Kombibuddie

Sums things up for me Stuart.
Joined SMISA originally, then subs was reduced to a peppercorn subscription (£2 per month I think it was) around the time I moved to Saudi so I stopped as I thought then "they won't miss my £2". There is a bit more riding on it now so I am in it for the long haul but I want to see the fans money used wisely within the directive of purchasing shares & ultimately, The Club and not squandered paying maintenance bills or other costs that The Football Club should be budgeting for.
Engaging with the local community is vitally important for the longevity of both Buy the Buds and St Mirren Football Club. Like the Hibs Foundation initiative, not only would I like to see St Mirren engage in projects like this but at the forefront of new initiatives too.
 

Sums things up for me Stuart.
Joined SMISA originally, then subs was reduced to a peppercorn subscription (£2 per month I think it was) around the time I moved to Saudi so I stopped as I thought then "they won't miss my £2". There is a bit more riding on it now so I am in it for the long haul but I want to see the fans money used wisely within the directive of purchasing shares & ultimately, The Club and not squandered paying maintenance bills or other costs that The Football Club should be budgeting for.
Engaging with the local community is vitally important for the longevity of both Buy the Buds and St Mirren Football Club. Like the Hibs Foundation initiative, not only would I like to see St Mirren engage in projects like this but at the forefront of new initiatives too.
 

Sums things up for me Stuart.
Joined SMISA originally, then subs was reduced to a peppercorn subscription (£2 per month I think it was) around the time I moved to Saudi so I stopped as I thought then "they won't miss my £2". There is a bit more riding on it now so I am in it for the long haul but I want to see the fans money used wisely within the directive of purchasing shares & ultimately, The Club and not squandered paying maintenance bills or other costs that The Football Club should be budgeting for.
Engaging with the local community is vitally important for the longevity of both Buy the Buds and St Mirren Football Club. Like the Hibs Foundation initiative, not only would I like to see St Mirren engage in projects like this but at the forefront of new initiatives too.
 

Sums things up for me Stuart.
Joined SMISA originally, then subs was reduced to a peppercorn subscription (£2 per month I think it was) around the time I moved to Saudi so I stopped as I thought then "they won't miss my £2". There is a bit more riding on it now so I am in it for the long haul but I want to see the fans money used wisely within the directive of purchasing shares & ultimately, The Club and not squandered paying maintenance bills or other costs that The Football Club should be budgeting for.
Engaging with the local community is vitally important for the longevity of both Buy the Buds and St Mirren Football Club. Like the Hibs Foundation initiative, not only would I like to see St Mirren engage in projects like this but at the forefront of new initiatives too.
 

I don't know why you would dread it. It's pretty simple. When SMiSA first started I was one of the first people to sign up. I can't remember what number I was but it was in single digits. The promise back then, and the mantra for all Independent Supporter Associations was that their purpose was to buy shares in the football club, to get a director onto the board of directors at the club and to give the supporters a voice in that boardroom. It started well, but after a period of time SMiSA found purchasing shares to be difficult and whilst sitting on a pot of money they were approached by the last board of directors to help out the club by buying t-shirts (those red cotton ones with SMISA written on it) and towels. The membership had a vote and bizarrely the majority decided it was a good idea and the cash got wasted. It struck me that the movement had drifted from their original goal and members were being taken for mugs and since I have a choice I chose to cancel my membership. 
I rejoined again in the build up to this Buy The Buds programme. I'm a big fan of fan ownership and I've contributed and still contribute to a number of similar programmes elsewhere. I went for the £24 per month fee despite not being attracted by any of the "privileges" and I pledged that I would auction any that I got for charity, as I tried to do with the Millennium night. Now as I understood the offer it was that SMiSA would be partnering with Gordon Scott to purchase the club, Gordon Scott putting up the majority of funding and holding the chairman post as a result and over a number of years SMiSA would purchase that shareholding from Gordon Scott. At the same time there was to be a members pot which would be there to be spent as directed by the majority of members. There is a big promise on the front page of the SMiSA website which attracts me. "St Mirren fans have a one off chance to make sure the club remains at the heart of the Paisley community and in the hands of the people who care the most for it." So I'd expect SMiSA to ensure as part of the membership offer that projects are undertaken that involve and benefit the whole community, not just the football club. 
The thought that I am helping to put the club into fan ownership makes me happy. The thought that some of the money will go to re-establishing good links with the community and putting the club back at the heart of the town really appeals to me. However if I believe that SMISA and the membership have lost sight of that then as before I should stop chucking money at it and contribute funds elsewhere. 
I'm sure if SMiSA continues to remain focused on it's aims most of the membership will stick. Indeed if attention is put towards working with the community and getting the brand back out there with some really positive stories, I'm sure membership might even grow. Similarly I'm sure if the St Mirren board see that membership fund as a place to turn to get repairs done to the under soil heating, or to renew the 3g pitch at Ralston without it being in the form of a loan or in return for shares, I'm certain that others - like me - will see that as a loss of focus on the goals of the organisation. 
Offering to write cheques for either SMiSA or the club indefinitely and without condition simply doesn't appeal to me. 

I now consider my £12 a month as a mandatory insurance policy, much like numerous other things I routinely shell out for by direct debit. It gets deducted, and I don't give it too much thought.
In terms of this payment, though, its insurance for SMFC, so I don't grudge a ha'penny. As such, I'm happy to leave the payment live for as long as I can afford it - fingers crossed, that will be for 10 years and beyond.
So, aye, I'm in.

