Question and Answers

What's BRISA all about?
BRISA (Blackburn Rovers Independent Supporters Association) are the main body for Blackburn Rovers supporters.

We will represent the views of BRFC fans to both the club and the media, as well as increase the opportunities and ways in which supporters of Blackburn Rovers can express their affiliation with, and active support of, the club.

How much will membership cost?
BRISA membership will cost £5 per household per year, and whilst this can cover either a single member or an entire family, the membership would only carry one vote (applicable to the first named applicant).

What do you hope to achieve?
BRISA can create a stronger connection between the club and the fans. Hopefuly, in the fullness of time through the workings of BRISA, Rovers fans will be able to see they can have an influence on their football club.

The other main aim of BRISA is to help increase the level of support. We have already discussed various ways and means of achieving this, and are sure there will be many more discussions in the future, but hope that by simply having an active supporters group, which the fans feel represents their views, will help to reduce the disillusionment felt by many supporters.

Who can stand for posts within BRISA?
All members of BRISA will be able to stand for election to the committee. There are no barriers. The current interim committee will stand down in the summer and an AGM will be held to elect a new committee.

What do you intend to do to benefit the fans?
As stated earlier, BRISA hopes to increase the level of communication between the fans and the club. This means fans will gain more knowledge of what the club are doing, and why they are doing it, as well as allowing Rovers fans to have a real voice and say in the decisions the club makes. Another potential benefit could see an increase in regional supporters groups and supporter events that will allow Rovers fans everywhere to feel part of the club and the supporter community.

What does the club think of all this?
The club have been very supportive of the idea of BRISA so far and are actively encouraging the association. BRISA believes the club shares our vision of the benefits of increased communication with the fans. That said, BRISA will be an independent organisation and not answerable to the club in any way.

How can I help?
- You can join BRISA! The more members BRISA has, the more truly representative it will become, the more it will be taken seriously by the club and the media, and the more we will be able to influence the club's thinking.

- You can inform BRISA of any suggestions, ideas or gripes you may have with the club. These can then be discussed with the membership and, if necessary, discussed with the club.

- You can stand for election to the BRISA committee. If you wish to be actively involved with the workings of BRISA and, this is important, you have the necessary time and drive to be fully committed to help what BRISA is trying to achieve, then we need your help.

- Can you offer any professional help? For example, printing, host a website, offer legal services. Are you experienced in dealing with the media or public relations, etc. etc. BRISA wants to hear from you.

- You can volunteer to help with specific projects. From time to time BRISA will probably want to undertake a specific project or task that will require volunteers to complete.

How can I get more info?
Our website, www.brisa.org.uk, contains all the info regarding BRISA there is. Here you can view the Constitution, Mission Statement and minutes of all the BRISA meetings.

If you have a specific question then mail admin@brisa.org.uk and we will endeavour to give you an answer as soon as possible.

What about overseas fans?
They are just as important to BRISA as anyone and are encouraged to join. BRISA aims to represent the views of all Blackburn Rovers supporters throughout the world.

One BRISA aim is to encourage the forming of more regional, or even international, supporters groups.

I have a great idea, what can I do?
Get in touch, by phone, e-mail or post. Contact details can be found on the BRISA website.

Who are the people behind BRISA?
There are currently 14 people on the BRISA committee. A short description of each of the committee members can be found on the BRISA website in the About BRISA / Who's Who section.

How was the committee decided upon?
The idea of a BRISA came about through informal discussions between various supporters at matches. A separate ISA forum was created on BRFCS.com to discuss ideas and proposals, and various members who had shown a previous interest in the topic were given access to the forum.

As these discussions took take shape it was decided we should hold a more formal meeting (at The Fernhurst on 28/01/05) where ideas about how best to set up an ISA could be debated. Anyone who had access to the ISA forum on BRFCS.com was invited to attend the meeting, six of us did, so this became the initial steering group!

This steering group increased in size as BRISA got closer to it's official launch. After the launch, all those steering group members who wanted to continue running BRISA formed the interim BRISA committee.

As stated earlier, this interim committee will stand down at the AGM in the summer and a new committee will be elected. All BRISA members will be able to stand for this election.

How will BRISA communicate with its members?
BRISA will hold regular meetings that any member of BRISA can attend. These meetings will be publicised beforehand, will be fully minuted, and the minutes will be made available for anyone to read. These minutes will be posted on the BRISA website, and included in a regular newsletter that will be sent (either by e-mail or by post) to all our members.

In addition, any discussions BRISA has with the club, or other external group, will be minuted through the channels mentioned above.

BRISA can also be contacted by e-mail, by post, or by phone. The contact details can be found on the BRISA website.

How will BRISA ensure it remains independent of the club whilst promoting good relations with Rovers?
The whole point of BRISA is to represent Blackburn Rovers fans. BRISA wishes to maintain amicable relations with the club, but will not be afraid to present opposing views if the membership of BRISA feel strongly enough about an issue.

BRISA will do what it thinks is best to promote and achieve the wishes of its membership. In most cases I'm sure that this will involve a good, working relationship with the club, however, BRISA will remain independent of the club at all times. In the initial discussions with the club they seem to understand this and are in favour of it.

To what extent does BRISA expect to work WITH the club on issues?
To a large extent. BRISA is there to represent the views and wishes of Rovers supporters everywhere, this will be best achieved by working and communicating closely with the club. However, all discussions with the club will be open and minuted and BRISA won't be scared to distance oursleves from the club if required.

Will BRISA be Ewood centred? i.e. will the bulk of activity be in Blackburn?
As the bulk of Rovers supporters live in and around Blackburn then it makes sense that the majority of BRISA meetings will take place in the Blackburn area. However, this will not prevent regional or international supporters groups holding their own meetings / get-togethers with feedback to the BRISA committee.

How will BRISA reach out to fans some distance from Ewood?
Through the BRISA website, newsletters and other media. BRISA will be actively encouraging people to set up regional or international supporters groups. To this aim we hope to work closely with existing supporters groups.

If I want to start a BRISA group/cell how can I do this?
The detail has still to be decided but the intention is to make it a lot easier than in the past. Previously a fee has to be paid to the club and there has to be a certain amount of members before a group can be officially recognised. BRISA would relax these restrictions and will encourage regional groups to develop.

What help will BRISA give me to start a BRISA group?
As much help as possible. The more supporters groups there are, the more fans are likely to feel part of a community, and the more they are likely to attend more games. In addition, they are also more likely to attract new members for BRISA.

How will BRISA be funded?
By membership fees, sponsorship, and donations.

If I become a member what do I get?
The main reason for joining is to be part of the association and, therefore, be part of a representative body of fans. All members will receive a membership card, a regular newsletter, and a badge.

How do I become a member?
You can join through the BRISA web-site, via post to BRISA, by talking to a committee member, or by attending any of the BRISA meetings.

Is there any guarantee that the BRISA will be fully democratic?
BRISA will be fully democratic. All it's meetings will be open to the public and each meeting will be minuted and available for everyone to read. To gain a position on the BRISA committee you will need to stand for election by the BRISA membership. The committee will be elected each year and anyone wishing to take up a position will have the chance to stand.