Forum Administration

[lineygoblue]

Well, thanks to a good Samaritan, we now have our internet access back. Thanks for the well wishes guys. Much appreciated. In spite of my many meltdowns over the years, I enjoy chatting with all of you. Thanks again.

[Mackenzie]

One step at a time. Good luck Liney!

[Paul L]

Welcome back Liney; hope all goes well.

[Ghengis Jon]

Mr Buchanan - please check your gmail. I forwarded you something from the University.

[Jeff Buchanan]

Got it, responded.

[UMStan White]

I assume you're talking about the "survey" dealing primarily with donations to the athletic dept?

[The Oracle]

Spill the goods!! What's going behind the scenes with all you high rolling donors??

[hack]

Stan is high and rolling? That makes all the aggression even harder to understand. It's supposed to make you the opposite way.

[UMStan White]

this:

University of Michigan Athletics Donor Survey

• What is your relationship with the University of Michigan Athletics? (Check all that apply)
  • Donor
  • Student-athlete alumni
  • University alumni
  • Fan
  • Season ticket holder
  • Other
  
  
  
• What is your relationship with the University of Michigan athletics?
  
• What kind of donations have you made to Michigan Athletics?
  • Preferred Seat Donation only
  • Preferred Seat Donation and additional gift
  • Outright gift only (scholarship fund, sport-specific, etc.)
  
  
  
• Please select your age range.
  • Under 20
  • 20-30
  • 31-40
  • 41-50
  • 51-60
  • 61-70
  • 70+
  • Prefer not to disclose
  
  
  
• When is the last time you gave to Michigan Athletics?
  • Within the last year
  • 1-2 years ago
  • 3-5 years ago
  • 5+ years ago
  • I give annually
  
  
  
• How often do you attend Michigan Athletics events?
  • Multiple times a year
  • Once a year
  • Every 2-3 years
  • Not in the past three years
  
  
  
• Are you a season ticket holder for any University of Michigan sports team?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  
  
• What sport do you currently hold season tickets to? (Select all that apply)
  • Baseball
  • Men's Basketball
  • Women's Basketball
  • Football
  • Men's Gymnastics
  • Women's Gymnastics
  • Ice Hockey
  • Men's Lacrosse
  • Women's Lacrosse
  • Men's Soccer
  • Women's Soccer
  • Softball
  • Volleyball
  • Wrestling
  • Other
  
  
  
• What sport?
  
• Do you feel as though the impact of your gifts to Michigan Athletics has been successfully communicated to you?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  
  
• Do you think we've done a good job of thanking you for your support?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  
  
• How could we improve?
  
• How did you become a donor?
  
• How do you prefer to make a gift?
  • Online
  • Over the phone
  • By mail
  
  
  
• Please rate the level of ease with making your Preferred Seat Donation online.
  • 1 - Very difficult
  • 2 - Difficult
  • 3 - Neither difficult or easy
  • 4 - Easy
  • 5 - Very Easy
  • I have never made a Preferred Seat Donation online
  
  
  
• To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statements: Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree Michigan Athletics is a strong partner with the greater University of Michigan community. Michigan Athletics is a strong partner with the greater Ann Arbor community. Michigan Athletics is a worthy nonprofit in need of support.
  
• Do you believe that Michigan Athletics is a good steward of your funds?
  • Yes
  • No
  • I don't know
  
  
  
• Did you know that the Athletic Department does not receive any funds from the University of Michigan or the state of Michigan?
  • Yes, I was aware of this
  • No, I was not aware of this
  
  
  
• The financial video "Funding 101" was released last year outlining the revenue and costs of Michigan Athletics. Did you watch the video?
  • Yes
  • No, but I was aware of the video
  • No, I was not aware of the video
  
  
  
• Is Michigan Athletics currently ranked in your top three philanthropy priorities?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  
  
• Is Michigan Athletics currently in your estate plan?
  • Yes
  • No
  • No, but I would like more information about bequest planning
  
  
  
• Please provide your email, and Michigan Athletics will contact you with information regarding bequest planning.
  
• Are you aware that we are in the midst of the Victors for Michigan fundraising campaign?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  
  
• Do you receive M Magazine?
  • Yes
  • No
  
  
  
• What do you enjoy about this publication?
  
• How could we improve M Magazine?
  
• If you wanted to find out more information on how to give to Michigan Athletics, where would you go?
  • MGoBlue.com
  • Support.MGoBlue.com
  • Leaders and Best giving website
  • Call the Athletic Development Office
  
  
  
• What is your preferred mode of communication with Michigan Athletics?
  • Direct mail
  • Email
  • Social media
  • Phone
  
  
  
• If you're interested in learning more about how to give a gift to Michigan Athletics, please provide your email address in the space provided.

[Ghengis Jon]

This is what I received:

As a donor, you have an important perspective on how we are doing as a department, and, as we continue to strive to be the Leaders and Best, we need your help! Please complete the survey below to share your thoughts and suggestions.

The survey should take approximately 5-10 minutes of your time, and participants will be entered for a chance to win an experience for four at the Big House, including a behind the scenes tour, lunch and Adidas team apparel.

Click here to begin your survey.

Your feedback will help us focus our improvement efforts on the areas that matter most to donors like you.

Thank you and Go Blue!


It seems that the Athletic Department senses that the peasantry is picking up pitchforks and torches. My guess is that donations as well as ticket demand has dropped to a level that requires attention, rather than the usual blow-it-off-we're-Michigan attitude that has been prevelant for so many years. There is the usual radio button canned questions as well as opportunity to free form concerns and issues.

There was opportunity to give heartfelt venting. I gave some rather Buchanan-esque length opinions, flavored with my ever pleasant edge. I didn't spray concerns with wide area birdshot, I hammered specifics with 3" Magnum slugs. I hope other respondents did the same.

Actually, I'm pleased that UM asked for input from those of us who are foolishly and consistantly part of their cash cows. But as always, its what they do with the info gathered, not that they simply gathered it. If we can get across that the herd mentality is a thing of the past, then maybe the survey will have a positive result. I look forward to how they report (probably just spin) the results.

In a generalization, I made it clear that I was absolutely disgusted with the Athletic Dept's performance on many levels, starting with DB's pronouncement that "Michigan measures it success by ticket sales". That is an embarrassing and inaccurate assessment of the Michigan family. The Michigan experience success threshhold has NOTHING to do with ticket sales. It is about a quality education, it is about molding young men and women into happy and productive members of society, it is about lifelong friendships, it is about excelling in all aspects of life, it is about being a role model rather than a recluse, it is about living life to its fullest. It is NOT about DB vaccuuming out wallets and changing athletics from fan friendly to fan hostile.

I look forward to seeing the results. I am, however, pessimistic about the conclusions they will draw.

<Posted before seeing Stan's listing of the survey>

[hack]

Yes yes, vent away, but this is the reply Brandon is looking for:

Please provide your email, and Michigan Athletics will contact you with information regarding bequest planning.


Good luck though - I hope you get to have an experience for four!

[Ghengis Jon]

I suspect anyone filling out their bequest form will have their address programmed into the newest tool in the Athletic Department's fund raising arsenal: the Brandon-1 drone.

Not stealthy, just lethal with lots of collateral damage.

[Da Geezer]

hey, is there any chance we can start a thread of possible replacement coaches for Hoke?

[hack]

If the thread title isn't ``Harbaugh Heaven'' or some other alliteration using Harbaugh's name, then I'm going to have a tantrum and cause a series of private messages.

[*JD*]

And make it clear that we mean Jim Harbaugh and not John.