Having read recent comments regarding the above, and have up to now stood back in what I hopefully think was a dignified silence....
I feel that now is the time to break that silence in a very matter of fact way, for that I feel is the best way to communicate.
1) The POTY is run by CASC, and, due to its mere locality has been run predominately by the Greenwich & Bexley Branch ( formally known as the Main Branch ) .
2) Collection of votes has always been a difficult and emotive topic. In the past we have tried collection boxes in and around the Valley ( in pubs & clubs also ), individuals standing on the concourses with bags, website voting, and down to the clipboard scenario that currently prevails ( including on the coaches ). Last season the Fans Forum gratefully assisted in the collection of votes for one match outside of the West Stand. I was in constant communication with Dave Rudd in this regard ( because of family problems, I could not make the game ), and although some votes were collected, the general reaction was one of amazement and disappointment at the empathy shown by fans surrounding voting. In short - you cannot force people to vote ! ( Admittedly, it was a lot better when CASC had its office at the Valley - this was reclaimed by the Club when we reached the Premiership ).
3) The function has always been billed as 'for the fans - by the fans' - and has been priced accordingly, so as to make it affordable to the grass root section of the support. Last season was the first season that the Club assisted financially by paying for the players meals - had this not been the case, it is doubtful that there would have been an event, such was the disappointment in actual ticket sales ( perhaps unsuprisingly given the circumstances ). I should also advise that we are also charged to hire the room ( admittedly at a reduced rate ).
Because of this gesture, we were able to reduce prices for the under 16's for the first time. As has been pointed out ( and despite what may be the assumption ) the POTY event has never been a big money spinner - obviously the more people that attend, the more that can be made for charity. On that subject, I can state that the function has raised in excess of £1100 for Cancer Research in recent years - and we have documented proof to substantiate this.
4) At the last two functions, we have introduced a video camera link ( at considerable cost ) on to the television screens so that our disabled supporters could get as equally as good a view of the proceedings as other fans. ( It is not a case of sitting the disabled fans at the front - we have to ensure that they are near the toilet areas, as well of course of being mindful of easy and safe access to fire routes ).
I would also point out that the Fans Forum were invited to a meeting with the organising committee prior to last years event. Sadly to say, there was not one representative of the Fans Forum present. I would therefore refute any notion that no assistance / suggestions were sought.
5 ) With regard to the advertising of the event, I would state that this has always been advertised on the main Club website, the daily bullitin, the matchday programme, and in the local press. Last year it was also advertised on the Charlton Life website( as was the collection of votes ). Prior attendees to the function are advised of the function ( and ticket sales ) by email where possible prior to any general advertising ( this is felt fair to those that have remained supportive, and is similar to the Clubs ticketting criteria ). Two seasons ago, the function was even advertised on the main screen ! We also keep details of the seating arrangements through the years, to ensure that everyone gets a player to sit on their table over a period of a couple of years - although we do ensure that the disabled supporters tables are catered for year on year. We also try to ensure that players sit on tables where the younger supporters may sit. However ( and rather disappointingly ), this kind of finite organisation appears to be in question - predominently by persons that have hardly / if ever attended the function !
I have only just touched on the efforts that it takes to organise this event, and remain proud of the fact that we have managed to 'pull it off' despite barriers.
Given the teams performances thus far, I would anticipate that this years event will be very well attended, and hopefully we will will be able to raise monies through ticket sales and raffles for just causes just on the sheer volume of attendees! However, this would also serve to keep the ticket prices down even further - particularly given the current economic climate.
Hopefully, this has answered the many points raised - however, I would be more than willing to discuss in more detail to anyone either by email ( poty@btinternet.com ) or by phone ( personal number : 07717 827666 ).
To date, no-one has actually approached me about this matter in person - I have just had to stand back and read the ( sometimes disparraging ) comments about this situation. A situation that doesn't really exist to be honest !
As you say there is a great deal of work that goes into organising such an event and anyone who gets involved should be applauded.
However the issues are, for me at least, about the transparency of the event and the use of the monies raised as well as the appropriateness of it being organised by the so called Greenwich & Bexley CASC
Could you explain
1. When was the last time the Greenwich and Bexley Branch had an AGM or that its officers were elected or re-elected?
2. When was the last time that membership subs were collected from G & B CASC members or any attempt was made to recruit new members?
3. When was the last time G & B CASC published any annual accounts or accounts of the monies raised and spent by the POTY event?
4. Why does G&B appear to have only two officers neither of whom live in or near Greenwich or Bexley?
5. Who uses the season tickets which are bought from Greenwich and Bexley CASC funds?
6. When will the minutes for the meeting that you called last year to discuss the future of the various supporters' groups be distributed?
