Though I acknowledge that everyone has a right to whinge and moan about the current situation at the club, personally I find it distasteful and have no wish to wring my hands in public.

This doesn't mean that I think that everything is fine - far from it. I just can't see what negative sounding-off will achieve (while, of course, positive sounding-off would be ludicrous).

Instead, what I would love to get rid of this sense of frustration, would be to be able to DO something positive.

However, what is there? People, including me (though I was a latecomer), have tried an Independent Supporters Organisation. Typically for Bradford, though, that died of apathy. Could the new sense of frustration and urgency make the BISA concept viable again?

Wigan Bull suggested some sort of mechanism for people to volunteer their skills to help the club. Did anything come of this? Is there anyone who could help with the obvious current marketing and PR problems?

Any other ideas? Anyone?

See rlhttp://forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?t

If anyone is in the slightest bit interested in having another stab at a supporters' association (but I warn you, its far far far harder work than moaning and bellyaching that "someone should do something..."icon_wink.gif I'm still sat on a bank account with some funds in, as well as things like a constitution and other papers and notes.

And the best of luck. Given the general apathy and "somebody else should sort it" attitude amongst so much of the "fan" base, you'll need it.

What sort of things would be expected of members?

That would be for the members to decide. After all, it would be their Association. If they decided they would elect a Committee and expect them do all the work, and blame them when things did not happen, they'd soon find they had no Association.

Okey then, in a organsiation such as the one in question would would normally be the duties of members in a non commitee elected group?

I just don't know what goes on in such assosiations.

I am a member of a few voluntary groups & have been an active member of several others. They ALL rely on a tiny (5 or 6) dedicated bunch & usually have a finite life. By far the best option would be a team of volunteers working for the club, as long as the club had someone responsible for organising the workload. I would suggest that would have to be a paid post. It would also help to build bonds beteween the club & supporters.
I just don't see what an independent supporters' club would provide of benefit. Tons of effort & meetings, the odd meeting with the club - to what positive end?

That would pretty well sum up my position too.

For a start we could sponsor a player for next season. Anyone got an idea on how much it costs - we could try and sponsor one of the "younger" lads - eg Donaldson, Whitehead etc.

That would be a positive step - only work would be raising the initial funds - if we get anything from it, such as a game in one of the boxes, we hold a draw to see who gets it. The more you paid towards sponsorship, the greater the chance of winning?

Substander do something similar I believe and it does seem to go down very well.

That would be of benefit. But just organise it on here by PM. There is no need to formalise everything with committees, chair, treasurer etc. Just agree to stump up £50 each, or whatever, & who's it going to.
When I think of the time I've spent fundraising, meetings, events - all voluntarily - if I had had a second job doing those hours I could have given a million quid to charidy & kept the other million for myself.

The sort of idea I was after - thanks. Maybe any sponsorship should be for one of the 'scapegoat' players. We'd have a right to criticise if we were actually forking out money for him!

To extend the idea, several clubs have squadbuilder schemes. Anyone know if these are club- or supporter-organised?

Thats an excellent idea, not changing the world in one go, but its something we on here [imight [/ibe able to do, and it would make [isome [/ipositive difference, however small.

I think the squadbuilder idea is a good one. To launch it with the sponsorship of someone like Donaldson would be ideal. Perhaps our squadbuilder should be geared towards youth development alongside the Bulls lottery? I'd certainly be willing to make a one off contribution of £50 to set the ball rolling for some player sponsorship. I remember Wakey advertising player sponsorship on their website. A figure of around 1k a season rings a bell.. can anyone confirm if this is similar for the Bulls?

Hmmm. You're right - I hadn't looked at it for a while.

Given the request earlier in that thread I'll do a spot of deleting.

Everyone please take note. Serious thread / serious comments