Huge Team Update - NL #6
November 11, 2024
Hello everyone,
Every week, I imagine some people expect us to disappear.
By now, you should know that we're not going anywhere.
In fact, so much is happening!
In the last week, we have nearly DOUBLED our team on the US side.
We will also be doing our first fundraise! $3000 for startup costs.
Let's dive in.
Who's new?
Max Tuana, a Middlebury college friend and experienced filmmaker, who's taking a look at the materials in our google drive to see if there's enough for a documentary.
Chesley Hurdle, a long-time friend who will be managing our social media. He has experience building his own online eCommerce store.
Ricky Sanchez, a Kenyan web developer who fate seems to have connected us with. He's not just rebuilding our website, but asked to join our team long-term because he loves the mission!
So what does the team look like now?
Florian - President / co-founder, running around organizing everyone.
Morgan Long - Director of Operations, helping build the infrastructure we'll need.
Pauli Riener - Co-founder, helping fundraising efforts in Europe and building our wikipedia
Klemen Kosi - Olympian & Brand Ambassador, will spread the message of Ski Club Uganda in his races.
Ricky Sanchez - Web Manager, managing our website& backend infrastructure like email lists, chat support, and the online store.
Chesley Hurdle - Creating Instagram content and growing our online brand.
Lukka Wolff - Creating partnerships with Middlebury College's professors and administration.
Max Tuana - Creating a real film on Ski Club Uganda and media to use for social media.
Lucas Decrinis, Johannes Lummerstorfer - Co-founders, helping out with social media posts.
Anne Dix - Board member, bringing her wisdom to inspire us.
Dr. Bob Nakileza - Board member and climate scientist, connecting us with his team in Uganda.
Eddison & Hannington - RTS guides connecting us with their existing tree nursery project in Kilembe.
Wow. What are we going to do with such a big team? (14 people, and I'm sure I'm missing someone!)
-> Get stuff done.
Now that we've grown super fast, we need to get everyone on the same page.
That's why we're having a big meeting Wednesday morning at 8am EST.
We'll introduce everyone, share updates to get everyone on the same page, outline the vision, foster connections between new teammates, and open the floor for ideas.
And you know what?
Here's the meeting link. If you'd like to join and witness what feels like the official kick-off for Ski Club Uganda, you are more than welcome! If you can't make it, I'll share the recording & summary in the next newsletter.
In other news...
1. We're finally finding traction in Middlebury College.
Lukka's efforts have proven successful as the Director of Sustainability & Environmental Efforts has reached out to meet with us about supporting Ski Club Uganda. We're also meeting Environmental Studies professor Jessica L'Roe about student involvement in our project tomorrow.
2. Thanks to Morgan's diligence, we've nearly conquered the 501c3! Everything is written. We just have some more research questions before we submit.
**If anyone is more finance-minded, are we allowed to put down expenses of the trip as expenses for Ski Club Uganda? Practically everything we did furthered the purpose of this organization...** (if you know... please reply to this email!)
3. Pauli has gotten himself a speaking engagement at a networking event in Austria, and is setting up sponsorship/fundraising conversations with the ex-CFO at Head in Europe.
4. I have a social media marketing agency ready to help Chesley make our social media content professional and take our online brand to serious numbers.
Sadly, there's also bad news...
Ganzi and Batenga plead our case at length with the Ugandan Olympic committee, but a nationality change will not be possible for Klemen. He will not be able to ski for Uganda in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
It was a long-shot... but still a bummer. Could have been a beautiful moment for Uganda and Ski Club Uganda.
Alas, I'm not worried!
We have a way of creating our own luck with Ski Club Uganda.
I believe that with the hard work we're putting in to do real good, we'll get lucky in ways we cannot yet imagine.
So what's next?
As the scaffolding around Ski Club Uganda climbs wicked fast...
We can get back to the project.
As we wait for 501c3 approval... We'll be designing the tree nursery project with Dr. Bob & team, RTS's team, Middlebury's team, and our team. Ironing out the details like logistics, research goals, and community engagement goals. Creating a budget that we can fundraise for.
Our goal is to get students in Kilembe planting trees and teaching in schools by next summer.
Ok, so what do we need? Your help, first and foremost.
Taking Ski Club Uganda off the ground has costs, and we could get together to chip in.
We're doing a first fundraiser for $3000.
What for?
domain registration ($30/yr)
web development for official website (already nearly done!) ($1000)
paying for Wix premium ($440/yr)
State non-profit organization ($100)
501c3 registration ($600)
Google Workspace ($384... will double/triple!)
Total... $2554
That gives us an operating budget of $446 until we kickoff our major fundraise in the beginning of the new year. Helps us cover costs like new software tools, sample merch, and whatever other surprises are in store.
If you can, could you please chip in? Here's our gofundme.
With that, there's lots to look forward to. We'll keep you informed.
See lots of you Wednesday!
Florian & Ski Club Uganda
President, Co-founder
Ski Club Uganda '24
