Category: Meetings

7:00 p.m. The NINETY

Present (8 of 32): Jerry Neil, Kelly Weiler, Stephanie Steiner, Cameron Collins, Hans Ulland, Craig Dillon, Kristina Vaughn, Paul Cox

Next meeting:    Tuesday, September 1, 2015 at 7:00PM

I. Call to order – Stephanie Steiner

II. Roll call – Kristina Vaughn – 8 of 32 members present

III. Approval of minutes – Motion to approve July minutes made by Kristina, second by Hans. Motion passes.

IV. Old Business – Stephanie Steiner

• Supporter Group bylaw proposal
  • Stephanie moves to vote during the September meeting. Cameron seconds, motion to vote on this passes.

V. Anticipated Owner Meeting – Stephanie Steiner

• Soon – will be announced in coming weeks

VI. Break – skipped

VII. GM Recall Update

•  Alliance wide voting
  • Proposal to amend bylaw 2
• Council voting
  • Attendance Bylaw proposal
    • Paul to revise for September meeting

VIII. Adjournment – Jerry moves to adjourn the meeting, Craig seconds. Motion passes.

7:00 p.m. Seattle Sounders FC Conference Room

Present: (11 of 32):    Kyle Boyd, Cameron Collins, Paul Cox, Craig Dillon, Roberta King, Jerry Neil, Karl Picard, Dan Roe, Stephanie Steiner, Hans Ulland, Kristina Vaughn

Next meeting:                              Tuesday, August 4, 2015 at 7:00 PM

I. Call to order – Stephanie Steiner

II. Roll call – Kristina Vaughn – 11 of 32 members present

III. Approval of minutes – Motion to approve May minutes seconded by Kyle; motion passes. Motion to approve June minutes seconded by Kyle, motion passes.

IV. Supporter Group Work Group Update – Stephanie Steiner

1. One of our duties/rights/responsibilities named in the Charter
2. History: started for Cascadia ticketing purpose
3. Proposal for vote: revise Bylaw 7 to eliminate the last two sections/lines of bylaw – Kyle moves to table this proposal until the end of the meeting, Cameron seconds, motion passes

V. Visibility Work Group Update – Roberta King

1. Working on getting better access to Alliance Council content on SSFC website
   1. Search by tag
2. Monthly “minutes” write up – currently written by Karl
3. No content calendar as of yet
   1. Need volunteers to write op-ed pieces
4. AC highlights (2-3 per month)
   1. Expectations of 1^st AC meeting
   2. What do you bring to AC if in a Supporter Group?
   3. More personal info – What do you do?
   4. How do you live the Sounders way – Passion, Courage, Community

VI. Scarf Vote – Kristina Vaughn

1. Timeline set for scarf design
2. Summer scarf vs winter scarf
3. Need volunteers for the team: Jerry, Cameron, Dan, Roberta

VII. Community – Kristina Vaughn

1. Water Carry event at March to the Match festivities on August 1 – more information to come following a meeting with WGHA

VIII. GM Vote Work Group Update – Cameron/Stephanie

1. Continued discussion on Front Office’s POV
   1. Defining “unanimous”
   2. Communication plan

• Signature gathering – FO does not like idea

1. Creating a Code of Conduct in the Bylaws
2. Creating a budget for the Alliance Council for 2016?
   1. Add a small amount of money to STH cost?
   2. Kyle will head the Budget Proposal Group
      1. Create rules and proposals
      2. Skeleton budget

IX. Old Business

a) Supporter Group proposal tabled to August meeting

X. Adjournment – Dan moves to adjourn meeting, Cameron seconds – motion passes

7:00 p.m. The NINETY

Present: (10 of 32):    Dan Roe, Kristina Vaughn, Kris Mydske, Mark Nesteroff, Cameron Collins, Craig Dillon, Roberta King, Karl Picard, Mike Dollard, Stephanie Steiner (via phone conference)

Next meeting:                              Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 7:00 PM

I. Call to order – Dan Roe

II. Roll call – Kristina Vaughn – 10 of 32 members present

III. Approval of minutes – Dan Roe – Tabled item due to minutes not being available

IV. Front Office Guest – Mikeala Purvis – Fan Relations Manager

1. 2016 Renewal process has begun with preliminary emails going out to current STH
2. Renewal rate is greater than 90%; going to have conversation with remaining 10% of STH
3. Looking into new option for renewal process
   1. “Sounders Til I Die” – Auto-Renewal
      1. Credit card held on file
   2. SG Work Group Update – Mark Nesteroff
      1. An opinion of the group is to not be involved in this
      2. Do we eliminate Bylaw #7?
      3. Mark propose to strike Bylaw #7; Cameron seconds; Vote to happen at the July meeting
      4. Dan moves to table SG revision; Cameron seconds; motion passes
   3. Visability Work Group Update – Roberta King
      1. The first blog (written by Stephanie) is one month old and not posted to website as of this date
      2. Spoke with Shane Evans
         1. “Minutes to be written by Karl
         2. “Op-ed” article
            1. Topics list to be compiled by volunteers
            2. Posted every other week
         3. Social media – currently running through Karl and Stephanie
            1. 2038 followers
            2. Trying to keep with 2.5 tweets per day

