I put this on the facebooks, so lots of you will have seen it by now, but for those that don't book face:

You can pre-order your DC membership now if you want

We're structuring it same as last year. $35 buys you

• a merch credit usable for whatever one item of DC swag you like the most, redeemable at the tailgate, or by mail
• discount on up to two tickets per game bought at the tailgate
• discounted merchandise from the Stars' own web store
• discounts at our other community partner businesses (which is a list we're still finalizing)
• NEW THIS YEAR: the right to buy a members only scarf that will be a one-time, limited edition.

There might be more later too, but we're giving people a chance to get out ahead of things this year, which will also help us deliver on things like membership cards and merch BEFORE THE DOME OPENER.

We are getting so pro it's embarassing.

Do we get to keep the member numbers from last year?

Done and done.

I don't know. Maybe?

I know some people ordered jerseys with the DC membership number on them. I think if people are returning members, they should keep their member number. Not going to suggest either way you ought to treat numbers of non-renewing members, though.

Member numbers should increment starting from last year. Active status can vary, but there doesn't seem (in my mind) to be a reason to remove them from the historical rolls.

Done.

You forgot to list one of the biggest perks from 2012:

Free flare safety training


You have to list all the benefits if you want to sell this thing.

Jesse fixed it. You're all keeping your numbers.

Please use this thread to post the tattoos you incorporate them into.

Mr. 42... may want to update that sig!

I pre-ordered via the website on 1/18. Does that work, or am I lost in the ether?

You're good. I'll do another announcement about fulfillment when we have some slim shade of a clue of how the [censored] that's going to work.

EDIT: Grump beat me to it.

Yeah, I'm agreed here. My custom jersey from last year was my board name, the number I was in and my DC membership number. so I'd very much like to keep my number. sorry to those who disagree.

I'm renewed up. Can't wait to get my hands on new DC merch. Any idea when previews might start trickling out or when stuff will start being available?

Money sent you bourgeois bastards.

done twice

Scarf orders are on their way to Poland, so we should have proofs of those in a couple weeks. New shirts we're still kind of deciding what to do first. We're also thinking we're going to be able to do a lot more limited-run stuff this year, so things like that black metal logo should be popping up throughout the season.

Similarly, if you've got ideas just run them by us. We're considering all kinds of crap right now. I'm probably going to fund the "Born To Heckle Jeff Attinella" onesies myself.

I assure you that I carried the heckle Jeff Attinella torch to Tampa.

I would re-up my DC membership under one condition. Yeah, I thought so...

I'd say I missed the punch line, but I'm pretty sure you did.

Is there an active archive of what all the numbers are?

I ask because if I want to reup my membership upon my return to the cities, do I get my old number?

Can I just paypal it to someone? Or give Crist cash?

Whenever you reup your membership you'll get your old number back. Also, am I talking to my high school football team?

If you can meet up with somebody and hand them the $35, that can work if you don't mind squaring up address and other info over email later. All we really need is you name and email address, then we'll get the further info after. Honestly, that saves us $2 on the processing fee from Google. It adds some steps to maintaining the database, but that's no big deal.

Because I'm mostly talking to the inner circle here: THE EASIEST THING FOR US IS IF YOU DO THE GOOGLE WALLET THING, THEN PICK UP MERCHANDISE AT A TAILGATE or some other event. You don't have to care about what's easy for us, but that's the simplest, most cost-effective thing that doesn't cost a lot of volunteer time.

WHOA WAIT A SECOND.

EXCUSE ME.

You played high school football?

I'm trying to be a new member, here. I don't trust even me with my financial information, and definitely not Google. Pfutz emailed me already about the tifo support, but I though I could ask here as well:

I want to give you money and be a legit Dark Cloud, but not through Google. What's the next-best option? I can send checks or deliver cash.

I also want to support the opener tifo display, but I have no spare time. I do have some extra money, where can I send it?

