This summer Arsenal FC approached their various supporters? clubs around the world with the opportunity to become ?official.? I was sent literature regarding the benefits of this new designation which I will outline below.
Here in North America we are in a situation that is different from many other Supporters Clubs. We?re not in the North of England, or even across the Channel in, say, Holland, so access to tickets, while nice, is something that most of us won?t be able to take advantage of. While that might also be the case for a Singapore Supporters Club, we also face the challenge of internal geography. I?m probably closer to London here in New Jersey than I am to members living in Los Angeles. Distance, as well as time zones, makes it difficult (impossible actually) for most of us to get together in any meaningful way.
While I?m pro-Arsenal as much as the next guy, I?m not sure that there are enough benefits for the average Arsenal America member to make this worthwhile. I ask everyone of you to think about this very carefully. I encourage you all to post comments to this article. I?m going to leave this at the top of the site as long as possible (barring massive AFC news). Please read below to find out how you can place your vote.
One of the requirements is that the club must have officers. Were the current members of Arsenal America to vote in favor of seeking ?official? designation, I would certainly honor that choice, but I would not be interested in becoming an officer.
Let me reiterate one point. While becoming an ?official? Supporters Club doesn?t work for me, I?m not advocating a pro or con position for the ArseAm in general. That?s up to you guys. If you decide that becoming ?official? is the best move, well then I guess I?ve taken Arsenal America as far as I can and I welcome others to step forward and take the reigns. I would still look to be involved in some form or fashion, just not the day-to-day running of the club.
So, here, direct from the club, are the advantages of being an ?Official Supporters Club?:
A Supporters Club must:
1. Consist of at least 30 members. These members to determine who will first fill the role of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer prior to an application being made to establish a Supporters Club.
2. Form a Committee comprising: Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer
Submit two personal references for the members who will be filling these three key positions, from an employee or professional person of some standing in the community. References must include contact details of the person giving a reference (ie address and telephone number)
3. Hold at least three Committee Meetings per season, to which an invitation should be extended to a representative of Arsenal Football Club
4. Hold Annual General Meetings to which all members must be invited to attend. Arsenal to be advised of the date at least 21 days pior to the meeting. Arsenal reserve the right to send a representative to the Meeting. Minutes of the Meeting to be submitted to Arsenal within six weeks of the Meeting.
5. Submit Rules and Regulations for approval by Arsenal. These should accompany your application.
6. Charge a membership fee to cover the costs of running a Supporters Club, such as:
Postage, Telephone, Meeting room hire, Production of Membership Cards
Such fee to be decided by the Committee and approved by members at the Annual General Meeting.
7. Put in place the following financial arrangements:
Whole Committee to be responsible for Supporters Club funds.
Bank Account to be opened in the name of the Supporters Club
Checks to have two signatories. One must be the treasurer and the other a nominated Committee Member.
8. Supporters Clubs will bear the name of the area/country they represent, i.e. Arsenal America
9. All Supporters Clubs will be required to use the Official Supporters Club crest to allow easy identification, standardize the Supporters Clubs and clearly show that they are officially recognized by Arsenal.
Let me stress that Jill Smith, the Supporters? Liaison has mentioned that in some ways Arsenal America is unique and they would be willing to work with us on some of the above.
Now, what does membership give us? Let?s take a look?
1. 20% discount on all official Arsenal merchandise purchased in bulk through Arsenal?s Home Shopping facility.
2. Use of the Official Supporters Club personalized crest.
3. Dedicated website facilities for news, a directory of other Arsenal Supporters Clubs and easier contact with Arsenal FC. Note ? they will allow clubs to run their own websites.
4. Personalised Supporters Club t-shirts will be available for purchase.
5. Exclusive events for Supporters Clubs
6. ?Club Culture? page in the Match programme for exclusive use of Supporters Clubs.
