Of all the comments the only thing really is the word
Demand
RAWA
They can say what they want, but choose your words carefully to welcome the new owners
S.A.F.C. - the future
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Demand
RAWA
They can say what they want, but choose your words carefully to welcome the new owners
I'm not sure it is just the word demand mate. They can obviously say what they want because as an elected committee they are there to be shot at by their members. What they cant do is call themselves the voice of ALL Sunderland fans. Whilst "demand" gives the impression of being over zealous to almost aggressive, their slogan is a downright mistruth. If you look at their website, their vision is:
"to inform, liaise with and communicate with the club to maintain the relationship between supporters and Sunderland AFC". Making demands isn't going to maintain any relationship but they certainly can't claim to maintain it on behalf of supporters, members yes.
I think RAWA is a good idea, it has good intentions but needs pulling back in line a little bit. But that wont happen by moaning on a message board, it will happen by becoming a member, voting and having your own voice heard. I realise some people don't have the inclination to do that, which is fine and brings us round to RAWA using the word "All". It never was, nor never will be the voice of all Sunderland fans. I feel a little responsible in a way because I have been emailing them asking what they were going to do about Donald and the deferred meeting, also suggesting they apply more pressure to him. In my defence though, that was to try and push through for answers when things went on a little too long. A bit like my posts
And therein lies the problem mate. Members voices aren't being heard because most of them clicked a box to go on a mailing list, the 13,000 figure is used as a weapon to appear to represent the opinions of a huge chunk of the support whereas, in reality, it may be a few hundred. Lots of angry people clicked that box at a time when the club looked absolutely doomed.
Now that we've had an outrageous slice of good fortune most people will just want to go back to watching us play football.
The committee, however, seems intent on vigorously pursuing their agenda and are being strenuously defenced by a handful of people on here and RTG.
It's poor, in my opinion, that Guinness is being left to field the many serious, honest and logical concerns and questions people have. They should, at least, have the decency to come on to answer the more difficult questions Guinness can't or doesn't have the authority to.
They were very shockingly quick to get this statement out, quick to edit out the worst of it but are nowhere to be seen now.
So I'll ask this and see if anyone can answer it, either directly or through @Guinness Guzzler.
Was this statement, as it appears, directed at Louis-Dreyfus and if so has it been sent to him directly or through the club?
If so was it in the original form?
If it was then what gives you the right to do that before he's been officially ratified by the PL?
If it wasn't directed at KLD, why are you pretending it was to your members?
Now, this isn't a rant or slagging anyone off, just reasonable questions you should feel obliged, as a democratic body, to answer.
Your own members, on here and elsewhere, have indicated their concerns, will you answer them?
Again, I won't disagree, I think the fans need someone like RAWA as opposed to the BLC to attend these EFL meetings. The BLC do sit and drink cups of tea, whilst nodding vigorously. If I'm not mistaken, RAWA even used GOM to question some of the financial stuff. I can sit here now and type them an e mail with those questions, I did a few weeks ago and never got a response, which I think is dreadful. Do I think we should have someone like RAWA who would tackle any owner shortcomings, yes. Do I think they've handled this statement right, no. Do I think they are anywhere near what they propose to be, hell no.
Off the cuff, every time I am on the concourse the aroma of pies, gravy and bovril make me think of the RAWA, absolutely no idea why, just one of those stupid things I thought I'd share.
TBH mate, I don't think even GOM would claim to have got anywhere, made a difference or changed minds.
The whole process just made everyone bitter and entrenched the various groups.
It all looks pro-active and dynamic but, in all honesty, Mike Ashley has shown exactly how futile it is.
He's another wealthy owner who drank with the lads, entertained the 'fans groups' but made it quite clear how little they mean in reality.
However, I do believe there's a place for RAWA but not on the exalted platform they've scrambled up to.
Good luck with your e-mail.
Mate, I am probably a lifetime project for any shrinks.Have you seen a doctor?
