The Marinators Club - Notice of Inaugural Meeting

[marinermick]

The Marinators Club
Sub-Club of Central Coast Leagues Club
Notice of Inaugural Meeting
9pm Saturday 19 May 2007
Parkview Room, Central Coast Leagues Club

followed by
General Meeting

Agenda
1. Apologies
2. Discussion and Adoption of Club Constitution
3. Election of Office Bearers (7)
- President
- Vice President Events
- Vice President Sponsorship and Fundraising
- Vice President Marketing and External Relations
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Club Captain
4. Election of Club Patron(s)
5. Other Business

Those interested in nominating for a position on the committee must do so in writing to:

Michael Kmet
PO Box 6164
West Gosford NSW 2250 or
[e-mail]

no later than 5pm Friday 11 May, 2007

More details on Club Constitution and roles of Office Bearers to come.

To be able to attend the meeting you must be a paid member of both the Marinators Club and the Central Coast Leagues Club. You can register with the Marinators at the membership desk of the Central Coast Leagues Club at anytime after Monday 7 May. A registration session will also occur at the membership desk in the hour before the Inaugural Meeting (8pm-9pm). Upon registration you will get a new Central Coast Leagues Club membership card identifying that you are a Marinators member.

Membership
Ordinary Member - $20
Junior Member - $10 (12-16 years inclusive)

Member benefits include:
- Marinators Club keyring
- Up to 25% discount off all Marinators Club merchandise (scarves, shirts etc)
- Up to 25% discount off all Marinators Club events (bus trips to games, golf days, trivia nights, winery tours etc)
- Discounts to dozens of local business with Marinators Rewards Card (Rebel Sports, Gloria Jeans, Fruit For All, Petsworld, Shavershop, Camera House etc etc)
- Access to Marinators only area on website
- The right to vote on Marinators Player of the Year, Man of the Match and Marinators Goal of the Year
- Priority access on Marinators table for Mariners Medal Dinner


We have decided to start this club as a Central Coast Leagues Club sub-club for the following reasons:
- The protection of members and contributor funds so that money is organised in a legal and responsible way
- The legal protection of Marinators organisors, event organisors and event participants
- The adoption of an organising structure to better enhance match day experiences and events
- Continued support of the Central Coast Leagues Club
- A representative body that can lobby the CCLC, the Mariners and the FFA on behalf of its members
- To have a greater number of people contribute to the growth and success of the Marinators.

The creation of this group will not change match day activities and the Bays 15 16, 17. It will still be an inclusive area where support and passion is promoted. If you do not join the club your match day experience in these bays will not be lessened.

If you have questions or comments please feel free to PM or email me or just post below.

This will be your club, run by the members so I encourage everyone to get involved in what is a natural progression for this group.

[DJ]

The new Marinator scarves will also be available for purchase at this event

Plenty of work has been done behind the scenes and I think this is a very positive move in the right direction of where we want to go.

For only $20 the benefits you will recieve back will be fantastic.

[Jeff (LouMacari)]

I personally feel that this is an AWSOME move forward for both the Marinators, Mariners and the (still) fledgling FFA.

What everyone has achieved for football in general here on the Coast in just a couple of short seasons is amazing and this is simply the natural progression of that.
We are all fortunate to have had the likes of Mick, DJ, Fish, Auburn, Brett, Kevrenor, Adz (et all) pushing in the same direction (onward & upward)

Can't wait to get this happening and get my 'official' membership ;D
and then to see Man U give Chelsea a lesson in football and hold the cup aloft back at Wembly once again will be the icing on the cake! (*ducking under cover from all the chelsea supporters now...)

[kevrenor]

djgrounsell said:

The new Marinator scarves will also be available for purchase at this event

I'll be away in South Australia on well earned holidays but there at the inaugural meeting in spirit.
Also I want some of those scarves dammit! Especially if we go to Orange again ... it may not be so mild.

[alicia]

I think change is fantastic. It keeps us fresh and up-to-date and i personally can't wait to see how this all pans out. It can only mean good things for the Marinators.

