PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. - Lights shine down on the
women, dressed in their colorful uniform attire. Padding, helmets, and pride
are a visual part of the roller derby look. The whistle is blown, and the women
are off. Their season is slowly approaching center stage, for all to see and
help the community as well.
The
Adirondacks only roller derby team, the Lumber Jill’s, all started in the
Spring of 2010. The team unified and was established as an all-female,
flat-track derby league. Over time, they have developed respect and a name for
themselves, due to their outstanding events that are based on the fun of the
game, while raising money for organizations.
Just a
year ago the flags were raised; allowing the team to be known as non-profit ,
which was originally a Limited Liability Company, meaning, the members of the
company cannot be held personally liable for the company's debts or
liabilities. Since their existence back in 2010, they have been covering ground
all over Clinton County, trying to help the community in need. The team also
prides itself in supporting others while dedicating time to further their
understanding of roller derby and female athleticism.
Starting
a nonprofit organization can be an inspiring way to give back to your community
and help those in need. However, it is important to understand all of the steps
involved in this process before moving forward. Growing and sustaining a
nonprofit may take years of effort and a great deal of determination.
Difficulty
is a given when establishing a non-profit organization. For the Lumber Jill’s,
waiting around for the official announcement of their new obtained status was
the biggest hardship. Danielle Baker, a former five-year Lumber Jill, (Derby
name, Mayday Va JJ) says the process in becoming non-profit was a “challenge”,
but it was ultimately the right choice to make. For years, the team put on
events to raise money for causes, so it just seemed to make sense. One constant
struggle for the Lumber Jill’s is getting their name out for all to know.
“Advertisements and radio announcements/PSA’s are expensive, so we find our
best advertisement is through giving to the community”, Baker said.
President
of the Lumber Jill’s, Maddie McGrath (Derby name, Chucky Finish-Her), said: “We
pretty much try and help people who ask for it, when our schedule allows for
it. If someone within the group has an organization or event they want to work
with, they voice it to the team, some outside groups also ask for our help.”
According
to Grantspace.org, the first step in creating a non-profit organization is by
drafting your mission statement.
“Developing your mission statement is a critical because it communicates
your nonprofit's purpose, what groups it serves, and how it will serve them.
Every decision and action in your organization should support and further your
mission,” (How Do I Start).
Grantspace also guides you to the
next step: “Write a business plan. Just
as with a for-profit business, a business plan can help a nonprofit describe
how it intends to achieve its mission in more specific details. It also can be
used to outline a new project or venture,” (How Do I Start).
Last but
not least, you must “Develop your board.
As your nonprofit's governing body, your board fulfills a variety of
roles and legal responsibilities. In order to carry out these duties
effectively, the board will change as your organization grows and matures.
While recruitment is an important step in this process, a systematic approach
to board development, including orientation, training, evaluation, and the
cultivation of prospective board members, is critical to ensuring its long-term
success” (How Do I Start).
“Our
organization has several committees that focus on different topics, one being
the donation committee. You don’t have to be a player on the team to be a part
of the committee. We’ll still consider you a Lumber Jill”, Baker said.
So far, these powerful women have displayed their support through many
events, a few being: “The First Weekends in Plattsburgh” is an event that
occurs the first Friday and following Saturday of select months. They bring
music, arts and entertainment to the downtown streets of Plattsburgh. Another
event they attended was the annual SUNY Plattsburgh, “Take Back the Night”
event based on men and woman coming together to raise awareness about the
sexual assault issues people face today in April 2015. In February 2015, they
also attended the BHSN children’s carnival, helping with selling popcorn and
beverages.
In the
year 2015, the Lumber Jill’s were looking to collaborate with the Heart
Association, Kent-Delord House Museum, Impeerium Peer Network, Reality Check of
Clinton, Essex and Franklin Counties, as well as Imaginarium Children’s Museum,
and the Girl Scouts. These organizations are normally introduced to the
audience around the Lumber Jill’s half-time show, where then proceeds are
collected. For an event called, “That
70s”, the Lumber Jill’s invited the Autism Alliance of Northeastern New York to
perform at the half time show, while informing the audience about the
organization.
Another
Lumber Jill event, “Pint of Revenge”, allowed the Impeerium Peer Network of
Plattsburgh to benefit from the 50/50 raffle. The Impeerium Peer Network is a
local organization dedicated to assist[ing] peers along their journey toward
recovery by shifting them in a direction to help themselves in their time of
need. The program is all peer-based, so it allows you to experience the individual
comfort one should have in situations connected to mental health. The Lumber
Jill’s often focus on organizations that target the awareness of mental health,
since it’s an ongoing issue in the United States. The participation in helping other organizations
doesn’t stop there. A “Born in the USA” doubleheader match, the featured
non-profit is ROTA Studios and Gallery ROTA, received all proceeds of the 50/50
raffle, held a spot in the show (to inform the public) and performed during the
half time show.
“Back to
School”, another event was covered to help the Bailey Avenue School district.
At the time of the event, the president of Plattsburgh Roller Derby, Erin
McGill also known as Teachy McKill, decided to give back to her own school.
Since McGill is a teacher at the school, you could see why she would find
Bailey Avenue to be a spot in her heart.
As
mentioned before, the Kent-Delord House Museum was a focus for the team, where
they raised money to help it. Member
boarder director of the Kent-Delord House Museum, Sharron Vell, stated that the
funding was in idea brought by Connie Manderville, a former Lumber Jill, and
former Kent-Delord House Museum employee. Giving back to their own
organizations is important to them, as well as many others.
All of
these organizations have benefitted from the proceeds raised by the Lumber
Jill’s. Danielle Baker says that from there, the money is used by the
organizations in many ways—but at the end of the day, receiving a thank you
card and a smile is all they need to feel truly successful.
If
you’re looking to help the Lumber Jill’s with proceeds focusing towards local
organizations and just enjoy a classic derby match, you’ll be seeing these
woman appearing in the “later winter, early spring”, Baker said.
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