Triangle Flying Disc Association (pronounced "Tiff-da").
2) What happened to TOFU?
Well, TOFU was a controversial name; one that people either LOVED or HATED. However, the issue was decided when we discovered the Durham-based organization Triangle Origami Folders United.
3) What kind of an organization is TFDA?
We are a non-profit corporation in the state of North Carolina. We are applying to the IRS for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
TFDA is now the sponsor of North Carolina Winter Ultimate League. HomeSpun is now the official newsletter of TFDA.
4) Why go to all that trouble?
As many of you know from Winter League last year, and from the Summer Hat Series, we've had a tough time finding places to play. Part of the reason is that Parks & Rec departments just don't pay that much attention to a bunch of yahoos throwing a disc. As a non-profit, we will have more visibility with local Parks & Rec departments based on the strength of our membership, and also because there will now be an organization "responsible" for local Ultimate.
5) How is TFDA supposed to make it easier to play?
We hope to have a group of private and public fields available for Winter League play, as well as for club team practices and organized or casual pickup.
6) How much is all this going to cost me?
Membership requirements and an application form are included on the back page of this issue, but individual memberships will be $25/year with reduced student and household rates.
Winter League fees may increase since we may have to rent fields and provide insurance. Hat League or other TFDA sponsored pickup may start charging a nominal fee.
7) What do I get for my TFDA membership?
Besides the warm and fuzzy feeling of helping your fellow Ultimate players? TFDA members get reduced entry fees for TFDA sponsored events (including Winter League). You will also have more opportunity to play without having to worry about finding the "Field-du-jour."
8) My group is playing for free now, why can't I just continue?
You can, and more power to you. But even Zen has been having problems finding places to play. TFDA aims to have fields available if your group needs a place to play.
9) What else does TFDA have in mind?
In the short term (1-2 years) our goal is to reliably provide fields for Winter League, Summer Hat Series and other TFDA sponsored events.
Longer term, we want to start a youth education program and to have youth leagues in association with local Parks & Rec departments. We also want to encourage Ultimate at the middle school and high school levels.
Longer still, we hope to raise enough money to build the Triangle Ultiplex, one of the finest Ultimate facilities in the nation.
As all this is going on, we hope to expand the range of TFDA events from just Winter League and the Summer Hat Series to sponsoring other leagues and tournaments throughout the year, including national-level tournaments.
10) What can I do to help?
We currently have four committees: Fields, Membership, Finance, and Competition.
The Fields Committee (Brian Dobyns, Chair) is responsible for both the long-term and short-term procurement and management of fields. This committee will be responsible for everything from renting fields from local Parks & Rec departments to influencing public policy toward recreational facilities.
The Membership Committee (Beth Cates, Chair) is responsible for managing memberships, publishing HomeSpun and publishing the TFDA Web site.
The Finance Committee (Perry Sugg, Chair) is responsible for the financial direction of TFDA. This ranges from the day-to-day cost of running TFDA to raising money for the Triangle Ultiplex.
The Competition Committee (Augie Kreivenas, Chair) is responsible for Winter League, Hat League, and any other TFDA sponsored leagues, tournaments and youth education programs.
If you have any interest in serving on any of these committees, please send me e-mail and tell me what you'd like to do or let me know if you are willing to help anywhere. We hope to have enough people on each committee so that nobody feels overwhelmed (or, at least anybody who isn't on the Board!).
Thank you, and I hope TFDA meets your expectations!
Joe Slater - President & Papa Disc - papadisc@papadisc.com
Who's Who in TFDA?
TFDA is governed by a board of directors, and much of the work of TFDA is carried on by committees.
Board Members and Officers:
Nancy Whinham
Vice President
(919) 286-7719
njw@vnet.ibm.com
Liz Mahanna
Secretary
(919) 286-1606
lizaug@mindspring.com
Perry Sugg
Treasurer and Chair, Finance Committee
(919) 942-1382
Wpsugg@aol.com
Brian Dobyns
Chair, Fields Committee
(919) 304-2098
limpindog@aol.com
Beth Cates
Chair, Membership Committee
(919) 829-9811
catesba@raleigh-nc.org
Augie Kreivenas
Chair, Competition Committee
(919) 286-1606
lizaug@mindspring.com
Other Key Volunteers:
Sherry Kappel Knecht
David Silbey
HomeSpun Editors
sherryk@tesi.com
dsilbey@acpub.duke.edu
Joe Slater
President
(919) 779-5541
papadisc@papadisc.com
Garrett Dyer
Webmaster & Field Coordinator
garrettd@bigfoot.com
