Synbad wrote:
budzy wrote:
Mrs Caz wrote:
Not that I'm not happy to have him involved, but why doesn't he have to stand for election like the others?
Couldn't agree more Caz.
If he wishes to join the board, he should do the democratic thing and run at the election.
Very arrogant and dismissive of the membership, IMO.
The board need to be dismissed cos they rely on the Pratt family handouts still.
Love to know what happened to the Harrison/Moulton fund raising promise which was their political platform.
Also id love to know what happened to the pub deal Harro and Moulton had the club proclaiming publicly?
Were still dependant on Pratt family fuel to keep things going at Carlton.... cos a board of Sticks as president and a few empty suits just doesnt cut the mustard.
So why should the Pratt family bankroll Carlton ?
and of course a Pratt family member should be a walk up start on the board. Obviously its not going to be Jeannie... so the logical one id Ralph.
Which means that due to our unhealthy reliance on the Pratt family were a defacto privately owned footy club..
But thats what happens when you have a bunch of do nothings and incompetants on the board who are not capable of getting the club to stand on its own two feet.
Im glad Mike Spartels ran for the board... not cos he would make a difference... but because he paves the way to allow others to challenge a board run by Sticks that lacks grunt.. that has little direction and does not have the pull of what a Carlton board should be capable of having.
Not many people have the guts to run and rock the boat.
Noone is going to challenge Sticks... who is not even capable of chairing a family Christmas lunch let alone the Carlton football club.
There is nothing embarassing about a guy like Spartels Josh.. whats an embarassment is a guy like Harrison who wont face the music here...and hes been there for a while without having contributed anything.
Harrison has used this board countless times for his own benefit.
He has a chance now of coming in and growing a set and illustrating to us what he has contributed during his term.
Not doing it is an embarassment because its people like him.. and NOT Spartels who have allowed this club to be virtually owned by the Pratt family, due to their very minimal output of performance.
they have been HIDING behinf Pratt energy..and have created !@#$%& all themselves.
Harrison has the opportunity to explain to us what he has contributed.
But he wont....
Cos its a useless contribution....
From the money he promised to come up with...
To the Balls up where he had Swann procolaiming the eleven pubs... which would have killed the club...
and id like him to explain to us.. who are the stakeholders of the Carlton Mortgage Fund.. and how it ACTUALLY works and what the club ACTUALLY gains from it annually and who ACTUALLY benefits... after all it is using the Carlton brand for business....
Footy is an emotional game and it invokes emotion from the supporters. It was passion that drove me to put my hand up at a time when the Club was on its knees. It came at a very inconvenient time in my personal life occurring not long after the birth of my third child – but as I said, footy is an emotional game.
I accept that everyone is entitled to their opinion and as a Board member I have made myself pretty available either via this forum, the odd phone call, at training or at games to talk to whoever was interested. Others haven’t taken the time to speak to me directly, but find it appropriate to post personal insults, show disrespect for others and spread misinformation that borders on lies, under the protection of an alias, and under the guise of being “connected” to the Club.
Most of the ramblings by you Synbad, fall into that category. Is your life such that TC gives you the kudos and power you crave. Perhaps it is through this medium that you feel important – that you are finally being heard. I have noted with interest that you have posted nearly 16000 times in nearly 5 years – that’s impressive. I also note that you have never bothered to speak to me in the 3 years I have been on the Board.
Whatever the reasons for your personal vitriol I disagree with you on most of what you have posted. Not everything, but most.
I find it curious you have focused on me rather than any of the other incumbents. Is that because your mate Italian Blue ran on the ticket with Marcus? Is Italian Blue your insider? I really don’t want you to respond to my questions – I pose them rhetorically.
Here are some specifics – as openly and honestly as I can without breaching confidentiality.
I believe I have made a meaningful contribution to the Club in my time on the Board. Personally, I may have contributed circa $50,000 over the 3 years both directly and through the ASF. That is not a huge sum in comparison to a couple on there but it is a pretty reasonable sum for me. I believe every board member would have contributed around that or more over the time.
As you would appreciate, the world changed significantly when Graham Smorgon was ousted and Dick agreed to come on board. His way was to empower the staff and let them do their job. The Board became a proper Board – responsible for strategic direction, risk management, prudent financial management and governance. Prior to that we envisaged we would be hands on executives. Stephen Moultan and I suggested we could attract $1M between us. I did not personally attract $500,000 in new business but perhaps the number is $250,000 which consisted of new and the retention of disgruntled old.
I also was involved in the employment of the new CEO, the establishment of the CFC Community Fund, some financial structures to assist in player retention as well as sitting on the finance subcommittee and gaming subcommittee. In addition, the usual Board roles of strategy and leveraging contacts for the benefit of the Club. I am not sure what you think a Board member should be doing but no doubt you will impart your considerable knowledge in this field and back it up by disclosing which corporate Boards you have sat on.
Along with Stephen Moulton we set up Premier Finance – a mortgage broking business that we believe over time has potential to generate a significant revenue stream for the Club. There seems to be an implication I get some personal benefit from this business. That is blatantly untrue. The Club owns 100% of the business and gets 100% of the profit. I am an unpaid Director of the business, as is Stephen, on behalf of the Club.
The Pub deal – FOR THE FINAL TIME. I introduced the deal through a close business associate, who incidently is now a fairly major contributor to the Club. Had the deal proceeded it was on a non- recourse basis to the Club. It was never going to “kill the Club”. If the pubs went broke the CFC friendly investors would have lost money. The Club’s balance sheet would have had no exposure to the deal. Again the information posted is blatantly false. Yes, the announcement went too early – that was a mistake as due diligence was incomplete, but that was not my call. And regardless – everyone makes mistakes.
I don’t really know Michael Spartels well, having only spoken to him a few times over the last 3 years, but you said you are glad he ran even though he won’t make a difference. Well he has made a difference. He has cost the Club the best part of $50,000. But why run then Synbad? To keep the bastards honest ? We are honest. We are honest about our contributions and our expertise which is why we are seeking better qualified people to join. Have you looked at the other successful clubs’ board models. When was the last time they had an election. Do they walk people on?
You stated the Board told Mr Geminder (whose name is Ruffy NOT RALPH) he was not welcome. You imply that he leaked the story to Jake Niall to put pressure on the Board. That is simply untrue. The Board is not interested in keeping the same faces as you suggest – the Board wants worthy people to join of which Ruffy is one– not people that are seeking to jump on board now when they had no interest in the dark days. That interest smells of self interest and ego. We have discussed some of these types over the past couple of years and decided to not pursue them. Perhaps your mail is outdated.
The Constitution states the Board can invite people they believe to be suitably qualified, on to the Board. If they replace a Board member they will serve the remainder of that term before facing the members, if they are an addition they will face the members at the next available opportunity.
The Club’s reliance on the Pratt family has been grossly overstated. Yes they make a significant contribution but Club turnover has increased from around $18M - $33M in 3 years. In addition, the Club filled a $7M shortfall to fund the redevelopment. We must not forget how far behind we were in 2006 and how much has been achieved in only 3 years both on and off the field.
Synbad, you think you are better than people on the Board. Then put up or shut up. Get involved in subcommittees. Make a meaningful contribution. Have a proper conversation with me or others. Don’t continue to hide behind your alias and pot everyone from afar.
Finally, win or lose I will be at the AGM on Monday week and as always am happy to chat with whoever is interested.
Mark
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