[Seattle Go Center] Donations needed even in good times

Dear Members,

Yesterday we had 53 players visit the Go Center, from beginner to 7 dan, with teaching games going on at all levels.  This is the highest count I have seen for a regular Tuesday.  As we approach the end of our fiscal year on June 30, I note that membership payments are up 27% from last fiscal year.  We had great volunteer support during our outreach events at Sakura Con, Cherry Blossom Festival, and the U-District Street Fair.  (A special thanks to John Richards, who helped every day of all three events.)  We taught Go during class time at the nearby McDonald International School, visiting 6 classes up to 5 times each, mostly with volunteer help. We have expanded our free evening classes at the Go Center to three times a week.

Volunteers have made all this possible, and I thank you for your enthusiastic  support.  But we also need dollars to keep going.  I notice that donations are much less this year than last fiscal year, perhaps because people think that our future is much more secure now that we have our new 10 year lease from the Nihon Ki-in.  But even in good times we need donations to make free visits for youth and new members possible, and to continue our outreach, and to get new teaching equipment, such as a digital projector.  We also have to pay off loans from the recent recession, when our downstairs rental space was empty for 18 months.

Please consider making a donation to the Seattle Go Center by June 30, the end of our fiscal year.  We accept cash and checks at the Go Center, or you can donate online, using Paypal:

http://www.seattlego.org/donate/

All your donations are tax deductible, since we have 501 (c)(3) status.  Some employers,  such as Microsoft and Google, will match your donation.  Note that we are listed with the IRS under our formal name, the Nihon Ki-in Go Institute of the West. Checks can be made out to either the Seattle Go Center or the Nihon Ki-in Go Institute of the West.

I look forward to seeing you at the Go Center.  We have a great summer coming up, with 4 pros visiting us before and after Go Congress.

Cheers,

Brian

Brian  Allen

Manager, Seattle Go Center

Nihon Ki-in Go Institute of the West

700 NE 45^th Street

Seattle WA  98105

206 545-1424 (Go Center)

206 632-1122 (Office at Home)

manager@seattlego.org (e-mail)

www.seattlego.org (website)