Fans rep committee (discussion allowed) thread.

[hausmann]

To an extent while the club has to want it to work, the quality of the fan who put themselves up for nomination, and their motives, also will play a huge part.

My only worry is how do you find people who represent everyone. OK, the squadron is the easy part and you guys in reality should be able to nominate a representative.

If it turns into a committee of 6 people representing only their own (and their immediate mates) self interest it will fail. There needs to be a mechanism whereby whoever steps up, can be contacted by the "major stakeholder group" they supposedly represent and actually provide relevant feedback. The club could do this by giving a page on the website with a short blurb about each person and how to contact them (club email perhaps, no need for a phone number?). Honestly, if a person who steps up isn't willing to be contactable by someone who wants to raise an issue, then they shouldn't be there as they don't represent anyone but themselves and anything they offer won't be representative of the wider cross section of the crowd and members.

It would be good if people could state in their applications what section of supporters they are representing (Gold Members, Supporters with disability, female supporters, family supporters, active supporters etc) and those committee members do a good job of representing that section.

Gaz, do you know what the breakdown of the arsenal committee is? Do they have permanent classes of supporter on their committee?

Even if the club has a superficial view of this, it is a really good initiative that has to be grasped with both hands by supporters. If it functions well in the first year, and with a likely takeover looming in the future, it could become something that the new owner would not think of but takes on as a legacy, and help fastrack their understanding of the local football culture.

We need a long term view of it, not thinking that people can go in and shake things up and tell management what we really think of them.

[GazFish35]

.
Gaz, do you know what the breakdown of the arsenal committee is? Do they have permanent classes of supporter on their committee?

http://www.arsenal.com/fanzone/supporters-forum

16-21 Yr Old Representative
Arsenal Supporters' Club - Domestic (offical supporters clubs)
Arsenal Supporters' Club - Overseas (offical supporters clubs)
AISA Representative - Arsenal Independent Supporters Association (unoffical supporters clubs)
Disabled Supporter
Club Level
Family Enclosure
Gold Member
Red Member
Executive Box
Ethnic Minority Representative
Gay Supporter Representative
RedAction Member (the "active" area)
Shareholder
Away Scheme Member
AST Member (arsenal supporters trust - a group trying to support fans in becoming shareholders)



this committe was used heavily to assist the club in its transition from highbury to the Emirates and were largely responsible for the CEO's actions regarding what the club called "the arsenalistion" of the emirates taking it froma bare concrete and steel stadium to something that felt like the home ground of a club.

they acheived such symbolic happenings such as the Emirates areas being renamed from "block 32, Block 33, block 34" etc to The North bank, they had the clock from the the "clock end" reintroduced and the east and West Stands were named as such..... massive decisions the club were apparently set to ignore.

the team of legends linked arm in arm around the stadium also was derived from these meetings.
it helped smmoth out a lot of tension surrounding the move away from Highbury.

[MFKS]

http://www.arsenal.com/fanzone/supporters-forum

16-21 Yr Old Representative
Arsenal Supporters' Club - Domestic (offical supporters clubs)
Arsenal Supporters' Club - Overseas (offical supporters clubs)
AISA Representative - Arsenal Independent Supporters Association (unoffical supporters clubs)
Disabled Supporter
Club Level
Family Enclosure
Gold Member
Red Member
Executive Box
Ethnic Minority Representative
Gay Supporter Representative
RedAction Member (the "active" area)
Shareholder
Away Scheme Member
AST Member (arsenal supporters trust - a group trying to support fans in becoming shareholders)



this committe was used heavily to assist the club in its transition from highbury to the Emirates and were largely responsible for the CEO's actions regarding what the club called "the arsenalistion" of the emirates taking it froma bare concrete and steel stadium to something that felt like the home ground of a club.

they acheived such symbolic happenings such as the Emirates areas being renamed from "block 32, Block 33, block 34" etc to The North bank, they had the clock from the the "clock end" reintroduced and the east and West Stands were named as such..... massive decisions the club were apparently set to ignore.

the team of legends linked arm in arm around the stadium also was derived from these meetings.
it helped smmoth out a lot of tension surrounding the move away from Highbury.

