Membership package and subscriptions

As promised, the future of Potters Monthly and membership rates were debated at our well attended AGM held on 10th June 2005. The whole of the second half of the meeting was given over to this subject. The discussion was lively but good natured with many contributions from the floor, most of whom had managed to stay awake whilst Neil explained what he thought we should do and why! There were some minor differences of opinion but overall there appeared to be reasonable agreement with the way forward proposed by the committee.

In summary:

• It was confirmed that no-one had come forward to replace Norman as PM editor, and by necessity PM would therefore have to be replaced with a smaller Newsletter.
• However, members were keen on retaining an annual magazine ‘in the spirit of PM’ and there were a number of offers to help with this. Therefore, all being well, we propose to publish our first annual magazine in the summer of 2006.
• On membership rates, the consensus view of members at the meeting was that we should be cautious in setting of the new rate.
• Many also thought that it was not necessary to offer renewing members a discount to compensate for the reduced number of PMs last season.
• Kit sponsorship will cost us about £400. Matchball and programme sponsorship prices have been raised for 2005/06 and are beyond our means at present. We have budgeted for £400 kit sponsorship.
• A motion was carried asking the committee to make the final decision on membership rates after the AGM.
• The committee subsequently conferred and decided to adopt one of the AGM proposals: a flat rate membership fee of £10 for everyone (no concessions, and ‘family’ members can now be added for free).

To clarify, the membership package for 2005/06 will be:

• £10 membership for everyone
• Club Newsletter and travel bulletin (by post or email) monthly during the season
• Annual club magazine (issued post season)

But don't forget the following benefits:

• Cheap group travel to matches (train or minibus)
• 5% discount at the Stoke City club shop
• you are directly contributing to the kit sponsorship of a Stoke City player.
• our sports and social activities
• APFSCIL, FSF, Fans Forum etc.

For more details, see the membership benefits page.