sunscreen
ponchos
indemnity forms
hi ho silver

The sticks don't get delivered with the packs due to size.
Pretty sure you get a voucher to pick up a stick for your flag at the membership tent at games or Carlton shop.

The sticks don't get delivered with the packs due to size.

Then you'll have some bogan family suing the club because their little ranga kid accepted the sunscreen from the 'Carlton employee' and the kid was allergic to the sunscreen and then for all future family days you'll have to sign an indemnity form and then the next thing you know some poor kid and his Grandpa Joe break the rules and then you'll have Greg Swann grabbing the mic and saying "Under section 37B of the contract signed by you, it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void if - and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy: I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera... Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum, et cetera, et cetera... Memo bis punitor delicatum! It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! You stole fizzy lifting drinks! You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and sterilized, so you get nothing! You lose! Good day, sir!"

It starts with a little free sunscreen...

Essendon* cheated, simple as that

Doc (I'm standing in for backinblue), I get the legal implications of having some sunscreen for some poor ranga bogan (and even then, I would argue it's up to the parents to bring the sunscreen for the poor kid's sensitive skin!). However, and we have argued on this on TC for a while now, CFC does not market to it's members well, if member involvement is part of their core business. If it's not, then I will just shut up until the end of the season and question my future $$ and commitment. A pity really because I love this club but I'm not sure the honchos who run CFC actually consider the members' commitment and participation, even as a pure numbers exercise.

Not odd. Old Indian message....... No flag while Sticks in charge.

Thought it was obvious.

sunscreen
ponchos
indemnity forms
hi ho silver

When is the rest of the membership package arriving for AFL/Carlton members,letter from the CFC states packages will be sent out in January???

Hi Stephen,

Not sure if its too late but I have a couple of things after I received my kit last night.

Renewing online is great, quick and simple but I cannot select individual players for each person (family membership). This year I selected Bryce Gibbs (I only get 1 choice). I got Bryce on my card and every other family member got Chris Judd.
The kids were pretty disappointed with their packs. The lunch box wasn't a big hit. The kids pack seem to be going backwards over the years.
I would prefer the scarf's to be delivered with the packs rather than picking them up, just for convenience.

Thanks

It was the stickless flag right?

Dear TC members,

On Monday 11 February, Clinton Bown and Nicole Rowlings were outstanding in giving me 90 minutes of their time to discuss the various issues raised on Talking Carlton. They fully appreciate the need for continuous improvement in the service offered by the Club to its members and they appreciate the sentiments expressed by many of you.

A couple of headline issues are that the Club has to find a balance between making members feel more valued and the need to operate within the budgetary constraints under which the Club operates and the restrictions under which the Club operates as are dictated by the AFL and the venues at which we play home games.

One very interesting fact is that of all Clubs in the AFL, we have the lowest conversion from supporters to members. Research has shown that we have something like 800,000 supporters (Roy Morgan research) with a conversion to 45,000 odd members in 2012. A club like the Western Bulldogs has something like 200,000 supporters and converts 30,000 odd into members.

The Club recognises the need to make membership a sense of belonging to our great Club - for members to feel valued and respected and appreciated for their contribution.

Now dealing with the issues raised:

