Important Dates
- February 1: Bid window opens
- February 22: Bid window closes for international teams*
- February 29: International bids awarded*
- April 30: Bid window closes, registration essay due
- May 14: Bids awarded
- May 30: Final payment due, all checks are deposited.
* A limited number of bids will be reserved for teams traveling from outside of North America. In order to be eligible for one of these bids, teams must submit all of their registration materials, including a deposit check, by February 22. Teams from outside of North America who do not submit their bid materials prior to the February 22 deadline will be eligible for a bid within the later bid window timeline.
Registration
There are three steps that must be completed in order to register for Potlatch 2012:
- Online registration- Open
- Mail deposit check to DiscNW
- Email registration essay to TDs
All teams must complete the online registration form prior to the bid deadline (April 30). Incomplete online bids (for example, bids that to not have a valid roster) will not be considered. Teams no longer need to mail a printout of the registration form. Some updates to the online registration form will be allowed after the deadline, but teams should note that bids will be awarded based on the information submitted prior to the deadline.
Player Fees
For 2012, the participation fee is $75 (includes sales tax†) per player. A deposit of $525 (7 x $75) is due by the April 30 bid deadline. Checks are to be made payable to DiscNW and must include the team name on the memo line. The mailing address for these checks is DiscNW, Attn: Potlatch, PO Box 85112, Seattle, WA 98145.
Teams that are accepted to Potlatch 2012 will be notified on May 14‡. At that time, those teams will be required to submit payment for the balance due for their roster. Any teams that do not submit a final payment, which must be received by May 30, will be moved to the wait list.
Teams may make roster changes after the May 30 deadline. Any roster changes, and corresponding fees, will be processed at registration on the morning of June 30 at Event Central.
Potlatch players must be 18 or over. Please contact potlatch@discnw.org with any questions.
† The State of Washington issued a ruling in 2011 that requires sports organizations like DiscNW to collect sales tax on fees for events. DiscNW has begun to collect these taxes in order to comply with the state. Please send any questions about sales tax to william.bartram@discnw.org.
‡ International teams will be notified on February 29. Payment deadlines for accepted international teams will be communicated to team captains at that time.
Creative Bids
In the past we have greatly enjoyed all of the cool dioramas, story books, team jerseys, sunglasses, hats, liquid refreshments, lunch boxes filled with snacks, paper mache Muppets, paintings, mix tapes, slideshows, videos, and other fun presents that teams have bestowed upon the Tournament Directors as part of their bids. Starting this year, however, we request that teams focus their energies on the new bid requirement (see next paragraph).
Well, okay, we do really like looking at the videos that teams make. Making one of those is okay, but it will not substitute for the important part: the essay.
New Requirement: the Essay
Teams will be required to submit an essay that describes what members of the team do in their local community to promote the sport of ultimate. We want to know if there are there any youth coaches, Tournament Directors, League Coordinators, Board Members, or other kinds of ultimate volunteers on the roster. If your team participates regularly in a league, letters of support from the local organization will be viewed very favorably.
We also want to know what teams will do at Potlatch to help to create a safe and fun environment for everyone.
We would also like to read about your ideas for the gift exchange and your plans for your post-game cheers. Please tell us about how you will celebrate the spirit of giving with the Potlatch community.
There is no minimum or maximum length for the essay. The completed essay should be emailed to the Tournament Directors at potlatch@discnw.org by April 30.
Notes about Geographic Representation at Potlatch
In year's past the tournament has had roughly the following geographic break-down:
1/3 of the teams are from the Greater Seattle Area. This is necessary to handle the many tasks associated with the tournament (picking up bagels, going to Costco, part clean-up, field set-up, etc.). As the tournament has gotten larger, we have required more help. This 1/3 ratio has helped us maintain the quality of Potlatch.
1/3 of the teams are from the non-Seattle Northwest. Because of our proximity to cities such as Portland, Vancouver BC, and San Francisco, we get a lot of interest from the greater Northwest. DiscNW is, after all, the Northwest Ultimate Association.
1/3 of the teams are from outside the Northwest. It is important that the tournament show a good stratum of the International ultimate scene. For this reason, much emphasis is given to teams outside the Greater Northwest.