Subgroup Guidelines
-
Official Subgroup Status +
To attain official subgroup status a subgroup must recruit 20 unique members to purchase ECS membership. ECS members may participate and associate with as many sub-groups as they please, but they may only officially be a member of 1 sub-group. ECS leadership will maintain a database for each group to track this. New members, when purchasing their ECS Membership will also now have the option to select a subgroup of their belonging. This tool will allow you to recruit without any effort. Regardless, we encourage subgroups to recruit by other means at various events and other social networks. What you get when you become an official subgroup? Your own damn page on our website and a presence on the SSFC website as well under the Supporters Section. Additionally, through the ECS you will potentially get access to players, front office staff, etc to continue to promote your ECS subgroup. Additionally you get to be a part of one of the largest and fasting growing supporter groups in the US and be a part of some of the loudest chanting sections in MLS. -
Gear +
Subgroups are to require ECS membership from their members. ECS membership entails the purchase of the ECS membership package. Subgroups, however, can produce additional gear to fund raise on their own. We suggest that subgroups produce patches that can then be affixed to the ECS scarf sold with the ECS membership package. The patches can also be used to raise funds and will not put a huge financial burden on the subgroup. If a subgroup would also like to take advantage of the ECS Online Store, they are allowed to and encouraged to. Subgroup gear and logos must focus on the Sounders, the ECS, and their own identity-nothing else. Subgroups are strongly encouraged to go through ECS suppliers to get discounts and to support those that have supported us in the past -
Website +
When a subgroup reaches official status, they will get their own custom page on the ECS website. Subgroups must use our website and group leaders will have access to their specific page where they can edit content and post photos. Bars Subgroups are required to set up a “home pub” to host events at and to set up away viewing parties. Subgroups can identify multiple locations, but one location is best for consistency and for effectiveness. Establish a drink special at this location. -
Tifo +
Subgroups can fund raise and prepare tifo on their own as long as it is personal tifo (flags and two poles). Sub-groups can suggest large scale tifo ideas to the proper ECS leadership. We may not always bring these ideas to reality, but you should not feel like you cannot participate at all. Subgroups should stay away from large coordinated choreographed tifo displays as these cost money and require insider knowledge of the logistics of game day at Qwest. Subgroup tifo imagery must be in sounder/ECS colors and incorporate SSFC logos, the subgroup logo, and ECS logos. Logos and or imagery of universities, colleges, and other teams is prohibited to avoid confrontation between groups and to be respectful of the main reason we are all here: to support the Sounders. We encourage subgroups to produce smaller, square-ish style (say 5ft. x 5ft.) rail banners due to the lack of space in The Brougham End. -
Travel +
Subgroups are strongly encouraged to travel with the ECS to away matches whenever possible. Subgroup members may also provide assistance in making travel arrangements for their respective locations with Liquidmj, Blueyedbuddhist, and YukataNinja on the ECS forums.
- 1
