Hi everyone... hope you've all had a good summer.
The 1999-2000 season is only a few weeks away and as we embark on another campaign we are certain that this will be the year in which the NHLFA emerges into something really special for fans of the greatest sport on earth.
NHLFA Hits 10,000 Member Mark
At 11:15 p.m. (EST) Thursday night we surpassed 10,000 members. We'll be issuing a news release soon (heads-up Media Liaisons!) making this announcement. You have all been great at getting the word out, so please keep it up. Ten thousand is great, but our success is directly tied to numbers, so the more members we have, the greater the chance our voice will be heard. Word-of-mouth is our best source of new members.
As most of you know, Gary Bettman has challenged us to reach 75,000 members by January 2000. We decided to accept his challenge and with your help we'll reach that target. Our magic number is 7.5 – if each of our members recruits 7.5 people we will reach 75,000 members. When we reach 25,000 members our magic number will be reduced to two. If you have friends, relatives or anyone you know is interested in hockey, feel free to forward them this note. At the bottom of this note we've included background information on the Association you can send along.
We'd like to thank everyone who volunteered to become an NHLFA Media Liaison. This will greatly help us distribute news releases to the media across North America.
Open Ice Summit
Ken Dryden, President of the Toronto Maple Leafs, invited the NHLFA to participate in the Open Ice Summit examining hockey in Canada. Jim Boone attended the three day conference in August along with 100 other delegates. Most importantly, Jim made some very good contacts with people in the hockey industry. Notable nice guys that Jim met include Colin Campbell, NHL VP Hockey Operations; David Branch, Commissioner Canadian Hockey League; and Jacques Martin, Head Coach Ottawa Senators.
NHLFA Chapters Coming
A number of members have suggested we establish NHLFA chapters in cities with enough members to support them. We always felt this was a good idea but we wanted to wait until we had a solid base of support. We are now ready to trial a local NHLFA chapter in Ottawa, where we both live, so we can assist with start up and work out any growing pains. Our first meeting is this evening (Sept. 13). This model will then be used to establish chapters in as many other cities as membership and interest warrants. For a peek at how we are structuring these chapters visit this page (http://www.nhlfa.com/chapters). Let us know if you have a comment or are interested in leading a chapter in your area (current Media Liaisons will automatically retain their position within a new regional Chapter). Chapters will attract new members, allow existing members to become more active and further raise the profile of the NHLFA.
Get Your Own NHLFA "Handle"
We are now able to offer members NHLFA e-mail alias "handles" at no charge. We are offering all members a free NHLFA e-mail handle containing your name (i.e. "boone@nhlfa.com" or "hockeyfan@nhlfa.com"). We feel that this is another good way to spread the word about the Association. You would not be receiving ISP connection services from us, rather this would simply be another e-mail handle for you. Our ISP has agreed to auto-forward all messages from yourname@NHLFA.com handle directly to your real e-mail account. To choose an NHLFA alias e-mail handle visit this page (http://www.nhlfa.com/email) – remember, first come first served.
Banner Ad is Here
Many of you have inquired about getting an NHLFA banner ad for your Web site – well here it is linked as a file to this note. We encourage you to use or circulate it to people with hockey sites. The more people know about us, the more likely we are to gain new and committed members.
Jim and Jim
At the end of 1998, both of us left the corporate telecommunications business when our company closed its operations. Since then Jim Spendlove has been working as an independent communications consultant and Jim Boone has launched a Web/multimedia development agency (http://www.BooneMedia.com). The NHLFA is a passion/hobby for us, but obviously not a full-time gig.
NHLFA Members of the Month
Each month in this space we'd like to take the time to recognize one or two NHLFA members who have gone out of their way to help the Association. Please let us know if you feel you or someone you know has been very active in helping the Association so we can acknowledge your efforts.
This month our special thanks go out to two people:
Jim H. in Cupertino, CA., has been working diligently to get the front office of the San Jose Sharks to give some kind of acknowledgment of the NHLFA – way to go Jim!
Also accolades to Amy H. of St. Joseph, Michigan for nominating us for the Golden Finger Award, presented by Hockey Snacks, an on-line magazine of hockey-related information and humor (http://www.livingbeyondreality.com/HockeySnacks.html). Thanks for that Amy!
NHLFA Caps and Shirts
We have NHLFA branded caps and shirts which are available for members to purchase and support their Association. Visit this page for more information
http://www.nhlfa.com/thestore/thestore.asp
Our thanks to all of you all for being part of the NHLFA and for your support. You will receive your next update in October.
Jim and Jim
boone@nhlfa.com
spendlove@nhlfa.com
(P.S. Sorry if we are slow answering e-mail you send to us.)
- - -
NHLFA Background Information
- The National Hockey League Fans' Association was created to give NHL fans a voice within pro hockey circles and an opportunity to change game for the better.
- The NHLFA Web site address is http://www.nhlfa.com
- It is free to join the NHLFA.
- Currently, we can only accept member registrations through our Web site. We hope to extend our member registration to regular mail in future.
- The NHLFA was formed April 20, 1998, and our membership is 10,000 (as of early Sept. 1999). You can check the home page of our Web site to find the current number of members.
- We have met with Gary Bettman, Commissioner of the NHL and Bob Goodenow, Executive Director of the NHL Players' Association.
- Thirty-five percent of NHLFA members are from Canada, 62% from the US and 3% from the rest of the world.
- We conduct regular polls (The Fan Report) and present our members' opinions to the NHL, the NHLPA and the media.
|