• Found that pictures drive activity

1. Alliance Council Table
   1. Need something to pass out
      1. Buttons/pins?

• GM Vote Work Group Update – Cameron/Stephanie
  1. Discussion on Front Office’s POV
     1. Every 4 years for GM vote after start of “term”
  2. Weighted voting vs non-weighted voting
  3. Recall – Goal is to vote on this at the August meeting

Adjournment – Dan moves to adjourn meeting, Mark seconds – motion passes

7:00 p.m.  Seattle Sounders FC Front Office

Present (12 of 32): Sam Chesneau, Cameron Collins, Craig Dillon, Roberta King, Leann Johnson, Angelica Mendoza, Jerry Neil, Karl Picard, Stephanie Steiner, Hans Ulland, Kristina Vaughn, Kelly Weiler

Guests:  Petyr Beck (Documentary Media), Maya Mendoza

Next meeting:    Tuesday, June 2, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

I.  Call to order – Stephanie Steiner

II. Roll call – Angelica Mendoza – 12 of 32 members present (13 needed to establish quorum)

III. Approval of minutes – Stephanie Steiner – Motion to approve April minutes passed

IV.  Guest Speakers – Petyr Beck and Maya Mendoza

• Petyr Beck – Documentary Media publishing company and former college roommate of Adrian
• Maya Mendoza – General Counsel for SSFC and Executive Director of Rave Foundation
  • Father, Fred Mendoza, served as General Counsel and saw transition of SSFC to MLS
  • Maya began when SSFC separated from Seahawks
• Rave Foundation is a wholly separate 501(c)(3)
  • Created by Adrian to give back to Seattle soccer community and provide opportunities for those who cannot afford to play
  • Increase equity, opportunity and accessibility of the game
  • Allow for more urban participation
  • Design tennis court-sized urban fields for free, small pick-up games
  • First fields may be part of Yesler Terrace project and ideas to part of waterfront designs
• Legacy book project that captures unique relationship between the community and team
  • A look at the team over the last 40 years of professional soccer
  • Coffee-table style, large, 200-page landscape book featuring images and stories
  • Mostly visual and less narration
  • Feature mid-70s team today
  • Bring in stories from the community coupled with compelling images
  • Images not only of match-day in the stadium, but also local bars, fields, etc.
  • Demonstrate the love for soccer in Seattle and commemorate the Pacific NW relationship with the team
  • Tribute to soccer in the community driven by images, quotes and stories
  • Include all supporter communities (e.g., more diverse south-end populations)
  • Council to help solicit stories, photos and experiences
  • Maya and Petyr interested in all types of feedback and suggestions; contact via email
    • 83-94 intervening time
    • NASL Sounders marketing directly to young people while MLS Sounders targeting adults with children
    • Players throughout the decades
    • Marketing campaigns with scarves throughout the city
    • Culture of 2009 opening MLS season to today
    • Personal perspective of supporter culture from within
    • Away match experiences
    • USOC family make-up and how it differentiates from S2 and First Team matches
    • Supporter group representation over the years
  • Rave Foundation project, so outside of MLS control
  • Maya considering summer intern to help with Rave Foundation and book generation
  • What stats would we like to see?
  • Considering eight-page fold-out with timeline displayed; perhaps showing jersey colors and designs over time
  • Collecting ideas and building content all through the summer

 V. Old Business

a) Changes to Charter – GM vote – Stephanie Steiner

• Stephanie and Kyle Boyd presenting AC ideas to Taylor Graham
• Engaging in collaborative conversation with the Club until we have a resolution to concerns
• Club wants GM recall procedures in writing
  • More clarity on what vote actually means; confidence versus no confidence vote
  • Need to determine percentage of people required to petition for recall
  • Votes should be blind; FO should not be able to see who votes which way
  • Anonymous voting needs to be emphasized in advertising
  • Build more power into the recall vote and ability to call as needed, rather than be concerned about circumvention by the Club
• Will need to detail vote advertising frequency, time of day, medium, etc.
• If Club will not allow us to reach out to fan base directly, it has to be responsible for doing the work and absorbing the costs associated
• Letter to Taylor expressing that conversation re GM vote is pending
• Suggestion that we are too concerned about 48-month limitation; general fan is maybe only concerned with ability to vote on GM rather than when voting occurs
• Goal should be to ensure the greatest number of Alliance members vote
• Greatest fan engagement in October; shouldn’t timeline work backwards from there?
• Consider engaging in soft polling with existing options and throwing out those that receive minimal votes
• Stephanie and Kyle drafted four question to pose to fans
  • Put questions into blog form to be tweeted out one at a time
  • SSFC will distribute via social media
• Requested Sounder at Heart to feature the blog

VI. Work group updates

• Year-end meeting – Stephanie Steiner
  • Email went to FO to check on date and venue for this year

• Supporter group recognition – Daniel Roe
  • Daniel, Mark Nesteroff and Brendan Vaughn participating in conference call to discuss
  • Sending clarification questions to Taylor

• Community involvement – Kristina Vaughn
  • Pioneer Square clean-up event on May 16 (VAN away)
    • Viewing party post-event
    • Kristina Vaughn to clarify how many people are needed
    • RSVPs needed by May 8
  • Kristina met with Roger Levesque to discuss United in Green initiatives
    • Rave Green run in Kirkland – 9k, 5k and kids run
    • March to the Match water carry in support of clean water initiatives in Africa; hoping for 1,200 people and Guiness World Record
    • Considering July match; more info at June meeting

