Please consider supporting NCKA

Am I missing something?
Just checked the NCKA calender and there are NO events scheduled for August!!!! Seems like a perfect time to have a event on the coast somewhere  

Ya. Annual MBK Derby is in August but I ahve to check the date.  I'm just lame with Calendars.

Fine with me to make MBK the NCKA Benefit Derby!!  WE'll have to hustle up ,more prizes though.  maybe include a raffle or auction.

Allen

         I've always liked the ads and the way they are set up.   It's a great way to discover new products, etc.    It's not like you have to wait through a commercial or anything that obtrusive.    I've been meaning to start advertising here and on NWKA ,  so I guess  now's a good time to start.   
   Annual fund raiser event,, great idea!       Crab Feed !
     More items in the store maybe,   like, NCKA   Speedo's   

Allen

Thanks for maintaining the website. It's just part of my life now. I donated $50 today. AOTY is not my thing. Don't really want the pressure to target species I don't care to target or have to measure or photo fish. Also, like Eric said, AOTY doesn't always bring out the best in people. Instead of an annual fundraising event, have a donation component to all NCKA events or add a $5 surcharge to tournament registration. If revenues exceed operating costs, provide a tournament scholarship program which members could apply for based on need. With gas prices so high, I am sure there are lots of folks who could use a little help.

Scott

Right on Allen.  I'm glad you put up the donation thing. For as many hits as this site gets, you for sure need to have a kick ass store-you already know that.  When the time comes, please consult the membership on what we'd like to see in the store.  I'd love to have a hooded NCKA rash guard.  This site has been life-altering for me and I'm down to do what it takes to keep it going.  Put up a shit load of ads for all I care.  They aren't that big of a deal, most of us watch TV and read magazines, and those are full of ads, we just work around them.  Do what you gotta do man.  I'm not trying to turn this into an AOTY discussion, but I gotta get this out.  AOTY is fun.  When you go fishing, you never know what is gonna end up on your hook.  It could be the biggest fish of that species the competition sees all year (Alshobie, striper, dropshot, nightcrawler, epic) and then you win something.  Seeing past the bullshit is part of the game.  Make it fun, ignore the bullshit.  NCKA has really turned something I loved, into something I am truly passionate about and I am thankful for that.  And I am thankful for all of you for bringing out that passion in me.  Support the site and help make NCKA even more incredible.

+1
You couldn't have said it any better and I couldn't agree with you more.
I love this place 

Right on Allen.  I'm glad you put up the donation thing. For as many hits as this site gets, you for sure need to have a kick ass store-you already know that.  When the time comes, please consult the membership on what we'd like to see in the store.  I'd love to have a hooded NCKA rash guard.  This site has been life-altering for me and I'm down to do what it takes to keep it going.  Put up a shit load of ads for all I care.  They aren't that big of a deal, most of us watch TV and read magazines, and those are full of ads, we just work around them.  Do what you gotta do man.  I'm not trying to turn this into an AOTY discussion, but I gotta get this out.  AOTY is fun.  When you go fishing, you never know what is gonna end up on your hook.  It could be the biggest fish of that species the competition sees all year (Alshobie, striper, dropshot, nightcrawler, epic) and then you win something.  Seeing past the bullshit is part of the game.  Make it fun, ignore the bullshit.  NCKA has really turned something I loved, into something I am truly passionate about and I am thankful for that.  And I am thankful for all of you for bringing out that passion in me.  Support the site and help make NCKA even more incredible.

+1
You couldn't have said it any better and I couldn't agree with you more.
I love this place

THREEWAY!!   

I am happy to support NCKA via all the advertising you want and/or an annual subscription. I just won't do it via AOTY. The money isn't the issue I just feel the big time prizes can (and has) brought out an overly competitive, argumentative and less then friendly vibe. Not with all just some participants.

+1

I like the idea of smaller prizes for AOTY.  I think you would see attendance go up and competition turn friendlier (which is what I would like to see).

Are the prizes really more important than sponsorships, affiliations, and bragging rights?

It sounds like we should probably stop saying that AOTY fees contribute to the site's bottom line. Because too many people have biased views toward AOTY. Yes, the aoty fees will continue to fund the site--and there's nothing wrong with that.
But, instead of implying people should enter AOTY to contribute funds to the site...we should just tell them to hit the Paypal button. Then there's no leeway for complaining, and no excuse NOT to donate. It's either click the Donate button or shut it. 

Are the prizes really more important than sponsorships, affiliations, and bragging rights?

I don't think so, you'd easily save enough to buy a hobie by not chasing fish all over the state. 

Hi guys,

I appreciate the discussion and all, but do we really need to hash out AOTY on this thread?  I've heard a lot of feedback on AOTY, but now is not the time to think about how to make it better.  We'll come back to this discussion next winter, ok?

I've listened to the feedback on how to improve site support and understand better now why some are hesitant to sign up for AOTY.  I think I've addressed that with the addition a way to may direct, anonymous donations.  And thank you very much to all the people that have pushed that button so far.

I also hear the feedback about an NCKA store and a fundraiser.  I'd like to just talk out my thoughts here and welcome feedback on it.

Fundraiser.  Well, like all things, it is a time sink.  Honestly, I probably spend on average 20 hours a month keeping NCKA running, anything from fighting spammers, to dealing with server issues, to keeping software updated, to adding features, to moderating the bad boys.  There is a long list of stuff I'd love to do to the site, but just don't have the time.  Taking on a fundraiser is just more time I don't have, and more time that my family would rather me have with them.  Know what I mean?  I guess what I'm saying is that if there were some volunteers that would help run this, then we could do it, but we'll need volunteers.  Although I have been thinking lately that we have too many events.  Perhaps combine an AOTY awards, a tourney, and a fundraiser into one ... as has already been suggested here.

A store is a great idea.  Through a variety of reasons that don't need to be brought up, we are long overdue in rolling it out.  Will get to work on that next.

However, it's kind of a time sink for proportionally little reward.  I did the math on just doing the hawg troughs, and it works out to about $20/hr, not unreasonable for that type of work, but the money covers only the time I put into it, not all the other site stuff.  But schwag (which a hawg trough is part of) is long term community building stuff!  And I think that is important.

Direct advertising is likely the biggest bang for my buck at the end of the day, also considering I run KayakFishingMagazine.net, NorthWestKayakAnglers.com, and even Aquahunters.com.   And I'm not talking Google Ads.  I'll be looking to sell ads to more manufacturers and retailers in the coming weeks.  We own the west coast kayak fishing scene from NorCal up to Alaska and out to Hawaii.  And with KFM, we have a national and international presence.  That's worth something to advertisers.  I guess all I ask is that you support the advertisers that support us.  And please don't turn the ads off.   

Feedback please ...

-Allen

Feedback please ...

-Allen

Sharking tourney, AOTY Awards, Fundraiser.  We can do one in a month or two then annually in January/February when nothing else is popping.

I'll help in any way I can.   

Handline tourney.  Light line tourney.

how about using (allowing others to) the NCKA logo as way to increase revenue. I have a few ideas where I'd like to use the logo. perhaps a % of each item sold goes to the general fund?

I have a feeling this is going to be a good halibut year.

Maybe a Giving Back / Butt Bash II is in order?

how about using (allowing others to) the NCKA logo as way to increase revenue. I have a few ideas where I'd like to use the logo. perhaps a % of each item sold goes to the general fund?

Well, when someone asks if they can use the logo, I generally say yes.  I can't remember ever not saying yes.  Although a few have forgotten to ask.  That being said, I've been thinking it's time for a logo refresh.  But let me start a new thread about that topic.

-Allen