• No fridge magnets in membership packs : as the Club has been keen to get membership packs out as early as possible, it was not possible to send out fridge magnets before Christmas. Fridge magnets will be sent out to members in March along with the season guide. Your fridge magnets will arrive!
• On disclosing personal information without proper validation : The Club has a process for this and training but accepts that in some instances some staff may not have been following this protocol – and that that is unacceptable. The Club will review their processes to ensure proper validation is undertaken before revealing any personal information.
• As for the items in membership packs -options - no more crappy packs and water bottles in kids packs etc : Whilst the idea of giving people the opportunity to select a certain number of items (say 3 out of 10), this is currently almost an impossible option because of a lack of understanding of the required volumes for each product. These products are manufactured in China and shipping takes 2-3 months. Whilst the Club could survey members, it would only be after a couple of years that it would have a good feel for numbers of each product and at present, in a climate of cost consciousness, it is impractical (note, other clubs have surveyed members and not got it right in terms of volumes per product). The Club is undertaking a full review of it membership fulfilment programme and it value proposition and is continuing to look at options for membership packs and believes that the products included for next season (2014) will be the best we have seen.
• On receiving emails from MM asking for commitment after you have already signed up as a member : The Club is investing heavily in a CRM system to better data profile members. Unfortunately, there have been limitations due to our existing databases and the Club is working hard to improve in this area.
• On the $200 raffle tickets: This is an issue. The Club needs to constantly find revenue to meet the rising costs of football. The raffle process has been an important revenue raiser and will continue to be so. However, once a person has said no, they should not be contacted again. Clinton has confirmed that the "no call" lists are to be re-enforced with its 3rd party supplier.
• On engaging better with members : the Club is looking to have more Member's forums. Talking Carlton members have already met with Clinton and Nicole in the past. There are forums on social media, for the Cheer Squad and for Interstate support groups in 2013.
• On recognising years of membership: The Club, together with other clubs, are looking at loyalty programs. They are very expensive to set up and accordingly, a collective effort will save money by getting others on board. The Club sees this as a priority.
• On reserved seating : there were many comments about the costs increases to "Captains Club", a waiting list, how years of membership should afford a discount as to costs of reserved seats. Level 2 premium reserved seating is at capacity. One TC member mentioned his/her 6 year old son and not being able to sit together once he had reached that age and needed a separate seat. This will always be a problem when there is no spare capacity. Even level 1 seating is filling out. It is a supply v demand issue. There is a waiting list of 300 on level 2 seating. There is no easy answer when there are space limitations.
• on online renewals and authentication issues : online membership purchasing has increased from 17% to 30% of total members in the past 2 years. Our website is controlled by the AFL and Ticketmaster. To a large extent, our online membership renewal system is a slave to the AFL and Ticketmaster.
• On the Blue Print : the Club has determined that the purpose of the Blue Print was for it to be an issues forum and not a review of the previous game. Accordingly it has been decided to broadcast fortnightly instead of weekly. As well, there is no fire wall to enable member only content.
• On member benefits : by being a Captains Club member, each week 2 members will be picked from a weekly draw to have access to double passes to the rooms both before and after the game. The Club is looking for more ways to involve members and give them inner-sanctum experiences. As well, the Club is working on a "Ghost Tour of Prices Park" to be hosted by Tony de Bolfo. They will be night tours that will involve being taken into the training facilities. There will be a minimal charge to cover catering costs.
• On being able to hand back an unused seat - a la Melb Victory : apparently Essendon* were granted a trial of this last year by the AFL. the Club is looking into it.
• On Member only bays : we do have "member only" bays but what often happens is that Carlton members give their tickets to opposition supporters - very difficult to police. The tickets are not transferable but who is going to check?
• On father/son, father/daughter, mother/son, mother/daughter membership: this is an idea worth exploring and the Club will look at it.
• On building your own type of membership : this is difficult - again we are limited by the AFL and Ticketmaster to a degree but otherwise, it is about maximising a return. We are currently in the 2nd to 3rd quartile in terms of return per member (meaning we are far from the most expensive) and we need to be cognisant of the balance between value for money and achieving appropriate returns.
• On flexible options for Etihad and MCG : very difficult to arrange in light of the fact that level 2 seating is now full and level 1 filling quickly.
• On having electronic ticketing options rather than having to hand over your membership card to a friend/family member : can't be done - restricted by stadium ticketing agencies.
• On having future member days : Family Day is our major membership day, and the Club will look to increase the number of Open Training sessions throughout 2013.
• Discounts for card carrying members at matches on merchandise : can't be done - Club doesn't control the outlets on game day. This has changed from previous seasons.
• On New Home Ground : you have seen Greg Swann's letter - MCG hopefully for 8 games.
• On getting a member number on joining : this could be done and will be looked at for next season.
• CFC TV membership : tough one as they don't cover Northern Blues games apart from some limited footage and cost prohibitive.
• How do we make interstate members feel a sense of belonging? As I have said, I will campaign for the re-introduction of voting rights for Long Distance members. Introduced this season - Long Distance members will have access to the Social Club room (formerly Stephen Kernahan room) at home games at both venues and can enter the ballot for 2 passes into the rooms before and after games in their home states.
• CFC only GA bays : as stated before, there are 3 walk up bays for Captains Club members - this is an additional cost of $200 per annum rather than $40-$50 per game.
• Interstate games shown at CFC Pubs: this was looked at last year but the Club didn't feel we would get sufficient attendance to make it a worthwhile exercise.

It may well be that not every issue has been addressed but the Club is keen to hear on going feedback and wants to be better at what it does to ensure we provide better engagement with our members and create a greater sense of belonging.

Happy to take further feedback.

Cheers

Stephen M