7. Competitions for Supporters Club Members only.
8. Twice yearly meetings of nominated representatives of Supporters Clubs with Arsenal officials.
So, that?s what we get. In addition to the logistics they require, here?s what else Arsenal FC is looking for:
1. All Clubs will be required to provide Arsenal with the names, addresses and contact details of its members (all info details considered strictly confidential by the club).
Yes, but what about tickets? Well, glad you asked?
1. A very limited number of tickets are available for Overseas Supporters Clubs.
There is a bit more of course, but I?ve laid out the major details here. So, thank you for taking the time to read through all of this. I?ve always felt that Arsenal America belongs to the members, so I?m happy to let you decide. Please take the time to let me know what you think. In order to avoid ballot box stuffing, I?ll ask that you email me your choice to rick@arsenalamerica.com.
36 Responses to “Important ArseAm News - Vote Now on Official Status”
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July 1st, 2004 at 8:44 am
Right away, I say I’m with Rick on this. I agree that the benefits of an “affiliation” of sorts do not equally distribute among all members here, nor do they merit high enough to change the current status of ArseAm.
While I would hope that some supporter’s sites will jump in a show of solidarity/support, things move along just fine here the way they are.
As I see it, the only benefit I, personally, will be missing out on will be the 20% off merchandise. But its bulk buying, and unless we all want the same thing, what’s the point? As Rick has stated, tickets are limited, and meetings next to impossible (unless there’s beer!). As for the news sources, there are many already. Sure an “official” supporter’s shirt would be unique to add to any collection, as would the experiences of exclusive events, competitions and the use of the crest. But this is a big country, and there just ain’t no way we’re all going to be able to take advantage of these soft perks commensurate with all that entails said official organization.
My suggestion, and how I will vote via email, is to remain the rogue: its through the individual passion for The Arsenal and football that has created this site, and for those who share in that passion, should it be allowed to continue to serve.
Besides, it sounds too much like work.
July 1st, 2004 at 9:49 am
My first reaction when reading the introduction to the posting was “Yes, we should definitely go for the official status”. However after reading the whole thing I think it sounds far too bureaucratic. Do we really need a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer etc? I don’t think so. General Meetings, like Rick says, are impractical. The one advantage I was looking for was access to tickets and this seems to be limited and anyway we can already use our existing contacts to help with tickets. So no real advantage here.
I’ve already joined the new Arsenal membership scheme which already gives an official link to the club so see no need for any more. Rick has taken us this far and I’m more than happy to stick with him, so my vote will be to leave Arsenal America just as it is.
July 1st, 2004 at 10:17 am
I’m a little torn here, but I think I’d also lean towards the “no” end of things, just because of how much work it would be for the three officers. As it is, the two main guys for ArseAm, Rick and Andrew, live in New York and DC respectively, with both having their own separate careers. It’s not like they live an hour or two away. I would think, too, that, if we were able to find three people who would be willing to fill the roles of Club Officers, they would probably be so widespread that the logistics would be a nightmare. We have members spread from as far south as Texas to as far north as Vancouver (probably further) and as far East as Taiwan (had to get myself in there sometime!) It would probably end up where, at some point, somebody would be unable to make it and, naturally, that would be the meeting the club rep would show up at.
I think there are two other key points here regarding benefits. First, if you notice, with merchandise, it has to be purchased IN BULK, meaning a whole group of us have to all want the same thing, sort of like the DVD’s now. That would also mean that, as far as kits go, personalization would be out in all probability. This is also just an assumption on my part, but whatever we order would be shipped from the club to one address, then whoever receives it would have to ship it to each individual who ordered something, so you pay for shipping twice. Kiss the 20% goodbye. As for tickets, the key word in that clause is VERY. That means you would have to order months in advance and might still not be guaranteed a ticket. I think that we have a decent system going now, where we have a few Gooners in London who work to get members tickets, or we even have some members that are now on ticket lists. Maybe if we knew the exact number of tickets available per match, it would be better, but I’d be willing to bet it’s not enough to make this worth it.
