2015 Brisbane Lions Board Elections - Democracy comes to town Dec 17th

[POBT]

The only thing I would say about "reclaiming Fitzroy" (which is a bloody good line and idea, by the way) is that the club does run the risk of reopening old wounds. There is obviously an element of former Fitzroy supporters who would object to the thought of the Brisbane Lions reclaiming that territory. I'm not suggesting we actively market towards those former FFC supporters but we also don't want to antagonise them. Whatever we do in Melbourne, it needs to be done with sensitivity.

 

[James Kliemt]

Some fantastic discussion here guys, exactly the sort of things I was talking about.

This is what I mean when I talk about engagement and putting the fans first. These are the sorts of conversations I think the club should be having with its members all the time.

I do agree that there is a sizable group of Victorian Brisbane Lions members with really longstanding and deep ties with Fitzroy. Despite the really good work the club is doing on some fronts, I think in a lot of ways many of these people still feel disaffected by the club's lack of a strong relationship with the Fitzroy Football Club.

 

[tancas]

Very true, but no matter what you do someone out there won't be happy, this could be huge for the club and they shouldn't be afraid of a couple of old sour supporters.

If the club went about it passionately and with full commitment how could you fault them. At the end of the day you can't half claim to be apart of Fitzroy as to not rub salt on old wounds and expect to get support from the old lion supporters, you either don't bother at all or you do it right and to the fullest.

The club has to remind everyone that they are fitzroy, it is their original home and have every right to claim that. I believe by not claiming that you are giving the impression the club don't care and have moved on. This would be a shame.

With JB and Kevin Murray as the faces behind the campaign, the passion and heart they would put on display, who would dare question them.

 

[whatboutbob]

I'll never forget all the Lions pride on display along Brunswick St in the lead-up to the '01 granny. Might be asking for too much, but would be nice to get some more of that on more permanent display.

 

[MacMum]

The only thing I would say about "reclaiming Fitzroy" (which is a bloody good line and idea, by the way) is that the club does run the risk of reopening old wounds. There is obviously an element of former Fitzroy supporters who would object to the thought of the Brisbane Lions reclaiming that territory. I'm not suggesting we actively market towards those former FFC supporters but we also don't want to antagonise them. Whatever we do in Melbourne, it needs to be done with sensitivity.

As was stated a bit earlier by a poster, the Lions have done a damn good job with their gatherings etc for the fans down here....realisticly there is only so much, in the time limit they have here each game, that they can do.

Some people are hard to please unfortunately.

 

[BuntonRules]

Anyone know if I should've received my voting stuff yet?

Just got mine.

James Kleimt is an automatic for the vacant position to me. Not only for his work with TLR, but for the skill set he brings to the table - unique amongst the candidates & well suited to our needs for the future. Not forgetting his commitment to re-engaging our Fitzroy faithfull but also a voice for the "blue collar" supporters at the highest level.

My other decision is yet to be made - Ross Thornton or Peter McGregor. I would really like to see Ross up there, noting he put his hand up in our darkest hour. But Leigh, Mick Power, Andrew Wellington & McGregor are very much presenting a united front, & who knows who truly makes the moves at the meetings.

Personally, IMO it is a shame Bob Sharpless's name is not on the ballot paper - that would make the decision so much easier.

 

[Skoob]

The only thing I would say about "reclaiming Fitzroy" (which is a bloody good line and idea, by the way) is that the club does run the risk of reopening old wounds. There is obviously an element of former Fitzroy supporters who would object to the thought of the Brisbane Lions reclaiming that territory. I'm not suggesting we actively market towards those former FFC supporters but we also don't want to antagonise them. Whatever we do in Melbourne, it needs to be done with sensitivity.

I wonder if we were marketed in Melbourne as "The Lions Football Club" as opposed to "The Brisbane Lions". Not suggesting a name change for the club, just the way it is presented/marketed in Melbourne. It is done with other products, different names in different regions, just recognising your market and selling what they want or find easier to identify with.

