[Mr V]

Some more great points about the many advantages of the District System.

A couple points I'd like to highlight:

Build it and they will come. Before the PNW District formed we had 1 or 2 of each key volunteer position. Yes the first year was rough on some of our key volunteers. It was made easier because we made the decision to make the move and started by recruiting and training more people for those positions before making the switch. Now 3 years in we have 5 of most key volunteers so that no one person has to cover more than 2 of the events since we only have 9 events + DCMP and in fact we now do not generally allow volunteers to work in the same key volunteer position at more than 2. Many do choose to take on multiple roles and attend more events. One of the keys of this is letting people know that there is a need for people to fill those positions and that they are welcome. We have found that many of the mentors and students have the knowledge and desire to be volunteers. It is a great way to keep people "in the family". We have those mentors who are ready to move on from that role when their kids graduate, that still want to be involved in a lower impact way. We also have a number of former students who volunteer at an event, Sat-Sun events make it easier for both of those groups.

A 501c3 organization is needed, but creating one is not some impossible feat and it is not blazing a new trail. There are now 8 districts that have been down a similar path who will gladly share how they did it. It is important to note that we all took different paths and some of the newer events have taken elements from multiple existing districts to create what works for them.

I've also had time to consider my time in the Regional System and the things that are better about it. I was only able to come up with two.

#1 In some of the venues that we had used in the PNW the seats are more comfortable than in the venues we use now. It certainly is not true across the board however because a couple of our district events have taken place in the same University gyms as the Regionals that preceded them.

#2 In Regionals there is a greater likelihood of seeing teams from out of your area. In the past we have had international teams from Mexico and Turkey. We have also had teams from MT, ID, CA and HI in the past. However with the interdistrict play we have seen teams from MI and hopefully we'll see more in the future.

Finally as mentioned above not every Regional is in a major league sports arena, some are in University Gyms, Convention centers and even HS Gyms while district events are held in HS and University Gyms and the DCMPs are sometimes held in sports arenas.