BenC1357
11 Aug 2005, 12:53 AM
NOTE: These are the minutes from the meeting. Please do not discuss a topic in this thread that already has a thread devoted to it. Please keep this thread about the meetings themselves: the group, points of contact, concerns about how the meetings are held, etc.
Cauldron Meeting Minutes 8/10/05
Notes to begin the meeting:
1- We will have regular meetings monthly from now on. These meetings are for anyone involved with the Cauldron who want to volunteer their time to help the group or voice their concerns about the group. Please join us!
2- Sam informed us that it is looking very good, after some stuff happened in the last couple of days, that the team will be staying in KC and will keep the same colors. There was much speculation on where they’ll play, but it looks good!
Topics for OUTSIDE of game business:
Organization of the group:
Formal organization of the group was discussed. It was brought up that some people would like to see the section go back to some of the things they used to do under the Mystics name. These include Man of the Month scarves and other actions that supporters groups do. This idea was the basis for the rest of the meeting as far as designating people to be the point person for various aspects of our support for the team.
One main point was that there will be no formal structure of command. In other words no president, vice president, etc. There will be people in charge of various aspect of the section, and they are responsible for the small decisions within their area. Large decisions will be made as a group at the meetings.
Contacts with the Front Office and/or GM:
It was discussed and decided that Mike Kuhn and Ben Cunningham will work together in the future as contacts with the Wizards front office. Any contact with the team regarding section business should go through both Mike and Ben. An email has been sent to Curt Johnson, and will be sent to any possible new GM/staff if the team is sold, requesting that we be the points of contact for the section.
Please feel free to contact either Mike or Ben at any time with issues.
Cauldron Web Site:
With the help of George Hansen the site www.kccauldron.com has been secured for our use. This site will be used as the all access and info destination for Cauldron members. Items such as chants, emails, merchandise, tailgates, etc. will be handles on the site. This site will also allow us to create a new email list that can hit every member of the Cauldron.
The point of contact for the web site will be Stu Bentley. All requests for info to be on the site should be sent to Stu.
Regular Meetings:
As discussed at the beginning of the minutes, meetings will start to be held on a regular basis. In an hour or so, we accomplished quite a lot and it will only get better. All are invited to attend the meetings. Coach’s Bar and Grill served us well, although if they get to be too big we may reconsider location.
For now the meetings will be held somewhere near the beginning of each month on a Wednesday night at 6:00pm.
At the next meeting we will designate a secretary that will keep the minutes and publish them for distribution. These will be posted on BigSoccer, sent to the Cauldron web site email list and posted on the web site.
Tailgates:
For the remainder of this season the tailgates will remain as they have been. It will be “bring your own food” with coordination by Stu Bentley.
Starting next year we will begin having one person (or family) responsible for each game’s tailgate. When the team schedule comes out we will decide who is responsible for each game. These individuals will provide everything for one tailgate and then eat for free the rest of the year. People who are not going to provide a tailgate will still be charged to eat/drink. We felt this was the best way to continue tailgates and not make one person responsible as they tend to get burned out.
The other aspect of the tailgate that was discussed was when to enter the game. Some individuals go in early to save seats. We encourage those people to continue, so our section has seats for the members still in the parking lot. Those in the parking lot will do a “walk in” at 6:30pm (or 30 minutes prior to kick off). There has been confusion before between individuals on when to go in, and it is felt that getting everyone together and entering as a large presence is the best way to impress other fans. Setting a time up to use for every game eliminates any discussion of when to walk in.
New Section Flag:
It was discussed, and some action has already started, on trying to secure a new flag for the section. Once any sale is finalized we plan to approach Adidas about sponsoring this effort. Jeff (szazzy) is the point man for this effort.
Section Trips:
Ben Cunningham will remain in charge of section trips. Volunteers to help with these trips are welcome to come forward. If possible they could take over the process as well. Any volunteers please contact Ben.
The web site and BigSoccer will be the central information center for all section trips. The goal will be to have anywhere from 2-3 trips to MLS regular season games as well as any World Cup Qualifiers and impromptu US Open Cup matches.
Topics for IN game:
Language:
All 12 people in attendance pretty much agreed on this topic. We need to tone it down. We’ve put off potential new members, current members are getting fed up with it and it only causes problems with the front office. Things to cut back on are the chant after the opposing keeper kicks a goal kick, “jackass” after a poor shot, “Can you hear the _____ Sing?”, etc. The songs/chants are fine, we just need to change the words or (ironically) beep out the curse words.
