Most other Supporters Associations have a website, this may not help us as there is no online presence, no online joining etc etc. Ken does a good job emailing members about votes and meetings and also creating all of the minutes which is no small task. It also would help communication and publicity of WUSA. People could book coach trips, book tickets for WUSA events etc etc and generally be up to speed and aware of what WUSA are doing. Fan blame the club for not marketing in CERTAIN AREAS... yet as an Association unless you walk past the desk outside teh shop you probably wont be aware of WUSA. If websites werent a good information and marketing tool no one would have one.

The more that join WUSA the stronger it will be, more can be achieved. More supporters will be aware of things being discussed by the club and WUSA. I would much rather see a stronger Supporters Association and Club than bring in a player for a few weeks. If WUSA got more members then you have more money and events that generate income.

If people say but we should know anyway, i dont buy that, the finer details of things are being discussed and implemented with WUSA and its members help. Its not a closed shop, never has been but the cost is a token £10 which will give a discount in shop, an entry to all meetings, a vote on player of the month, discount on end of season night and a voice heard. If thats not a good deal then WDYPTC.

The fans that do pay to be members that do vote on issues and that do hear about things being planned or requested and do have an active involvement in changes made or prioritising things to be done for the better of the club or the fans.

Theres a table outside the club shop and you can join easily,

 

Ashford Wing wrote:

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JGFC, I'm aware of that - but presumably the membership fee is an annual one. If you ask me where I think my money would be most effective between now and the end of the season - being used directly to bring in another player who can strengthen our promotion prospects, or given to WUSA, then I pick the former.

-- Edited by Ashford Wing on Friday 15th of February 2013 01:30:10 PM

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Seperate issues. If you want long term improvement and to have a say in the clubs development and create a solid base... you join WUSA

If you want short term glory, **** or bust and lets all cheer when we win every week, you put that tenner in a pot to get players we couldnt usually afford. What do you do next year? Everyone put in £50 a month for better players?

Jamie has done a great job and will continue to do so. This is about long term improvements and WUSA not where would you put your last tenner. I am Frankly astounded after the HMRC stuff from a couple of years ago people are thinking throwing money at new players is better than trying to make sure that never happens again. Your £10 investment is much better invested into the long term benefits to the club. WUSA have done a lot for the club, you forget they put into boost the budget already and fund raise, that alone is worthy of yours and other fans support and backing.

I'll ask our director tomorrow, so Matt if you read this can you please wear a tie so I can pick you out 

Wingstillidie - you've just highlighted the very problem - I have to pay before I can find out. If i went into a restaurant and they asked me for 10 quid to pay for my meal, I asked what type of food and they said "We can't tell you until afterwards", what do you think I would do? Pay or not bother?

-- Edited by Ashford Wing on Friday 15th of February 2013 03:41:04 PM

You're welcome to PM me, but I don't run WUSA, nor am a member .... Matt Mein is your man, Matt the Hat on here.

If I join will there be a way to get involved apart from going to the meetings as I live away most of the year. Also for the other exiles is there a way to join if they can not easily get to the club?

Just a point from me...The reason I am not a member is that as I live away from the area and need to get home after games but when I was I didnt get to find out what happenned at meetings unless I asked

It may sound grumpy but I would like and expect full minutes to be available soon after meetings

I also would expect the minutes to be un jiggled to ensure that all points no matter how unpalatable are detailed

The £10 fee goes towards boosting WUSAs coffers which goes towards things like Boost The Budget and improving the clubs facilities. If you join and log into the WUSA forum you can see where the funds go.

As for those that say they have or may have trouble attending meetings, you can follow WUSA/board meetings and activities via the WUSA forum.

Ashford Wing wrote:

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I'll ask our director tomorrow, so Matt if you read this can you please wear a tie so I can pick you out 

Wingstillidie - you've just highlighted the very problem - I have to pay before I can find out. If i went into a restaurant and they asked me for 10 quid to pay for my meal, I asked what type of food and they said "We can't tell you until afterwards", what do you think I would do? Pay or not bother?

-- Edited by Ashford Wing on Friday 15th of February 2013 03:41:04 PM

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 Not quite the same but a fairly close analogy never the less.

Can I point out that the WUSA membership is only £10 a YEAR and not a month. Most fans will spend more than on food and drink at one game! What I can assure you is that the £10 doesn't line someone else's pockets.

