Method and system for implementing a sports marketing or civic organization

Abstract

A method and system for implementing a civic organization in which members are enlisted for advancing a common interest together with charitable organizations enlisted to be partners with the civic organization. Points are awarded to members based upon meritorious conduct such as service to one of the charitable organizations. Members may advance within the civic organization in response to the awarding of points. Members may receive benefit opportunities from rewards partners offering goods and services to members.

1 . A method for implementing a sports enthusiasts civic organization, comprising the steps of: 
 enlisting one or more persons having an interest in a sports team as a member of a sports enthusiasts civic organization;    providing sports-related activities for attendance by the members;    awarding points to members based upon a pre-determined criteria;    providing a rank to the members based on points; and    advancing members in the civic organization in response to the awarding of points,    wherein members, obtaining points, are entitled to obtain indica related thereo.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of providing a website through which the sports enthusiasts civic organization and members may communicate.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the step of enlisting members is done by receiving information from users of the website, electronically or through the mail.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of providing information to members as to their level of advancement.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein members may determine their level of advancement by referring to an assigned membership number on the website.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , where at least one criteria is meritorious conduct related to the activites;  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the meritorious conduct comprises recruiting other members.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising enlisting one or more charitable organizations to be partners with the sports enthusiasts civic organization; and 
 wherein the meritorious conduct comprises performing charitable works for the charitable organizations in affiliation with the sports enthusiasts civic organization.    
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the meritorious conduct comprises achieving status in the community.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of offering merchandise reflecting the common interest of the sports enthusiasts civic organization.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the common interest is the athletic teams of the University of Tennessee.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of enlisting rewards partners offering goods and services to members.  
   
   
       13 . A method for implementing a civic organization, comprising the steps of: 
 enlisting members to be a part of the civic organization;    enlisting charitable organizations to be partners with the civic organization;    awarding points to members based upon meritorious conduct; and    advancing members in the civic organization in response to the awarding of points.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of providing a website through which the civic organization may communicate with members and charitable organizations.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of enlisting members is done by receiving information from users of the website, electronically or through the mail.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of providing information to members as to their level of advancement.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein members may determine their level of advancement by referring to an assigned membership number on the website.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the meritorious conduct comprises recruiting other members.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the meritorious conduct comprises performing charitable works for the charitable organizations.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the meritorious conduct comprises achieving status in the community.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein: 
 the civic organization markets to attract members having a common interest; and    the method further comprises the step of offering merchandise reflecting that common interest.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the common interest is the athletic teams of the University of Tennessee.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising the step of enlisting rewards partners offering goods and services to members.  
   
   
       24 . A system for facilitating a civic organization, comprising: 
 a user interface for a server operator;    a network interface comprising a web browser and a data link;    a server defining a website, a processor, memory and software for enabling the server operator to communicate with a plurality of users through a global data network, the website enabling the server operator to: 
 receive information from a plurality of remotely located users that are prospective members so as to enlist the users into the civic organization as members;  
 receive information from a plurality of charitable organizations about opportunities for community service;  
 receive information from the enlisted members and the charitable organizations about charitable work done by the members;  
 post information about points awarded to members for their charitable work; and  
 post information about advancement of the individual members based upon points awarded.  
   
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein: 
 the civic organization markets to attract members having a common interest; and    the website further permits members to purchase merchandise reflecting that common interest.    
   
   
       26 . The system of  claim 25 , wherein the common interest is the athletic teams of the University of Tennessee.  
   
   
       27 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the website provides information on advancement within the civic organization.  
   
   
       28 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the website provides information from at least one rewards partner offering goods or services to members.  
   
   
       29 . The system of  claim 24 , wherein the civic organization is a sports marketing organization.  
   
   
       30 . A method for advancing in a civic organization, comprising the steps of: 
 enlisting as a member within the civic organization;    receiving a membership number from the civic organization;    receiving a rank from the civic organization;    performing charitable work for a charitable organization, the charitable organization having partnered with the civic organization;    reporting the charitable work to the civic organization;    receiving points for the charitable work; and    advancing within the civic organization in response to the receipt of points.    
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the step of enlisting as a member comprises: 
 completing an enlistment card; and    submitting the enlistment card to the civic organization.    
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the step of enlisting as a member comprises entering personal profile data on a website of the civic organization.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of reviewing a website of the civic organization to determine current rank.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 32 , wherein: 
 the rank is a military designation;    the membership number is a dog tag number; and    the step of reviewing the website to determine current rank is accomplished by looking up one's dog tag number.    
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the steps of: 
 recruiting other members; and    receiving points for recruiting other members.    
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the civic organization markets to attract members having a common interest.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising the step of purchasing merchandise from the civic organization reflecting the indicia of the civic organization.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein: 
 the rank is a military designation; and    members are assigned to a military unit based upon a geographical location.    
   
   
       39 . A method for forming a coalition of civic organization, comprising the steps of: 
 creating a plurality of civic organizations, each organization being designated as an “army” based upon a common interest of members;    enlisting member within the respective civic organizations;    enlisting charitable organizations to be partners with the respective civic organizations;    awarding points to members based upon meritorious conduct; and    advancing members in the respective civic organizations in response to the awarding of points.    
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising the step of providing websites through which each of the civic organizations may communicate with its members and charitable organizations.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein the step of enlisting members is done by receiving information from users of the websites, electronically or through the mail.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising the step of providing information to members as to their level of advancement.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising the steps of: 
 issuing a member number to each member of each civic organization; and    issuing a rank to each member of each civic organization.    
   
   
       44 . The method of  claim 39 , further comprising the step of enlisting at least one rewards partner for providing a benefit opportunity to members.