8 pm Baldy's buying first round

What's the difference between FC Voices and what you guys/gals are trying to launch? Genuine question.

When the club say jump an isa won't ask how high

Some of the above quotes are from some of the more sensible posters on this forum, which actually worries me. (thats not a criticism of the posters, it just gives me an insight into just how people are viewing this).

My "vision" for a new ISA would be an organisation that works with the club for the benefit of the club and its fans. It shouldn't be, IMO, a way of trying to force the club into doing what some of its members want. It should be a way of helping the club and bringing the fans together through events and fundraisers etc.

All this talk of the ISA being useless and toothless etc makes me wonder just what everyone else thinks the agenda of the new ISA will be? They should only really try to "challenge" the club on the really big issues when enough of the membership feel strongly about it. Most of its time should be spent on actually working to help the club to make it stronger.

Perhaps I'm in the minority with this but I get the feeling tonight will be more about ego than actually starting a worthwhile ISA. If so I will be finishing my drink and walking out the door.

I have said it a fair few times now an ISA is worth having regardless of what is happening at the club i.e. in good times and bad. For me the ISA should give people the opportunity to join (on a larger scale than FC Voices) and contribute to some social activities that are linked with the club, such as fund raising etc. We should be a group that can offer a voice for fans both directly or indirectly with the club and when and where appropriate that voice should be an alternative and objective one.

We should be in place to represent fans from all backgrounds and be willing to challenge the club, though media outlets if we feel it is required (such as Friday night games etc). I would eventually like the ISA to work closely with the club on many issues, while remaining independant and objective, without becoming egotistical and militant...i can't see a problem with this approach.

Looks like we have the same point of view on this. I just have a feeling it may come down to who can shout the loudest tonight.

Well let's hope that isn't the case and we are positive in what we want the new set up to represent and achieve.

My post wasn't intended to be critical of the new HISA in any way, although I can see how it could be read that way. I was really making the same point as you - that talk of 'teeth' kinda misses the point of what the new organisation should be about. If the new HISA is set up with some idea of being confrontational from the off and trying to force the club to do stuff rather than working to persuade where necessary and in partnership otherwise then it will be a colossal waste of time and will go the way of the previous organisation pretty rapidly.

IMO there is still a role for an ISA and FC Voices to play regardless of the welcome changes announced yesterday. It just needs a bit of vision and a willingness to work with the club rather than against it.

There seems to be a few level headed people that will be attending tonight, so I am sure we will get some possitive contributions. Saying that, I won't be parking that far away so I can make a swift exit if it does turn into a slanging match or a we want Kath out rally.

I do agree with the point you have made Robbo, I don't want to see any fan group being against the club constantly on every issue which may come up. I do however want them to be more than just a puppet and something the club feel they can control. The new ISA needs to be a positive group that works with the club and tries to help it but at the same time is able to challenge the club on big issues whcih may come up from time to time.

This idea however was born out of the fact that people were calling for Agar's head, players to be dropped and sack the board so I am not particularly hopeful that you will get what you want.

I would say that very much depends on who you end up on the comittee, from reading around I'd say that while that may be the intent I suspect it will go one of two ways

1) Be egotistical & militant
2) Accused by some of being toothless and in the clubs pocket.

both of which would be a great shame IMHO.