I guess I'll have to make myself scarce around here, which will no doubt please quite a few TCers, as I won't be taking out membership this year.

Continued poor membership service, poor communication and an increasing disrespect toward grassroots membership and democracy has swayed me to step away in protest.

Have been proud to be a member over the years, especially during the last decade during the dark years and to have my name on the Blue Believer wall at the Visy Centre.

I'll be lurking....

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There's so much I could say...

Make sure you inform the club of your decision budzy or your protest will go unheeded.

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"One of my favorite philosophical tenets is that people will agree with you only if they already agree with you. You do not change people's minds." - Frank Zappa

I hear what you're saying budzy, just try living in NSW and being a member.

Are the 2 decisions (not renewing, and stepping away from TC) related at all?

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And so while others miserably pledge themselves to the pursuit of ambition and brief power, I will be stretched out in the shade, singing.

not really... just couldn't be bothered with the inevitable 'you're not a member so shut your mouth' TC routine ...I'll just lurk

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There's so much I could say...

I agree. Amazing really.

I thought it was a bit too generous for the $45...but then again it's all made in China...which shits me no end.

Somebody had to be exploited: people, environment and quality. I'm just guessing.

At the end of the day, I was pleasantly surpised, and young Carlton (full member) wanted what his baby brother received too....so it did receive the applause of the junior Bluebaggers.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

I don't know what to say budzy?

Stick by your principles or suck it and see if they improve.
I agree with the points you make.

I too am looking that way for 2011, but had already bought my family's, friends', friends' kids and even clients' kids memberships, and the merchandise etc etc...but I agree the members and even the supporters who are not members are being taken for granted. (see my post after the Sydney tarining session for reasons: not in the training thread)

I bet Houla will probably become the hardest and toughest player in the team now that you will be lurking.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Anyone notice the snippet in the Hun today about arm sleeve tattoos that are part of the kids membership?

WTF is that all about?

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

Interesting one DUC.

The kids receive an arm stocking ...allright, sleeve as part of their membership package.

My kid doesn't like it...I did, but it's too small for me...and too colourful and busy to be noticeable as Carlton.

It's not that good, but then again, it's not that bad...it's different.

Concept is good...design is average....too busy.

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Everyone looks good in Navy Blue

Membership up to 28,290

Bring back the graph

Anyone know how these numbers compare to this time last year?

2009 = 29,736

So we are down by 1,446 YOY.

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“It is a state of mind, a system of belief, a way of seeing the world, a deep faith that, because you are Carlton, you belong to something great.” - Mike Fitzpatrick articulating what Out of the Blue means.

Thank you

Got my membership in the mail on Wednesday, after getting it online just a week earlier....

I'm impressed!

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Circumstance has no value. It is how one relates to a situation that has value. All true meaning resides in the personal relationship to a phenomenon, what it means to you.

Still haven't received my membership card, nearly 8 weeks on from ordering it.

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Premierships: 1869, 1871, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, 1887, 1906, 1907, 1908, 1914, 1915, 1938, 1945, 1947, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1979, 1981, 1982, 1987, 1995.

"GIBBS."

Recieved my social club membership about a week after I ordered it online, so very impressed with the quick turnaround. The only thing I will say is that when I tried to call the membership department to ask a question my calls just rang out. This happened about three time before someone answered. Anyhow I don't mind so much, but newcomers might see this as a lack of service.

Todays HUN has an article on membership numbers.
It has only the 10 Vic clubs and we are 6th,,,,,,,,behind Richmond!

Seriously! We're behind Richmond?? OMG!

It seems the alarm bells are ringing.

http://www.carltonfc.com.au/news/newsar ... fault.aspx

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There's so much I could say...

[/quote]

I dont get this article if our real figure is 30,563 then why does the CFC website say our membership is 28,290. No wonder the papers figures are wrong. . Is it me I cannot see what point Swann is trying to make if our web site is wrong then fix that first before saying the paper has the wrong figures.

Here's my two cents worth. I believe there are a variety of reasons for the poor figures:
1. Fevola
2. The club did not atone itself for the publicity disaster that was the boat cruise. It needed to make a big gesture to the community, such as a fundraiser for a community group etc.
3. The 2010 marketing slogan is an absolute shocker.
3. Over the summer, whenever Sticks was interviewed he came across as being evasive and hostile.
4. The membership section of the website is quite confusing, and in my opinion, poorly designed. Check out Hawthorn's membership site if you want to see a clear, well presented site.
5. A Hawthorn 11 game reserved seat membership costs $248. The Carlton equivalent costs $349. That's a massive price difference.
6. There is a general sense of poor customer service. eg The phone often rings out when trying to contact the membership department; memberships take a long time to arrive etc

Personally I think our marketing and membership departments need a good shake-up.