• Communication – Karl Picard
  • Karl now managing Twitter account
    • Currently 2,500 Twitter followers versus 900 Likes on Facebook; need to pump numbers up
    • Goal to tweet twice a day with a photo and/or link
    • Shane willing to retweet by request
  • Work group is developing guidelines for appropriate communication via social media

• Adjournment – Motion to adjourn passed

7:00 p.m. The NINETY

Present (14 of 32):Kyle Boyd, Paul Cox, Craig Dillon, Michael Dollard, Woody Favinger,
Roberta King, Angelica Mendoza, Jerry Neil, Karl Picard, Daniel Roe, Stephanie Steiner, Hans Ulland, Brendan Vaughn, Kristina Vaughn

Guests:  Taylor Graham, Roger Levesque

Next meeting:    Tuesday, May 5, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

I. Call to order – Stephanie Steiner

II. Roll call – Angelica Mendoza – 14 of 32 members present (13 needed to establish quorum)

III. Approval of minutes – Stephanie Steiner – Motion to approve March minutes passed

 IV. Community Outreach – Roger Levesque and Taylor Graham

• Roger started with FO in December; shared passion for SSFC and community
• Working in partnership with Taylor and Katie Pendleton
• Met with past and current community partners to discuss how SSFC might have a bigger impact
• Traditionally worked with five community partners; fundraising and issuing a check at the end of the season
  • Reevaluate the structure of five community partners with United in Green
  • Work with same community partners, but have flexibility to be involved in more programs and partnerships
  • Relationships with each partner will vary (e.g., player appearances and talks on leadership for Sounders in Schools, and fundraising and awareness-building for Washington Global Health Alliance)
  • Aiming for strategic over reactionary giving
• New website and platform (soundersfc.com/community-outreach)
• Intend to do more given various assets, such as on the business side and with the game of soccer, supporter groups and AC; involve the whole SSFC community
• Include all stakeholders and not just the players; lean on FO staff, supporter groups and AC for service and mentorship as well
• Pillars of equality and equity
  • Equality – introducing and growing the game of soccer and inherent values it teaches; let the game be the teacher (e.g., principles of discipline, teamwork and mentorship)
  • Equity – using energy and enthusiasm to make a difference in local community and combat growing disparity in the city
  • Provide opportunities to those who may not have them otherwise
  • Leverage soccer as a powerful vehicle to provide support and teach values
  • Aim for each partnership to be somewhere on the sliding scale between equity and equality
• United in Green separate from Rave Foundation, which is focused on urban field development in around Seattle area
• SSFC will partner with Rave Foundation (e.g., use field for Street Soccer Seattle training session)
• SSFC working closely with Seattle Foundation; fundraising dollars go into donor advised fund that can only be distributed to 501(c)(3) organizations
  • United in Green is not a separate 501(c)(3)
  • Selected Seattle Foundation for knowledge base and history of working with nonprofits
  • Mission-driven structure of United in Green; perfect hybrid of 501(c)(3) status through Seattle Foundation, and independence and flexibility of not being a separate foundation
• Electronic version of 50-50% raffle to be incorporated in State of Washington as a massive mean of generating dollars for nonprofit organizations
• Will lean on AC to unite voice of fans and make United in Green successful
  • Initial service projects and other opportunities to get involved
  • Open-door policy with Roger and Taylor as AC has ideas and input
• Work to streamline communication; get in touch with community in real time
• Next big community push is week leading into April 26 match versus PDX
  • Week to get people focused on service and have an impact in the community
  • Different service event each day – schools, Habitat for Humanity, We Day benefitting Seattle youth
  • GiveBIG campaign begins May 5 – April 26 promotion launch for GiveBIG
• Passion each of us feels is a byproduct of community impact
• SSFC business goal is to be a global brand; community is a great way to start the conversation about expanding that reach (e.g., water sanitation project in Tanzania)
• Will have transition and reevaluation periods to determine next steps; may determine a different focus area after impact is measured
• What would fans like to see with respect to outreach?
  • Broad fan base with diverse backgrounds and interests; crowdsource ideas from that base
  • Brought-in stakeholders during evaluation process and development of mission, but hasn’t been much fan engagement with programming piece
  • Want fans to know that community is important and what SSFC is doing to make an impact
  • SSFC unique in including the fan base; how can fans work with SSFC to strengthen the community?

 V. Work Group Updates

a) Visibility team – Roberta King

• Met with Shane Evans to discuss how to get information on the web and potential blog (e.g., Brad’s Captain’s Corner, which is visible and gets archived)
• Same format as Shane’s regular blog posts
• Biggest challenge is who will write the content
• Suggests that we do not shy away from controversial or opinion pieces
• Shane will use social media avenues to promote as we wish; could also do account takeovers

b) Supporter group recognition team – Daniel Roe (for Mark Nesteroff)

• Should AC be able to recognize and remove supporter groups?
• What does revocation of a supporter group status actually mean?
• Team has yet to meet with FO to discuss if Club wants us to be the go-between
• Recognized supporter groups are allowed privileges within their section(s); question of what exactly are the privileges
• Original intent was to determine minimum standards for supporter group recognition
• Create guidelines for Club to enforce

