As I posted - all power to the foundation heroes - they truly are heroes and are the ones who have saved our club and given us a chance. But if it was my money (if I could afford it) I'd want to know what it's really for.

What posters are really saying is "everyone knows it's not really about the TPP but everyone's happier if we say it is", that just doesn't wash for me, but maybe that's just me.

I think what the board spends money on and how it makes decisions is important. I think that fundraising is a great idea. These two things are not mutually exclusive.

TPP should not be funded by members. TPP should not be an extra at the end of the day we have to scramble to cover. Anyone one thinks that this is ok is kidding themselves. It's like saying that you've got the grog bill covered but need to scramble for the mortgage.

  On 22/08/2012 at 03:45, old55 said:

Not for me it's not. If we didn't raise money last night would we have been unable to pay 100% of the TPP? Do we need a similar fundraiser next year and the year after to pay 100% of TPP? They're pretty simple questions.

Let's put it another way. If we didn't raise money last night we could still pay 100% of the salary cap but remove a few of people from the FD, some from admin/membership, cut back some community programs. Whichever way there are short and long term implications. In the meantime other clubs are quietly fundraising, stealing our people, going after our players and opening the gap on us. These fundraisers I am convinced are now a permanent fixture, don't expect them to go away, even if we get financially stable and win a flag.

Trust me, this is not funding TPP. It's just a way to sell it to the masses.

Realistically, it'll be spent on logistics, back-of-house staff and little extras that the FD desires, but isn't a 'core' expense.

As I don't have the figures on me, feel free to correct if I'm wrong, but isn't TPP only about 25-30% of total expenditure for the club?

This is money that will be used on selling the club, but it won't draw donations if that is what is said.

  On 22/08/2012 at 04:01, diesel said:

Let's put it another way. If we didn't raise money last night we could still pay 100% of the salary cap but remove a few of people from the FD, some from admin/membership, cut back some community programs.

That's a fact is it? OK.

Old55 the Foundation Members fundraiser has been running for a few years now and will continue running annually

As some other poster said the TPP is only about 25% of total revenue

Our total revenue is less than the big clubs and in some areas our facilities are less than theirs.

We have a lower supporter base than most

We will always (for the foreseeable future) need more revenue to compete on a level playing field

Donations from generous benefactors is just one way to grow revenue (and is the case with the bigger clubs too)

As in politics there will never be "enough money"

  On 22/08/2012 at 04:11, old55 said:

That's a fact is it? OK.

"We could", clearly I'm not presenting a fact. To pay 100% of the TPP with no fundsriasing and we would have to cut somewhere else (or go into debt), simple maths surely?

  On 22/08/2012 at 03:11, daisycutter said:

I'm sure Fan could work that out for himself???

I'm taking Don at his word, is that wrong?

  On 22/08/2012 at 04:29, Fan said:

I'm taking Don at his word, is that wrong?

If it (really) bothers you Fan take it up with Don.

...........................................................................

SO ANY TALK OF TRADES OR PICKUPS?!

We enjoyed the night and our two guests kicked in very generously as well and are now considering further options to support our club. The players and footy dept staff kicked in $30,000! We are happy to contribute to our club. A frequent poster here donated major dollars last night. Thanks to all. EVERYONE can give a bit not just those who are Foundation Heroes. You know what to do. Go Dees.

  On 22/08/2012 at 04:35, mephis said:

...........................................................................

SO ANY TALK OF TRADES OR PICKUPS?!

Not on the night obviously with the players there. Try the Drafting and Trading Board.

  On 22/08/2012 at 04:33, daisycutter said:

If it (really) bothers you Fan take it up with Don.

You didn't answer the question. Not surprising really.

  On 22/08/2012 at 05:01, Fan said:

You didn't answer the question. Not surprising really.

No, it isn't surprising that a rhetorical question was not answered.

Speech from the 2 Jacks:

http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7415/newsid/145351/default.aspx#embedvideoplayer

  On 22/08/2012 at 04:29, Fan said:

I'm taking Don at his word, is that wrong?

I think we are being naive if we truly believe that this fund raising is that directional and we wouldnt be able to pay 100% TPP without it.

