I suppose because of this precedent, all parents might think they have the right to do the same thing, no matter how talented their child is. I suppose the only exception I would make is if this skater was going to compete at worlds and be representing our country, but this particular skater is no different to all the other skaters who will be heading off to nationals soon.

Even though I did not mention it, but seeing a couple of you have, I really do think the coach did this deliberately to upstage our event. Our trivia night has been a couple of months in the planning and it all seems too convenient that this coach has organised her event around the same time. She is getting a bit of a reputation of putting her daughter's interests above those of even her own students.

I definately will not be going to this event, but will now push even harder to promote ours. I did say to a couple of parents about how event will benefit everyone, not just one skater and will continue to use that line.

[Jade]

I think fefinetly she is trying to get one up on your fundraiser!!

I really wouldnt stand for it and go up to the mom and ask what the h**k is going on!

[blurrysarah]

I know I'd rather support a large group of people than one ordinary young skater. You can probably bet most people will think that way too.

[mary]

Congratulations on raising $1,500 for the equipment needed. Hey, what happened with the coach that scheduled the same fundraiser a week ahead to benefit her daughter?

[Aussie Willy]

Aww shucks - thanks. I am really pleased we did so well.

I have no idea how that coach did but I can't be bothered asking. I know the trivia night part of her fundraiser was not as good as ours because someone who attended told me (modesty is not one of my strong points!!).