VI. Open items

a) Changes to Charter

• GM Vote Team working on updating Constitution, Charter and Bylaws

b) GM vote

• Recommendation handouts provided on: GM Vote, Recall Vote, Communication Channels, and YE Business Meeting
  • Vote of confidence at 48 months (or season when GM enters 48 month) and every fourth season thereafter
  • 48 months after individual is hired rather than complicating season vs. offseason
  • Necessary to mention offseason if voting every 48 months regardless?
  • Maya Mendoza will review language and finalize

c) Recall vote

• 36 months to allow GM sufficient time to prove whether or not he/she is right for the job
• After quorum is established, 50% of vote required to pass
• 50% of AC voting to start process is too low; should be super majority
• Motion to table GM vote and recall discussion to next meeting passed
• Review handouts and come prepared to discuss at May meeting

d) Communication

• Communication Channels; motion to table discussion to next meeting passed
• Review handout and come prepared to discuss at May meeting

e) Creation of revenue

• Need budget to plan YE business meeting (e.g., secure venue, A/V capabilities, staffing, etc.)
• Hold the meeting in cooperation with the Club and negotiate which aspects should be AC responsibility and which should be SSFC responsibility
• Do we have AC members willing to invest time/energy needed to execute YE business meeting?
• Budget may also fund meeting materials, marketing/advertising, etc.
• Suggest greater collaboration earlier on rather than budget and greater hand in planning
• Sooner we communicate with FO on details and ideas, the better
• Dialogue with Club about how we get to a point where we have a budget and run point on YE business meeting
• Likely that FO would be willing to provide a budget for us
• Two issues as separate: YE business meeting as a vehicle to obtain a budget, and increased collaboration with the FO
• Budget discussion should reside with GM Vote Team, and increased collaboration should reside with YE business meeting work group
• Motion to separate budget from YE meeting (budget to be discussed by GM Vote Team and YE business meeting to be discussed by work group) passed

 

• Adjournment – Motion to adjourn passed

7:00 p.m. Seattle Sounders FC Front Office

Present (22 of 32):  Kyle Boyd, Samuel Chesneau, Paul Cox, Craig Dillon, Michael Dollard,
Nick Gibson, Leann Johnson, Roberta King, Angelica Mendoza, Kris Mydske, Jerry Neil, Mark Nesteroff, Karl Picard, Likkit Pocinwong, Jeff Randle, Erin Riley, Daniel Roe, Stephanie Steiner, Hans Ulland, Kristina Vaughn, Kelly Weiler,
Lee White

Next meeting:    Tuesday, April 7, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

I. Call to order – Stephanie Steiner

II. Roll call – Angelica Mendoza – 22 of 32 members present (12 needed to establish quorum)

III. Approval of minutes – Stephanie Steiner – Motion to approve February minutes passed

 IV. Meeting overview – Stephanie Steiner

• Suggestion to utilize Robert’s Rules of Order; preference for Robert’s as its more current
• Review both Sturgis and Robert’s to decide which AC will utilize going forward
• President to limit speakers who go on for too long or are redundant
• Speakers to self-monitor and get to the point as quickly as possible
• All commit to moving conversation forward

 V. Open items

a) Bio updates – Daniel Roe

• Work group exchanged ideas and opted to update and streamline questions
  • Hometown
  • Years as STH
  • Soccer affiliations
  • Section in stadium
  • Favorite non-MLS club
  • Prematch ritual
• March 20 deadline to submit bios; submit a new photo, otherwise old one will be used
• Contact Me form removed; link to submit question to AC instead
• Suggestion that when individual submits contact, should be able to indicate their section to route to closest AC member
• Suggestion of one AC member assigned to each section to assist with administration of a Facebook page, ticket exchange and fan engagement
• Content team may consider mini-interviews with members to use on AC portion of website

b) Work groups – Stephanie Steiner

• Four primary work groups: visibility, GM vote proposal to ownership, Alliance membership, and supporter group recognition
  • Visibility team develops content, manages social media, drafts articles re process and members, and shares news re accomplishments
  • GM vote team develops proposal to ownership, and collects and shares content with visibility team
  • Alliance membership team determines criteria for membership, including half-season ticket holders, S2 STHs, and $125 buy-in
  • Supporter group recognition team creates a uniform process for recognition with deadlines, and guidelines for elimination of a group, etc.
• Visibility team work load is mostly ongoing
• Consider joining just one of the primary work groups and supplementing with smaller projects
• Select a team leader and back-up, if designate is unable to continue

c) Work group reports

• GM vote
  • Kyle Boyd (Lead), Kelly Weiler (back-up)
  • Develop timeline, solicit input and identify requests of SSFC
  • Connect with Drew Carey to discuss vision
• Visibility
  • Roberta King (Lead), Michael Dollard and Kris Mydske (back-ups)
  • Nick Gibson to collect content
  • Priority is to update AC portion of website (correct information, logos, etc.)
  • Prioritize goals for the year
  • Request to meet with Shane Evans
• Supporter group recognition
  • Mark Nesteroff (Lead), Daniel Roe (back-up)
  • Collaborate on content and funnel to visibility team
  • Timeline and outline for updates to Bylaw 7 to present at April meeting
  • Vote in June
  • Request form available via SSFC website for sign-up
• Alliance membership – lead pending

d) Ticketing – Stephanie Steiner

• Conversation on Facebook group and Twitter exchange re policy change for advance printing of tickets
• Follow-up phone call with Ian Winklmann and Mikaela Purvis
• Approximately 550 of all STH accounts (800 tickets) printed more than seven days in advance
• Approximately 3-15 times per match, bar code is ineligible on printed ticket
• Problem tickets are almost exclusively out of 800 printed more than seven days in advance
• SSFC FO extremely willing to help anyone who needs access to their tickets in advance of seven-day window; ticket representative will assist
• Forwarding may still occur at any time and is preferred, though cannot download or print until within seven days of match