[northernspirit]

great to hear the idea came to fruition
well done to all involved

[EGGBA]

This could sound dumb but i don't think I'm officially a marinator member as i never paid a set $20bucks(i have no probs doing this"but just never knew bout it!!!!!!!
Is this all a new development or do we just have a new organized committee?
Either way sign me up i think its a great idea .
How/when do i pay?

[Jeff (LouMacari)]

Eggy, it hasn't happened yet. It will be happening on the FA cup night (19th May) so get yourself down there and hear whats in store, what its all about etc. (and bring your $20 to join if you want to join)

[pipray]

sounds like a good move in a great direction!

Sooo for someone who can't make it to the meeting but wishes to support the Marinators and the CC Leagues my option would be to go in to ccl after May 7th and join both the Marinators and the CC Leagues?

[Jeff (LouMacari)]

Pipray, if you wish to join, then that would be the way to go. Go into the leagues club and join up to both.

[MrCelery]

I'm afraid I'm going to have to go against the common feeling here and say that I'm not keen on the idea of vocal supporters areas organising such things as boards, officials, et al.

Nothing personal, I don't join GGA or The Fanatics, Supporters Clubs, etc. for the same reason.

It's just that I've had long experiences where this type of approach attracts 'Little Hitlers' who crave power and glory. I hasten to add that no one currently involved is anything like that. But that's how it starts.

I also find, that despite the good intentions, such official bodies become exclusive rather than inclusive.

I come from a belief that the power of the Marinators comes from the fact that everyone is of equal 'rank', natural leaders just are that - natural, and lack of structure is what makes it special.

I also find that meetings and Minutes, and elections, etc. might be someones idea of a 'good time', but I get enough of that at work!

I hope I'm wrong, and I wish everyone involved well, but it's not for me.

Marinators till I die (still), but just unofficially! ;D

[kevrenor]

mrcelery said:

I'm afraid I'm going to have to go against the common feeling here and say that I'm not keen on the idea of vocal supporters areas organising such things as boards, officials, et al.

Nothing personal, I don't join GGA or The Fanatics, Supporters Clubs, etc. for the same reason.

It's just that I've had long experiences where this type of approach attracts 'Little Hitlers' who crave power and glory. I hasten to add that no one currently involved is anything like that. But that's how it starts.

I also find, that despite the good intentions, such official bodies become exclusive rather than inclusive.

I come from a belief that the power of the Marinators comes from the fact that everyone is of equal 'rank', natural leaders just are that - natural, and lack of structure is what makes it special.

I also find that meetings and Minutes, and elections, etc. might be someones idea of a 'good time', but I get enough of that at work!

I hope I'm wrong, and I wish everyone involved well, but it's not for me.

Marinators till I die (still), but just unofficially! ;D

You sure are Mr C! A founding one too!

If you can't be a Marinator without being a member of the CCLC club and a sub-club then the concept will have failed and will eventually die.

I agree with your sentiments in terms of the Marinators as a wider group - and have seen those things happen too - but for many of the reasons given in the notice there is a need for some core official body. I am actively promoting it on this forum, however I was not a party to the later deliberations.

It was decided at a public meeting last year of Marinators to form a sub-club of the CCLC called Friends of the Marinators to simply cover necessary official business and give legal protections.

There has obviously been a lot of very hard work put in by those involved and negotiations with the CCLC and Mariners, and I for one thank them! It does seem to have gone further than was talked about but CCLC will have naturally driven much of that before they agreed to the club. However with goodwill by everyone I am sure things will work very well.

Having said that I disagree with a number of detail aspects as they have turned out - this is also natural - it would be boring if we all agreed - but I will not air them here. I will not be at the meeting, but only as I will be on holidays interstate.

My concerns are minor and I'm ready and willing to be active inside the tent pissing out!

I hope as many Mariners fans as are able get behind this, and make it work well!

[brett]

I'm glad you have spoken up Mr Celery.

It's important to point out that people don't have to be a part of this if they don't want to. Not joining the club does not make someone any less of a Marinator.