So, regretfully, I have to say “no”. As cool as it would be to “official”, the work and fees far outweigh the benefits. I think if you love this club, donate to keep it afloat, as many of us have. Maybe at some point it will be worth it, but not today.
July 1st, 2004 at 10:25 am
I think I agree with everyone who has posted thus far: the burden far outweighs the cost, especially with the bureaucracy that we will have to add.
Where are we going to find the time/place in a country as large as the US in which to hold a Club meeting that is feasible for the members? It would seem to me that we’d get access to an official club crest in return for turning our group into an official arm of the club and beholden to them.
I would definetely be involved should we go “official”, yet I don’t think we have enough of a base to actually do that at this time.
July 1st, 2004 at 10:26 am
Y’all have expressed my sentiments quite eloquently!! There simply is alot more downside to becoming “official”, than there is an upside. I think we are just fine as we are… making strides… don’t really need the leaps and bounds quite yet.
July 1st, 2004 at 10:35 am
I am really tore here. When do they want an answer? I like the idea of being an offical supporters club but I agree that being we not a region or small country supporters club it going to be hard. I would like tothink down the road the benefits of being offical will be out weigh the administrative overhead.
My fear is that our trips to Highbury will end if we don’t do this. The club treats us great when we go over hbut really they have no idea who is in the club and who is just there for the access to tickets to a game.
Honestly I think we will have to do this at some point. As for the administrative stuff I will gladdly volunteer to do this if needed.
Steve
(DallasGooner on BigSoccer)
July 1st, 2004 at 10:36 am
I think what Rick & the others have done with ArseAmerica is amazing. I think the club really needs to reconsider their position. It would be wonderful if ArseAm was officially linked to the club, but it just not practical given the club’s stance. And, if the club has any ambitions of growing support in countries like the US or China, it’s needs to do some serious thinking about creating a structure that’s workable in countries that are as larger than all of Western Europe. Seeing the (partial) response that the club has given is quite disappointing.
July 1st, 2004 at 10:36 am
I vote to keep the site unofficial for reasons all stated above by other members. We have a good thing going with ArseAmerica and it’s only going to get better.
July 1st, 2004 at 10:56 am
Hey, Rick here. Let me just reiterate that I do believe the club is willing to work with us to some degree, recognizing that our situation is a bit different from other groups. I haven’t gotten into protracted discussions with them at this point.
I think perhaps the larger question is would we want to be officially linked to the club at all, or do we prefer our independent, rebel status. Remember more than 200 years ago our forefathers decided that being independent wasn’t such a bad thing. Obviously just a bit of a joke there, what with the 4th just around the corner.
July 1st, 2004 at 11:04 am
While this is a noble idea, it’d be quite difficult to have meetings as required by the Club, unless we did it telephonically.
If the Committee members lived close together, it could work. Otherwise, you could never cash or write a check for the bank account.
I’d be happy to participate if we formed an official suppoters club.
July 1st, 2004 at 11:18 am
Not that I’m for the idea but I think the logistics parts could be worked out technologywise:
- meeting could be held in chat rooms. Get a mic and a webcam and you could do it that way. Or just type.
- bank account could be handled via paypal with the treasurer and desginated person having access to the paypal account. When one of these people changes, change the password.
July 1st, 2004 at 11:20 am
the Club has said they’d give us some concessions because of our far-flung geography. would they go along with these?
July 1st, 2004 at 11:28 am
Part of me wants to say no, but then another part wants us to become even closer in affilation with the club. What I’m wondering is would they let us say have “meetings” online in any capicaty? That way everyone could still “meet”, without actually meeting and/or driving massive amounts of miles to meet and greet. Maybe, just maybe they would think that’d be ok since you’d be there, and we could make it passworded and in a secret place so only members would know where it is and that way no one who wasn’t supposed to be there could get in.
