Shouldn't speak on behalf of others but I get the impression everyone would be happy for you to be there.

I would love nothing more than to come back to these boards in months to come with us talking about the CFC in glowing terms.

Make it happen CFC. It's really not as hard as you may think it to be.

Nah...believe me - not everyone would like to see me there! It's an informal gathering. I'm personally looking forward to hearing what Luca and co have to say - because let's be honest - Ian Coutts staff have done some impressive things despite him - and with him now gone - I'm hoping they've only just scratched the surface...and also what Carlton Football Club members have to say. Remember - I'm not a member. I have no financial stake invested in the Carlton Football Club.

Synbad should really be coming along tonight though...

Prefers the anonymity that's is the internet.

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dane's trolling again

Cha ching!

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He's far from anonymous. Although more often than not when he's out and about pressing the flesh gets mistaken for Jake Niall...

Ya!!! im anonymouse..... im shy.. and i only like to hide behind the comp...

Probably half the main posters on here have met me and know me personally.. meaning we keep in contact outside of here with varying frequency .... even talk about more than footy...

Im no shrinking violet

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Was a good night. On the way out the TC contingent agreed that Doc wil do a bit of write up about the proceedings.

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TC suffers from the social media illness - the death of respect and constructive discourse by keyboard.

Yes, you are a much nicer in person - grumpy old Greek... Would have been good if you had shown up.

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TC suffers from the social media illness - the death of respect and constructive discourse by keyboard.

Still couldn't get you to go!

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dane's trolling again

Something for the interstate members, voting rights was again voted on and agreed by the board that the 11 game membership was the baseline for qualification.

What I would suggest is find out who is going to represent your local supporter group at a club forum for interstate supporter groups early next year. An great hence to put this to topic on the table for 2014.

A good night. Very informal. Chatted in small groups prior to sitting around in a circle which felt a bit like an AA meeting, but it worked well. Board members present were Zac Fried and Ryan Trainor. Carlton Staff present were CFO; Jason Reddick. Brand & Sponsorship Manager; Jay Allen, GM – Consumer Business & Digital Marketing; Clinton Bown, Membership Operations Manager; Nicole Rowlings, Membership Relations Officer; Daniel Fraser, Social Media Co-ordinator; Luca Gonano and Multimedia Co-ordinator; Alison Smirnoff. All very positive, all good to talk to. Probably only about a dozen supporters present though.

I spent most of my time one on one talking with Zac and Clinton. I made Nicole aware of the Gold Coast deal. She seemed receptive to the idea of a cooler. The comments and ideas thrown around were many and varied but centered mainly on a unified message, more transparent and consistent communication and the clubs foray into increasing its involvement in digital space.

* Less 'Blueprint' than last season. Looking at once a month rather than once a week.
* Increase in podcast content with a view to having consistency throughout the week.
* A number of people in the room requested greater Northern Blues News.
* Would consider digital content as part of membership packages next year. Interstate members currently getting raw deal would benefit in particular.
* Alternate jumper looks great. White version, but with more navy blue on bottom, top and wider blue stripe on sides.
* 2014 slogan will be 'We Are The Navy Blues'.
* Ruffy did forums+video off own volition. No involvement from Comms Dept.
* Need 60,000 members to be able to show AFL they are too big for Etihad. Stadium negotiations begin this year. Our contract at Etihad expires at the end of the 2014 season.

There is clearly a breath of fresh air flowing through the place now that Ian Coutts is gone....(well, final day is Friday). This is a smart group of people who understand how to grow the brand at Carlton. Not being afraid to leverage outside ideas from supporters is a fantastic initiative. I would encourage those of you who had doubts to get along next time Luca sends out an invite. Thanks to Ryan and Zac and staff for their time (they all peruse this site often), the beer, finger food, books, Mars Bars and the cooler.

...nah - just joking. There was no cooler. But there might be next time!

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"I had to eat"

Much appreciated to Doc for the write up and those that gave the time of themselves because they care.

A sincere thank you to you all along with obviously the CFC for not fearing connecting themselves with their audience.

It was interesting to hear about changes and the investment under way in the digital space. WE mentioned that communicating these changes to the membership is important as it increases transperancy and creates positivity.

I was impressed how much effort the club put into this - just see the list of participants. Pitty not more forum people showed up. Besides the TC flock, there were 2-3 big footy ppl and 1 from facebook, nobody from CSC.

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TC suffers from the social media illness - the death of respect and constructive discourse by keyboard.

There isn't anybody there either.

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"Hence you will not say that Greeks fight like heroes but that heroes fight like Greeks"?

Winston Churchill

A great investment also was the club integrating the lines of business databases into a single CRM. (Note: WIP)

This will dramatically increase the flexibility and efficiency within the club to deliver services and communications to members.

I'm a big fan of subscription based digital media if done right. Make it part of the membership package or sell separately, but either way the costs of production could be offset and potentially add further enhancement to the product delivered.

From the Blueprint to media announcements to full match replays or Carlton and Northern Blues, the content could be endless.

1st highlighted - Good initiative by the club. People lost interest in it mainly due to how our year ended up. Wouldn't be un-happy to see it start off weekly and then evaluate as season progresses.

2nd highlighted - Thank Goodness. The more navy blue the better I say.

3rd highlighted - We need to stand firm on this, no matter what our number is. Our fans don't enjoy going to Etihad and we would reach 60K members without a blink of an eye at the G. The AFL should not be dictating to us on where we are moving as a club. The Etihad move has been a disaster. I'm sorry but we should not accept anything this corrupt organisation throws at us to stay. If we do, our club will cease to exist as we have known it. That you can take to the bank.

The only cooler for you is the one Steve McQueen was in .. 'The Great Escape' next time you bugger up in here on TC.... and dont forget the baseball glove and ball....

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Did you go Surrey???

Theyre all excellent points....

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Due to recent budget cuts and the rising cost of electricity, gas, and oil....... the Light at the End of the Tunnel has been turned off. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Great report Doc, thanks for the info.

Was planning on going but got caught up elsewhere, sorry I missed it. Would love to hear what the Club took away from the night.