MEMBERS FORUM MEETING 6/8/03

[Koalalill]

Paul Maley conducted Wednesday's meeting as we await the appointment/announcement of the Club's new Memebership Manager.

Firstly, can I say that I came away from our latest meeting very pleased because we (the Forum) got to see some tangible results from all the work Nadine, Paul and the Forum have put into the last 6 months.

Unfortunately, I am unable to discuss in detail what we were shown and decided on Wednesday because these things will be launched by the Club in due course when the Membeship drive for season 2004 is rolled out in October.

Some of the things discussed, agreed to;

2004 membership slogan.

Slogan for the rewards/recognition program.

And we were shown:

What the rewards program contains and its benefits.

What members will be receiving in their membership packs for season 2004.

As I said - cannot give out details but it is all very impressive. The CLub is focusing on their members big time - especially those who have been so loyal over the years. Customer service is going to be paramount for season 2004.

I reckon alot of you will be very pleasantly surprised and impressed with what the Club is doing.

 

[Rosy]

I don't know if I'll be surprised or impressed yet Lill, though I'm not really interested in frills.

One thing that's really irritated me this year is that when officials have been interviewed after yet another loss they invariably turn it around from onfield talk to talk of member bonuses and circuses.

To me our membership money is a donation. I realise that the more successful we are off field the stronger the club will be, but I'd prefer by miles to see a competitive team on the field and winning some games than flash facilities and trinkets with my membership card.

If they ever get their act together and play good footy memberships won't need added bribes to sell them.

Here's hoping that will happen next year.

 

[Koalalill]

To me our membership money is a donation. I realise that the more successful we are off field the stronger the club will be, but I'd prefer by miles to see a competitive team on the field and winning some games than flash facilities and trinkets with my membership card.

If they ever get their act together and play good footy memberships won't need added bribes to sell them.

I appreciate what you are saying Rosy I do. But one thing they need to do to get that competitive team is to have the funds to get quliaty players and that includes as many kids as we can and have a full list.

I don't see the things that they are going to offer as bribes. I know there was alot of talk on this site when the Motorola deal (the free phone deal) was announced and it was labelled a bribe. At that time I think we were 5-2 or 6-2 and still people wouldn't sign (maybe they could see into the future :-\). The fact was the club was desperate to sell memeberships and a generous sponsor offered something extra and it had the desired result.

Alot of the feedback says that members don't feel valued and recognised for their loyalty. Simply they don't feel part of the Club - they love the place and sign up but they don't feel part of it. The Club are trying to do something about it .

The rewards/recognition program is designed to address that very issue.

 

[Rosy]

. At that time I think we were 5-2 or 6-2 and still people wouldn't sign (maybe they could see into the future :-\).

I strongly suspect a majority of those not signing were seeing into the past rather than the future and had made that decision before the season started.

The Telstra deal, losing the red seats, the treatment of Knighter, the poor onfield effort last season all had plenty of members swearing never again.

 

[Koalalill]

The Telstra deal, losing the red seats, the treatment of Knighter, the poor onfield effort last season all had plenty of members swearing never again.

All of the things you have mentioned had an impact Rosy - no doubt about it. Even the Club has acknowledged it

There are a number of people on the forum who sat in the Red seats and were not happy about being moved - every meeting they lament their "demise".

Unfortunately that one was beyond the control of the RFC. Blame the MCC for that one

 

[Tigerdog]

Kl What about the thousands of people (like me) who held on to their old cards for x amount of time and then one day throw them all out in disgust or during a spiring clean? Or the people who simply dont keep these things once they have expired?
After all there isn't a great deal of sentimentality in a plastic card (I think my Dad still has our old VFL membership medallions from the VFL park days) particularly when we have been so bad for so long!

The fact that we have had computers in society for so long and yet people like the above, have to gather all their own evidence to prove themselves a loyal Tiger is a bit of a joke IMO.
I would say many wouldn't bother, and so, while this is an admirable initiative by the club IMO it won't necessarily reflect who is a 'true Tiger' (or whatever they are gonna call the scheme).

Just my take on it Kl no need to try and explain things on behalf of the RFC ok

 

[Koalalill]

TD - another common "complaint" for many supporters. I understand what you are saying - I am lucky that for some reason that I cannot explain have kept an old m'ship ticket from 1983 (I think bcos it has Tim Gepp's signature on it)

Their computer records go back to 1995 so for alot people will automatically be registered as memebers for 9 years. Having said that I know it doens't help you but I do know that a lot of people have been taken on there word. These are peole who have phoned and said and argued exactly what your post relates to.

 

[tiggytam]

KL, can you explain to me what is going on with old members, ie having to prove how long you have been a member. I have no idea, though I think it might have been 1996 I actually became a paid up member but couldn't prove it. Are they looking at only rewarding people who have been members for longer than 10 years (they have to start somewhere I suppose, I don't have a problem with that).

 

[Koalalill]

KL, can you explain to me what is going on with old members, ie having to prove how long you have been a member. I have no idea, though I think it might have been 1996 I actually became a paid up member but couldn't prove it. Are they looking at only rewarding people who have been members for longer than 10 years (they have to start somewhere I suppose, I don't have a problem with that).

Tiggytam,

The Club's data base for membership goes back to 1995. So if you have been a continous member since 1995 then their records will show it (for in 2004 you be a 9 year member) you do not need to prove that.

They have asked people to send in any form of proof they that shows that you have been a member loger than that. Alot of people have complained that they cannot do it. So if you have been a member longer that 1995 and cannot prove it at a minimum you'll be recognised as a 9 year member

They will be recognising all members who have been there consecutive years. Obviously, the longer you have been a member the greater the rewards but all members who have been there without a break will be recognised.

Hope that helps

 

[DragicevicFan]

what sort of recognition KL??

 

[Koalalill]

what sort of recognition KL??

I cannot give out specific details of the progam DF as 1) it is still being finalised and 2) an my view is we were told in confidence.

But by recognition it means continuous years as a member. What I can say is that earlier in the year Clinton Casey said one of the things the Club was looking out was rewarding members with access to finals tickets based on continuous years of membership. The idea behind that is simple in that if we ever make a GF ( :-\) and given the number of tickets given to competing teams then the longer you have been a member the more chance you have of getting a ticket.

Also they intend to publish everyones name in the annual report based on years of continuous membership.

I suppose the above probably sounds a bit "Ho-Hum" and alot people will say they don't care but the point is the Club working hard to reward people for what they have given to the Club year after year. I think alot of people would agree that the focus in the last few years in particular has been on getting new members or trying to re-sign lapsed members rather than giving back to those woh sign up every season without fail - despite the pain.

But there are other things that will be included and from a purely membership perspective (forgetting the on field for just a minute) it is a very impressive program they are putting together.

The program and the 2004 membership drive will be launched in October.

 

[jackstar]

Who actually cares if there is a loyalty program or not, why waste time on so much crap.
Did we hire Paul Maley for this? If so ,totally waste of money.
Why should I (a ton -up member) be treated or reconised any different from any other member, I join up on my choice for the year accordingly.
The club should concentate on getting the on field performance up to an acceptable , and before no time, membership will increase again.
Now thats a good stategy.
The way things are going now, who would really want to join to watch rabble

 

[Dean3]

Not necessarily true jackstar - look at Carlton - they have over 30,000 members and even less hope on the horizon than us. We should be able to regularly hit a high 20s, low 30s with ease. Like recruiting, our membership efforts have been poor and need improvement. Glad it is happening.

 

[Rosy]

Get Denis Pagan to coach Richmond and watch the memberships skyrocket.