I also take the romantic view that supporting the team should purely be about passionate people showing up at a match and doing what comes naturally. Not so much about meetings and minutes and bookkeeping.

However I am confident that this club is being formed for the right reasons. It's not power, or $, or status that the organisers are after. It's about taking necessary legal steps with the undertakings that our group does, to work on a large scale. If chucking in a bit more of an official structure helps get things done, then good on that too.

I also believe it will still remain a group of equals where if something needs to get done, whoever has the time and the dedication will put their hand up and do it, president, committee member, normal member or non-member marinator. PARTICULARLY on match day.

So, committee member or not, my personal view is to be a part of this group to help direct it in that ideal direction. Passion, inclusiveness, support of the Mariners! Keep the eyes on the prize.

A lot of us have big dreams for bay 16 (ahem...the HOME END!) that can hopefully one day be realised. We have a long way to go. Unlike South America or Europe where these things happen by tradition and culture, dreams just aren't enough to make it happen here.

[travellingman]

Politics and legalese is now sneaking into the Marinators.
Who is going to become el Presidente? Let the elections begin! Step forward all Machiavellians!
The revolution is near and only those who can brown nose their way to the top (much like the Liberal Party really) will get a title. Bay 16 to become Marinators Club only due to a concern from Stadium and Mariners about supporters behaviour (of course Bays 15 and 17 will still be open for anyone but you know you wanna all be in Bay 16 right?). Entry to Kendall only available to Marinators Club due to crowd cocnerns by CCLC. Something happens and the office bearers spend all wekk getting it sorted instead of doing the job they have to pay their bills. Office bearers end up claiming out of pocket expenses, then eventually certain senior positions attracta wage.
Prove this all wrong by your actions, over the long term and I'll be happy.

[greenpoleffc]

In reality, if the club becomes a haven for people to behave like "little Hitlers", it will wither and die off.

I am prepared to give it a go and see what happens :-)

[Jesus]

I think that points must be put in place in the constitution to prevent a number of things.
There is currently the possibility of "little hitlers" stepping in and taking significant marinators donations if they wished. These are the sort of things the Officialdom will be there to prevent. For example, currently it would be quite easy i would presume to take small slices out of the finances.

As the group grows, and the sums become more significant this can lead to someone walking away with a fair chunk of change. That is why there is a need to have oversight of these things. The people doing the hard yards now are doing a great job, and will continue doing a good job in the future i am sure. But this offers them protection as well for their actions. Which I think is fair.

If people have concerns about aspects, then the best time to voice them is now and during the meeting. I think generally the vast majority of marinators would have the same concerns about appropriation of funds etc.

As for the Marinators members getting priority access to kendal etc it is another point. I would assume, that by the days that bluetongue is full of mariners fans, there will be more strain on resources. With regards to the kendal, since the marinators is part of the cclc, I dont think anyone could complain if number restrictions occured, just like members getting into troppo or whatever. It is the clubs decision and right to make it.

With regards to bay 16 etc I doubt that there will be a problem with this. Maybe some time down the line. Significantly. But I would expect it would be more likely that through the Mariners club itself they would sell seating as "Marinators"(not official marinators), rather than the Official Marinators being in charge of it.

Thats my 2c on the whole idea

[Jeff (LouMacari)]

'Douglas', have you sent in your 'nomination' application to Mick to be in the running to be a part of it if you are that concerened?

As far as "those who can brown nose their way to the top.." what the?.... Myself and ANYONE who has sent in their interest to Mick for a position should take great offence, but let me try and explain..
Those who end up in the positions stated in mick's post will be voted in there by YOU (and others just like you) so who should those seeking to be part of the committee 'brown nose' to Douglas? YOU?...not likely champ!

As far as the Kendall getting too small for the numbers that may end up wanting enty...It would be one of my desires to end up with the situation (very real possibility) where we have to ask the CCLC to provide us with the Scenic Lounge due to our large numbers! If that were to eventuate, I would see that as a major success for the Mariners / Marinators / CCLC / FFA / and anyone else who loves the game like we do!

