(04-16-2015 04:38 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 03:47 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 03:10 PM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 02:47 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  I certainly hope that those running the Owl Club will do the right thing and allow those of us who give to SIGs to receive Owl Club benefits. It really doesn't even have to be one-to-one, but we still contribute to athletics and somehow we are invisible.

Why don't the SIGs give SIG benefits to the SIG donors?

The SIG funds are separate from the Owl Club fund, IIRC.

The SIGs cannot give perks like access to R Room or Trauber Suite or Reserve parking, etc. We know that the funds are separate, but they just avoid the middle man and go directly to the particular sport.

Not entirely true, as the Owl Club funding goes towards scholarships and the likes; whereas SIG contributions cover a different set of expenses.

Walt, should I give my annual gift, which will honestly only be enough to move the participation percentages ever so slightly, to a SIG or the Owl Club? I seem to recall some strong posts in favor of the RBI Club in the past. Now each individual's level of the Owl Club seems to be all that measures ones true devotion to Rice Athletics. Which brings about another question...how are the SIGs doing with this new OC emphasis? Any chance of cannibalization?

Maybe I'll just buy season tix to something. Those seem like just another avenue for donations as well these days.

Thanks for the insight.

Your devotion is up to you. Devote yourself to any cause you want as deeply as you want. Most people would say the greater your devotion, the less you should care about what you get in return for what you give.

The ideal of a SIG is that the donations directly benefit the athletes, and don't get diverted to other purposes. If you like the idea of SIGs, but want a perq in return, then you are experiencing cognitive dissonance. Money for your perq has to come out of some budget, and if it's paying for your perq then it isn't going to the athletes.

(04-16-2015 06:07 PM)BufflOwl Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 04:38 PM)waltgreenberg Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 03:47 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 03:10 PM)Frizzy Owl Wrote:  

(04-16-2015 02:47 PM)WRCisforgotten79 Wrote:  I certainly hope that those running the Owl Club will do the right thing and allow those of us who give to SIGs to receive Owl Club benefits. It really doesn't even have to be one-to-one, but we still contribute to athletics and somehow we are invisible.

Why don't the SIGs give SIG benefits to the SIG donors?

The SIG funds are separate from the Owl Club fund, IIRC.

The SIGs cannot give perks like access to R Room or Trauber Suite or Reserve parking, etc. We know that the funds are separate, but they just avoid the middle man and go directly to the particular sport.

Not entirely true, as the Owl Club funding goes towards scholarships and the likes; whereas SIG contributions cover a different set of expenses.

Walt, should I give my annual gift, which will honestly only be enough to move the participation percentages ever so slightly, to a SIG or the Owl Club? I seem to recall some strong posts in favor of the RBI Club in the past. Now each individual's level of the Owl Club seems to be all that measures ones true devotion to Rice Athletics. Which brings about another question...how are the SIGs doing with this new OC emphasis? Any chance of cannibalization?

Maybe I'll just buy season tix to something. Those seem like just another avenue for donations as well these days.

Thanks for the insight.

Each person has to make his/her own decision. However, just for the record, under the final couple years of Greenspan, I did indeed cut back on my annual Owl Club contribution and upped my RBI Club donation...however, I still gave the $1,000 benefit-receiving minimum to the Owl Club. Since Dr. K arrived, I returned my Owl Club gift to he previous level, while retaining (actually, increasing further) my RBI Club gift. I think it's very important from a participation rate standpoint (which Dr. K can use to show the Administration and BOT the strong support for Rice athletics) that everyone give annually to the Owl Club, even if only a nominal or token amount. The fact that less than 900 Rice alumni and supporters have given to the Owl Club in recent years is nothing short of embarrassing.

WRC, I believe an annual report has been issued to show where the Owl Club proceeds go. The SIGs are valuable to Rice Athletics and do a number of great things for the individual sports they are aligned with. The Owl Club also provides operating support for the individual sports and the program as a whole. Both are worthy causes and important to the mission. I do not want to discourage SIG giving as we are all pushing to elevate Rice Athletics, but the general fund for the Rice Athletic department needs support as well. As I have mentioned in previous posts, a gift at any level is valuable. Discussions are being had on wYs to recognize SIG gifts, but that work has not been completed. We are pushing to strengthen the Owl Club through increased participation as opposed to canibalizing SIGS. I would hope that each of you would consider a gift to the Owl Club, but if that does not work for you a SIG gift is helpful in continuing to move the program forward. This was typed on an iPhone, so please excuse the typos!

Thanks everyone for your responses. After reading this, I went to make my gift for the year and noticed the SIGs info was all taken down from the websites. Sounds like the Owl Club it is and everyone is completely behind that. My apologies for going there. I hope the increase in the Owl Club and Ticket Numbers is enough for Pres Leebron and the Board to keep increasing the funding for JK and his team. Maybe I shouldn't be so skeptical but after years of watching this same pattern I hope everyone understands the reasons for asking the questions.

Thanks for all you guys do to support the cause. Be sure to keep us out of towners up to date on all the progress...sounds like there's a lot riding on this.

I wanted to drop a quick note to the Parliament to thank all of you for your support of Rice Athletics, the Owl Club, and the SIGS. Your support is making a difference and we are extremely close to hitting a very aggressive $2.1 MM fundraising goal for the Owl Club. We have until June 30, to hit the target. If you or anyone you know would like to support the effort we would love to have you. I also want to remind everyone that participation is a key metric we are focused on, to no gift is too small! Thanks again for all that all of you do to support Rice Athletic!

GO OWLS!!!