Ok it's not often I throw my weight around on this site, but there comes a time every few months when I really have little other choice than to say my piece.
After I have said this little point, I will allow a little time for it to be read and then close or delete the topic.
1 - The continued debate around membership, FC and the relative merits of such is unbecoming to both sides, and that way in which it is being approached is far from winning members.
2 - This site, whilst a place to discuss topics about Manly, and to some extent to advertise the Sea Eagles and their brand, is not a place to be an out and out membership drive. Next year I will be Happily placing advertising and links for both Membership and Marks trips (in most cases completely fee free, I don't want a financial interest in that)
3 - Shaming people into becoming members is a good way to lose the customers (That is what members are) who are likely to have the pull to attract other customers who were not previously likely to become members.
It is well documented that I am not and never have been any form of MWSE, FC or other member, though I would be interested to see how you could point me out as any less of a fan for it, given the work I do, do for this site, and therefore the Sea Eagles.
I want to here and forever state, that I do not want to see anymore bull**** disclaiming anyones rights to anything based on the fact they are not a member.
4 - Of all the Sea Eagles fans around the traps, those on this site are relatively few, including those that do not post but simply view, likewise MWSE. Over all with the two sites combined we would be lucky to have a reach of even 30% of supporters and fans out there. We have over 1000 members on here, of those only about 500 would be legit and still view I would say.
5 - I plan on providing a place where you can direct your questions about membership etc, and I plan on allowing an entire dedicated page to membership, the page will however be static without interactive content, and I will happily update it with additional information or changes as required. However I hope that any confusion in regards can either be posted directly to the club or the question and answers can be discussed, NOT DEBATED in a separate forum I plan to setup, again, a simple question and answer format, not an advertisement, not a debate.
I am siding with neither party here, I am just sick of seeing the footy forums fictionalized down these lines, when we there is football to discuss.
6 - That MWSE has not set up an instant sign up and payment process on their site, linked directly to an internal CRM, even if that CRM is a free one, is ridiculous, this technology has been around, available and free for over 8 years. It would take literally less than an hour to set up configure and have running, and would save backend staff hours and days of work as well as cutting down the lead time for customers. This was something I proposed to the club years ago, and  was essentially laughed at.
7 - The different levels of memberships is and will forever be confusing under its current format, sure if you are a member here you  may be occasionally enlightened but not your average joe on the street. 1 type of membership, 3 - 4 different levels, all support the team on the field, that is how it should be.
8 - Whether you like it or not, we are in a consumer generation Y world. People want value for money, and simply saying "this supports the team" is not in 99% of the peoples eyes, value for money! Increasing the cost by $10 but providing t-shirts or other cheaply obtained merch will always see a greater uptake than forum access or whatever. Say what you will but that is a cold hard fact
9 - You will find many many people dislike the current system and set up of the club, and the football club is archaic both in it's ideas, setup and direction, this is not a personal attack, but it is true that the current setup is holding us back from moving forward. I am sick to death of people stating the obvious and then being howled down personally simply because they dont agree with how things are currently done. People are of many varied and personal opinions, deal with that fact and stop the personal sniping. There are many on these pages who have outstanding business acumen and many are leaders in their fields. With that said, every company operates differently and we all need to accept the fact that MWSE operates the way it does, for better or for worse.
10 - An additional note on the above. No-one can argue that Max has done some great things for this club, no-one and likewise with the Penn's though they seem to get a lot less credit.
Furthermore, no-one can debate that Max has done some terrible things for the club either, and I share that opinion. The way the whole Mayer debate was handled was childish and underhanded, and to me put a certain label on Max, that I certainly dont see him shaking in my opinion.
Max comes from a certain industry which allows many to make their fortunes. The Penns are well known and varied business men, they deserve more credit and credence than they get.
Again I fall on neither side in this whole debate, it's none of my business and I simply have far too many other things to worry about, but you respect one side, you respect the other, you disrespect one side then you disrespect the other.
Really thats all I can be bothered writing for now. I dont see these discussions as healthy in any way shape and form for any involved part and they certainly are not assisting with membership drive. It's high time the club hired both a PR manager and promotions and advertisement management, not from within the sport or club but externally. A PR management company would sort this crap out in a day, advertising and promotions companies would also help.
Dan