Bay 16 being 'Marinators only' ...you really ARE out of the loop aren't you!
There has been (and will be even more this coming season) for as many 'core marinators' as possible moving out to bays 15 - 17 as we are approaching dangerous territory having 3 people per seat and it's time to 'spread out'! You see, thats what happens with growth, if it isn't properly managed it can get ugly and do you honestly believe that those who are trying to 'harness' the growth should be left legally vunerable for someone to take advantage of due to the fact anyone helping to do any organising have no 'legal umbrella' to protect them from litigation?

Jesus, you are correct about the money side of it. Do you know how much money is in the Marinators account right now? No? Would you know if someone DID take out a few hundred? No? The only reason I feel safe about the money at present is because of the people who are currently responsible for it, but what when they've had enough of the thankless efforts and want to move on? There is nothing in place to protect YOUR money. Thats also what this is about.

I honestly believe that with the right people in place and the constitution protecing ALL concerned, the Marinators can go from being one of the most liked groups of supporters to being THE benchmark for all to follow.

[Auburn Mariner]

Douglas,

Good to see you have an opinion, but I reckon what you written is complete rubbish (that's MY opinion).

1. Politics and legalese is now sneaking into the Marinators. - garbage. Ever run a club, or a League, mate? If you have, I urge you to nominate for a position.

2. Who is going to become el Presidente? Let the elections begin! Step forward all Machiavellians! - Pull your head in. Egos will be checked at the door, macho bull_hit has no place in this club. Yes, let the DEMOCRATIC elections begin.

3. The revolution is near and only those who can brown nose their way to the top (much like the Liberal Party really) will get a title. - Yawn. Talk about making statements with little or NO information, Douglas.

4. Bay 16 to become Marinators Club only due to a concern from Stadium and Mariners about supporters behaviour (of course Bays 15 and 17 will still be open for anyone but you know you wanna all be in Bay 16 right?). - To use a modern term, AS IF!!! Your comments are getting worse by the line.

5. Entry to Kendall only available to Marinators Club due to crowd cocnerns by CCLC. - Yawn again. Look at Macari's post, Douglas.

6 Something happens and the office bearers spend all week getting it sorted instead of doing the job they have to pay their bills. Office bearers end up claiming out of pocket expenses, then eventually certain senior positions attract a wage. - I take serious offence at this comment. Over my dead and rotting corpse. Complete transparency on all financial matters is and will be compulsory. The person who has nominated for Treasurer is very experienced, very committed and completely above reproach (and to prove there are no egos here, I declare IT IS NOT me!!).

7. Prove this all wrong by your actions, over the long term and I'll be happy. - Listen here, we don't have to prove ill-informed, lounge-chair critics like YOU wrong, Douglas. Again, I urge you to nominate for any position.

In summary, your comments are so far off the mark that they border on disgraceful. Come to the IGM on May 19 and see for yourself. By the way, ALL of the people that wish to be involved are of the highest personal integrity, are mad about the Mariners and only want to see us grow and prosper. What about you, Douglas?? What about you??

I'm Auburn, Douglas, and I will be at the meeting. I hope very much to see you there.

[MrCelery]

Ooops! I didn't intend to stir up a hornets nest.

Just goes to show that simply the notion can cause a degree of angst and divisiveness.

Still, nothing new is differences of opinion, so I can't blame that on the idea of an official 'club'.

I fully understand some of the motives, and they are certainly honourable.

In regard to money vanishing, a legal entity is no protection against that! Football is littered with dodgy financiers in official positions. Some are even owners of A-League Clubs!

As for voting for El Presedente, that'd be a toughie. Too many good candidates to pick from. All too hard, all too hard...

[MrCelery]

Now that my regular dose of 'The West Wing' is finished. Boo, hoo, sob, sob. Maybe I can use this Club idea as a way to get my fix of all things political.

Certainly the banter in Bay 16 is of the quality of the 'West Wing' series scripts! ;D