What sort of things would YOU like to get done with our club on this if you get on the committee for it??

[GazFish35]

There needs to be a mechanism whereby whoever steps up, can be contacted by the "major stakeholder group" they supposedly represent and actually provide relevant feedback. The club could do this by giving a page on the website with a short blurb about each person and how to contact them (club email perhaps, no need for a phone number?). Honestly, if a person who steps up isn't willing to be contactable by someone who wants to raise an issue, then they shouldn't be there as they don't represent anyone but themselves and anything they offer won't be representative of the wider cross section of the crowd and members.

I've put this (or something similar) forward.

Will add it to my next email.

[furns]

We have Dani Potter to thank for getting the ball rolling on this stuff before she left.
Gaz, can you forward that proposal you drafted to me please so I can get it to the Jets again please?

[furns]

From discussion with the club, I understand that people will be sought across a cross section of fans to provide a wide variety of opinion.

[GazFish35]

From discussion with the club, I understand that people will be sought across a cross section of fans to provide a wide variety of opinion.

Good.

And what sammydog said.

Fan reps need to be able to be contacted by the fans they represent.



The communication line needs to be......
Fan --> fan rep --> club.

Not

Fan --> club --> fan rep


Otherwise it just becomes nothing but a focus group with the club dictating the issues

[sammydog]

Good.

And what swamy said.

Fan reps need to be able to be contacted by the fans they represent.



The communication line needs to be......
Fan --> fan rep --> club.

Not

Fan --> club --> fan rep


Otherwise it just becomes nothing but a focus group with the club dictating the issues

Thats exactly it. If it is Fan >> Club >> Rep, there may be a perception (whether it happens or not) that issues are filtered by the club. While I am OK with the club bringing issues to the table, the fan reps need to be able to bring stuff in from their supposed constituents. I think fans need to feel like they can put there issue to a rep and feel its going to be heard, rather then submit it to the club and hope it makes the agenda.

[Grimario]

From discussion with the club, I understand that people will be sought across a cross section of fans to provide a wide variety of opinion.

Sounds like an early episode of South park.

Where's Mr Hanky?

[Blackmac79]

It is going to be nothing but a focus group with club dictating issues based on what they think will sell further memberships and match day tickets.

I look forward to talking to someone who was at the meeting and then reading the minutes the club decide suit their requirements.

1, 2 meetings tops.

[GazFish35]

I look forward to talking to someone who was at the meeting and then reading the minutes the club decide suit their requirements.

Absolutely. Any major discrepancies will only reflect poorly on the club.

[sammydog]

So is anyone throwing their name in the ring? I am considering it.

[GazFish35]

So is anyone throwing their name in the ring? I am considering it.

I'm planning to.

[Jeterpool]

I'm planning to.

As am I

[stormypete]

I'm planning to.

I'm not .... looks like there's plenty of potential good representation from you guys already.
Always ready and keen to offer opinions and assist where possible. (usually in a pub somewhere )

[baldrick]

So is anyone throwing their name in the ring? I am considering it.

I am thinking about it too

[Thomas477]

Am considering it too. Would push for a return to the gold of when we were actually winning shit.

Beside that, first thing to push for is for a maximum length the members can serve on the committee for. Maybe a senate type arrangement where half are only appointed for the first year, then go to reselection for a new 2 year term, while the other 3 serve their 2 years, then reselection etc. Shouldn't become a monopoly for a few people to control for a long time.

[MFKS]

Am considering it too. Would push for a return to the gold of when we were actually winning shit.

Beside that, first thing to push for is for a maximum length the members can serve on the committee for. Maybe a senate type arrangement where half are only appointed for the first year, then go to reselection for a new 2 year term, while the other 3 serve their 2 years, then reselection etc. Shouldn't become a monopoly for a few people to control for a long time.

**** the gold.

E and C all the way

[GazFish35]

the more people who express interest the better IMO.

if they receive a large amount of interest they will see that the fans are serious about wnating the club to grow and develop

[Jeterpool]

Have thrown my name in the ring.

I agree with Gaz. The more people that make a submission the better. I hope someone from this forum is selected because it is an excellent medium to engage with the supporter base. If not, I hope one of the 4 people selected embrace it.