Raffle suggestions

[Royce]

Our newly formed Trout Unlimited chapter is planning to have a booth at an upcoming Sportsmen's Show. The main purpose in having the booth is simply to let the public know we exist. Many people are not even aware that the Trout Unlimited organization even exists let alone that we have a local chapter.

Since we are a newly formed chapter, we don't have any money in the bank yet. To offset the cost of the booth rental, we are planning a raffle. Any suggestions for a raffle prize? Our first thought was, or course, a fly rod & reel. The chance to win a fly rod would appeal to the fly fishers in the crowd and/or, perhaps encourage a non-flyfisher to take up the sport. However, eastern South Dakota is not really a hot-bed of flyfishing so there will be many more non-flyfishers in the crowd. We also thought of a float tube. That would appeal to the flyfishers as well as those who chase some of the warm-water species.

I should mention that this is a VERY large Sportsmen's Show. This 4-day event will draw thousands of people so the potential to sell a lot of raffle tickets is very good. We will want our raffle prize to appeal a lot of different types of anglers.

Any thoughts?

[tailingloop]

A good quality but inexpensive combo is a good item. Maybe a few flies.

Do make sure you don't run afoul of your state's rules for raffles for non profit organization. For example here in CA at least 90% of gross proceeds must go to charitable programs. No more than 10% can go to expenses, which includes facilities and prizes (prizes can be donated though). Your state may have its own rules.

[EdD]

You might have several draws with a grand prize and some lesser prizes. Boxes of locally-effective flies would be good for the latter.

Ed

[hap]

The Alaska Fly Fishers has a raffle at the local (Anchorage) Sportsman's Show every spring for a high end fly rod and reel. A local shop donates the rod, usually a Sage, and we add a reel either from a donation or that we buy (usually cheap, direct from the manufacturer) and raffle them together. We also have a free kids raffle (it is pretty easy to get someone to donate a kid, so be selctive there! ) for either a tying kitor a free family pass to our annual fly fishing seminar.

Asking for prizes is easier for some than others...

Printing a coupon on the back of the tickets for a donor store is a good way to sell potential donors on helping you... and themselves at the same time.

Better prizes will increase your ticket sales, guaranteed!

If you have to buy a rod, look at Sierra Trading Post for some great deals on name rods.

[hap]

A good quality but inexpensive combo is a good item. Maybe a few flies.

Do make sure you don't run afoul of your state's rules for raffles for non profit organization. For example here in CA at least 90% of gross proceeds must go to charitable programs. No more than 10% can go to expenses, which includes facilities and prizes (prizes can be donated though). Your state may have its own rules.

A quick check of CA law found the provision you mentioned... 90% must go to the good cause... However, it does not say "gross proceeds" but rather "revenue" and a quick check of the CA legal definition of revenue finds they use the standard definition of "return on investment." So all costs are subtracted and it is very much a "net" requirement.

Here are the gaming regs in a pdf format:
http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/pd..._charities.pdf?

Page 26 has the 90% rule.

I looked because that is an extremely difficult standard to live up to and I know there are commercial fundraisers there and they would not work for 10%.

Also, the State is not intrested in occasional charitable raffles... They make it easier than most states.
art

[CaseyP]

if you really want to get people to buy tickets, add a cheap TV to the mix. everyone wants another television! it could be playing a DVD about fly fishing or fly tying or casting or all three. a moving TV picture really attracts folks to stop and look, especially in a huge show like you're going to. stuck to the top of the TV you put a bright day-glo sign WIN THIS TV! and off you go.

best of luck!

[Uncle Jesse]

Ms. Betty is a pretty young girl who likes to visit South Dakota. Maybe you could get her up to sell kisses. They probably had a jolt coming from a real swamp witch.

[EdD]

Ms. Betty is a pretty young girl who likes to visit South Dakota. Maybe you could get her up to sell kisses. They probably had a jolt coming from a real swamp witch.

Uncle Jesse, have a mealworm on me. I'm sure you'll find bluewing olives to be tasty. Learning to cast as a toad is a bit difficult, but worthwhile.

Ed

[Uncle Jesse]

Since your real motive is to make people aware of the chapter. Why not tie up a bunch of flies, if you have a 100 give away 25 each morning stuck on a business card with the chapter information on it. Just a thought.

[maodiver]

Since your real motive is to make people aware of the chapter. Why not tie up a bunch of flies, if you have a 100 give away 25 each morning stuck on a business card with the chapter information on it. Just a thought.

I have seen this. business cards with a fly stuck into them. real attention getter, and if you have a decent sized club, you can get 1000 flies pretty quickly. make sure you only give them to people who stop, or people like me will swipe a few off the table because we are cheap barstids