VI. Statement to fans – Paul Cox

• Should AC issue a statement re CBA negotiations?
• Work group discussed and prepared statement for consideration
• Binding resolutions and non-binding opinion statements voted on by entire Alliance
• Both covered under Bylaws; must be brought to a meeting, SSFC provides input, and put out to vote by Alliance
• Paul Cox, Nick Gibson and Woody Favinger presented proposed statement with motion to adopt as official statement on behalf of AC
• Not in Bylaws to issue opinion on behalf of AC and not entire Alliance; Bylaw 3 discusses Alliance as a whole and not AC-only opinion
• Suggestion to consider amending statement to make it clear that it is on behalf of AC only and not entire Alliance; risky for AC to make statement without actually polling the fans represented
• General desire to make a statement, but it is neither prohibited nor provided for in the Bylaws
• Note items to address and update in the Charter, Constitution, Bylaws, etc.
• Motion to set a triggering mechanism (e.g., no agreement by 6:00 p.m. EST on Wednesday, March 4) for when to issue statement passed (13 for, 1 against)
• Motion for statement to be adopted with amendment failed (7 for, 11 against)

VII.  Adjournment – Motion to adjourn passed

7:00 p.m. Temple Billiards

Present (20 of 33): Kyle Boyd, Paul Cox, Craig Dillon, Michael Dollard, Woody Favinger, Nick Gibson, Leann Johnson, Roberta King, Angelica Mendoza, Kris Mydske, Mark Nesteroff, Likkit Pocinwong, Brian Prouty, Jeff Randle, Erin Riley, Daniel Roe,
Stephanie Steiner, Hans Ulland, Kristina Vaughn, Lee White

Guest:   Jerry Neil

Next meeting:    Tuesday, March 3, 2015 at 7:00 p.m.

I. Call to order – Paul Cox

II. Roll call – Angelica Mendoza – 20 of 33 members present

III. Approval of minutes – Paul Cox – Motion to approve November minutes passed

IV. Council overview – Paul Cox

• Schedule
  • First Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m.
  • Pioneer Square area (CenturyLink Field or SSFC FO or Clubhouse)
  • Additional optional meeting February 10 at 7:00 p.m. at SSFC FO
    • Introduction to Garth Lagerwey
    • Discussion re GM voting

• Executive Committee roles
  • President
    • Main point of contact with FO
    • Preside over AC meetings
    • Ensure project progress
    • Lead annual EOY meeting
  • Vice President
    • Back-up President as needed
    • Advise President and Committee
  • Secretary
    • Keep minutes
    • Manage attendance and quorum count
    • Circulate agenda
    • Coordinate membership lists (e.g., Google and Facebook groups)
  • Two at-large members
    • Assist with AC leadership and projects
    • Established last year and worked well in driving AC forward

• Nominations and elections
  • President – Stephanie Steiner nominated and elected unopposed
  • Vice President
    • Nominated: Daniel Roe, Lee White
    • Elected: Daniel Roe
  • Secretary – Angelica Mendoza nominated and elected unopposed
  • At-large members
    • Nominated: Kyle Boyd, Roberta King, Brian Prouty, Kristina Vaughn, Lee White
    • Elected: Kyle Boyd, Kristina Vaughn

• Work groups
  • Opportunities to get involved and lead on projects
  • List may be updated throughout the season and over the years
  • Previous involvement to be renewed at next meeting and new groups created
  • All AC members asked to join at least one work group or create new project
  • List to be updated to include completed projects
  • AC profile work group (to create new questions and post to website): Mike Dollard, Angelica Mendoza, Brian Prouty, Daniel Roe, Kristina Vaughn

• Open items
  1. Jock tag design – Jerry Neil
     • AC opportunity to design jock tag or neck tag for 2016 season third kit
     • Jock tag and City of Seattle logo design selected
     • Color to be altered to suit jersey
     • Sam Chesneau to contact representatives from Duwamish tribe for approval

• Clubhouse fan display – Leann Johnson/Lee White
  • Museum/hall of fame for Clubhouse fan area
  • When facing storefront, area is on the right-hand side with windows facing the street
  • Starting nonprofit from scratch; mission statement completed, but still need name and logo
  • Long-term vision to include fan interaction, rotating display and greater SSFC involvement
  • Display will start small and grow over time
  • Rotating display of Washington State soccer history
  • Two name possibilities: Washington State Legends of Soccer or Washington Legends of Soccer (“Washington State” preferred per soft poll)

• Open discussion
  1. CBA negotiations
     • In case of strike or lockout, will AC offer formal opinion?
     • AC represents fan interests; in position to voice opinion on behalf of fan base
     • Stress that strike or lockout should be resolved as soon as possible
     • AC to educate the fan base on what is happening
     • Challenging for AC to make statement without interacting with SSFC
     • Fans should be able to communicate with AC work group on CBA
       • Motion to create work group for CBA passed
       • Members: Kyle Boyd, Paul Cox, Woody Favinger, Nick Gibson, Kris Mydske

