Guys,
The common thread that I see amongst us here is that as a group we understand each others love and commitment to SOFC. We will never all agree on a single topic or direction, but that is OK, the important thing is that we understand and comprehend our colleagues argument.
To be more specific, the broader SOFC community, understands and acknowledges Phoenix's and his family's contribution to the club as well as many other people over the many years of SOFC.
What we need to to do is understand what has happened to Phoenix et al and see if their grievances can be substantiated and if so what and how should they be addressed.
It is very obvious (despite what or who you shall believe) that significant events have occurred.
With the Gay Leaguein deep financial crisis, it is becoming more and more likely that SOFC will again take it's place in the top flight of football in Australia.
Let's focus on a number of points to make our reintroduction a success on all levels from day 1.
1. Get our house in order. We will never be able to keep everyone happy all the time, but we should have a professional process where
members can lodge grievances and have them heard and dealt with in a professional/corporate manner. Then valuable people like Phoenix won't feel the need to effectively abandon the club for the sake of of personalities not working for the greater good of the club.
(Please note: I'm using this example with Phoenix to illustrate the importance of having a independent process, I am not implying that Phoenix, his family or anyone else has fault or nor fault in his specific claims) In short, we have to keep our members happy.
2. Prepare to enter the top flight. Using the current FFA and NRL standards as a guide prepare all aspects to a stage where they are "switch ready" i.e. we may not have them ready, but we have all the commitments in place to act when the "green light" is given. Obviously, with the Bulldogs preparing for a return to Belmore, this should be easier, but we don't want to appear as a sub-letee but rather as a co-tenant. This may mean, for example:- our own dressings rooms, but definitely, neutral or jointly beneficial signage around the ground. Contributing to and working with the Bulldogs Sales department, targeting sponsors on the basis that they get NRL and "A-league" exposure when they come on-board as BSG sponsors, this list can go on and on.
3. Community engagement. I have said this next line many times. We must move away from the statement " We are a Greek club" we need to be " A focused Australian community club with proud unforgettable and unseverable roots in the Greek-Australian migrant community who acknowledges and respects all individuals who exhibit the traditional Greek-Australians values that hard work, commitment, honesty and trustworthiness will hold you high regards with your peers and community, and if you (no matter what your background) can exhibit these same values, your club is SOFC". We have to be the club of choice in the area, the club that all juniors aspire to representing and their reasoning should be as simple as "they look after me". We need to be a role model club, that doesn't tolerate drugs, irresponsible drinking, disrespect of others and self that respects, education, prepare players for life after football, use facilities available to us.
4. Political affiliation. Remember all governments come and go, build great relationships with major parties, Labor and Liberal (remember, a grant is a grant and I'll take it from any party). But we have to give back, when thay ask for a fundraiser or want us to be an event for them. Proudly attend and say "We are SOFC and we are here representing all our members"
5. Membership, membership, membership!!!! - This is one of the most confusing points for me. Over the years, I have "signed up" many times as a member, not once do I ever remember getting a renewal. The times that I did sign up, I never received any information of what my responsibilities as a member were (and yes all members should have responsibilities) nor did I get what the clubs responsibilities were towards me. This needs to be streamlined.
6. Ownership - No-one but the community should ever own the club. Simple.
7. Clubhouse - there are so many little clubs that go under or wind up all the time. Have we identified potential targets? What are we doing in prep? Unfortunately, I haven't been to Belmore in a while, what's the state of that bowls club just outside, is it still there? Can a steathlike hostile takeover be engineered? What other options do we have?
That's all I can think of at the moment. I'm sure their is alot more.
Mr Inde