Just an idea but I don’t think becoming “offical” would be a bad thing.
July 1st, 2004 at 11:38 am
As I said on my previous post my vote is to stay unofficial.
However maybe we need to start working/planning towards a time when we can get official status. Maybe we could use the Branch’s that are already in place, choosing one (in the city closest to most members) to represent east coast, one for west coast and one for Canada. All 3 could be officially linked to the club but would fall under the ArsenalAmerica umbrella which itself would not be officially linked. To prevent multiplying the bureaucracy 3 times maybe Arsenal could make some changes to their requirements eg. only 2 officials per branch. This could maybe give us the best of both worlds.
July 1st, 2004 at 11:43 am
After reading the thoughts here, I can see that there is some cachet to being “officially linked” to the club. I agree. But as I see it, we’re already “unofficially linked” pretty hardcore. Maybe we should just concentrate on what we’re getting for joining? Not much for all the organization that is required, even with the use of technology.
Trying to read into Arsenal.com’s incentive to do this, they are obviously trying to increase their brand worldwide, going after online supporters who must have made a dent in their research, lately. It seems like incentive to begin a supporter’s site, not to take one that is already a) spreading the brand, b), buying the merchandise, c). making arrangements to buy tickets and see games. In a sense, its a little redundant to join.
Again, and it seems like work. Since Rick seems to do it all here at ArseAm, I’m willing to leave it up to him if he wants to continue this way, or to take advantage of an opportunity to distribute the labor.
Rebel at heart, I still say we’ve got something here that is unique…with none of the “stuff” incentives (bulk merchandise, tickets, crest, etc.) really swaying me.
July 1st, 2004 at 11:58 am
I think we can iron out the administrative details and the benefits to becoming official outwiegh this problem.
1. The club is not looking to have editorial powers ver the content on ArseAm so the site is still a forum for independent views from supporters.
2. Meetings could be done via conference call. I dont think anyone would be expected to rack up their frewquent flyer miles treking accross the country for supporters meetings.
3. It would give those of us who wanted to meet up or go to Highbury/Away games a huge benefit. The group trippackages that could spring from this could be very nice. Sure, you can buy a tickket from a scalper as it is now but this would be a better option.
4. The access to official memebers from the club would be great. The point of the forum is to express your views and now you would have a great opportunity to speak to someone who can act on them directly. I’m not suggesting Arsene will listen to a conference call and decide to play Vieira in goal based on one of our suggestions, but the clubs N. American marketing strategy could be greatly impacted by our views.
5. I have a feeling they will either partner with us or just go with their own watered down “N. American Supporters Club”. No offence to the club but we could all agree that the marketing efforts in the past have left a lot to be desired. I like the idea of real fans being involved in this effort.
6. Finally it connects us to all other Gooners accross the world which is kind of a cool thing if you think about it.
July 1st, 2004 at 12:06 pm
I think this could be possible, if Arsenal was willing to make concessions on how we did our business since we are so spread out. And I suppose it’s possible that we could split ourselves up in to groups (city or state) and have a representative from each (like the Senate) just to make meetings and the like more efficient. And it would be cool to be officially recognized by the club and say that you are truly a part of Arsenal.
Having said that, it’s going to take some logistics work to get everything worked out and decide how we are going to communicate, vote, etc. And one thing I remember people when we first started, is that people had strong feelings that we be non-profit and that we not charge fees for membership, which it looks like Arsenal would force us to do. I’m not cheap and I would pay a membership fee, and I’ve given money to ArseAm in the past, but it seemed to be an important issue when we first started that we not have a membership fee.
And if the club turns our backs on us for not joining the ranks (which I doubt they’d do since it seems we have a very strong relationship with the club), then that would be disappointing, but we could make do without them.
July 1st, 2004 at 12:24 pm
I like the idea of being an official supporters club. I recognize the cons, but I still like the idea. I’ve been to Arsenal and I am going back again next season. We all want to “support” the Arsenal, and, it seems to me, this is another, concrete way to do that.