Just a few of my personal comments on the above posts.

I'm not sure that the term 'sensitive information' has been used about WUSA meeting discussions though I'm sure someone will correct me if the aging process has affected my memory.  It is a term which has been used about discussions at the former WUSA/Lender meetings and Board meetings, is something that representations have been made about and frustrates WUSA members as much as non WUSA members.

Secrecy? NO. The ins and outs of discussions about the running of the association, potential projects/activities etc. are IMHO of no material consequence to non- members since they relate to the Association and use of funds it raises.  However, as and when they come to fruition they are publicised in the programme and discussed on the terraces and often this forum.

Off of the top of my head 4 examples of where money has gone to date:

• The perimeter boarding around the pitch;
• Boost the Budget (roughly around £5K last year from memory);
• The purchase of a 1% share in the Club; and
• The purchase of the speed shot used at the Danson festival and available for hire.

The monies have enabled activities/events to be organised for example, stocking the Club Shop, The Beer Festivals, attendance at the Danson Festival, the End of Season Presentation Night and Band Nights.

Administrative costs certainly up until the last AGM were minimal (this being the period I have detailed knowledge of and no doubt continues to be so.) The many hours involved in the organisation and manning of events/activities has been taken on a voluntary basis with payment made for attendance at the very events which they have organised.

The effectiveness of the association in terms of discussions/negotiations with the Club is likely to be affected  by the number of members it represents.   The association has managed to secure a seat on the Board and is thereby getting a supporters perspective on issues taken into account. The greater the number of members it represents the more likely it is that the views/suggestions will be taken into account. WUSA is your means of getting your views heard and certainly more effective than making them known on an individual basis which is likely to go in one ear and out of the other.

I endorse Bruno's comment wholeheartedly. If supporters want their say and want to try to promote ideas which will  benefit fellow supporters and the club then WUSA is the only game in town.

OMERTA elb wrote:

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I endorse Bruno's comment wholeheartedly. If supporters want their say and want to try to promote ideas which will  benefit fellow supporters and the club then WUSA is the only game in town.

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 I wholeheartidly support this ethos in principle.

However  it takes two to make the party and whilst WUSA may be pulling in one direction my experience tells me that on more than one occassion the club is not pullling the same way.

TBH I dont think this will change whilst the ownership remains the same and that isnt taking anything away from the job that is performed at the club

Dont be staggered Matt-when the information from the club remains constant, reliable and consistent then those of us who didnt join this year including myself will probably reconsider

You miss my point.

To be able to make a decision in anything you need a firm basis of information. My experience tells me shifting sands and unfulfilled hopes

Bryan Kings KNee wrote:

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OMERTA elb wrote:

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I endorse Bruno's comment wholeheartedly. If supporters want their say and want to try to promote ideas which will  benefit fellow supporters and the club then WUSA is the only game in town.

---

 I wholeheartidly support this ethos in principle.

However  it takes two to make the party and whilst WUSA may be pulling in one direction my experience tells me that on more than one occassion the club is not pullling the same way.

TBH I dont think this will change whilst the ownership remains the same and that isnt taking anything away from the job that is performed at the club

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 But isn't it better to seek to influence and to attempt to change, rather than saying it won't happen and so there's no point in trying to effect change. What's the worse that can happen? You waste £10 on your membership and decide not to renew it the following year.

No where have I critiucised what WUSA is trying to achieve , their aims and objectives.

My frustration lies with the club, we are a couple of years on from the dark days. Yes things have improved, signage, club shop etc and these efforts are applauded.

Since that time I would suggest that the club have not superfast in their efforts to move forwards

I have been critical of WUSA in the past including the silly £5 joining fee. But as  OMERTA elb just mentioned it's the only game in town in terms of bringing about real change. 

So I'll be signing up at today's game.

And I'll put £40 into the boost the budget- topped up to £100 when we sign someone!

 

 

Well done Chris and your mate who i saw join today with you, Ive also been told by three others they will be joining on Tuesday. Good to see. Hopefully a few more will join at the desk outside the club shop on Tuesday.

That was me! Having just come from the meeting it's well worth the dosh!! Get signed up what's a tender and its probably the only thing at our club that is well run!

Can I just thank 7 new members we added to WUSA yesterday, some of the new members were critics on here, welcome and look forward to having you on board.