The state of AOBR address As we draw near the end of 2014, I think its good to reflect on where weve come from, on this past year, and where are we going. We started this group in 2011 with 25 people who loved US Soccer, and we were the 48th chapter. We now have about 200 official members, a figure we could double if everyone who expressed interest did indeed join. I did ask the other chapter leaders how their midweek 130 games in Europe are attended, and we seem to be average if not more so, even compared to larger chapters, so thats made me feel better. It is something I would like us to improve on Nationally, we are up to 165 chapters, and ive heard about 30k members. As I have said before, this past year was what I had dreamed about since we started. Home bar packed so much that we should be thankful the fire marshall wasnt there. Hours upon hours of singing, chanting and yelling with hundreds of your new best friends. This past summer is something I think we will all remember the rest of our lives. We just about doubled in size from the spring thru the end of the summmer, and we get more each passing month. We do need everyone to not be a fan only once every 4 years. we need your to participate in all US games and help substain the atmospheres we were part of in the summer In 2015, we have the Womens World Cup, the Gold Cup, and World Cup qualifying group stages kick off. In 2016, the US will host the 100th annniverary touramnent of the Copa America. The US, Mexico and 4 other Concocaf teams will join South America for a tournament of the hemisphere, and the Hex for Russia 2018 also begins. Our business is US Soccer, and business is BOOMING But all of our growth has come with challenges. One thing has become quite clear to me, this is something I can no longer take on all alone. Many of you have offered assistance in the past, and now I feel its time to start spreading some responsibilites around. To see who would be willing to do what, and to plan for the coming year, Id like to invite you all out to our first Annual Chapter Meeting, next Saturday Dec 13 at 3pm. I want to hear what everyone has to say about what we have done and what we can do. Any ideas to gain new members, input on merchandise design, group activties, etc. Some of the larger chapters do charitable fundraiser things- food bank drives, old soccer equipment collection for needy youth players, etc. If you have a special skill the chapter can use, or if you just want to join a committee on some topic, any and all help is welcome. This chapter is yours, not mine, so please come out and lets hear how we can improve, what you think hasnt worked, and your general thoughts. If you can make it, please let me know. I would like to gie the bar a headcount so they can plan for space and staff. If you cant make it, your ideas and thoughts are as they have been always welcome. I try to reply to all emails the same day, FB message me or even give me a call or text. I know its a bit of short notice, but this idea came to me today, and I wanted to avoid the true christmas/new years rush while not waiting too long I hope a lot of you can make it out next week. Unite and Stregthen
Posted on: Fri, 05 Dec 2014 23:38:40 +0000
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