I have a few questions, though.
Questions:
1. Does the meeting have to be a physical meeting or can it be a teleconference?
2. What sorta dues are we talking about?
3. How do you think this will influence, if at all, Arsenal’s chances of a pre-season tour in the States or Canada?
Thanks,
Frank Garrison
Jackson, MS
July 1st, 2004 at 12:33 pm
Let me just address #3: Absolutely no bearing whatsoever. A - it’s Arsene’s call. B. Two hundred people spread out across the U.S. is less than a drop in the bucket. Perhaps if we had 10,000 members, but that ain’t going to happen.
July 1st, 2004 at 4:02 pm
I guess I should throw in my two cents.
As some of you know, Rick and I have done a great deal to create this club and worked with Arsenal every step of the way from the days of a simple newsletter to this current site, roadtrips, and other events and communications. We are the first people Arsenal turns to in the USA when they need something, and the first ones they refer people to when UK fans are coming to the states or US fans are inquiring about how to support the club.
I’ve had LENGTHY discussions with Jill about the “requirements” of “officialdom” and I should point out, very strongly, that some of the more onerous requirements WILL NOT APPLY to us. I’ve already spoken to her about the impossibility of meetings, bank accounts, and what not and they are receptive to working out something that takes into consideration the geographic problems of the US and the relatively smaller membership numbers, etc. They are willing to make it work.
Rick and I are at times absolutely swamped with Arsenal stuff and at other times absolutely too busy to even look at the site. We have lives, like everyone else, and give what we can when we can. On top of that, we get a tremendous amount of crap heaped on us, from all corners sometimes.
The demands that are placed on us can, at times, be absolutely ridiculous. Rick has received Fed Ex envelopes from as far away as New Zeland DEMANDING that he provide them with tickets for a game. I get phone calls at 7:00 am from people saying “I’m in London and I want to go to a game–make the call for me.” We also get calls from Arsenal that are, at times, a bit much–”Can you guys compile a list of every sports bar in the US showing Arsenal games and the newspaper addresses, etc.” This is the kind of stuff Rick normally gets paid for by his clients, but we do it to help the club out as much as we can.
Rick and I have also spent a ton of money keeping this club going. I pay for as many as 40 tickets at a time, and then have to wait for people to straggle in and pay me back, with one or two always “disappearing” at the last minute. Rick is currently battling with the DVD costs as well. We have phone bills to London and of course the website costs money as well. I, myself, have spent hundreds, if not thousands of pounds over the past three years to “stay an extra day in London” to meet the club or reroute a flight so I had a chance to drop by. It’s been a major effort.
So with all of that said, I might surprise some in saying I’M IN FAVOR of official status. I feel the benefits (tickets and the recognition from the club) are very important and I would hate to lose the goodwill we have developed over the past two years. I also feel that some of the more onerous bureaucratic stuff can be “worked around” based on my conversations with Jill. (I should note I have met with Jill several times a year and have discussed this at length with her).
I’m not throwing my hat in the ring for President– I’m happy being Webmaster and tour guide unless no one else steps up. I’m glad to pick up some of the other duties that might require some paperwork here and there. Rick enjoys editing the site but I think the other requirements are just piling on too high. I think by bringing in some new people to help with some of the smaller things we’ll be able to offer a better service to members and to the club. For example, we have a few volunteers who would handle tickets, some who would handle the TV guide, and others who have expressed an interest in participating more.
One of the reasons the club has worked is because a few dedicated individuals have gone above and beyond. While at the same time, we have seen people come into the sphere of AA.com and then “poof” just disappear. I know I’m not going anywhere anytime soon and will be around to keep things going, and I think if we can bring in some more people to help run the club we’ll be able to lessen the demands on those of us who participate.
Like I said, the club is willing to make this work, and I think we should go for it.