 

[MacMum]

Sorry, but I disagree.....we ARE the Brisbane Lions and if after all this time people still get offended by the Brisbane part of our name, then too bad..

..they aren't real supporters imo......and not worth worrying about.

We are who we are...no name change, or sugar-coating it will change that fact.

The club does its best under the circumstances they are in.

 

[dooglyblack]

I love all the positive coming from the club since the new administration but am weary that the AFL will dictate an agenda to grow the game in Western or Northern "growth" corridors. Brisbane can sustain a large membership base. A training facility should be located in Brisbane for this reason. A simple page on website listing all the venues being assessed with a pros and cons column alongside - simple and effective.
Also think there should be one membership price - between $10 and $50. ANYONE with a membership is entitled to vote on club issues. Then you purchase a seat. I might be a $15 general admission or a $1500 corporate suite beauty. Regardless everyone still has a say on club issues if your a member - not just those who can afford it.

 

[Hollow Knight]

I love all the positive coming from the club since the new administration but am weary that the AFL will dictate an agenda to grow the game in Western or Northern "growth" corridors. Brisbane can sustain a large membership base. A training facility should be located in Brisbane for this reason. A simple page on website listing all the venues being assessed with a pros and cons column alongside - simple and effective.
Also think there should be one membership price - between $10 and $50. ANYONE with a membership is entitled to vote on club issues. Then you purchase a seat. I might be a $15 general admission or a $1500 corporate suite beauty. Regardless everyone still has a say on club issues if your a member - not just those who can afford it.

Would that sort of uber cheap voting membership allow wealthy types to purchase a large number of votes?

 

[dooglyblack]

Would that sort of uber cheap voting membership allow wealthy types to purchase a large number of votes?

Surely it could be safeguarded against such unscrupulous behaviour. A member must be a real individual verified by a photographic I.D.. I currently have a young family and only purchase a general admission season pass but am as passionate about club issues as the bloke in the corporate suite. I just don't like that you need around $600 a year to vote
Here is an opportunity to become a members club in the true sense. Lets build a model that becomes the envy of every other club.

 

[Hollow Knight]

Surely it could be safeguarded against such unscrupulous behaviour. A member must be a real individual verified by a photographic I.D..

I meant more of a branch stacking situation. If voting memberships were $10 you could potentially buy a board position for $5000-$10,000. Could buy a board with a bit more money. Some hypothetical property developers have a lot of hypothetical dollars to spend, especially if the returns on doing so are exponentially better.

On the same vein, while I agree that the dollar value of your membership is in no way a reflection of your level of passion, I have no problem with voting rights having a degree of financial limitation to them. Loose analogy time... I might be more passionate about BMWs than the rich guy next door. I may feel as entitled to one as him, but he is the one that paid the price. We live in an exchange economy.

I think it is a bit of a clever word play to say you should have voting rights "whether you are are in a 15 dollar general admission seat or a $1500 corporate suite" because it seems to suggest that the latter is what you need to spend to get voting rights.

I think the membership packages required for voting rights are a reasonably balanced proposition that reflect a modest but appreciable annual contribution to the club. This balance is important.

 

[dooglyblack]

I don't suggest through word play that you require $1500 to have voting rights but the fact remains that unless you have $460 notes you don't get a say. I believe the membership packages represent good value but am simply saying unless you have that money you don't get a say. I currently have a young family and that money is currently a priority elsewhere.
I guess the reason I suggest a different model is to forever avoid a situation of disconnect like we saw with the last administration. A disconnect that split the club and, had the AFL not flexed its muscle, done irreparable damage to the club.

 

[chopperduck]

That was the fault of the Administration ignoring the membership base, who pays what for a membership doesnt impact that at all. There is nothing wrong with having to cough up to be a member. The price needs to be set somewhere, and there will always be someone who cant afford it no matter what.

