Establish a 10Club Oversight Committee?

frisbiec · July 2013

With all of this talk of the lottery, seniority, merchandise, etc. It seems like 10C members are more disenfranchised than ever. Maybe it is just a sign of the times in general. Even though we are all "connected" by technology, it seems that we as humans seem very divided in general, but I digress.

While I appreciate the efforts and cool things the 10C has done over the years, it does seem like their is a lack of transparency in the decisions and practices of the 10C when it comes to things such as tickets, membership privileges, merchandise, etc. This is precisely what makes some people bitter and upset. While there are always those that complain, there seems to be a lot of members that have lost hope or complain that have not been prone to complaining in the past.

On one hand, it is the 10Club's right to do what they want, it is a LLC, but it really does not seem in line with the spirit and ethos of what Pearl Jam has done over the years. Pearl Jam has always seemed to champion discourse and democracy. This got me thinking . . . why go it alone? What if the 10C established a sort of 10C panel or/oversight committee made up of fans/10clubbers from several demographics. These fans could be a sort of brain trust that ideas could be bounced off of and have some input on decisions are made. This would be very simple to do with modern technology.

Eventually, part of the yearly membership could be a ballot to vote on decisions, give feedback, "elect" board members (that might be a stretch), etc.

Maybe I am just crazy, but this seems like a pretty cool idea and so far outside of the box, that is would be classic Pearl Jam.

Thoughts?

gotsome10 · July 2013

I havent been a 10c member since inception like some people on here but to me this sounds legit. Granted it may be a major stretch and hard to find people to volunteer but it could work. This would definitely be a great way to make people feel like they have a voice in what goes on with the 10c

frisbiec · July 2013

Yeah the logistics of how to set it up might be tough, but I think there would plenty of people that would be willing to lend their services. Even if the 10C actively solicited our opinions, thoughts or suggestions before big decisions are made (not just in a board thread, but something more organized, direct and legit), it would be pretty cool and I think useful to all parties involved. However, I like the idea of having people that run the gamut in demographics so all people have a voice, not just the loudest ones.

It really seems like some not so well thought out decisions have been made over the past few years.

Personally, I am generally still happy with the 10C . . . I'm not going to run out a quit or anything, but I would like things to get better for everyone.

jimed14 · July 2013

While I completely agree that "having a peek behind the curtain" would be great for the fan club membership, I'm not sure it's in the band's interest. Honestly, I feel that all of the complaints this past week are coming from a vocal minority when you look at the full breadth of the 10c membership. There is just no way to please everyone.

When I read this ... "it really does not seem in line with the spirit and ethos of what Pearl Jam has done over the years" ... you have to realize, this band isn't the same band it has been over the years ... while there is zero doubt in my mind that they thoroughly appreciate their fans, you gotta admit, there is a huge cash component to the PJ engine now, (note: not all for their pockets, some of it for good like their charities and causes, the candidates the support, etc) ... the proliferation of merch just over the past 5 or so years kind of tells that story.

So, with that, I'll conclude with this ... the best way to speak your displeasure in a situation like this, where the communication is largely one sided, is not to continue your membership, and not to buy their merch.

Just my opinion, but willing to see this debate play out, hopefully, in a civil manner as you've approached it.

Bigda · July 2013

i like the idea, but think it won't ever happen. market (suply) and buyers (demand) - this is what we are dealing here with. this is not a democracy. sadly.

eldarion75 · July 2013

Wow. Just wow.

Pushin Forward Back · July 2013

Get over it people

JB128716 · July 2013

Seems like they listen to suggestions to me. For example, for the Wrigley show, you had to pay the entire ticket up front before the lottery. So some people had a few hundred dollars on hold. People complained and with the past lottery, you only had to put $1 on hold.

I know I personally suggested that they give us a clue on how many tickets in each section were being offered. For some reason I thought GA for Wrigley would be huge. It's actually very small. So with this last lottery they said we have more reserved seating than GA and gave us an idea of the size for GA.

