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BenC1357
12 Oct 2006, 04:45 AM
Many people already got this message through email. I am posting it on BigSoccer in case someone was left off of the email list. If you were not emailed this message and want to be emailed in the future please send me your email address at BenC1357@aol.com

Everyone: this is long but please take the time to read it all-

This email is to inform you that coming soon we will be holding our first all inclusive Cauldron meeting. A meeting of this type, and magnitude, has not been held in quite some time. It has become clear in the last season that it is now time to go down this road. We need everyone possible to attend this meeting. Any and all fans are welcome, but to be clear the focus is on and about the Cauldron.

The meetings we will hold on a regular basis will be to conduct the business of the Cauldron, specifically as a supporters section. The topics to cover are things such as how our section will work in a new stadium, road trips, in game conduct, in game presentation, new member recruitment, philanthropy projects and our relationship with the new owners of our team. While there will be time for open discussion in each meeting it is important that we keep the meetings productive and on topic. These meetings will not be a social event, that is what the games are for, so please come prepared to stay organized, on topic and be productive.

Early this season, as most of you know, an LLC was created to give legal protection to some fans who provide services to other fans (the pre-game tailgate being the prime example of this). That is what Wings of a Sparrow, LLC was created for: to provide legal protection where it is needed. This is NOT an LLC meeting, although because all of the members of the LLC are Cauldronites they will attend these meetings and give input on the section. The LLC does not and never has represented the Cauldron as a whole to the front office of the Wizards but is a sub-group within the section. They are a useful sub group that can be very helpful to our section. This topic will be discussed further in our general meeting with an explanation provided by the members of the LLC as to their mission and goals.

In the last 3-4 years the work of representing the Cauldron as a whole has been done by a couple of people based on need, with Kevin and I doing the work. As the section has grown it has become necessary to add people to this process as the work load and responsibility ever increases. The intent of this process is to formalize that part of the section. We will form a leadership structure, elect people to fill the roles within that structure and then set about doing our work to make our section better. Every person who attends this meeting will help form our structure and elect our leaders. If you want to be involved in that process you need to attend this meeting. If you don't care about this aspect of the section and simply want to attend the games to enjoy the experience there are plenty of people who will do the work to represent you. We only ask that if you are not part of the process that you don't criticize those that are, because you are being given the opportunity to provide input and get involved.

At this time I would request that each of you help by doing the following things:
1) Take a look at the list of names this email was sent to. If there is someone who attends games and stands in the Cauldron that was not included, please forward this email to them. We put this list together at the last two games and I added emails that I have. We want to include as many people with interest in the Cauldron as possible.
2) Help us find a meeting location. We are looking for somewhere that is FREE, can hold up to 100 people and is available on a weeknight in early November (preferably in the south-central part of the city). If we do not secure a meeting location by 10/18 I am going to rent a conference room at a local hotel. Contact me if you can help us find a location.
3) Brainstorm ideas about the Cauldron in these areas: structure, leaders, ways to grow the section, philanthropic endeavors, in-game changes that are needed and any other topics that are on your mind.
4) Reply to this message letting me know whether you are interested in these meetings and to verify that you got the message. If you do not want to be included in this email list please inform me in your reply.

Once we get a meeting location and time nailed down I will send out a second email inviting everyone. Please contact me if you can help find a meeting location.

Thank you,
Ben Cunningham

Unorthodox Yank
12 Oct 2006, 12:37 PM
If I'm in town, I'll be there.

Spoon
21 Oct 2006, 10:29 AM
Well the season is over so I guess this thread needs to be bumped!

BenC1357
24 Oct 2006, 01:48 AM
Yes, it is time for a bump.

But no one offered to help find a place for the meeting.

I've been super busy (out of town over the weekend) and will get to this when I have time. It doesn't appear too many people are in a hurry but I still plan on an early November meeting.

Spoon
30 Nov 2006, 11:59 PM
BUMP

With the recent purchase of the Kansas City Wizards by OnGoal, LLC, a new commitment from the front office to the growth of the Cauldron has emerged. Mark Naster, who many of you know, has been given the chief responsibility in this area. To this end, we would like to invite you to a meeting on December 6th to hear Mark's ideas on behalf of OnGoal, LLC and the Wizards for the enhancement of the game-day experience for the most ardent supporters.

The meeting is open to all supporters of Wizards soccer, although discussion will primarily focus on the growth of the Cauldron as the official supporters section in the coming two-year period at our home away from home.

Location:
Blue Valley Service Center
7500 W 149th Terrace
Overland Park, KS

Date/Time:
Wednesday, Dec. 6th at 7:00 PM

Agenda:
1. Discussion and Q & A with Mark Naster, Wizards Business Relations Manager
2. Organizational Structure - definition of the organization, definition of roles, election to fill roles
3. Needs for the upcoming season
4. Open discussion

Please feel free to join us next Wednesday night and invite any of your friends who may not have received this e-mail.

Thanks.

http://www.kccauldron.com

BenC1357
07 Dec 2006, 02:06 AM
Next Meeting:
Blue Valley Service Center
7500 W 149th Terrace
Overland Park, KS

Date/Time:
Wednesday, Jan. 10th at 7:00 PM

Mark Naster came and spoke at last night's meeting. Below are some of the items discussed by Mark:
- The Wizards offices are officially moved. They are located at 8900 State Line. The new phone number is (913) 387-3400
- There is much change happening in the front office. Roles have been changed, some people have left the organization, and some people are being added. The additions, without getting into detail, are all good moves. They involved bringing our organization up to par with others in the league in terms of marketing. One hire that stood out to me was the hiring of a person to focus on the untapped Latino population in KC. This person is already working within the Latino community, along with certain players, to help tap that market. Mark Naster himself is in a newly created role that will have him reaching out to get the business community involved with the team. Part of his role is to work with the supporters sections to help them grow and prosper.
- The Cauldron, or whatever the physical location's name is chosen to be, at our 2 year temporary stadium will be a 500 person bleecher. Season ticket holders will be given the option to purchase their tickets in this section and will have assigned seating within the section. The seats that are not sold as season tickets will then be GA. This is a great development!!!