The group decided that we need to police ourselves as far as language is concerned. The group committed to working together to handle any poor language or actions by fans. While we have no direct authority to make people leave the section, the “peer pressure” method will be used to keep people from stepping out of line.
We all realize this is a touchy subject, but everyone at the meeting seemed to agree.
Positive Section:
The discussion here was about negative comments during the game. The general feeling was to keep all negativity projected toward the opposing team, and only during the 90 minutes and halftime. Before and after the game, some think, we should ignore the opposing team.
Also, along with language, we need to keep our section in support of the Wizards. Negativity toward the Wizards players needs to stop. We need to stay positive, even during tough stretches. Obviously we’ll get frustrated at times and things may be said on an individual basis, but we want to be seen as a supporting group by the players. Let’s lift the team up during the games.
Songs:
Our group has been having trouble staying together on songs and chants this season, often when the section is at its largest. We’ve put Chris Meier as the point man for organizing the section on songs and chants.
Chris needs help with a few things. First, we need help with writing chants. There are people working with him, but please feel free to send him your suggestions. Also, it was mentioned politely by Sam that, Chris is tone deaf. Chris agreed, and we would ask that all other members of the "song crew" be able to carry a tune. :)
Second, we need 2-3 more people who will be on the “song crew”. The #1 priority of these people will be to spread out in the section and lead the group. You’ll work together with one another and the drummer (who also needs to be part of this group) to keep the section together, and saying the right words. You’ll have to know the chants, because the others will rely on you to learn the chants.
We will put out a chant list/booklet as well. But the main avenue for learning new chants will be through Chris and his efforts. The way most people have learned chants in the past is to have a group of people do the chant once, learn the chant and after that we all know it. We need to put this method to better use.
Chants and songs will also be uploaded onto the web site courtesy of Matt Fulton and his D-Snap. Thanks to Matt for this.
Multiple Flags for the Section:
Jeff (szazzy) is working, as you’ve seen in the BigSoccer thread, to get a lot of blue flags made. He will continue this effort and be the point man for anyone wanting their own flag.
Sign for the Cauldron:
George Hansen is going to head this up. Not much was discussed beyond that, but we agreed that the section needs a new/better sign.
All in all everyone seemed to agree that this was a very successful meeting that laid the groundwork for a better section. Thanks to all that attended!
Cauldron Meeting Minutes 8/10/05
Notes to begin the meeting:
1- We will have regular meetings monthly from now on. These meetings are for anyone involved with the Cauldron who want to volunteer their time to help the group or voice their concerns about the group. Please join us!
2- Sam informed us that it is looking very good, after some stuff happened in the last couple of days, that the team will be staying in KC and will keep the same colors. There was much speculation on where they’ll play, but it looks good!
Topics for OUTSIDE of game business:
Organization of the group:
Formal organization of the group was discussed. It was brought up that some people would like to see the section go back to some of the things they used to do under the Mystics name. These include Man of the Month scarves and other actions that supporters groups do. This idea was the basis for the rest of the meeting as far as designating people to be the point person for various aspects of our support for the team.
One main point was that there will be no formal structure of command. In other words no president, vice president, etc. There will be people in charge of various aspect of the section, and they are responsible for the small decisions within their area. Large decisions will be made as a group at the meetings.
Contacts with the Front Office and/or GM:
It was discussed and decided that Mike Kuhn and Ben Cunningham will work together in the future as contacts with the Wizards front office. Any contact with the team regarding section business should go through both Mike and Ben. An email has been sent to Curt Johnson, and will be sent to any possible new GM/staff if the team is sold, requesting that we be the points of contact for the section.
Please feel free to contact either Mike or Ben at any time with issues.
Cauldron Web Site:
With the help of George Hansen the site www.kccauldron.com has been secured for our use. This site will be used as the all access and info destination for Cauldron members. Items such as chants, emails, merchandise, tailgates, etc. will be handles on the site. This site will also allow us to create a new email list that can hit every member of the Cauldron.
The point of contact for the web site will be Stu Bentley. All requests for info to be on the site should be sent to Stu.
Regular Meetings:
As discussed at the beginning of the minutes, meetings will start to be held on a regular basis. In an hour or so, we accomplished quite a lot and it will only get better. All are invited to attend the meetings. Coach’s Bar and Grill served us well, although if they get to be too big we may reconsider location.
For now the meetings will be held somewhere near the beginning of each month on a Wednesday night at 6:00pm.
