This past Sunday we had our 2014 annual general meeting at the Claddagh. We had an amazing turn out, and it was great to see a number of new faces. For those of you who weren’t able to make it out below is a recap of each topic we hit. This is a long post so buckle up!
Steel Army Going Corporate
Last week we announced we’re implementing bylaws for the Steel Army (which can be found here). Part of the reason for bylaws is to define the structure of the group as we move forward and continue to grow. The other reason is bylaws are required to become an LLC. We’re happy to announce we’ve filed for LLC status within the state of Pennsylvania and are just waiting to get the paperwork back from Harrisburg. We wanted to do this for a couple reasons. First is so that we can open a bank account somewhere. With the group and our budget growing we need a better place to put the money than someone’s top drawer. It also gives us more accountability when it comes to our funds. Becoming an LLC is also the first step towards becoming a non profit group. Getting non profit status isn’t uncommon for supporters groups, and it’s something we’re shooting to accomplish by the end of the year. Finally being an LLC gives us some liability protection in case something were to happen.
Special Election
In our bylaws we’ve defined positions on the Board of Directors as well as the election process. We’re going to put this process to the test a little sooner than expected. We have an open position as a Membership Representative that needs filled, and so we need to have a special election. Note, because we just introduced dues we’re waiving article 8.7 of the bylaws since it’s not possible for anyone to have been a dues paying member for at least a year. Also, whoever is elected to this position will see out the remainder of the 2014 term.
Dates to remember: April 12th at 12:01 pm – April 19th at 12:01 pm will be the nomination period. April 21st at 12:01 pm – April 26th at 12:01 pm will be the voting period.
Please review the bylaws for the election process. We will contact all dues paying members with more information as the above dates get closer. If there are any questions please let us know.
2014 Budget & Dues
A big goal for 2014 is to keep a positive balance in the bank account that we open. Right now we’re essentially broke which makes it hard to do things like TIFO or order scarfs. This is why we have to do pre-orders on a lot of things. Our goal is to carry a positive balance into next year so that when we want to make cool merch we can just do it and actually have a stock. It also helps to plan things like TIFO or tailgates when we know how much we can budget. To help with this as we announced last week we’re introducing dues this year. All money collected from dues go directly back into the Steel Army to help fund TIFO, tailgates, merch, smoke (if we have it), etc. To thank you for helping fund this group you’re also going to get some exclusive merch. More information about dues and the 2014 membership package can be found here.
Merch Plans for 2014
Besides the membership package we’re also going to do a couple other pieces of merch including an update version of the Steel Army scarf-
We’re also planning on doing another run of T-Shirts similar to what we did last year. This will probably happen around May/June. Also we’re looking to get sticks made for you to plaster all over Pittsburgh. There will be more information on merch as it becomes available.
Steel Army On The Web
Last year we started blogging and this year we’re going to keep expanding on it. To help with what we’re looking to do with the site we’ve brought on Kyle, Dan, and Jess to help out. Last season Dyson was pretty much the only person doing the posts on the site. It ended up being way more work than we expected and at times content was slim. With the extra help this season that won’t be an issue. We’re also working out a schedule of content so that there is a reason to come to the site every day of the week during the season. We’re really excited about what we have planned.
We also restarted the podcast this season and already knocked a few out. We don’t have a set schedule for podcasts but we’re looking to do it once or twice a month throughout the year. The Hounds have also been accommodating by giving us access to players and personnel to interview, so keep an eye out for those as the season progresses.
Tailgate
Tailgating before the matches last season was a ton of fun (and hot!) so we want to keep that going this year. There aren’t going to be major changes to tailgating, but we are working on some enhancements. The big one being port-a-johns. We’ve really been pushing the Hounds on this and its looking like we’ll have at least one. We’re also talking with the Hounds / Station Square about reserving a parking space or two so that we can set up tents and a communal table. Last year some days we were allowed to do this, some days we weren’t. The inconsistency was frustrating. We’re going to make sure it’s all worked out in advance. We’re also looking to spread out some of the food responsibilities and plan it a little better. Besides the cost of providing food (and jello shots!) adding up real quick there were times that we had way too much. Maria will be leading this up and will be putting out calls for help throughout the season. If you can help in any way it would be greatly appreciated and make the tailgating experience better for everyone.