• TBD times on schedule
  • Evening matches preferred over afternoon
  • Delay in setting standard start time given negotiations with television station(s)
  • Question re posting actual kickoff times
  • Concern re MatchPass benefits ending 30 minutes prior to listed versus actual kickoff

• Adjournment – Motion to adjourn passed

7:00 p.m. CenturyLink Field

Present (20 of 48): Samuel Chesneau, Cameron Collins, Paul Cox, Michael Dollard, Woody Favinger, Leann Johnson, Roberta King, Angelica Mendoza, Pablo Mendoza, Kris Mydske, Jerry Neil, Randy Nunez, Likkit Pocinwong, Brian Prouty, Erin Riley, Daniel Roe, Stephanie Steiner, Brendan Vaughn, Kristina Vaughn, Lee White

Next meeting:    Saturday, November 17, 2014 at 5:00 p.m. (prior to EOY Business Meeting)

I. Call to order – Paul Cox

II. Roll call – Angelica Mendoza – 20 of 48 members present (12 needed to establish quorum)

III. Approval of minutes – Paul Cox – Motion to approve October minutes passed

 IV. Open items

• EOY Business Meeting – Stephanie Steiner
  • Meeting with ownership from 5-6 p.m.
  • Awaiting final agenda from FO
  • Kris Mydske and Lee White managing Q&A portion
  • AC presentation
    • Shift of structure with Executive Committee and work groups
    • Work group accomplishments notable by and impacting Alliance
    • Championship banners
    • Meeting with Adidas; third kit design and women’s attire
    • Emphasis on how individuals are elected to AC
  • Tables for Alliance Members and Sounders Community Trust

• Jock tag design – Paul Cox
  • Will not be mentioned at EOY meeting
  • In communication with Mayor’s Office re use of City of Seattle logo; mid-November decision
  • December 1 deadline to submit design
  • Sam Chesneau to send request to Duwamish tribe to approve use as well
  • Likkit Pocinwong and Jerry Neil will design back-up option if either City of Seattle or Duwamish tribe rejects proposal

• Soccer Hall of Fame – Paul Cox
  • New location needed
  • Pioneer Square a possibility, but expensive to fund
  • Suggestion to combine display with Clubhouse
  • Similar to WA State Hall of Fame with traveling exhibits from National Hall of Fame
  • City providing grants to help small businesses form cultural/heritage exhibits (e.g., pinball museum)
  • Proposed resolution: AC supports honoring WA State’s contribution to US soccer; unanimous approval

V. Open discussion

• October 27 match wanding
  • Insufficient number of wanders or space
  • Some with 45-minute delay from entry to seats
  • Many missed new banner presentation and first kick
  • Bag check goes faster than wanding
  • Bigger march, stronger push for fans to enter early and full stadium match all contributors to delay
  • Training and consistency issues
  • Discuss with FO prior to and/or at EOY Business Meeting outlining specific concerns
    • Consistency with bag handling; whether to set it down or not, and where
    • Number of wanders per line
    • Distance between bag check and wander should be increased
    • Number of staff for open bowl matches

• Univision
  • 16-minute piece on SSFC and soccer in Seattle
  • Aired on national network
  • Discussed the Club, supporter groups, AC, players, etc.
  • SSFC retweeted link November 3
  • Missing Latino viewership and fan base

• 2015 planning
  • First Tuesday of every month meeting day
  • Set and advertise schedule ahead of time so that candidates may determine if it makes sense to run for election based on schedule
  • Double-check Mariners schedule to make sure meetings will not conflict; only three conflicting games next season
  • Consider meeting at Clubhouse and parking in north lot, if available
  • Allow new members to have input in decision; find out who has been elected and float first Tuesday preference now

• Sounders Community Trust (SCT)
  • S2 discounted tickets on-sale with purchase of SCT membership
  • 750 available (plus additional 200 for ECS members)
  • Unlimited number of Founders Club memberships available at this time (approximately 800 sold)
  • 2-4 Board positions available to fill during the season
  • S2 hired ticketing, public relations and marketing staff
  • Schedule tentatively all Friday and Sunday matches (with exception of Open Cup)
  • Good time to get involved, and ideas are welcomed

VI. Adjournment – Motion to adjourn passed

7:00 p.m.  CenturyLink Field

Present (15 of 48): Kyle Boyd, Samuel Chesneau, Paul Cox, Michael Dollard, Woody Favinger,
Leann Johnson, Roberta King, Angelica Mendoza, Kris Mydske, Likkit Pocinwong, Brian Prouty, Daniel Roe, Kristina Vaughn, Kelly Weiler, Lee White