July 1st, 2004 at 5:16 pm
I remember when I first found this site, I was impressed right away. Because it’s simply “different” than any other soccer, or Arsenal sites I had been to. Most of the regulars here does has insight to contribute and share with the fellow Gooners here, I think by now many of us have gotton pretty familiar with each other, it has really given me a “cyber atmosphere” - where everybody knows your name, and they will always glad u came!
To cut it short - this site is unique. I just hope things will remain the same, be it going official or not.
July 1st, 2004 at 5:45 pm
I’d also have to lean towards no, at least for the time being.
A very good friend of mine runs the Texas Chapter of the Liverpool FC Supporters (yeah I know, I like ‘im anyways), and he’s encountered many of the difficulties you mention as potential problems. And that’s even with the greater number of ‘Pool fans over here.
It’s bureacracy we don’t need at this stage, it’s supposed to facilitate things but would just make life more complicated for select individuals. But there’s no reason to rush into something like this, we could very easily just grow into it gradually and become official when it finally makes sense.
July 1st, 2004 at 5:49 pm
Excellent points Andrew… just shows how oblivious I am to all that goes on behind the scenes.
It doesn’t necessarily change my opinion, but I’d like to say again that there’s no reason we have to do this instantly. There are obviously a few issues to be worked out, so maybe the best way to deal with things yet keep a strong relationship with the club is to lay out a sensible transition.
Just the ‘ol $0.02.
July 1st, 2004 at 6:01 pm
I am all for it. ANY official connection to the club is a good thing long term. The club was a local entity and its rules for supporters club are probably based on the fact that they are all in English cities outside of London.
The only drawback are the meetings. Or specifically meeting physically. The club will recognise that America is a huge country and exceptions will have to be considered. They know they have to modify some things now that they are becoming a global club and not some London club anymore. Furthermore, who’s to say there aren’t members here who have the means and time to travel for a couple meetings? There are thousands if not hundreds of potential members nationally. We start with who wants to be part of the committee leadership and qualify those as those who can travel to a couple meetings. I’m sure we can find several people. As far as I can tell its traveling twice a year.
There are far more positives than negatives. I personally can’t imagine not making every effort to be officially associated and recognized by the club.
I think it would be a shame to let an opportunity like this go wasting without giving it every effort.
LETS GO FOR IT!!!
July 1st, 2004 at 7:51 pm
Either way is fine by me.
July 1st, 2004 at 8:38 pm
I think I’ve changed my vote now after hearing that the club is willing to make exceptions for us, due to the large area we cover. One question though, Andrew: how will this affect our ability to get the big block of tickets for the Roadtrip?
July 2nd, 2004 at 4:02 am
Rick has poured his heart and soul into this website and im sticking with him all the way!!!
July 2nd, 2004 at 8:47 am
After all I’ve said and read, I guess it really comes down to this: Rick vs. Andrew. As I see it, one says yea, the other nay. Why not the two guys doing all the work work it out and let us know how it goes? I can’t bring myself to vote against either of you.
And if going official (something I’ve voted against) doesn’t work out, what have we lost? We can always just return to the way it was, right?
My NEW VOTE: ball’s in the box, go for it guys.
July 2nd, 2004 at 9:42 am
Woah, hold on there a minute. This is most definitely NOT a Andrew v. Rick sort of thing. This is NOT a black & white issue. I think both Andrew and myself see pros to going official, but also recognize some issues that need to be addressed and resolved.
July 2nd, 2004 at 10:37 am
Rick and I are on the same page here–that is “official is nice, but it is a hell of a lot of work.” I think from a “arsenalamerica club” level we both see a lot of benefits, but from a “personal” level we are both a little scared. I think we will be able to mange the work with some help.
July 2nd, 2004 at 11:06 am
Here I was thinking it would make it easier. Let’s hope it does in the long run. Cause if you ask me, your personal feelings on it, despite your magnanimousness, should count for a lot.
