Qualified for World Championships, how to pay for it... (Page 2)

Why not think big?  I propose you go to the largest corporation with headquarters in or near Davenport.  Pitch that you are hoping to get full sponsorship including registration, trip essentials & transportation costs--have this figure ready.  In exchange, you will obviously advertise their logo.  BUT, given how popular this sport is for us BOP/MOP folks, offer to lead clinics and training rides for their employees.  You can use these rides for recovery, so they are still worth your time.  Who knows, if you get a good following, they might want to continue the rides as a corporate training opportunity... and, maybe they'll pay you for this going forward.  THEN, go to owner of the bike shop where you work and pitch that your training rides will bring in new business.  Maybe they'll throw a few sponsorship dollars your way.  How's that sound?

The golden rule of fundraising is "Just Ask". Some ideas:

1. To raise funds for Team Diabetes Canada I made up a brochure, sent it to everyone I knew (300+ requests) and received 200+ donations totalling over $10,000.
2. Host a simple dinner/party for __ at a price of __ per person
3. Organize a 5k fun run or a group ride with a nominal entry fee
4. Raffle a prize basket
5. Organize a fundraiser concert/dance
6. Garage sales, car washes, BBQ's

Good luck!

Offended???  Really???  Truly offended???  Give me a break.  I started off by congratulating the guy and then go on to essentially say that he qualified once and can easily qualify again so I don't view it as a once in a lifetime opportunity...sounds like a compliment, not a knock-down to me... you're entitled to your own opinion.

Let me see if I have this right.....you'd guess by my post that I'm not the best in public settings????  Really...you ascertained all of that from my post?????  Dude, you just demonstrated that you don't know squat about me or my contribution to this site.  How many seasons have you volunteered to be a mentor in the BT mentor program designed to ENCOURAGE NEW TRIATHLETES???? I did it for 2 seasons.  How many training camps did you voluntarily organize for beginner triathletes on BT that are doing their first IM WI?????   I did one and helped produce a video for BT on said camp. 

"Best Amateur Triathlete.com"????  "Good grief"?????  wtf????  Where the heck does that come from???  I think you guys are the ones that need to relax.  Have a great season.

My advice is to look into going on your own, without the travel folks that USAT offer. You can find cheaper ways to go, just try and find a hotel close to where the team hotel is, that's where most of the activity will be, mechanics, dinner and such.

Try your hardest to go, it's a great experience and congratulations!!

Which reminds me....I'm headed to Scotland this year to race, you kids gonna send me money, too??