TIFO
I don’t want to publicly talk too much about our TIFO plans since half the point of it is to be somewhat secretive. We are planning on doing at least four TIFO’s this season and they’re going to be bigger and better than before! We do have a few games we’re eyeing for TIFO which we’ll make sure to communicate to everyone as they approach. The home opener will be our first one and we do have dates set for making it. March 22nd at 8:00 am will be TIFO / Two Stick day, with the 23rd and 29th as make up days if the weather is bad. TIFO days are a great time to hang out with members of the Steel Army and bond over cans of paint. This year’s TIFO is pretty big so we’re planning on it being an all day event. If you can’t make it out early by all means stop by in the afternoon. If you have an extra paint brush, drop cloths, or anything else lying around that might be useful bring it!
Smoke
It’s no secret that we’re trying to get smoke back in the supporters sections. Most MLS, NASL, and USL supporters groups use smoke, and it would be a real shame if we’re unable to. We’ve been in talks with the Hounds and they want it just as much as we do. The hold up is Station Square, since they’re the property owner and have the final sign off. The Hounds having a meeting with Station Square soon and smoke is on the agenda. Once we know for sure if we can do smoke or not we’ll have a more detailed post on the rules for it.
Supporters Section Code of Conduct
With the bylaws comes a code of conduct we expect all members to abide by. Basically it boils down to don’t be an asshole. Swearing is a hot topic issue from last year that we have clarification on. Swearing isn’t out right banned. It’s a sporting event the team understands how that goes. If there’s a bad play and you drop “What the hell was that?” or whatever it’s fine. What we can’t do is organized swearing in our chants. The “Fuck Ohio” chant that got going the one game won’t fly. We don’t think that’s unreasonable and don’t see it being an issue. It would be great if we filled that entire side of the stadium and be as rowdy as we wanted. But we don’t and we need to live with the reality of the situation that there are families close by.
A big part of the problems we had last season was inconsistency with security. We’ve talked to the Hounds about this and they had issues with this in other parts of the stadium too. They’re aiming to have security figured out early and for it to be more consistent. We’ve pushed to having the same security guards in our section each game so that we can get to know each other and if something does come up they know who to go to and can have a dialog. Before the season starts The Hounds, The Steel Army, and whoever the security company is will have a meeting to go over who we are, what we do, and what to expect. The Hounds want to introduce us as unofficially part of the organization and not some crazies they have nothing to do with. This should help alleviate a lot of the problems we had and allow us to have a better working relationship with security.
Streamers, confetti, and things of that nature are fine. We do ask that you try to not get it on the field and don’t make a giant mess just because you can.
All that said if you see something during a game say something. We have the ability to police ourselves before it gets to the point of having to get security involved. There are 10 people on the board who you can come to about any issues and we’ll take care of it. Sometimes we might not be able to do something right away, but by next game it’ll be addressed. If there’s a problem with someone who’s outside of the Steel Army let security know / direct them to security. With the Steel Army being introduced as unofficial partners of the Hounds security will work with us on any issues, and if they’re non Steel Army members they’ll handle it. We want to prevent anything from getting to the point of being confrontational.
Within the bylaws there is a code of conduct section containing procedures for infractions and expulsion from the club. We don’t expect to ever get to the expulsion point, we know you’re all great people, but it is there if we need to.
Away Trips
We have two dates we’re looking to do away trips. June 6th at Rochester, and June 14th at Harrisburg. Rochester we’ll be looking at car pooling up there with the idea of coming back the same day, but if folk want to get a hotel that’s fine too. Harrisburg is the big trip. If the past is any indication, will be one of the best events of this summer. We want to take as many people as possible and make their fans miserable. We’re aiming to have enough interest in getting a bus so that no one has to worry about driving. With both away trips and the logistics involved we want to get them planned out early, so keep an eye out for more information about both in the near future.
Also worth noting with the Hounds affiliating with the Houston Dynamo this year they’re looking at organizing a trip to see the Dynamo play against one of the local-ish MLS teams. Even if you’re not a Dynamo fan it could be a good time where you get to see an MLS match. Just something to keep in mind as It’s in the very early planning stage. While the team is planning that trip we’re also interested and will post more information as we have it.
Watch Parties at Hough’s
Last year the watch parties we had at Hough’s were a ton of fun. We liked going to Hough’s and Hough’s liked having us so we’re not going to mess with success. Hough’s will have drink specials during the matches as well as some giveaways from time to time. We’re also looking at how to get the game on multiple TV’s and possibly even sound. We won’t be able to have every watch party at Hough’s due to scheduling conflicts, but a good 90% of the time we’ll be there. Check our Facebook events page in the near future for watch party dates.
We’re also really excited to announce we’re looking at brewing Steel Army beer at the Copper Kettle next door to have on tap and in bottles during watch parties. We’re still in the early planning stages to do this and will have more information later.
We’re really excited for this upcoming season and all the great things we have planned for the Steel Army. If there are any questions about anything please let us know.