My views on the POTY issue have been well documented elsewhere but for me, Henry's questions sum up the problems that undoubtedly exist in the minds & hearts of those who serve fans well by way of Supporter Groups.I'm especially interested in the reply to point 5 ....Season tickets bought from branch funds ??????? If you ask any NWKA member when he /she last heard from their committee, be prepared ...A minimum of 2 newsletters each season plus flyers advertising events , 2 quizzes per year, 2 Q & A sessions( the next on Feb 18th with Nicky Bailey plus 1 other player) , away ticketing service and a free members' draw to win the signed, framed shirt of the season's sponsored player....AND we raise at least £1,000 pa for our chosen charity.
Didn't start out with the intention of making this an advert for NWKA but felt the need to show the vast difference between ourselves and Gre & Bexley CASC. Job done.
As an aside, I haven't received any email from the FF yet on the subject.... Suzy ?
[cite]Posted By: Henry Irving[/cite]Thanks for the comments Steve,
As you say there is a great deal of work that goes into organising such an event and anyone who gets involved should be applauded.
However the issues are, for me at least, about the transparency of the event and the use of the monies raised as well as the appropriateness of it being organised by the so called Greenwich & Bexley CASC
Could you explain
1. When was the last time the Greenwich and Bexley Branch had an AGM or that its officers were elected or re-elected?
2. When was the last time that membership subs were collected from G & B CASC members or any attempt was made to recruit new members?
3. When was the last time G & B CASC published any annual accounts or accounts of the monies raised and spent by the POTY event?
4. Why does G&B appear to have only two officers neither of whom live in or near Greenwich or Bexley?
5. Who uses the season tickets which are bought from Greenwich and Bexley CASC funds?
6. When will the minutes for the meeting that you called last year to discuss the future of the various supporters' groups be distributed?
I can't remember where i found the address that was whispered - possibly on the CASC site, which i don't think is up to date, but that is where the official site directs to! if its out of date, send me an up to date one for you and some of your colleagues at NWKA and I'll forward it on.
[cite]Posted By: Off_it[/cite]Why does a thread about the POTY award/do end up with sniping comments and different supporters club branches trying to score points of one another?
It really is quite pathetic.
Yes and no, it's actually about the G&B branch accounting to their membership. Holding an AGM would be a start.
Maybe the subject has more mileage and opinions than some other threads on here where point scoring, as you describe it , seems to be par for the course.....
Each to their own and all comments welcome, but , believe me, some posters have their valid reasons for pursuing this one.
Reminds me of whenever we have big turnouts at away games. Rather than all getting together and coming up with one loud song there's always four or five groups trying to get different songs going at the same time - with the end result being an unco-ordinated mess!
[cite]Posted By: Off_it[/cite]Why does a thread about the POTY award/do end up with sniping comments and different supporters club branches trying to score points of one another?
It really is quite pathetic.
I don't see why asking for transparency is a problem.
No point really Fanny. You'd end up getting to the second line of Valley Floyd Road only to realise that I had already launched into "9 goals went past Perry" - with the bloke behind us going solo on "A Palace fan hanging on a string".
;o)
[cite]Posted By: Off_it[/cite]No point really Fanny. You'd end up getting to the second line of Valley Floyd Road only to realise that I had already launched into "9 goals went past Perry" - with the bloke behind us going solo on "A Palace fan hanging on a string".
;o)
And some others questioning the opposition parentage!
Not really any of my business...and I'm sure there are some valid points regarding the Greenwich branch, etc, and the requirement for transparency on the whole issue is definite.
But it just seems the nature of the search for transparency is perhaps a bit unfair.
Lists of comments and questions (on a public forum) that by their nature imply wrong doing, doesn't really seem a fair way to go about things. Particularly with regard to the people in question.
The criticisms may well be valid, and questions do need to be asked to ascertain this - but doing it on a public forum and wording the comments and questions as they have been (especially because the people are obviously not able to reply as speedily as the questions are asked), doesn't seem fair.
the idea of the first post wasn't to open up a debate about how the individual supporters club branches are run but the ff are addressing concerns received by them from fans regarding the poy do at the end of the year.
it isn't an attempt to step on anyones toes but just to understand what goes into the event and how it can possibly be made more accessible, easier to vote and more of a joint effort if its required. It has been made public so everyone knows what has been sent, hopefully it will reach as many people as possible and no one can say they have been excluded from the discussions.
if there are members of G&B then is it right to assume if they pay a fee to G&B then they are entitled to compain as they see fit as to the service G&B provide - if the branches are all independent then i don't know why they mind or care what G&B do with their own members as they have their own things to be getting on with and it is up to G&B members to raise their concerns if they have any.
this excercise is for the POY event and not meant to start a debate about what other supporters club provide their members and how.
