Success - Money Talks

So, let's talk about a local program and the finances associated with it.

I've mentioned before that I think that the failure of many local programs is because people don't understand the financial commitment that's necessary for success. Running a local program is like running your own small community-based organization.

It can be done in a few ways, and neither is any "better" than the other. There are some programs that subsist on very little community support. Their main focus is to put on a show to send a girl to Miss Ohio. Their involvement with their winner is minimal, and they require very little from their winner.

Conversely, there are some locals that are extremely involved (and in some cases, very overbearing) with their winner. They have appearance requirements in the local contract, demand that all wardrobe and performance decisions are cleared through them, and explicitly forbid "their girl" to seek outside assistance from a coach of any kind (talent, modeling, etc). Variety is the spice of life and all, and the girls need to vote for why type of pageant (yeah, I used the "P" word) they want ... with their applications.

At any rate, the financial commitment involved is significant; either way you choose to produce the program. Let's look at the bare minimum costs, shall we? Please note that these are just off the top of my head and haven't been confirmed by anyone at MOSP (I did Google for the sash/crown pricing to be sure I was accurate):

500 - Franchise fee
500 - Minimum winner's scholarship
50 - Winner's sash, including shipping
150 - Winner's crown, including shipping
100 - Miss Ohio week tickets, each person
200 - Full page ad in the Miss Ohio program book
30 - Forum tickets for winner and E.D.

So at the bare minimum, you're looking at $1,530 to cover the basics. Keep in mind that this doesn't cover theater rental, sound / lighting personnel, feeding the contestants that day, flowers for the winner, any scholarships for the runners-up, no trophies or plaques, telephone / mailing costs, etc. Conservatively, I'd say that it costs about $3,000 to put on a local with a "bare bones" budget. If you want to help with your winner's preparation and / or wardrobe ... extra. Gifts during Miss Ohio week? Extra. And the costs rise and rise and rise.

I'd bet that most folks that are interested in putting on a local (especially those that "burn out" after a year or three) are floored at the costs associated with it. Going back to the "mentor" concept ... pairing a successful local up with a newbie local is a good idea. Having a "thank you for your interest" packet to supply to a potential E.D. would be great! And even better yet? Having the "thank you for your interest" packet on the website (in PDF format) ready to download.