Care to enlighten me how I'm looking after myself? And which OSC branch each CM rep belongs to? Because as far I'm aware none of the other 8 (Kevin Parker does of course) belong to a branch.
I was a member at Prestwich & Whitefield a few years ago but was working away all the time then they stopped having regular meetings a while back so there was no point in being a member . I moved as well and was looking to join a branch that met regu as I enjoy mixing with my fellow City fans. As it happens, about the time I applied to go on the shortlist to be a rep, I did a radio show with Ian Cheeseman and one of the other guests was on the committee at Alkrington, which isn't far from where I live. Turned out they held regular meetings and the Branch secretary was an old colleague and friend from many years ago. So I joined and would have done regardless of any involvement in City Matters.
And I'll tell you what freebies I've had out of CM. We all got a free book about the takeover 'Killing The Game' and once, when an afternoon meeting overran quite a bit before an evening game, I didn't have time to get back to meet a group of mates for our ritual pre-match Chinese so the club kindly ensured I got something to eat. And that's it.
For that reward I've put in lots of hours work - at meetings, including evenings and weekends, answering fan emails and dealing with their issues, doing research and talking to other clubs' fans, preparing stuff for discussion at meetings and other bits and pieces. That cuts into my free time plus I've had to use holiday entitlement at work, when we start a sub-group meeting at 1 or 2pm for 3 hours then finish with a reps meeting of full CM with the club in the evening till 9:30pm.
So, again in case you've tired yourself reading this, please tell me how me and my fellow reps are "only looking after yourselves".