Guests:  Taylor Graham, John Rizzardini

Next meeting:    Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

I. Call to order – Paul Cox

II.Roll call – Angelica Mendoza

1. 15 of 48 members present
2. 12 needed to establish quorum

III. Approval of minutes – Paul Cox – Motion to approve September minutes passed

IV. FO guest speakers

• John Rizzardini
  • Originally with Seahawks and returned in February to assist SSFC with launch of new office
  • Leased 12,000 square feet of office space and 3,500 square feet of store front on seven-year lease
    • Private-functioning store front space for viewing parties, player appearances, press conferences, etc.
    • “Sounders Clubhouse”
    • Planned festive décor honoring history and appropriate atmosphere to host events
      • Trophy cases
      • Memorabilia (old kits, banners from visiting teams, etc.)
      • As much team nostalgia as possible
      • Tifo displays throughout the years
      • At least one seasonal wall to always keep the display interesting
      • Soccer hall of fame
      • Rotating exhibit items
      • Mosaic of crest out front or on the floor
      • Organized so that it’s easy to get in and out and take photos
    • No revenue plan other than renting it out for private events
    • Holds 175 people mixed seated/standing
    • Caterer with liquor license planned for Phase I
    • 12 viewing parties planned with question of how to encourage attendance
      • Player appearances
      • Coach to answer questions about strategy
      • Family-friendly so that parents may bring children
      • Match Pass points available (entry with Match Pass card)
      • Inclusive/flat fee menu
    • Consider hosting radio shows (e.g., KJR, Sonar Feed, podcasts)
    • Supporter groups to rotate hosting viewing parties to introduce membership to space
    • Email John and/or Taylor with additional Clubhouse ideas
• Taylor Graham
  • EOY celebration set for Saturday, November 15
    • Hope that non-match Saturday and new Paramount Theatre location will increase attendance
    • Will distribute agenda and link to submit questions to AC
    • Normal AC year-end summary with Q&A to follow
  • Recognition for Landon Donovan on October 27
    • Presentation when he gets off of the bus
    • Chihuly piece in red, white and blue
    • Xbox console personalized for USMNT
  • No on-field presentation; everything will be done in the back of the house, filmed and played during warm-ups
  • Match Pass reward for Alliance member to give gifts to Landon on behalf of the club with one AC member
  • Drawing of interested AC members; Samuel Chesneau selected to present
• Always looking for ideas for Match Pass rewards

 V. Open items – pushed to September agenda

• Alliance logo – Kyle Boyd
  • Symbolizes who we are as an Alliance and AC
  • Blue shield in crest expanded as it represents the fans
  • Present new logo to Alliance at EOY celebration
  • Taylor will discuss two final design options with the FO and update AC

• Jock tag design – Paul Cox
  • Design due for kits by December 1
  • First round selection to be completed by AC only rather than a contest
  • Tag will be on all three kits in 2016
  • Send Likkit Pocinwong and Jerry Neil ideas

• Scarf design – Kristina Vaughn
  • Winner (option 3) notified
  • Daniel Roe and Kristina notifying runner-ups this week
  • Winner announced pre-match during warm-ups on October 27
  • Video boards will display scarf selected by Alliance
  • Suggestion to display photo of winner, if unable to be there in-person
  • Question to produce as a summer or winter scarf
    • Taylor to confirm that quote is the same for summer or winter
    • Consider pushing final choice back a week to allow poll at EOY celebration
    • AC to poll constituents for general preference

• 2016 scarf competition – Daniel Roe
  • Adobe offered to sponsor product to assist in creative experience/design submission
  • Product free for one month whether used to design a scarf or not
  • Winner would receive a year’s worth of Adobe products
  • Adobe logo does not need to be included anywhere; SSFC sensitive to avoid logos on anything fan-initiated with the exception of Adidas
  • Online tutorial available for those who would like to utilize free trial
  • No requirements to use Adobe product in designing scarf, provide credit card information, or sign-up for a newsletter
  • Important for AC to support sponsorship opportunities when possible
  • Motion to allow Adobe to sponsor 2016 scarf design contest passed

• EOY meeting – Brian Prouty
  • AC to present eight-minute summary of achievements over the year
    • Announce scarf design winner and whether winter or summer
    • Announce new Alliance logo
    • Normal Q&A period
  • Promote attendance
  • Alcohol will be available
  • AC and supporter group tables set-up
  • Possible for club photographer to be present to make all photos available online post-event

• S2 – Paul Cox
  • Summary of October 14 launch
  • Founders Club membership available to all fans and supporter groups

VI.  Open discussion

• Drums in north end – Kristina Vaughn
  • Drumming interfering with match atmosphere
  • North end bleachers designated as supporter group area (flags, standing and drums allowed)
  • Kristina to discuss with FO and update AC as needed

• November meeting – Angelica Mendoza
  • November 11 meeting shifted to November 18 due to holiday
  • Recommendation to shift up to November 4 to allow meeting prior to EOY celebration

 VII.  Adjournment – Motion to adjourn passed

7:00 p.m. CenturyLink Field

Present (18 of 48): Kyle Boyd, Cameron Collins, Paul Cox, Michael Dollard, Woody Favinger,
Leann Johnson, Roberta King, Angelica Mendoza, Pablo Mendoza, Kris Mydske, Jerry Neil, Randy Nunez, Brian Prouty, Jeff Randle, Erin Riley, Stephanie Steiner, Brendan Vaughn, Kristina Vaughn

Guests:  Taylor Graham, Megan West

Next meeting:    Tuesday, October 21, 2014 at 7:00 p.m.

