The Arsenal America Executive Committee would like to make the following announcement.
The following people have volunteered to serve in an official capacity as Arsenal America Branch Officers for the following cities:
Atlanta -Stephanie Harris
Chicago - Matt Hornberger
Houston - Cameron Perry
Minneapolis/St. Paul - Chris Opp
Montreal - Romeo Mambro
New York - Ryan Barkan
San Diego/Orange County - Dave Przybylinski
Toronto - Bob Hobbs
They join the three existing branch officers in Dallas (Steve Rossen), Philadelphia (yours truly), and Washington D.C. (Dave Connick).
One of our missions as a supporters group is to become much more active on a grassroots basis. The local branch officers would run things at a local level, and represent their respective areas at a national level. To that end, the Arsenal America executive board have composed the following mission statement with regards to the role of Branch Officer:
Mission: To promote interest in Arsenal Football Club and to facilitate gatherings enabling Gooners to meet during the season and in the off season.
Duties:
1. Establish contacts with local area pubs which televise EPL games.
2. Obtain from the main database a list of persons in the Branch Manager’s region and their contact information. Periodically update this list.
3. Arrange periodic inter- and intra-regional social gatherings around Arsenal games in particular and football in general (e.g., the upcoming World Cup televised games might be an outreach opportunity).
4. Develop the idea of an Arsenal (or football) quiz night at a local pub - or in DC a local Embassy.
5. Arrange at least one social gathering per year for members in the region featuring an Arsenal televised match. Logistics permitting, it could be an entry fee occasion (nominal $10-$15) with food provided, a cash bar, and a raffle involving items of Arsenal merchandise.
6. Work with ArseAm committee to establish region-specific merchandise such as banners, shirts, baseball caps, pens, writing/scratch pads with localised logos.
7. Act as collection point for advance ticket payments for road trip participants, and disseminate information as necessary. Look into whether a price break on airline tickets may be possible for group travel.
If you feel that you would be well suited to take on that responsibility, we’d love to hear from you. Arsenal America is currently looking to fill the role of Branch Officer in the following cities:
Baltimore
Boston
Cleveland
Columbus
Cincinnati
Denver
Detroit
Kansas City
Los Angeles
Miami
New Orleans
Phoenix
Pittsburgh
Seattle
St. Louis
To express your interest, please send emails to mikek AT arsenalamerica DOT com
Thanks,
Mike Kavanagh
President, Arsenal America
5 Responses to “Welcome New Branch Officers/Additional Branch Officers Wanted”
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February 24th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
Okay, I’ll be the first. Welcome and THANKS!
Tomorrow the world!
February 25th, 2006 at 10:52 am
http://www.arsenalcanada.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=348&sid=ca7ca7d9a988330fe1d0be4a996b5cf1
February 25th, 2006 at 11:47 am
Romeo and Bob have been Arsenal America members for several years. Naming them as branch officers is a way of acknowledging all that they have done for us over the years. In fact, it was they who were key in getting our banner signed by the players last summer.
It was my decision to put them in these roles, and I don’t forsee any issues with regards to “encroachment.”
AFC has made it clear that anyone from Canada looking to join a supporters club will be referred to Arsenal Canada, which is as it should be. However, since Arsenal America has existing membership in the two cities previously mentioned, it is only appropriate to have established contacts in said cities.
I feel that this could actually be a good thing, as I envision a time when we can have inter-group matches, gatherings etc., and those guys will be key in helping faciliate those types of events.
My thinking is that these two guys will be unique. They will not be actively recruiting, but can serve as contact points for Arsenal Americans from the US travelling to Montreal and Toronto. They can also serve as liasions to Arsenal Canada. The whole point is to foster a partnership with Arsenal Canada, as opposed to this pointless infighting.
Your brother in Goonerdom,
Mike Kavanagh
President, Arsenal America
February 26th, 2006 at 5:45 pm
Sorry if I’m a dink for not figuring this out for myself, but how may we contact these new officers? I’m moving back from Edinburgh to the Twin Cities in May and would love to just check in with our local coordinator (hi Chris) and see what he’s got in mind for the group.
February 28th, 2006 at 12:49 pm
Yes, please let us know. I’d like to see an event happen in NYC if possible.