Designate 3 or 4 home matches near the end of the season and put posters up on the concourses telling supporters to hand their completed slips in at the turnstyles when entering the ground. Easy surely?
Not having heard anything and knowing that you had a meeting planned for last night I thought I'd ask again.
As I said before the issues are, for me at least, about the transparency of the event and the use of the monies raised as well as the appropriateness of it being organised by the so called Greenwich & Bexley CASC
Could you explain
1. When was the last time the Greenwich and Bexley Branch had an AGM or that its officers were elected or re-elected?
2. When was the last time that membership subs were collected from G & B CASC members or any attempt was made to recruit new members?
3. When was the last time G & B CASC published any annual accounts or accounts of the monies raised and spent by the POTY event?
4. Why does G&B appear to have only two officers neither of whom live in or near Greenwich or Bexley?
5. When will the minutes for the meeting that you called last year to discuss the future of the various supporters' groups be distributed?
And as Rick asked
6. Who nominated Cancer Research to receive money from the PoY?
Comments
If it is the right of the Supporters Club to organise the night, do you expect to get a response from them?
I feel that now is the time to break that silence in a very matter of fact way, for that I feel is the best way to communicate.
1) The POTY is run by CASC, and, due to its mere locality has been run predominately by the Greenwich & Bexley Branch ( formally known as the Main Branch ) .
2) Collection of votes has always been a difficult and emotive topic.
In the past we have tried collection boxes in and around the Valley ( in pubs & clubs also ), individuals standing on the concourses with bags, website voting, and down to the clipboard scenario that currently prevails ( including on the coaches ).
Last season the Fans Forum gratefully assisted in the collection of votes for one match outside of the West Stand.
I was in constant communication with Dave Rudd in this regard ( because of family problems, I could not make the game ), and although some votes were collected, the general reaction was one of amazement and disappointment at the empathy shown by fans surrounding voting.
In short - you cannot force people to vote !
( Admittedly, it was a lot better when CASC had its office at the Valley - this was reclaimed by the Club when we reached the Premiership ).
3) The function has always been billed as 'for the fans - by the fans' - and has been priced accordingly, so as to make it affordable to the grass root section of the support.
Last season was the first season that the Club assisted financially by paying for the players meals - had this not been the case, it is doubtful that there would have been an event, such was the disappointment in actual ticket sales ( perhaps unsuprisingly given the circumstances ).
I should also advise that we are also charged to hire the room ( admittedly at a reduced rate ).
Because of this gesture, we were able to reduce prices for the under 16's for the first time.
As has been pointed out ( and despite what may be the assumption ) the POTY event has never been a big money spinner - obviously the more people that attend, the more that can be made for charity.
On that subject, I can state that the function has raised in excess of £1100 for Cancer Research in recent years - and we have documented proof to substantiate this.
4) At the last two functions, we have introduced a video camera link ( at considerable cost ) on to the television screens so that our disabled supporters could get as equally as good a view of the proceedings as other fans.
( It is not a case of sitting the disabled fans at the front - we have to ensure that they are near the toilet areas, as well of course of being mindful of easy and safe access to fire routes ).
I would also point out that the Fans Forum were invited to a meeting with the organising committee prior to last years event. Sadly to say, there was not one representative of the Fans Forum present.
I would therefore refute any notion that no assistance / suggestions were sought.
5 ) With regard to the advertising of the event, I would state that this has always been advertised on the main Club website, the daily bullitin, the matchday programme, and in the local press.
Last year it was also advertised on the Charlton Life website( as was the collection of votes ).
Prior attendees to the function are advised of the function ( and ticket sales ) by email where possible prior to any general advertising ( this is felt fair to those that have remained supportive, and is similar to the Clubs ticketting criteria ).
Two seasons ago, the function was even advertised on the main screen !
We also keep details of the seating arrangements through the years, to ensure that everyone gets a player to sit on their table over a period of a couple of years - although we do ensure that the disabled supporters tables are catered for year on year. We also try to ensure that players sit on tables where the younger supporters may sit.
However ( and rather disappointingly ), this kind of finite organisation appears to be in question - predominently by persons that have hardly / if ever attended the function !
I have only just touched on the efforts that it takes to organise this event, and remain proud of the fact that we have managed to 'pull it off' despite barriers.