I. Call to order – Paul Cox

II. Roll call – Angelica Mendoza

1. 18 of 48 members present
2. 12 needed to establish quorum

III. FO guest speakers – Megan West and Taylor Graham

• Megan West – Senior Manager, Loyalty Programs and Special Projects
• Match Pass program
  • 10-11k accounts with 35% average engaging in Match Pass program
  • Options include swiping on match day, entering codes, redeeming rewards, contest entry, etc.
  • Would like to maintain engagement from both those who prefer 20% return and those who prefer to redeem
  • All points expire at the end of calendar year (December 31)
  • No ability to email pass owners with current point value; however push notifications via the Sounders FC app would be helpful
  • Rewards typically posted on Tuesday or Wednesday during the work day; suggested to vary this to widen impact
  • Free items offered during window regardless of point value
  • Suggestion of one default card that accumulates all points from all cards on the account (one value for entire account rather than separate for each card)
  • Some feel as though they will never earn enough to actually redeem for something valuable
  • Bonus points currently issued for STH renewal as well as years as STH
  • Reward suggestions
    • Attend post-match press conference
    • VIP status at practice at Starfire
    • Choose starting 11 for international friendly
    • Message of choice on big screens
    • Personalized voicemail greeting or video by player
  • Send additional ideas to Megan or Executive Committee who will route accordingly
  • AC to discuss future direction of program at November meeting

 

• EOY business meeting
  • Adjusting venue and time of year; switch to weekend date to make more appealing
  • Planning on November mid-playoffs (targeting the week of the FIFA match)
  • Evening preference; afternoon event conflicts with community youth matches
  • Suggestion of improved communication re purpose of the event
  • Work group requests information as early as possible to aid in organizing/assisting
  • Send suggestions to Megan or Executive Committee who will route accordingly

 

• Taylor Graham – Senior Director of Business Operations
• Recognition for Landon Donovan at October 25 match
• League approached SSFC inquiring as to how they will honor as ambassador for game and important figure in American soccer
• General fan base would support some sort of recognition
• Nationally broadcasted on ESPN
• Suggestions
  • Do not honor prior to the match
  • Focus on USMNT achievements rather than MLS
  • Videotaped presentation hours before match displayed pre-match or during halftime
• FO will devise initial plan and run by AC for feedback

 IV. Open items

a) 2015 scarf design – Kristina Vaughn

• Link distributed yesterday
• September 19 deadline to submit designs
• Clarify up-front design limitations (what is allowed and what is not)
• Artistic representation of Space Needle is allowed
• Over 200 designs submitted last year
• Work group disqualified from participation
• AC to help message that fans wanted this opportunity and initiative was not imposed by FO
• Ranked voting not possible; pick your favorite only
• Winner to be announced at October 25 fan appreciation match

b) Work group updates – Stephanie Steiner

• Match day table – Leann Johnson
  • Feedback returned to FO
  • Need more support to work table, if we wish to continue
• Charitable partners – Angelica Mendoza
  • FO designated five partners
  • Offer for AC to select which to eliminate and propose another
  • AC does not wish to pursue
• Banners from past championships – Stephanie Steiner
  • Banners will not be purchased this season
  • Fans proposed to raise money to purchase; FO did not accept
  • Will be brought up at EOY business meeting
• AC online – Pablo Mendoza
  • Discussion re external AC site linked to main SSFC page
  • Questions re funding, management and control going forward
  • Ability to maintain site increases significantly with external site
  • Work group to determine funding and proposal to FO
• 40th Anniversary – Paul Cox
  • Rumors of special warm-up suit for last match
  • Many things planned for fan appreciation match versus VAN
• FO presentations – Roberta King
  • October – “Fan Innovation Center”
  • November – EOY meeting preparation
• Giveaways for STHs – Brian Prouty
  • Suggestions submitted to FO
  • FO reviewing and considering proposals
• Third kit design – Paul Cox
  • No input in third kit; instead have the option of neck or jock tag
  • Will devise work group to come up with simple plan for jock tag design
  • Adidas will work with us on trademark issues
  • 2016 release
• AC logo – Kyle Boyd
  • Likkit Pocinwong has a draft design ready for review
  • Kyle to follow-up and report back to AC
• EOY meeting questions – Woody Favinger
  • Will discuss with FO re form for completing questions
  • Work group to determine and execute plan
• EOY meeting – Angelica Mendoza
  • Angelica to lead coordination with FO and determine AC involvement
  • Goal of 2k attendees

c) USL Pro – Paul Cox

• Team willing to give fans ownership stake in USL Pro team
• Fans to create separate organization to assume ownership; non-profit with members owning a share
• Non-equity share; even if team turns a profit, owners do not get paid
• Benefits include discounts, special events and meetings, etc.
• Hoping for employee in FO to work as liaison to fan ownership and interact with community
• Suggestions
  • Small Board of Directors
  • Sell business sponsorships
  • Keep Alliance and AC as it is, though AC would like updates
  • Give USL Pro STHs membership in Alliance
  • Solicit volunteers to launch USL Pro Board; significant time/energy commitment
• Concerns re losing AC talent to USL Pro Board, though do not have to be on AC to assist
• 5-7 person Board with regular planning meetings; volunteers to talk to community and spread the word
• Huge campaign to generate public interest
• Marketing support to be provided by FO
• Opportunity for Seattle to trail blaze in American soccer
• No one able to purchase larger portion of ownership
• Founders Club available to those who purchase within limited time; otherwise able to buy-in at any time
• SSFC wishes to announce within a month at a press conference
• PDX and VAN will announce around same time as SSFC; SSFC only to announce fan ownership component
• Amended motion for USL Pro work group to launch and run independent from AC with regular updates and opportunities for AC to provide non-binding feedback passed
• AC authorizes work group (and ultimately Board) to work independently

V. Adjournment – Motion to adjourn passed