Swans Supporters Inc - Q&A

[SSI]

After discussion with the RWO forum managers, it has been decided that it is not appropriate at this point for SSI to participate in a chat session as has been requested by some on RWO. Instead, the managers have suggested that questions be provided by RWOers and that these will be responded to.

This thread has been established for that purpose. Please post your questions to SSI in this thread.

The next committee meeting for SSI is scheduled for Thursday 13 March in the evening. We will endeavour to have responses back as soon as possible after this.

Some of you have questioned why SSI has not specifically engaged on this board. This not an attempt to avoid discussion, more a reflection that other communication channels have been established with SSI. Further, whilst the people on RWO generally appear to be frequent Internet users, not everyone is. This should not be seen as an attempt to avoid discussion. SSI has engaged with many Swans members and supporters via its email and fax list (note that there are hundreds of Swans supporters who are on our list who do not have internet access), through its cocktail party last year and in discussions with many people at the NSO game.

[Charlie]

Question #1
Your website mentions a "provisional board". If so, when are the SSI board positions going to be open for election? Will all board positions or only some be open for election? Will Arunas Carl Blandis' position as Chairman be up for election?

Question #2
Why is it your stated aim to get *SSI* members onto the Swans board, either through election or appointment? Why isn't it enough to simply get voting rights?

Question #3
Does the afore-mentioned stated aim mean that SSI members are expected to vote according to 'party line'?

Question #4
What actual evidence do you have that you were "instrumental in getting Paul Roos appointed as coach"? Does this mean that you believe it to be acceptable that fans try to subvert Swans management decisions?

Question #5
What is SSI policy on voting rights for full Swans members who are under 18 years of age?

Question #6
The SSI website claims that it is a stated aim to assist the Swans in broadening the club's membership and support bases. How do you intend to do this?

More questions will come, but this will do for now.

Charlie Goodman

[desredandwhite]

remember to keep this non-abusive, folks. I think it's only fair to give the SSI representatives the right to respond to any questions/concerns. Keep it to questions only please, keep all "discussion" on other threads.

For my part...

1) "Promote links between Sydney-based and non-Sydney-based supporters of the Sydney Swans. " - What plans are in place for this?

2) Apart from voting rights, is SSI planning on encouraging other benefits for members?

3) Given that SSI is commited to (as above) promoting links between the Sydney-siders and interstate members, how will they be involved with the meetings etc that are held by SSI? Should there be places on the SSI board for interstate representatives?

that's it till I can think of more.

[Charlie]

Question #7 What specialised expertise can members of the SSI board (in particular Arunas Carl Blandis) bring to the SFC board if they are elected/appointed?

Question #8 What is SSI policy on Victorian members? What would SSI do to ensure a better situation for Victorian members? Would the interests of Victorian members come second to the interest of Sydney-based members, or are Victorian members seen as equal to Sydney-based members? How can Victorian based members take part in SSI if they were inclined to do so?

[robbieando]

What is SSI views on the "entire" club history including before 1982?

What are your favoured options for member voting rights eg 1 spot at a time or all in 1 go?

What plans do you have for Victorian members and fans and what would you like to see don't to resolve many of the problems that many in Victoria have with the club in this regard?

ACB are you lining yourself up for a run for a seat on the board or are you planing not to run in the interest of fairness?

Do you plan any fundrasing events to help the club out which is seen in England with supporter clubs which in some cases have help clubs out of finanical problems.

Why SSInc when Swans Supporters Club would sound less like a business and something more like a club for members which I think is the aim?

[Rizzo]

One of the stated aims of SSI is:

"The appointment and/or election of SSI members who are Members of the Sydney Swans to the Board of the Sydney Swans"

How will SSI do this? By block voting?

Will SSI members stand for election on their own platform or the platform of SSI? If it's SSI's platform then can this be articulated?

Will this aim be pursued for the first board election?

This stated aim appears in the list before:

"Progress towards achieving full voting rights for members to the Board of the Sydney Swans Limited"

Isn't this getting the cart before the horse? Wouldn't SSI case for full voting rights for members be stronger if the appointment of SSI members wasn't also on the agenda?

[Rizzo]

When can we expect some answers? Cheers.

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by Rizzo
When can we expect some answers? Cheers.

According to the original message "The next committee meeting for SSI is scheduled for Thursday 13 March in the evening. We will endeavour to have responses back as soon as possible after this."

so I wouldn't expect anything until the weekend at best. Seems a bit strange that these basic questions can't be answered before a committee meeting is held though.