Moving forward: Five people were chosen to meet separately from this group with the goal of making a recommendation at the Jan 9th meeting as to what the structure of our group should be. These five people, at least to my understanding, will present how they feel the structure of the group should be and bring their ideas to the next meeting for approval. At that meeting people will then be chosen to fill the roles this sub-committee feels are needed and work will be done to form the structure of our group. These five people are: Sam Pierron, George Hansen, Robert Houghton, Stu Bentley and Greg Zimmerman.

BenC1357
07 Dec 2006, 02:09 AM
There were some questions by a couple of people leaving the meeting that I wanted to make clear.
The five "constitutional drafters" will bring a recommended structure to the next meeting, but those five were not selected as the "leaders" of the Cauldron. Their work is to set a structure, at which time we will then select people to fill the roles they come up with. Is this the understanding everyone else at the meeting left with?

kuhnscoot
07 Dec 2006, 02:13 AM
There were some questions by a couple of people leaving the meeting that I wanted to make clear.
The five "constitutional drafters" will bring a recommended structure to the next meeting, but those five were not selected as the "leaders" of the Cauldron. Their work is to set a structure, at which time we will then select people to fill the roles they come up with. Is this the understanding everyone else at the meeting left with?

That's what I left the meeting believing, that these five would be "drafting the constitution" so to speak. And it'd be brought and "ratified" at the next meeting.

StuBentley
07 Dec 2006, 07:04 AM
There were some questions by a couple of people leaving the meeting that I wanted to make clear.
The five "constitutional drafters" will bring a recommended structure to the next meeting, but those five were not selected as the "leaders" of the Cauldron. Their work is to set a structure, at which time we will then select people to fill the roles they come up with. Is this the understanding everyone else at the meeting left with?

Yes. We will gather info from everyone and filter it down into a set of recommendations to present to the group at the next meeting. At that time, the group is free to accept or reject any of the ideas. This group is in no way in charge of anything.

Send your ideas to: orgcommittee@kccauldron.com.

the_cyclones
07 Dec 2006, 09:14 AM
Yes. We will gather info from everyone and filter it down into a set of recommendations to present to the group at the next meeting. At that time, the group is free to accept or reject any of the ideas. This group is in no way in charge of anything.

Send your ideas to: orgcommittee@kccauldron.com.

Yep. Agreed.

Brian71
07 Dec 2006, 05:06 PM
good stuff last night...some really exicting stuff that mark had to say. and nice to put a few faces with the BigSoccer handles, too.

szazzy
07 Dec 2006, 05:23 PM
Sorry I missed it guys. I was unavoidably detained by work. Spoon kept me informed of what was going on, and I'll try my best make it to the January meeting.

I like the idea of having people talk about this awhile longer before just jumping into creating the structure that's going to determine our success in growing the group for the forseeable future.

KCRovert
07 Dec 2006, 10:35 PM
Next Meeting:
Blue Valley Service Center
7500 W 149th Terrace
Overland Park, KS

Date/Time:
Tuesday, Jan. 9th at 7:00 PM
Actually, the "room" is not available on that night, so it will be another night. Hopefully I will have that date posted sometime tomorrow (not that there is a big rush to get it out there...lol)

BenC1357
08 Dec 2006, 01:26 AM
Actually, the "room" is not available on that night, so it will be another night. Hopefully I will have that date posted sometime tomorrow (not that there is a big rush to get it out there...lol)
OK, just let us all know. Thanks for taking the lead on this. When the constitutional drafters get together maybe they can create an "Official Meeting Setter" position. I would NOT be a good choice for that role, you on the other hand would be a great fit. ;)

KCRovert
08 Dec 2006, 09:35 AM
Okay, I received confirmation from the district this morning. We have the same location reserved for Wednesday, 1/10/2007 from 1900 - 2100.

StuBentley
08 Dec 2006, 09:54 AM
OK, just let us all know. Thanks for taking the lead on this. When the constitutional drafters get together maybe they can create an "Official Meeting Setter" position. I would NOT be a good choice for that role, you on the other hand would be a great fit. ;)

I know you're joking around because you are one of the only people who has sent us anything yet, but I'll take this as an opportunity to urge people to send their ideas on organizational structure to: orgcommittee@kccauldron.com.

This is your chance to make your voice heard. You can change the course of history. And for only the price of a cup of coffee....you could buy a cup of coffee and get enough of a caffeine buzz to write a long ranting manifesto about how you feel things should be ran. Again, I urge you to send your ideas to orgcommittee@kccauldron.com. I'm Stu Bentley, and I approve this message.

BenC1357
08 Dec 2006, 03:03 PM
I'll correct the post so George doesn't have to point out that I have it incorrect on BigSoccer anymore.

the_cyclones
08 Dec 2006, 03:40 PM
I know you're joking around because you are one of the only people who has sent us anything yet, ...


*ahem*

KCRovert
08 Dec 2006, 03:42 PM
*ahem*

He said "one of"......untwist your panties.

the_cyclones
08 Dec 2006, 03:44 PM
I suggest that an email go out with the meeting minutes and where to send ideas/suggestions to. And when the next meeting is. And let everyone know that there will be another email with an agenda, etc. for the 10th meeting.