And, for curiosity's sake: what is the current number range? 3-digits, 4-digits?

@FrostbiteFC

So, I've seen multiple people complain about using Google Wallet. Have I missed the evilness of it?

Welcom Frostbite! Feel free to pay with cash or credit in person at the next Dark Clouds event. We'll be having our annual pre-season supporters summit to elect a board, etc in February. Otherwise tailgates work as well.

Last season we had 103 paid members and we're at 27 for 2013 at the moment, seven of which are brand new paying members. The next new person will get number 111, but we won't be reserving a member number for new members. That would just get unwieldy.

BTW, I was looking at the member numbers for both seasons and thought people might be interested in knowing where DCs are at. 31% list Minneapolis, 22% we forgot to get a mailing address for, 15% are in St. Paul. We also have (or had) paying members in Florida, Texas, Arkansas, Wisconsin, Oregon and now Michigan. I thought we had some in Illinois, but maybe those are people we forgot to pester for a mailing address.

KJ, I don't think it's Wallet, per se, just Google in general that people are rabble rousing against. They're becoming the new Microsoft in terms of tech villainy... although they are at least 75% less openly evil than Facebook.

I'll PM you an address to send a check through the mail.

I have no specific complaint about Google Wallet. I just don't like having my bank account info all over the internet. If something should happen to my identity some day, I don't want to have to visit a hundred different institutions to try and protect myself. Just a personal preference.

Plus, Google takes some of that money and I think the DC deserve it more.

I'll wait for info about the summit, then.

I see a member benefit listed as discounted tickets at the matches. Can I use that to get noobies to games? Or is that more like a discount I should only use for family or something?

You can buy them for whomever, As long as you are the one buying them.

"I see a member benefit listed as discounted tickets at the matches. Can I use that to get noobies to games?"

That's exactly what you can do. Tickets are available at the tailgate and you can buy two tickets at the $10 price.

I just re-upped my membership!

Oh, and, Welcome All Newcomers! The more the merrier!

Me too.

Rock on.

For those interested in paying in cash, the Jims will be available to take your money at Grumpy's in downtown today, January 25 during happy hour starting at 5PM and tomorrow, January 26 at the Stars booth during Twins Fest from 9AM-2PM.

Is there an application process?

No, but the hazing is pretty brutal.

Just renewed my membership.

Renewed. This is going to be a good year.

"NEW THIS YEAR: the right to buy a members only scarf that will be a one-time, limited edition."

Brilliant! This'll show all those people who laughed at me for keeping my Members Only jacket all these years!

"This is just the motivaton I needed to finish bedazzling my Sassoons!" enthuses

That little old jersey collector

Me

Paid new member, here. Crossing my fingers that I am #111.

To be the eleventy-first DC would be very excellent.

Welcome Frostbite. Don't forget to introduce yourself to a few folks at the next event.

Barley John's Brewpub is on board again this year!!!

Greetings, fellow new guy! I'm kinda hoping for a number in the Eleventies as well.

Bump.

Again, if you're interested in paying by cash or check to someone who will look you in the eye and offer an honest opinion on the shirt you're wearing, Crist and I will be taking in some World Cup qualifying at the Nomad this Wednesday.

Is anybody else anticipating having a hard time rooting against Honduras if Victor Bernardez is on the pitch for them?

Did the Google Wallet thing last week, can't wait to see the new gear for this year too!
By the way, signed up for a membership last year at one of the games at NSC but I'm unsure of this whole number thing, is that something I should know?

Dorey, it is on your membership card. It isn't required for anything in particular, but some people want to use that as the number on the shirt they order from the team, etc.

I re-uped my memebership last night just so you have someone to kick around for 2013 sseason.

Welcome back, SoccerBoy!
You complain a lot, but you really like being one of us. I can't wait for the season to start!

This card will also get you into Hennepin County detox for free!

I just hope I can make it to a home match. It looks like we are staying in MN, however, I am very busy jetting around.