July 2nd, 2004 at 11:56 am
You know, I could care less about the Arsenal “brand”. What a heavy-handed attempt by the Arsenal bean-counters to stomp on individual fan groups. And in return, we get to use the official fan club crest. What a crock. I hate the new Arsenal crest, I kind of like not having to see it here.
So, stay as we are.
July 2nd, 2004 at 1:27 pm
I have been involved with a supporters club for DC United since 1999. They are an unofficial group and only recently incorporated as a non-profit, which has brought about a series of changes similar to the things that Arsenal asks of Official Clubs.
Based on my experience, Arsenal America does not have to turn into an official club in order to lighten the administrative burden on Rick and Andrew. Also, AA does not have to turn official to become more regemented with things like membership cards, membership lists, and such.
A lot of the administration requirements for an official club only make sense if you are in a single location - i.e. the DC Arsenal Supporters Group. If Arsenal is willing to waive or modify these requirements it would make AA more viable as an official group.
I oppose going official. I would prefer to become a more regimented unofficial club with positions such as President (i.e. Rick), Webmaster and Arsenal Liason (i.e. Andrew), Membership Director, and Roadtrip Coordinator. I have no problem with dues to cover costs incurred. Have a more formalized membership creates a feeling of belonging that I believe many members would like plus gives us some leverage in responding to foreign ticket requests. Publishing a format for member’s ticket requests would also help.
I would be willing to take on some of this burden to either establish these norms and procedures or to help run them. But I firmly believe that we should remain unofficial, just a bit more organized.
July 2nd, 2004 at 2:38 pm
You guys do a great job on the site, I’ve never had a complaint. Sure it’d be nice to have a ‘in’ on tickets and know the secret Arsenal handshake but it sounds like a lot of sweat for 20% off of this season’s away kit. And I’d lose the membership card anyway.
It doesn’t matter to me,but I can’t ask anyone to do more work.
Teri
PS: what about a paypal fund raiser for site costs?
July 2nd, 2004 at 3:08 pm
I think there are certainly benefits to being official, but there’s a ton of work that will come with it along with all the pains of those who want to be a supporter, but don’t want to do anything. I’ve been through the experience of being a board member for an organization and it’s allot of work and there’s not that many people who want to do the work.
I think think we can make it work, but it’s going to take all of us to chip in both financially and physically to get it done. I’m out in California, but with Technology today and FedEx things can get around pretty fast. I’m willing to help in any way I can. I donated to the fund as many of you have. I’m willing to pay a membership fee if needed. I’m willing to do whatever you guys need.
My vote is to go official.
Dave P.
(Przybylinski on BigSoccer)
July 5th, 2004 at 9:04 pm
I would vote against official status, at least at the present time. ArseAm is still growing, and I think it benefits the SC to retain its flexibility and adaptability as it attempts to deal with the issues unique to ArseAm that Rick and others have enumerated. The tangible benefits of “official” status hardly seem to outweigh the potenial costs.
Nevertheless, there are intangible benefits as well, to which I believe Andrew in particular alluded. These intangible benefits concern ArseAm’s status with AFC and — potentially — the sense of legitimacy with which the SC is viewed. I have been an ArseAm member just barely long enough to recall the Cannonball, and I can appreciate how those who’ve built this club up from an email list would particularly savor the reward of official recognition.
Would being an “official” club allow us to attract more members, or would the bureaucratic aspects of official status deter the curious-but-cautious masses that comprise a significant percentage of the potential American base? I am fond of the current setup, which I deem to be a loose association of people throughout the US and Canada who share a common interest both in a club and, to a lesser extent, to a community that surrounds it. I like the idea of a nationwide network of supporters to ensure that even if I’m visiting another city, I can get together with other members to cheer on the Arse. While some may believe that being an unofficial club marginalizes us, I think that it rather highlights the unique qualities of our nationwide community.