Dig deep people because

a) we need more account receivable clerks in the admin area: OR

B) more dencorub is required for the boys groins: OR

c) we need more punching bags in the gym because Chunks head is wearing thin: OR

d) so we can splash out and buy Cloke, Goddard and Boak.

Which one has the most appeal ?

  On 22/08/2012 at 03:56, old55 said:

As I posted - all power to the foundation heroes - they truly are heroes and are the ones who have saved our club and given us a chance. But if it was my money (if I could afford it) I'd want to know what it's really for.

What posters are really saying is "everyone knows it's not really about the TPP but everyone's happier if we say it is", that just doesn't wash for me, but maybe that's just me.

I was there last night and I tipped in a bit more than I usually do because I can and because I wanted too. I don't give a flying fig what they use as a reason I know they need the money so I contribute.

I would imagine that the majority who were there last night couldn't give a stuff either, they were asked to chip in and did. What I can't understand is why anyone that didn't put in or wasn't there really cares how they dress it up.

  On 22/08/2012 at 04:35, mephis said:

...........................................................................

SO ANY TALK OF TRADES OR PICKUPS?!

Toumpas is on the radar, Grundy may not be.

Clubs are chasing a couple of our players and trades may be arranged.

Project players will be looked at to see just how long it will be before they are "potentially" going to be players and whether the 3 to 4 years is worth the wait and expense.

I wouldn't expect to see Cloke with us next year.

  On 21/08/2012 at 14:00, Whispering_Jack said:

Yes. I was there and the highlight was the tribute to Jimmy including a wonderful speech from Trish Silvers (Broadbridge).

We left before the final total for the night was announced but I would be surprised if we don't make the target for the night.

There were a few rumours circulating about player movements both to and from the club but I don't believe it would be appropriate to comment on speculation.

Great news about Sam Blease who I was worried might be lured away to GWS - yes that was a rumour that went wrong and it's why we should be loathe to deal in rumours.

You wouldn't be "commenting on", you'd just be repeating the rumours...

There's nothing wrong with that. Why wouldn't that be appropriate?

Is it too simplistic to say that $750k reflects an extra 3000 memberships at $250 each?

  On 22/08/2012 at 05:10, Dr. Mubutu said:

Speech from the 2 Jacks:

http://www.melbourne...mbedvideoplayer

Thought they spoke pretty well. Very mature young men for their age, just reaffirmed that the club is in good hands with blokes that like leading from the front.

  On 22/08/2012 at 06:33, How?Jeremy Howe! said:

Is it too simplistic to say that $750k reflects an extra 3000 memberships at $250 each?

A good way to look at it. But you have to look at the membership package (card, scarf etc) that is taken out of that and the gate receipts of the number of games the member/s attend.

This is pretty much pure cash. The more realistic number might be 4000 memberships at $250 each. To cover costs.

  On 22/08/2012 at 05:38, RobbieF said:

What I can't understand is why anyone that didn't put in or wasn't there really cares how they dress it up.

I only care because I want us to be able to pay 100% of the TPP without the need to resort to special fundraising from generous members.

Yes, as posted by diesel "we could" make cuts elsewhere to do so in the absence of such fundraising, but would we?

We can't win a flag without paying 100% and I'd like us to be funding this from recurring revenue not from discretional donations from generous members.

Apologies if this is hard to understand ....

  On 22/08/2012 at 07:23, old55 said:

I only care because I want us to be able to pay 100% of the TPP without the need to resort to special fundraising from generous members.

Yes, as posted by diesel "we could" make cuts elsewhere to do so in the absence of such fundraising, but would we?

We can't win a flag without paying 100% and I'd like us to be funding this from recurring revenue not from discretional donations from generous members.

Apologies if this is hard to understand ....

What's not hard to understand; we have a Foundation Heroes Dinner every year and raise the money, if that's not recurring then what is?

Membership goes up and down, sponsorship goes up and down, funds raised through the Foundation Heroes Dinner go up and down; what's the problem?

No need to be a smart ass about it.

I hope we have fundraisers every year. $$ are always needed and support shows the club we do care.