Given the teams performances thus far, I would anticipate that this years event will be very well attended, and hopefully we will will be able to raise monies through ticket sales and raffles for just causes just on the sheer volume of attendees!
However, this would also serve to keep the ticket prices down even further - particularly given the current economic climate.
Hopefully, this has answered the many points raised - however, I would be more than willing to discuss in more detail to anyone either by email ( poty@btinternet.com ) or by phone ( personal number : 07717 827666 ).
To date, no-one has actually approached me about this matter in person - I have just had to stand back and read the ( sometimes disparraging ) comments about this situation.
A situation that doesn't really exist to be honest !
Regards
Steve Bailey
As you say there is a great deal of work that goes into organising such an event and anyone who gets involved should be applauded.
However the issues are, for me at least, about the transparency of the event and the use of the monies raised as well as the appropriateness of it being organised by the so called Greenwich & Bexley CASC
Could you explain
1. When was the last time the Greenwich and Bexley Branch had an AGM or that its officers were elected or re-elected?
2. When was the last time that membership subs were collected from G & B CASC members or any attempt was made to recruit new members?
3. When was the last time G & B CASC published any annual accounts or accounts of the monies raised and spent by the POTY event?
4. Why does G&B appear to have only two officers neither of whom live in or near Greenwich or Bexley?
5. Who uses the season tickets which are bought from Greenwich and Bexley CASC funds?
6. When will the minutes for the meeting that you called last year to discuss the future of the various supporters' groups be distributed?
Thanks
Didn't start out with the intention of making this an advert for NWKA but felt the need to show the vast difference between ourselves and Gre & Bexley CASC. Job done.
As an aside, I haven't received any email from the FF yet on the subject.... Suzy ?
He's hardly Nick Leeson, Henry.
However .. I CAN CATEGORICALLY STATE THAT NO SEASON TICKETS ARE PAID FOR BY THE SUPPORTERS CLUB !
Trust This Clarifies
Steve
Thanks for that.
It really is quite pathetic.
Yes and no, it's actually about the G&B branch accounting to their membership. Holding an AGM would be a start.
Maybe the subject has more mileage and opinions than some other threads on here where point scoring, as you describe it , seems to be par for the course.....
Each to their own and all comments welcome, but , believe me, some posters have their valid reasons for pursuing this one.
Maybe best to ignore it in future.
How many active members do you need to make an AGM viable ???? And does anyone know if they ARE still a member ?
I don't see why asking for transparency is a problem.
Just like some of those songs, differing agendas & why /wherefores of singing them is a long term problem.
If you have a spare couple of days, I could fill you in ?
;o)
And some others questioning the opposition parentage!
But it just seems the nature of the search for transparency is perhaps a bit unfair.
Lists of comments and questions (on a public forum) that by their nature imply wrong doing, doesn't really seem a fair way to go about things. Particularly with regard to the people in question.
The criticisms may well be valid, and questions do need to be asked to ascertain this - but doing it on a public forum and wording the comments and questions as they have been (especially because the people are obviously not able to reply as speedily as the questions are asked), doesn't seem fair.
Just my two cents anyway.
it isn't an attempt to step on anyones toes but just to understand what goes into the event and how it can possibly be made more accessible, easier to vote and more of a joint effort if its required. It has been made public so everyone knows what has been sent, hopefully it will reach as many people as possible and no one can say they have been excluded from the discussions.
if there are members of G&B then is it right to assume if they pay a fee to G&B then they are entitled to compain as they see fit as to the service G&B provide - if the branches are all independent then i don't know why they mind or care what G&B do with their own members as they have their own things to be getting on with and it is up to G&B members to raise their concerns if they have any.
this excercise is for the POY event and not meant to start a debate about what other supporters club provide their members and how.
Not having heard anything and knowing that you had a meeting planned for last night I thought I'd ask again.
As I said before the issues are, for me at least, about the transparency of the event and the use of the monies raised as well as the appropriateness of it being organised by the so called Greenwich & Bexley CASC
Could you explain
1. When was the last time the Greenwich and Bexley Branch had an AGM or that its officers were elected or re-elected?
2. When was the last time that membership subs were collected from G & B CASC members or any attempt was made to recruit new members?
3. When was the last time G & B CASC published any annual accounts or accounts of the monies raised and spent by the POTY event?
4. Why does G&B appear to have only two officers neither of whom live in or near Greenwich or Bexley?
5. When will the minutes for the meeting that you called last year to discuss the future of the various supporters' groups be distributed?
And as Rick asked
6. Who nominated Cancer Research to receive money from the PoY?
have you got a link to the answers?