Have you tried down the back of the couch?
That's usually where things are.
If that fails, ask the wife, she's sure to know.

Voted for the lads.Get voting Saints fans.Need to get the lads a gig at the 1877 club.

I left Barrhead for London in 1986. Celebrated my 30th birthday out of Scotland on 16th November.
Apart from a couple of years in Saudi Arabia (95-97) I've lived in/around Romford in East London. I used to get up the road a few times a season but parenthood put paid to the regularity of the trips and then it became an annual boys weekend with a couple of my mates. We've done Vienna's & Kilty Kilty to death so head up for away matches now and usually grab a seat on a supporters bus that has a couple of spare seats.

If we were in amongst the promotion spots, there might be an argument to fix the USH but only if USH is essential for entry into the SPL.
With us rooted to the bottom of div 1 (the championship) and relegation a genuine fear, we won't be able to afford to run it (at £4K per week) even if it only gets turned on once in a blue moon.
Leave it broke and fix it when we know we really really need it fixed. By that time, the fella from Hull might have some spare time and the SMISA monies (£2 per month) can be spent on something more worthwhile (& not the academy)
 

Great post Stuart.
Thank feck I'm not wasting money on hopeless Directors & repairing USH Systems
Gordon is taking the piss.

i'd use iconic photo's for this
for the players tunnel, the goal line clearance v Rangers where 4 or 5 St Mirren players are photographed from behind the goal all jumping together to clear a ball off the line.
Slogan would either be             One town One Team. This is St Mirren   or In it together.
For the other vomitories, I'd use the same slogan (to keep the message consistent) but use other iconic/memorable pictures too. A different phot in each vomitory
Thommo reeling away after scoring at Hampden, Cup winning teams with their cups etc etc. The supporters could be polled to choose their chosen photo's from a shortlist & as someone else suggested (think it was Div) have these sponsored by local businesses for a win/win on financing it.

I left Barrhead for London in 1986. Celebrated my 30th birthday out of Scotland on 16th November.
Apart from a couple of years in Saudi Arabia (95-97) I've lived in/around Romford in East London. I used to get up the road a few times a season but parenthood put paid to the regularity of the trips and then it became an annual boys weekend with a couple of my mates. We've done Vienna's & Kilty Kilty to death so head up for away matches now and usually grab a seat on a supporters bus that has a couple of spare seats.

I left Barrhead for London in 1986. Celebrated my 30th birthday out of Scotland on 16th November.
Apart from a couple of years in Saudi Arabia (95-97) I've lived in/around Romford in East London. I used to get up the road a few times a season but parenthood put paid to the regularity of the trips and then it became an annual boys weekend with a couple of my mates. We've done Vienna's & Kilty Kilty to death so head up for away matches now and usually grab a seat on a supporters bus that has a couple of spare seats.

Thanks EK but I am sure plenty of others would have volunteered - I just saw the request soon after it was posted by ES.
And there are some dicks on this forum but there are also many, many unsung heroes who fully support the Club, their fellow Buds and their fellow human beings. This week some guys finishing washing down every single seat in the stadium for the Club and fellow Buds and Away supporters. A guy that sits behind me volunteered to help some veterans from Erskine last week. He is also helping to organise a foodbank collection at the stadium before Xmas. Also in the last few weeks some fans have provided expertise and money to help with the disabled platform and some offered their practical services to help a fellow Bud who had an ongoing dispute. These are just a few examples that I am aware of over the last few weeks. I can think of loads more examples of Buds helping the Club and fellow Buds. Some spend all their time bumping their gums and criticising everything about the Club but the unsung heroes let their actions do their talking for them. That is what it is to be a fan and a Buddie.

It's a pity Police State Scotland doesn't extend to Ibrox & Parkhead, where it is needed more

It's a pity Police State Scotland doesn't extend to Ibrox & Parkhead, where it is needed more

It's a pity Police State Scotland doesn't extend to Ibrox & Parkhead, where it is needed more

It's a pity Police State Scotland doesn't extend to Ibrox & Parkhead, where it is needed more

It's a pity Police State Scotland doesn't extend to Ibrox & Parkhead, where it is needed more

i'd use iconic photo's for this
for the players tunnel, the goal line clearance v Rangers where 4 or 5 St Mirren players are photographed from behind the goal all jumping together to clear a ball off the line.
Slogan would either be             One town One Team. This is St Mirren   or In it together.
For the other vomitories, I'd use the same slogan (to keep the message consistent) but use other iconic/memorable pictures too. A different phot in each vomitory
Thommo reeling away after scoring at Hampden, Cup winning teams with their cups etc etc. The supporters could be polled to choose their chosen photo's from a shortlist & as someone else suggested (think it was Div) have these sponsored by local businesses for a win/win on financing it.

It's a pity Police State Scotland doesn't extend to Ibrox & Parkhead, where it is needed more

It's a pity Police State Scotland doesn't extend to Ibrox & Parkhead, where it is needed more

It's a pity Police State Scotland doesn't extend to Ibrox & Parkhead, where it is needed more

It's a pity Police State Scotland doesn't extend to Ibrox & Parkhead, where it is needed more