I know fans have asked for boots on vinyl and we just got that too.

Sounds to me they do listen but could also avoid potential missteps ahead of time.

know1 · July 2013

frisbiec wrote:

With all of this talk of the lottery, seniority, merchandise, etc. It seems like 10C members are more disenfranchised than ever. Maybe it is just a sign of the times in general.

Yes. It is a sign of the times in general. People are whinier, more entitled and more spoiled than ever. Modern convenience contributes a lot to this.

The Ten Club is just fine and it always has been. They do a wonderful job.

Stephen Flow · July 2013

I always wonder if the bitching 24/7 would push them to just close 10c all together...

This thread was made with good intentions but we dont need hall monitors here...

JB128716 · July 2013

Also if you've ever been in management and were responsible for having everyone agree on something, you will learn pretty fast it's next to impossible. You try to live by the 80/20 rule. Try your best to help 80 % of the people as 20% will always complain.

This board has a lot of comments from the 20% which is normal. After the Wrigley lottery this forum lit up with complaints. You'd thought it was the end of the world. Then you get here and you see how many people won tickets. It's a fucking lot of people. And everyone appears to be having a great time. You won't see too many of those stories here. You'll see the ones that say it's too hot, the lines are long, they ran out of merch, etc...

It's like the old saying, make someone happy and they might tell one or two people. Make someone angry and they will tell everyone.

It's true with all companies.

frisbiec · July 2013

Pushin Forward Back wrote:

Get over it people

Get over what. No need to be a douche. I was asking a simple question. While it may have been a crazy idea and totally not scaleable, it is a good start for some discussion.

In the opinion of many, the fan club over the last few years has been more dysfunctional. It could be argued that a lot of decisions have been made that are questionable. I am not bitching or complaining. I am generally satisfied by the 10C (for me probably 90%), but there is room for improvement.

I personally think a lot of people get mad because there is not a lot of transparency as to how or why decisions are made or how thinks work "behind the curtains." Technically we do not need to be made aware of why decisions are made because the 10C is a business and all it really has to do is make money, which it most certainly does, but it would be nice if there was more transparency.

If you really dig through the posts and filter out the Debbie downers, the complainers, the whiners, the know it alls, etc . . . there are some good solutions and ideas shared that get overshadowed and I am not so sure the 10C listens as much anymore. But then again, as long as memberships, tickets and merch are being purchased, that is all the listening the business of the 10C club needs to do. As stated by others, this isn't the same band anymore and that is not necessarily a bad thing on all fronts, just different.

2-feign-reluctance · July 2013

frisbiec wrote:

Pushin Forward Back wrote:

Get over it people

Get over what. No need to be a douche. I was asking a simple question. While it may have been a crazy idea and totally not scaleable, it is a good start for some discussion.

In the opinion of many, the fan club over the last few years has been more dysfunctional. It could be argued that a lot of decisions have been made that are questionable. I am not bitching or complaining. I am generally satisfied by the 10C (for me probably 90%), but there is room for improvement.

I personally think a lot of people get mad because there is not a lot of transparency as to how or why decisions are made or how thinks work "behind the curtains." Technically we do not need to be made aware of why decisions are made because the 10C is a business and all it really has to do is make money, which it most certainly does, but it would be nice if there was more transparency.

If you really dig through the posts and filter out the Debbie downers, the complainers, the whiners, the know it alls, etc . . . there are some good solutions and ideas shared that get overshadowed and I am not so sure the 10C listens as much anymore. But then again, as long as memberships, tickets and merch are being purchased, that is all the listening the business of the 10C club needs to do. As stated by others, this isn't the same band anymore and that is not necessarily a bad thing on all fronts, just different.[/quot

And it's ok to call someone a douche? Don't stoop man, just carry on.

Spiritual_Chaos · July 2013

The swedish word Ombudsman - isn't pretty much that what we are talking about here?

frisbiec · July 2013

Stephen Flow wrote:

I always wonder if the bitching 24/7 would push them to just close 10c all together...

