school wants to disband pb club... help!

[lightningzero]

Well a few people and i have started our own little paintball club in school. We do not use any school resources to fund our club. We pay for everything ourselves, and we are responsible for our own transportation to the field. The reason it's a club in our school is because it gives us a chance to play other classmates at a discounted price and we get the field specially reserved for the day of the game.

Anyways, as mentioned above, we do not use any school resources.Yyet there are those in the school administration who want to disband the club for reasons unknown. This is ridiculous. We have some support from some teachers as well as a large student body. We have about 40 people in the club.

We have a few theories pertaining to why this is the case. One being is that there is just intolerance to a "non-traditional" sport such as paintball. They are ignorant as to how the game is played and such. Another reason is that they're afraid of insurance and liability. We have explained that everyone who participates must sign an insurance waiver for the field. Apparently that is not enough.

Anyways, we need help. Has anyone experienced this type of thing before? Could anyone help us prepare an intelligent argument in defense of this sport? Unless we do so, we're afraid that the school will no longer set up meetings to discuss our last or next game. The funny thing is, that is all we use the school for in this club.

I have a few stories that show our school obviously doesn't like the idea... but i feel they aren't really necessary. So please help keep our club alive. Thanks for your time...

[teufelhunden]

I can't read that...


Use capital letters and paragraphs. It makes it easier to skim, which, honestly, most people on a forum will do.

Edit: Much better :)

[xIrish]

i have no idea what I can do to help. you could try switching schools or getting some parents to sign a thing that basically says "I wont sue the school"

[Raptorz922]

If you don't use any school resources how can they shut it down?

[lightningzero]

i'm not sure but because we have meetings in school (or after school) and the fact that it only contains students from our school could be a stipulation. by the way i go to a private school which i'm sure has different rules as to what they can and cannot allow.

[trickflip]

Sounds like they are school endorsed, which gets them a field discount. First off, as I imagine you have, talk to faculty dealing/making desicions about the club. It is important that you understand what their concerns are and if they exist at all. Second off, it is important to relay to these people that if their concern involves safety, that paintball is a safe sport as long as proper precautions are taken. Third off, oh damn, I am so confused. Too much heading in soccer. Alright, well good luck!

[whizzit]

Well if they are worrying about liability and insurance insues (I hate schools/groups when it comes to this) and you say everyone signs some sort of waiver form then wouldn't you be set then? I think so.

And if the school is seeting up your meetings, I'm guessing by announcing them over the intercom and then using up a classroom or something, theres nothing wrong with that. Make it an out of school club, my past school (just graduated last june....ahhhhhh) let clubs do stuff like that, and others to.

But if all that doesn't help, then just argue its one of the safest sports in the world. Its been posted somewhere, here or where ever. Plus its a great place to learn new skills, meet new people, inhance your physical

[whizzit]

went to reply after teufelhunden but i took a while replying so uhh thats why i almost copied everyones message :crazy:

[BOB_IS_COOL]

As long as your are not breaking the law or school rules you technichly have the right to have that club.

[hybrid-sniper]

they have to give you a good reason to shut down the club, insurance and liability is pure BS, if you've signed the forms and waivers your clear to go, and if they think that its unsafe, throw some of the safety records in there face showing that bowling is more dangerous.

[pEnNyWiSdOm225]

Originally posted by hybrid-sniper
they have to give you a good reason to shut down the club, insurance and liability is pure BS, if you've signed the forms and waivers your clear to go, and if they think that its unsafe, throw some of the safety records in there face showing that bowling is more dangerous.


Not necessarily Bowling,unless that is a school club as well.

Compare the safety records to the other sports your school participates in. After that they will have no good reason

[pill]

If the club meets all the requirements to be a club at your school, and was approved by an administrator then you should be fine. If not just get your parents to basically say "either you leave the paintball club alone, or I will sue the crap out of you"