Ok...it's tonight....not that you'd know about it. On November 1st, the club put something on the website. Since then - nothing. Meanwhile, also at the MCG, Collingwood have moved into the 21st century and are encouraging members/supporters to follow the live chat coverage of their Club’s AGM on collingwoodfc.com.au from 6pm (AEST), and to join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #piesagm.

It's simple and smart. Most importantly - it's inclusive. In the meantime, Carlton release a 2011 yearbook with a message from CEO Greg Swan stating -

"...One of our key focuses, as outlined in the Strategic Plan was to further engage our members and supporters. To ensure our members feel closer to the club..."

Are these the actions of a club ensuring members feel closer to the club? Not in my book. Looks to me like they don't want supporters (read investors) to turn up. To an AGM. Incredible.

As an aside - I have a pre-existing dinner engagement and cannot make it tonight. Hopefully some questions get some answers...e.g Ignoring the Sydney market in 2012...Will the club address this in the pre-season or throughout the year?

The Spirit of Carlton fiasco. People put thousands of their hard earned into this and had to go looking for answers and still haven't got any. How will it work - if at all - to the common supporter in 2012?

They're just 2 of mine. I hope members have some others. What I hope I don't hear via the grapevine is the 'away' jumper question...folks - it's a requirement, it's here to stay and it brings in added merchandise revenue.

For those of you who make your way there in 2 hours time...ENJOY!

I'll be heading down after work.

It took a couple of searches to find the start time. They're certainly doing a good job discouraging those pesky supporters from attending.

Looking forward to a couple if questions being prefaced with 'Im a passionate member' and standing around aftewards with a couple of free beers while the directors huddle together to further discourage questions.

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"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

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Odds of someone asking why we didn't draft Fev?

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Held at the G? - If it were at visy I'd have been able to pop down to check it out and ask a question or two on communication (ie lack of AGM reminder/mention in the lead up to the AGM - either on the club website or facebook)

There have been a couple of updates via twitter, but I still think Doc's points are good ones. Oh, and, erm, thanks for the reminder.

- Membership currently at 15,094; up 27% compared to same time last year
- Scotland, Walker and Carrots made life members

Looks pretty packed -> http://yfrog.com/h053906119j

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- No Fev questions
- got the question on the away jumpers
- Carrots, Scotty, Tex and Sam the doorman life members
- Stephen Moulton has overseen review of the constitution, which has led to the changes in voting rights. Good news is voting rights for long distance members will be reviewed in time for next years AGM
- membership up substantially on this time last year
- retired $700k of debt
- spending even more on football department next year
- plans underway for 150th celebrations. Cant decide which year it should be, in the 150th year or year after
- mentioned growth of social media and membership dept working hard to improve
- three members of the board will retire next year and the goal, over a few years, is to have nine on the board

Lots more obviously and Im sure others will pick up on points I've missed, some may even come to me.

One point I'd like to make though, there was a question about the number of night games and the difficulty it presents for members who need to travel. Greg Swann answered by saying we have one request for the draw (ours was to play a home game during he day against Collingwood early in the season) and we have little influence over the draw. I think many of us understand that TV has a huge say in the draw and our sponsors benefit from greater exposure with the higher audiences at night...so acknowledge that point as well rather than treating us like idiots.

_________________
"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

Thanks heaps Brad.

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Anyone ask about Phil Hughes?

Hughes will be safe. He made a gutsy 20 (2nd top score) and he is from NSW.
Thanks for the reports, was unable to attend tonight.

A couple more points.
Sticks indirectly indicated we will be moving to the "G" when the time comes.
All the new boys spoke well especially Dylan Buckley.
Ratts gave an impassioned speech about how we demand success. He`s sounding better as time goes on.
Andy McKay gave a quick talk without really getting into what his role would involve.
Greg Swann said the umpires are tenants at Visy and it was funny watching Ray Chamberlin wriggling around out there.
Sticks accidentally introduced Richard Newton as Richard Pratt.

Did poor old Jeannie fall off her chair?

Sticks also mentioned this and that after the semi final Chamberlain is lucky to still have a job

Great to catch up for a beer

_________________
"The ability to speak doesn't make you intelligent." Qui-Gon Jinn 15-05-2005

"there’s more chance of me becoming the full forward for the [Western Bulldogs] than there is of any change in the Labor Party." Julia Gillard 18-05-2010

That point was clearly made in Kernahan's follow up response to the question.

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Oh ok then, the AGM was on, who would've known

Any mention of how much debt we're looking to pay down next year now the porkies are on board?

What is our official debt level again?

Swann said about $7 mill.
He said we will continue to work on reducing debt but football dept` spending would also rise.
Didn`t specify dollar amount earned from pokies (they only came on towards the end of this year) or where that money would go.

Thanks whistler

cheers Brad and PPW

Brad, re the clash strip - any mention if we are keeping the current or going for a new design (hopefully with our traditional navy and white) ?

So no one asked about the SoC?

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Was Andrew Walker presented with a new hat?

I must have missed the news regarding SOC, as I have been very busy the past few months. Maybe one of you could elaborate a little.

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