 

[dooglyblack]

That was the fault of the Administration ignoring the membership base, who pays what for a membership doesnt impact that at all. There is nothing wrong with having to cough up to be a member. The price needs to be set somewhere, and there will always be someone who cant afford it no matter what.

Thats where we disagree. I believe the price to vote should be affordable for all, no matter what.

 

[Haso]

Come the revolution, we will all have voting rights!

Arriiba!!!

 

[tancas]

I meant more of a branch stacking situation. If voting memberships were $10 you could potentially buy a board position for $5000-$10,000. Could buy a board with a bit more money. Some hypothetical property developers have a lot of hypothetical dollars to spend, especially if the returns on doing so are exponentially better..

Yeah but think of our membership numbers!!!!

 

[Cousin Jed]

It's about time pet members got a vote too.

 

[chopperduck]

Thats where we disagree. I believe the price to vote should be affordable for all, no matter what.

"Affordable" is subjective. What is affordable to you isnt for someone else. Why should to club make something as important as voting rights, something reserved for full members, so easy and accessible to every man and his dog. I dont want Jo Blow who has been around 5 minutes and follows the team part time voting on important matters.

People that can put up their hard earned generally do so to be a part of the club. There is always going to be things that you want but cant afford, such is life.

 

[Skoob]

"Affordable" is subjective. What is affordable to you isnt for someone else. Why should to club make something as important as voting rights, something reserved for full members, so easy and accessible to every man and his dog. I dont want Jo Blow who has been around 5 minutes and follows the team part time voting on important matters.

People that can put up their hard earned generally do so to be a part of the club. There is always going to be things that you want but cant afford, such is life.

That's fine, although I feel it unfair that a $155 GA membership gets voting rights, but a $180 Home GA membership doesn't.

 

[POBT]

Rather than cheapen the price of memberships, I'd rather see the ability for non-voting members to pay an additional cost in order to get voting rights. If someone pays their $70 as an armchair supporter (or whatever that is called), then for an additional cost, they should be able to turn that membership into a voting one.

 

[Skoob]

Rather than cheapen the price of memberships, I'd rather see the ability for non-voting members to pay an additional cost in order to get voting rights. If someone pays their $70 as an armchair supporter (or whatever that is called), then for an additional cost, they should be able to turn that membership into a voting one.

Wouldn't mind that at all. For a season GA member, I would pay $40 or $50 for voting rights (on top).
The thing is, I like GA, but it is also about as much as I'm going to spend for a season ticket. Full membership is out of reach, particularly as I prefer to sit at the fence in the pocket anyway. I think it is a poor measure or reason to exclude people from voting.

 

[alscotoz2]

It's interesting to read how people who think their vote will make a difference to the big picture. I wouldn't pay extra to have a vote, I'd have to say.

I really like James's pitch. If he were to be elected, given he is 'unaligned' (I think), how loud would his 'voice' be?

 

[Viceregal]

I meant more of a branch stacking situation. If voting memberships were $10 you could potentially buy a board position for $5000-$10,000. Could buy a board with a bit more money. Some hypothetical property developers have a lot of hypothetical dollars to spend, especially if the returns on doing so are exponentially better.

Huge mental picture of the later period of the Roman Republic with wealthy politicians owning whole rafts of clients and parlaying their excess wealth into political capital ... of course it does still happen that way but having whole bays bought out by various interest groups...**

In any case - how do the bigger / more established clubs handle the membership/voting rights issue - is it many and varied or fairly standard or .... ?

** assumes that control of the Lions Board brings something of value##

## pubic minded, high spirited, community focused, philanthropic property developers excluded of course

 

[dlanod]

I really like James's pitch. If he were to be elected, given he is 'unaligned' (I think), how loud would his 'voice' be?

"Alignment" doesn't really matter too much on a company board. It's not like politics where everyone votes the party line all the time.