Surely they should not do more than pass on ideas, suggestions to the club for their consideration. That's it. Secretary role in a way They don't run the club, or have any right to scrutinize the club plans beyond chatting about it in the pub like everyone else. And in the scenario of dodgy goings on like SD etc, then consult fans etc.. on the club's feedback (or lack of)...and follow procedures already in place for these organisations. Seems like they don't know their role and got carried away. Ok I'm basing it on a statement, but words matter. Made themselves sound silly whoever 'they' are. This PR lark not as simple as you think eh 
If Salma was the new chef no one would care what the food tastes like. Having said that Nigella would do for dessertOr Nigella is the new chef
a bit like the person working reception at the Doctors, seem to think they're the doctor when in reality.... they're the receptionist. As for "warm welcomes", that would have been from people sending their regards online and if able and we were allowed in the SOL show appreciation that way.
Surely they should not do more than pass on ideas, suggestions to the club for their consideration. That's it. Secretary role in a way They don't run the club, or have any right to scrutinize the club plans beyond chatting about it in the pub like everyone else. And in the scenario of dodgy goings on like SD etc, then consult fans etc.. on the club's feedback (or lack of)...and follow procedures already in place for these organisations. Seems like they don't know their role and got carried away. Ok I'm basing it on a statement, but words matter. Made themselves sound silly whoever 'they' are. This PR lark not as simple as you think eh
That's all quite sensible to me.
It's a shame the RTG debate has descended into the usual shouting match, attacks/defence on Bob, people being shouted down, etc.
There's an almost manic defence of RAWA which is a little uncomfortable to see.
Anyone voicing genuine concerns is being accused of being happy with the last two years and of 'sitting on their are'.
You'd think these RAWA members, who did nothing but tick an internet mailing list box, have been fighting on the barricades ffs.
Good point and quite true.
I always find it's customary, and polite, to allow the new boss to introduce himself before people start edging forward to shake his hand.
Before KLD has done that, or even been confirmed, RAWA have rushed forward to be his 'right hand man'.
It's simply poor behaviour and slightly elitist which doesn't sit well with many people.
I think some of the defenders see a potential role for themselves down the line - 'ambitious'!
If RAWA are claiming 13,000 members because, at a moment in time, 13,000 signed up to an email, are they claiming those members forever until they unsubscribe? Or like that poster earlier today who has sent an email in? It smacks of the original plans to move away from Roker Park where if you didn't actually cast a vote to stay at RP it was assumed you wanted to leave. A lot of that 13,000 will now not be bothered about RAWA, or read their website, or attend their meetings, they're happier now and that moment in time when they were pissed off has passed. Surely just because they haven't unsubscribed they can't still be classed as a member?
I've attended one ZOOM meeting and at an estimate, there were maybe 50-60 attendees maximum including committee members, probably 0.5% of their 13,000 membership and an even smaller % of all Sunderland fans. No way can they call themselves the voice of all fans and need a more robust way of measuring their membership.
I've attended one ZOOM meeting and at an estimate, there were maybe 50-60 attendees maximum including committee members, probably 0.5% of their 13,000 membership and an even smaller % of all Sunderland fans. No way can they call themselves the voice of all fans and need a more robust way of measuring their membership.
Ask people for £10 a year and you'd see how many members they really have ...
... ask for £100 and you'd see how many of their staunchest defenders would still be at the barricades.
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It’s as cringe worthy as that pillock who had the zoom call with the Saudis and said he was speaking on behalf of the geordie nation or that other twerp who went to the pl hq and believed 20,000 fans were following him down, RAWA don’t represent the 1.6m Facebook followers or the 1m Twitter followers they have a 13,000 email list and have no right to claim they speak on behalf of anyone but themselves
I started a fresh thread, don't know if anyone's seen it yet, but we received £17m from the PL last year? I had no idea we got that much, was that public knowledge?
To be fair, as I mentioned to Smug yesterday the line of being a voice "for all Sunderland fans" just means it's a group that's open for all. The previous groups were only open to you if you were a branch member (BLC), a senior supporter (obviously the senior supporters group) etc. So it just means that this is one group which encompasses all due to having a rep for most sections of the support. If they said they were the voice of all Sunderland fans that slightly different wording would have a different meaning. As for not replying to emails, I agree it isn't great if members get in touch and don't hear anything back at all. @Smug in Boots I've passed your questions on to one of the committee members, I'll let you know when I hear back. @Confucius I've asked about the emails and they mentioned that over the christmas period they might be a bit behind but that they're normally on top of them. Not sure when you sent your email but I've raised it as an issue (I've also offered to help them by going through emails, replying to the ones I can and flagging ones that need the committee to input on, but I think they're likely okay without).