I'm a member also, and it is a concern that there are only around 600 members, it is probably a wasted exercise in using membership funds to buy back shares in the Sea Eagles.
Using all membership funds, at best they would only be able to purchase around $ 10, 000 worth of shares annually after all other admin costs are taken out, in other words , the Football Club will never be in the position of owning a majority stake in the Sea Eagles, sign of the times I suppose.
I'm a member and I'm less concerned about the share buying (because, and I think happily manly said this... it's not as if we are buying the shares off the Penns, they simply issue more shares [or something - I dunno]), but
the mwrlfc has at least 2 important 'powers':
1) They own the right to Manly's colours (but obv no owner, nor future owner would change the maroon or white),
2) A certain amount of games have to be played at brookie. If the owners want more taken away they need the mwrlfc's permission.
They've already been asked to allow more games to be taken away and have said no.
I feel membership is important so owners can't stack the mwrlfc and have total control.
That said I hope steps are being taken to allow a more productive relationship between the 2 bodies than the open animosity there has been in the past.
Plus it feels good to occasionally vote for the 'real' life membership for our legendary players.
Paypal: As
@ALinda has points out (above) there are many ways to pay, not just paypal, but for those that don't know...paypal also allows you to pay for things via a credit card, you do not have to deposit money with them.
Anyway, I hope people that can find a spare $25 think about joining.