At the next meeting we will designate a secretary that will keep the minutes and publish them for distribution. These will be posted on BigSoccer, sent to the Cauldron web site email list and posted on the web site.
Tailgates:
For the remainder of this season the tailgates will remain as they have been. It will be “bring your own food” with coordination by Stu Bentley.
Starting next year we will begin having one person (or family) responsible for each game’s tailgate. When the team schedule comes out we will decide who is responsible for each game. These individuals will provide everything for one tailgate and then eat for free the rest of the year. People who are not going to provide a tailgate will still be charged to eat/drink. We felt this was the best way to continue tailgates and not make one person responsible as they tend to get burned out.
The other aspect of the tailgate that was discussed was when to enter the game. Some individuals go in early to save seats. We encourage those people to continue, so our section has seats for the members still in the parking lot. Those in the parking lot will do a “walk in” at 6:30pm (or 30 minutes prior to kick off). There has been confusion before between individuals on when to go in, and it is felt that getting everyone together and entering as a large presence is the best way to impress other fans. Setting a time up to use for every game eliminates any discussion of when to walk in.
New Section Flag:
It was discussed, and some action has already started, on trying to secure a new flag for the section. Once any sale is finalized we plan to approach Adidas about sponsoring this effort. Jeff (szazzy) is the point man for this effort.
Section Trips:
Ben Cunningham will remain in charge of section trips. Volunteers to help with these trips are welcome to come forward. If possible they could take over the process as well. Any volunteers please contact Ben.
The web site and BigSoccer will be the central information center for all section trips. The goal will be to have anywhere from 2-3 trips to MLS regular season games as well as any World Cup Qualifiers and impromptu US Open Cup matches.
Topics for IN game:
Language:
All 12 people in attendance pretty much agreed on this topic. We need to tone it down. We’ve put off potential new members, current members are getting fed up with it and it only causes problems with the front office. Things to cut back on are the chant after the opposing keeper kicks a goal kick, “jackass” after a poor shot, “Can you hear the _____ Sing?”, etc. The songs/chants are fine, we just need to change the words or (ironically) beep out the curse words.
The group decided that we need to police ourselves as far as language is concerned. The group committed to working together to handle any poor language or actions by fans. While we have no direct authority to make people leave the section, the “peer pressure” method will be used to keep people from stepping out of line.
We all realize this is a touchy subject, but everyone at the meeting seemed to agree.
Positive Section:
The discussion here was about negative comments during the game. The general feeling was to keep all negativity projected toward the opposing team, and only during the 90 minutes and halftime. Before and after the game, some think, we should ignore the opposing team.
Also, along with language, we need to keep our section in support of the Wizards. Negativity toward the Wizards players needs to stop. We need to stay positive, even during tough stretches. Obviously we’ll get frustrated at times and things may be said on an individual basis, but we want to be seen as a supporting group by the players. Let’s lift the team up during the games.
Songs:
Our group has been having trouble staying together on songs and chants this season, often when the section is at its largest. We’ve put Chris Meier as the point man for organizing the section on songs and chants.
Chris needs help with a few things. First, we need help with writing chants. There are people working with him, but please feel free to send him your suggestions. Also, it was mentioned politely by Sam that, Chris is tone deaf. Chris agreed, and we would ask that all other members of the "song crew" be able to carry a tune. :)
Second, we need 2-3 more people who will be on the “song crew”. The #1 priority of these people will be to spread out in the section and lead the group. You’ll work together with one another and the drummer (who also needs to be part of this group) to keep the section together, and saying the right words. You’ll have to know the chants, because the others will rely on you to learn the chants.
We will put out a chant list/booklet as well. But the main avenue for learning new chants will be through Chris and his efforts. The way most people have learned chants in the past is to have a group of people do the chant once, learn the chant and after that we all know it. We need to put this method to better use.
Chants and songs will also be uploaded onto the web site courtesy of Matt Fulton and his D-Snap. Thanks to Matt for this.
Multiple Flags for the Section:
Jeff (szazzy) is working, as you’ve seen in the BigSoccer thread, to get a lot of blue flags made. He will continue this effort and be the point man for anyone wanting their own flag.
Sign for the Cauldron:
George Hansen is going to head this up. Not much was discussed beyond that, but we agreed that the section needs a new/better sign.
All in all everyone seemed to agree that this was a very successful meeting that laid the groundwork for a better section. Thanks to all that attended!