The ISC started in Seattle at the Supporters Summit at MLS Finals 2009. Its great to support all USA and Canadian Supporters.
Soccer Supporters Unite!
PORTLAND, Oregon (15 February, 2012) – Soccer rivalries are known for their intensity, but leadership of soccer supporters groups from across the US and Canada set aside their rivalries last weekend in Portland, Oregon for the Independent Supporters Council (ISC) conference.
The ISC works to promote supporters’ culture in North America, and defend the rights of soccer supporters. Over the weekend, representatives of supporters of 16 of the 19 teams in Major League Soccer discussed issues facing supporters, and revised and ratified the Independent Supporters Council Charter, including the Supporters Bill of Rights.
“By speaking with a singular voice for all recognized supporters groups regarding issues that may be specific to one group, but that affect all, ISC can effectively use the collective leverage of all groups to protect the interests of each individual group,” said Jason Corliss board member of Red Bull New York’s Viking Army SC.
“MLS is beginning to appreciate the role of supporters, and aren’t just marketing the game to soccer moms any longer. It’s a step in the right direction, but we want to make certain all supporters can safely and passionately follow their team wherever they travel,” said Abram Goldman-Armstrong, a founding member of the ISC and board member of the Timbers Army 107 Independent Supporters Trust, which hosted the conference in Portland.
ISC initiatives include:
- Coordinating an annual ISC conference open to delegations of supporters from all clubs in the United States and Canada, including in MLS, lower-league levels and women’s soccer
- Tracking incidents and advocating for stadium security trained to understand supporter culture
- Developing clear, consistent guidelines and fair ticket allocations for traveling supporters
- Organizing the administration and funding of a new Supporters’ Shield trophy
- Advocating for an MLS schedule that is favorable to traveling fans, especially rivalry games
- Working for the adoption of a league-wide Supporters’ Bill of Rights
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ISC – The Independent Supporters Council was founded in 2009 to advocate for the fair treatment of home and away supporters, promote supporter culture, and oppose racism and bias in the stadium. www.soccersupporters.org
For more information, contact: Jimi Butler, ISC liaison to MLS – 202-549-6123 – roadtrips@screaming-eagles.com or gorillafc@gmail.com
The ISC Charter is here:
All listed supporters groups not formerly members of the council were admitted as members by a motion by Abram Goldman-Armstrong of Timbers Army 107ist, upon signing the Charter approved by Casbah, Rogue Cavilers Brigade, Timbers Army, Section 8 Chicago ISA, Union Ultras, Red Patch Boys, Gorilla FC, Southsiders, Bulldog SG, Lakeside Buoys and Midnight Riders
Charter of the Independent Supporters Council of the US and Canada I. Statement of Purpose
The Independent Supporters’ Council exists to: A. Advocate for the fair treatment of home and away supporters; B. Promote the expression of supporter culture throughout the United States and Canada; C. Allow supporters’ groups to share information and resources for the advancement of supporter culture; and D. Oppose racism and bias in all forms, whether from supporters or from team management. II. Supporters’ Bill of Rights
The Supporters’ Council will work to ensure the rights of all home and away supporters at any stadium in the United States and Canada to:
A. A place in each stadium for home and away supporters to stand, sing, and cheer;
B. The use of all safe, legal methods of showing support including but not limited to; flags, banners, drums, instruments, overhead banners and safe pyrotechnics;
C. Clear and consistent written guidelines for home and away supporters;
D. Minimum league standards for the accommodation of away supporters;
E. Security personnel with an understanding of and training in supporter culture; and
F. Consistent, fair, race-neutral, evenhanded and evidence-based enforcement of stadium rules and regulations.
III. Council Members and Delegates
A. A member of the ISC shall be defined as: a delegation of supporters of a soccer team playing in leagues in the US and Canada.
B. Each team’s delegation in good standing shall have one vote on the council
I. If members of the team’s delegation do not agree, the vote shall be counted as an abstention
II. Good Standing shall be considered to be having no outstanding debt from ISC events or initiatives
III. For League-specific issues, only members from that league receive a vote
C. The Supporters’ Council has no standing budget and acts entirely through its member Supporters’ Groups and associations and volunteers. Each project sponsor supporter group or association shall be responsible for up front expenses, to be reimbursed equally from member teams’ delegations. A detailed accounting of those expenses must be made available to all members prior to reimbursement.
D. Each Supporters’ Group or Association that has been approved for membership has the right to appoint a delegate or delegates (up to two per Supporters’ Group or Association) to the Council.
E. Each delegate is entitled to participate in discussion and bring motions before the Council in accordance with procedures established by the Council.
F. The Council will maintain a list of groups eligible to ratify this Charter and participate in the Council, which may be added to by vote of the Council. Ratified 12 February 2012 Delegations: (SG name)
Los Angeles Galaxy (Angel City Brigade) Columbus (Hudson St. Hooligans) San Jose Earthquakes (Casbah) Real Salt Lake (Rogue Cavaliers Brigade) Vancouver Whitecaps (Southsiders) New York Red Bulls (Viking Army) New York Red Bulls (Empire Supporters Club) Chivas USA (Union Ultras) Chicago Fire (Section 8 Chicago ISA) Colorado Rapids (Pid Army) Colorado Rapids (Bulldog Supporters Group) New England (Midnight Riders) Portland Timbers (Timbers Army 107 Independent Supporters Trust) DC United (Screaming Eagles) Houston Dynamo (Texian Army) Toronto FC (Red Patch Boys) Seattle Sounders FC (Gorilla FC)
