Re: Arsenal America Coup, No Elections Please. So I missed the point did I? I was saying what Josh said and I missed the point? Godzillia face palm doesn't even cover this. Make up your mind will you? Did I say you did or didn't? Mike, you take think this way to personally you know that?
I don't know much about other branches, but in Austin everybody hangs out for Arsenal games and away on the weekends it's not just on gamedays. It's a very tight knit group and very solid. I think there are some good ideas being floated around here and need to be taken into consideration when new people take over. I would like to see a package made up for the $25 or whatever it would take to at least get a tshirt. Good stuff guys, hope it continues.
Yeah, a tshirt would be a min. start. There is no incentive otherwise if you're not gonna go over for a game.
Josh & I have talked about scarves for a couple years and it was discussed last week. Can't speak for him and without membership open yet, perhaps next year's board will decide what's included. The decision to raise the dues considerably was my responsibility. It was necessary at the time. If, as it's been represented to me, that need as been addressed and no longer exists, either dues should be dropped back down or - at this would be my preference - a scarf, shirt or some other item will be included. That was the plan back then, at least. I think it still is...
I'm very happy that we finally have an open election, but i'm disappointed that only one office is being contested. I'd like to see the club work harder to get more people involved.
I voted today too and had a similar reaction... surprised that the 2 main positions were unopposed. But I also know that volunteer org's are often like this and unless you're willing to run for office yourself well then... The only other thing I'd like to add is that I agree $25 is way too expensive. Only if you happen to buy tickets to the Grove does it really pay off. (for me I couldn't make that happen last year) Last year when I signed up late, I got nothing... except a member card after I inquired. I think a T-shirt (scarf maybe) should be a minimum for that price. Otherwise, I'd say drop it back down to $10. But that's a very rare practice in situations like these... prices rarely go down. So I won't be holding my breath. And I will certainly debate whether to renew m'ship this season. At that price it hinges entirely on my prospects of getting over for a match.
I agree, i can't complain too much as i didn't volunteer to run. On the other hand, there needs to be a level of involvement something less than a part time job and more than an annual donation. Supposedly the debts are cleared, so with 10k+ a year coming in, AA definitely needs to do more for it's members. I would recommend dropping dues down to 20 bucks, and at least providing something like a t-shirt or a bumper sticker. Additionally, funds should be used to organize an annual meetup. One other thing that disturbed me was the "Confidentiality Agreement" that volunteers were required to sign. I can't think of any good reason why club business should be kept secret from the membership at large. The club needs more openness with it's members, not less, and i feel this is a chilling sign, especially given the utter lack of open dialog between the officers and the members.
Well, that's probably in the bylaws, right? Maybe, as a non-paying member, I have no right to complain, but what possible benefit is there from not publicly releasing the candidate information? I'm not going to join a club that offers practically no tangible benefit and is run like an oligarchy.
Yeah, I am another one who can't bring myself to pay $25 in a year that i will not be going over. I'm a proud Gooner, but I don't need to give this group money to prove it. Throw in a club scarf and then I would be interested.
I agree, and though I know it's been echoed by many here, I too don't see the benefit to paying the membership fee when I won't be traveling to the Emirates this season. As someone who doesn't have a membership maybe I don't have the right to ask this, but how can the board/admin. whatever you want to call it expect members to hand over a fee when there is nothing tangible that comes of it? My hope is that whoever wins the election looks at making changes to this process.
even if you do go to england... i had no trouble getting tickets to highbury.. just don't see what you actually get for being a member.
That has been my concern as well. I'm happy to put up $20, but what do I get besides getting a membership card (if I get it at all)? Any club you pay membership to should provide something. A shirt, trinket, tangible item, or provide a service or event. I'm a member with my local running club and while I don't get a t-shirt or anything, they use the money to hold fun runs and other events where we can all get together. I understand that the club needs funds for the website and other things, but they need to provide something back to membership to make it worthwhile. I also do see that the club is in a big transitition and there is a lot going on, so I provide these ideas as thoughts for the next administration. I also applaud all that are currently working and have worked on the board. It is very difficult working on all volunteer boards. I'm on several now and understand the difficulties!
Hard to lose when nobody runs against you. I like the veep a great deal. And alas, it would appear I came up short in my bid to ascend to the inner council.