I've been thinking about this for a while now, moreso since we had the coterie idea and now I feel it's appropriate to bring this idea to life.
As Phil alluded to in his blog the other day, it looks like the coterie is, if not dead, on life support given the club's aversion to even dallying in the murky world of TPAs. Understandable really.
*Length Warning* Yep, this is long but stick with it.
A big reason I got involved in the coterie was because I saw a big function of it was to give fans a voice.
With the coterie likely not going on, I feel we need an actual organisation to be set up in order to give us fans a united voice.
This occurs overseas in the EPL and is a way supporters can actually, formally, make their feelings known on issues close to their hearts as well as provide a way for clubs to receive tangible feedback.
An example of these supporters trusts/groups working well was in early 2017, Liverpool Football Club's owners proposed increasing ticket pricing.
The supporters group vocally opposed the move, organised protests, organised a silent match and eventually the club backed down on its decision after realising the fans really cared about the issue.
What would the supporters club look like?
It'd be structured similarly to the coterie in that it'd have a constitution, board, executive and membership.
The mission though would change from finding a way to assist the club financially to being the voice of the supporters.
Why do we need a supporters group?
Right now, I feel we as supporters don't have as strong a voice as we should. The club has tried to address it through their Members Council, however, 20 or so supporters is not greatly representative of our entire supporter base which is estimated in the hundreds of thousands.
You've also got the issue of transparency with most of what is said in the council, said behind closed doors. It's also a club run program, with the club selecting members from an application pool.
It's not entirely independent of the club and I see that as an issue.
So I see the group as a way for fans to have their say, independent of the club, with a bigger platform.
It would also provide the club with a much bigger audience to ask when it comes to things like jersey designs.
We've all had our say on this season's jersey and I'm under the impression the club took the design to the Member's Council (correct me if I'm wrong). Like I said before, 20 or so members is unlikely to be highly representative of our wider supporter base.
A supporters group could provide that larger, more representative base.
How would it operate?
Organisationally, very much like the coterie was intended to with a board, elections, general meetings and paid membership.
The way I see it becoming most valuable is through recognition by the club. Essentially, we are seen as an official but independent group by the club. Representatives of the group meet with club officials on a regular basis (once a month, once every 2 months for example). Here the supporters raise any issues and provide supporter feedback.
The supporters group also run polls/market research on things within the club that supporters see as an issue (The jersey design could be an example). The idea is that the supporters group is able to provide data to the club on how the club is perceived by the fans in certain areas.
The supporters group also unites in a case of a serious issue such as ticket price rises etc. to provide a clear message from the fans.
However, the big difference from the members council is that it is as transparent as possible and supporter group members are kept abreast of everything going on.
Finally, this would be an incredibly cost effective way for supporters to have a voice. Many of the overseas groups have an annual membership for between $10-$20.
For more information, I will, eventually write up a PDF with how I see the structure of the group and the actual aims set down. For now, I have based it on the LFC supporters trust, and the first ever English football supporters union, The Spirit of Shankly: http://www.spiritofshankly.com/
Replies
Some very good points here super, youre right, the supporters have no voice atm and the 20 or so on the members council thats shrouded in secrecy is a joke, its not representative of anybody apart from a tiny handful of fans.
Problem is with these things is they can attract some dopey fans like PESC, the whole thing turns into a joke.
What if theres a bunch of in the click unicorns running it who are not in touch with or interested in what other fans want.?
I do agree with the general idea though, we have a board we have zero communication with atm and no say in who is on it, i feel like a lot of the important things dont get spoken of.
I use this forum to voice my concerns like many others but a united voice under the banner of an organisation could be a smart move, theres lots of food for thought here, good blog super.
We had similar concerns regarding the coterie. The constitution was one way to help avoid that situation as well as online and proxy voting as well as regular elections so you can't gain total control in one election and board members are held to account on a regular basis.
How do you filter both and still get a collective narrative that you want to voice with the board?
Also does the club want it im a member for a long time and ive never felt more that the club couldn't give a shite about the members only our money.
A good idea in principle id like to see how it develops
The idea has merit but just don't see it working in a positive way for club like parra with our history.
There is a broad range of fans on this site yet there is hardly ever any agreement and clearly some people with agendas or particular points they just won't give up on. Why would an official board be any different except for difference they have direct link to club to supposedly support fan views. They would lose credibility very quickly harping on about same issues at each meeting if they don't get their way.
The club just needs do more consultation with bigger groups of fans and members. Maybe hire some professionals to run polls throughout year and in relation to major changes using random selection of members or people at games instead small continuous group.
See comment above midget regarding the set up of the constitution and cycled board elections.
The idea would be that regular elections where 2-3 board positions are up for nomination. You've also got the ability to allow for proxy voting, which removes the ability to swing the vote with say 60 friends and family members. If you're able to build the supporter group membership to over a thousand and you can allow for members to vote either online or via postal vote, it means many of the members who can't make it to meetings can still have their say.
You could also have it built into the constitution that any former members of the Leagues Club and Football Club board/executive, can not stand for board elections in the supporter group to ensure the separation of powers.
I agree there is a real need here and I think, whilst the members council was and is a great initiative, the intention between the two ideas is different. The Members Council was always intended as an avenue for club outreach - it was a club driven initiative with, understandably, a club driven agenda.
What you're proposing here would be a collective with a fan driven agenda (whatever that may be at the time).
110% behind the exploration of this and happy to throw my hat in the ring to help in any way.
Cheers Cap. I think it'd be important to set up a number of different aims that the group could work towards. From simply representing the fans, to actually becoming involved in specific issues related to the club.
1) Needs to be Incorporated
2) What will you do about Public Liability Insurance? Possibly not needed but must be considered. Also extremely expensive.
3) Again we have a situation that favours ONLY those who can get to GMs and AGMs. Ie Local people with difficulties for regional or interstate people.
4) Here is the BIGGY! = As the committee will be volunteers it is always easy to find people who want to see their name up in lights (President and/or group spokesperson) but almost impossible to find people to do the work (Secretary)
I am not bagging the idea but you need to think it through a bit more and consider how you will communicate this idea to the broader supporter base (of which I would imagine there are far more NOT on 1EE)
Logistically the behind the scenes set up of such a group is going to be huge and very time consuming for those who take it on.
Basically you are creating a Political Party (for want of a better definition) from scratch.
Constitution has to be thrashed out and very tight, aims and objectives need to be clear and in plain language that is easy to understand.
Ideology is not always practical.
Okay, where to start with this Col, as I said previously it would be based on the coterie. I know you weren't at that meeting. So to answer your questions.
1. This was discussed at the Coterie meeting and I'm aware of it.
2. See above.
3. The entire idea is to make it easy for people who aren't in the region to have their say. Therefore there will be a number of avenues for them to have their say. Firstly, we'd endeavour to have GMs and AGMs live streamed. Secondly, notice of all meetings will be given to members along with an agenda and members will be permitted to submit either via mail or e-mail anything they'd like to suggest be added to the agenda. Thirdly, proxy voting would be permitted either via mail or an online portal with each member having their own login credentials to ensure there isn't multiple votes entered by the same people.
4. I'm sure that's the case for all volunteer groups. The idea with the coterie was that those who stood for certain positions would have to provide evidence as to why they'd be suitable for the position so I'd be going with the same idea. I know that the Eels supporter base has a decent number of lawyers, business administrators and accountants so we'd definitely have people with the credentials to stand for the board.
1 Eyed Eel would be the first step, the next would be to take it to the TCT and the Parramatta Eels Facebook Group which has 24,000 members.
So the TCT and yourself will be organising this super?
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