Yes we must get all our talking done right now at the exclusion of many to make this an inclusive process.
I've been a part of these, and even as recently as a few weeks ago I didn't think the headaches were worth dealing with these historical obstacles anymore, but Mark was right that ignoring it isn't the answer. It's time to let the past hurdles and hiccups go. The bright spot is I think we'll finally have enough critical mass and a central gathering point that if we get off to the right start and keep momentum until the new stadium opens, we have the opportunity to build something sustainable. Ideally I'd like to see us unite around the idea of making this bigger than just the supporters section and start an association for "supporters" regardless of where they sit - something more like the total Cauldron, Crusaders, and interested STH combined. When HASF started with the common goal of saving the team, all these types of fans came together. I think the new stadium opening gives us all a common goal to rally around. The group's goal would be to help promote being a supporter of the Wizards and soccer in Kansas City, speak up on issues that affect us all as fans, facilitate communication, and give all supporters an avenue to do more if they want. The hard part would be to make it attractive enough to hardcore fans like the Reimers, kcsc, felixx, staubio, JROWE, etc that they see advantages in lending their voices and names. I think it would be best led by a non-Cauldron person that is passionate about growing support for the team. It's not Cauldron-centric in any way, it's supporter-centric. There are many issues where our goal is one and the same. All those types of people are more likely to show to watch parties etc than the random Cauldron goer. If the group is big enough, even without dues, we could arrange discounts on merchandise, food etc, maybe access to special events - all the perceived things that the Cauldron gets now and more but without having to hang out with Cauldron people, stand in goal, or sing for 90 minutes to take advantage of it. The Cauldron and the ISG's would be represented, exist outside of this, and promote themselves as a fan experience as well, but this larger association is the place the team goes when they want input on issues that affect more than just the supporters section. They can get input from a wide variety of fans and have a sounding board that considers everyone. You could even go the non-independent route if the team was on board, similar to Seattle, asking all STH to nominate someone in their section to represent them.
The above if people actually like the idea of trying to include all supporters would probably be later on, but I'm assuming we want to have our ducks in a row for the 2010 Cauldron first. What would be the goal of the Cauldron board or whatever we want to call it? Isn't it simply to make the best home field advantage we can, and support all the groups that are trying to make our team bigger? Whoever brought it up, I like the idea of an independent chairman, the ISG heads, and maybe random unaffiliated STH based on availability and interest? I don't know, whatever people like. We need to figure out if the existing ISG's want to be part of figuring out how we can help each other blow up the Wizards next season. If they don't want to, or can't, no biggie, but make sure they know the opportunity is there. We could talk to people at the game to see if there are new ISGs in the works, and encourage anyone interested to start one, or put people in touch that are. If we had even a few more people committed to maintaining their own ISG that'd be a great start to getting the word out better. Does anyone support the idea that maybe next home game we start seeking out new people before/halftime/after the game trying to gauge interest w some of the regulars that are there every week to see if they'd be interested in meeting up with the team to talk about next season?
I have been part of those conversations in the past as well, I fully admit that have stayed out of the for a while now, but regardless I felt like they had stopped. What Jeff just described is what I have been talking about on and off of Big Soccer for a while now. Its also the idea that I wanted to kick around with whomever is interested and can make it on Sat. This is a much bigger discussion than just BS or one watch party but I want to get it started. I have been advocating this be done under the name Cauldron however as Jeff said I think we need a group to represent everyone no matter where you sit or stand. If we use the Cauldron name to do this people will still think we are referring to the section, so that wont work. There are many issues to figure out in order to make this happen and I am not trying to exclude anyone from the conversation, I know that Southern Voodoo and the guys for Nebraska cant make it down for a watch party and that game days are a much better time for those conversations to take place. Outside of an overall supports group, those of us that love the Cauldron atmosphere need to focus on growing the supporters section for the new stadium. I think the start of a couple new ISG's maybe the best way to get going on this. I still think there is a need for a committee type structure to help all of the ISG's and non-ISG affiliated get on the same page. All of this being said one, of the biggest challenges is the lack of people standing up and saying I am going to run with this. To that end I am up for it. I am in no way trying to declare myself the dictator of the supporters or shove any other group leaders out. I am just saying I am dedicated to making this happen. I also agree with Jeff that I would love for a non-cauldron STH to jump on board and run with this this. I would love to see ISG's from all parts of the stadium the West end crowd or Suite level Sweeties, whomever wants to get some people together and have a group or just wants to join on their own. The details of all of this are what has to be worked out with, the team, the ISG's and those that want to be involved but we can do it. We have done it before. I know I have been pushing hard and ruffling feathers, I just don't want to get to the end of the season and not have any idea where we are headed. I am not ungrateful for the service of people over the years, I am sorry if it comes across that way.
this I think the key is building it as a larger community as opposed to through ISGs STHs know the people that sit around them and identify to some degree with their section, building some sort of community through that idea can work. What about a supporters team? Its easy to get know people this way. I have met a ton of people via weekly pick-up games etc. Perhaps there could be a official Wizards STH kick-arounds/pick-up game that the Wizards could give us a field and/or help promote a bit.
I've seen supporters teams done by multiple other groups, Barra Brava and the Inferno are two examples. It would be cool I think and would give something to bring in some of the younger 20 somethings who haven't torn their knees to shreads. Of course this is probably one of those "step 2" things although I think could be a good early "step 2" thing. We've done this off and on for years. The Wizards at times offerred the turf practice field, but other things took priority there.
yea it would have to be a set time & date every other or every week. the wizards would have to commit to it, like really commit to it and include it in their scheduling of operations.
i think both of these are excellent ideas. As far as the isg heads go seeing as how Nick and i are the only ones of our group on here him and i will have a Rap battle/ Fistfight to the death, to determine who is the ISG head of the yardbirds. until the results are posted refer requests and questions to him or i.I will be at johhnys nice and early for i have to work upstairs later so id love to kick around some ideas.i think the supporters team can be a huge way of converting those kc area caual fans of the game and even those in other places to being wizards fans. the team having a consistant place to play could help bring in the pick up scene and by having teams for different areas of the major metro aea we could really market to different commmunities.