This thread was made with good intentions but we dont need hall monitors here...

The point of my initial post was not that we need hall monitors, in a sense we already do. People generally monitor wrong doings and report them back to mods, etc.

I just think they could rekindle some of the more personable connection with the fans that seemed to be more prevalent a few years ago with some oversight and transparency. As I also mentioned, at the very least, it would be cool if they sent a survey to gauge the thoughts and opinions of fans regarding important issues.

In regards to closing the 10C all together, I doubt that would happen while the band is active. I could see things like aspects of seniority continue to be phased out . . . which isn't necessarily a bad thing

frisbiec · July 2013

2-feign-reluctance wrote:

And it's ok to call someone a douche? Don't stoop man, just carry on.

Sometimes, the inner New Yorker in me comes out. Being that I live in the passive aggressiveness of the PNW, sometimes I need to let it out. But if offended, I apologize.

FrankieG · July 2013

frisbiec wrote:

On one hand, it is the 10Club's right to do what they want, it is a LLC, but it really does not seem in line with the spirit and ethos of what Pearl Jam has done over the years. Pearl Jam has always seemed to champion discourse and democracy. This got me thinking . . . why go it alone? What if the 10C established a sort of 10C panel or/oversight committee made up of fans/10clubbers from several demographics. These fans could be a sort of brain trust that ideas could be bounced off of and have some input on decisions are made.

10 club is a business. Everything they do is to either make a profit, or please the fans into staying/joining to hopefully make a profit at a later date. A customer panel in charge of important decisions isn't a sound business practice. They have already had a thread for suggestions, but they aren't going to take it farther than suggestions.

DURP · July 2013

Nothing is perfect and not everyone will ever be happy with the system.

That said I have noticed changes around here for the better. Do I like the lottery system? Not really but's the system we have to deal with so I might as well learn to like it or at least tolerate it.

If you changed the tickets to the old way then people who can't spend all day in front of the computer will think it's unfair. Instead of F5 the lotto is basically the same thing I guess because let's be honest F5 was a lotto as well.

Last-12-Exit · July 2013

An oversight committee? For a band's fan club?

Come on people. :fp:

frisbiec · July 2013

FrankieG wrote:

frisbiec wrote:

On one hand, it is the 10Club's right to do what they want, it is a LLC, but it really does not seem in line with the spirit and ethos of what Pearl Jam has done over the years. Pearl Jam has always seemed to champion discourse and democracy. This got me thinking . . . why go it alone? What if the 10C established a sort of 10C panel or/oversight committee made up of fans/10clubbers from several demographics. These fans could be a sort of brain trust that ideas could be bounced off of and have some input on decisions are made.

10 club is a business. Everything they do is to either make a profit, or please the fans into staying/joining to hopefully make a profit at a later date. A customer panel in charge of important decisions isn't a sound business practice. They have already had a thread for suggestions, but they aren't going to take it farther than suggestions.

Fair enough. You are right, 10C is a business. I wasn't saying they should institute a customer panel in charge of important decisions. Instead a brain trust that collaborated to make things better. There are a lot of smart people in this club with various talents and skills . . . many could work to help create solutions to issues. While the thread is a nice gesture, it's not really structured enough to take seriously, nor do most fan club members even post here, so you aren't getting a good sample. If anything, it would be cool if they sent out periodic surveys, etc.

frisbiec · July 2013

Last-12-Exit wrote:

An oversight committee? For a band's fan club?

Come on people. :fp:

Yes, it is silly on many fronts, but more fan involvement/input and transparency would be nice.

The 10C has made some silly decisions of their own . . . most recently, the way merch was handled at Wrigley . . . I have no skin in that game, but anyone could tell that it would be somewhat of a mess.

An oversight board is probably a stretch, but I think a lot of people can offer good ideas . . . many of them do, but they are often overshadowed

Establish a 10Club Oversight Committee?

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