We are extremely excited for this year’s Dark Clouds Board Election. We have three wonderful candidates!
You can learn more about each candidate below. Voting begins on 1pm on Friday, February 26 and closes at 11:59pm on Monday, March 1. We will inform the Dark Clouds members who was elected by March 3.
You can vote for up to two (2) candidates. When you are ready to vote, visit mndc.sg/21boardvote.
Remember you have as many votes as you have affiliated season tickets in the WW section, or 2021 Dark Clouds Individual Memberships. If you have more than one you can submit additional ballots using the same form. We do verify the correct number of ballots have been submitted, so if you vote more times than the number of season tickets you have, we will throw out any additional votes, after the correct number has been counted.
Your nominees are:
Elisa Vicuna, Meagan Weber, and Samantha Solberg.
Elisa Vicuna
How long have you been a Dark Cloud?
I’ve been a season ticket holder since 2015. I have helped with a handful of events, including our COVID screening parties and some volunteer opportunities.
In 50 words or less, tell us why you should be elected to the Dark Clouds board.
I’d be a great addition to the Board by being able to leverage my professional experiences in soccer, business and on other Boards to help the DC Board be even better. I have experience in marketing and fundraising for other non-profits and charity events that can translate to service on the board.
Where do you see the Dark Clouds going in the next few years and what are 2-3 strategic things you want to see the Supporters Group address?
I see DC growing in supporters, and not just the base that can stand in the supporters section but expanding out into the entire stadium. I’d like to see us strategize more with the other supporters groups and increasing community awareness about the Dark Clouds.
What experiences from your professional life can you apply to your service on the Dark Clouds Board?
I serve on another non-profit board in the TC area and can leverage that experience to help enhance the DC Board.
Meagan Weber
How long have you been a Dark Cloud?
On a whim, I bought a ticket to the MNUFC vs Swansea friendly in the summer of 2014 and in no time had purchased my 2015 season tickets. Before long, I was volunteering at Silver Lining events which has been my favorite part of this group. Participating in these events, and then eventually helping to organize them allows me to connect with fellow Dark Clouds while showing our support of the community as a whole. I have also been a part of our Membership committee since 2017 and currently serve as the chair, helping organize things such as our yearly membership scarf handout and our Dark Clouds Academies. I was also a part of the working group charged with forming the leadership structure of the current Dark Clouds Board of Directors after Wonderwall was formed.
In 50 words or less, tell us why you should be elected to the Dark Clouds board.
I’m passionate about soccer and the community that the Dark Clouds has created for me and so many others. If elected, I’d work to create a welcoming and inclusive environment that fosters relationships with members old & new, ensuring all members have a voice in the future of the organization.
Where do you see the Dark Clouds going in the next few years and what are 2-3 strategic things you want to see the Supporters Group address?
We experienced tremendous growth in our move to MLS and then to Allianz in 2019. We need to make sure we are welcoming and involving our new members, teaching them about the Dark Clouds history, and creating safe spaces for all of our supporters. My vision is to host more events for new members to come and socialize with more seasoned DCs on non-game days and to revisit the idea of having match day ambassadors to help welcome new members to the section. I also want to see us expand our service efforts with Silver Lining and take advantage of any opportunities to work with the new 501(c)3 organization, DGS (Doing Good Stuff).
What experiences from your professional life can you apply to your service on the Dark Clouds Board?
I spent 6 years on the board of my professional organization, serving the last two years of my term as President, during which I created agendas and proctored board meetings, listened to concerns from different offices, and helped move our legislative agenda forward. I am the supervisor of a Deputy Registrar office (DMV to most of you), which involves managing our staff and budget, as well as providing high-quality customer service to our clients by creating a welcome environment for them. I have implemented the use of brand-new data entry systems on multiple occasions, as well as pivoting to a new business model and safety measures with the onset of Covid-19.
A video message from Meagan:
Samantha Solberg
How long have you been a Dark Cloud?
I joined the Dark Clouds in 2014 and have been involved across the organization. I am currently on the Dark Clouds board and have served as president for two years. As a member of the merch committee, I help make decisions about designs, sell merch on match days and at watch parties, and assist with inventory. I helped the membership committee with scarf and membership card handout for the last three seasons. I try to participate in at least two Silver Lining service events each year. As a capo with the matchday committee, I led chants for three seasons and plan to continue capoing when we are able to safely return to Allianz. I have helped coordinate, trace, and paint tifo. While attending an away game in Seattle, I acted as travel lead for MNUFC supporters and I have gone on Dark Clouds bus trips to Chicago and Indianapolis. As a former member of the mar/comm committee, I assisted with newsletter and social media communication. I currently serve as the voting representative for MNUFC supporters with the Independent Supporters Council (ISC) and have attended their annual conference to represent our SG for the past four years. ISC is an association of supporters groups who advocate for fair treatment of supporters, both at home and on the road.
In 50 words or less, tell us why you should be elected to the Dark Clouds board.
As president, I have helped shape the identity and direction of the new Dark Clouds board and I am excited to continue that work. I am passionate about making the Dark Clouds a welcoming group that is open to all and expanding our commitment to the community through Silver Lining.
Where do you see the Dark Clouds going in the next few years and what are 2-3 strategic things you want to see the Supporters Group address?
In the coming years, I envision the Dark Clouds board learning more about our membership and what they want to see from us as leaders. I also see the Dark Clouds growing our work in the community through Silver Lining and partnering with the new 501c3, DGS. My priorities for the Dark Clouds in the next few years include making a safe transition back to in-person support at Allianz Field, expanding our group and welcoming new members, and working closely with the Wonderwall board and other Wonderwall SGs to ensure our financial situation is stable and equitable.
What experiences from your professional life can you apply to your service on the Dark Clouds Board?
As a marketing and communications professional, I have experience building and maintaining brands. As a member of the board, I would help communicate to our members and to the wider MNUFC and Twin Cities community who the Dark Clouds are and the values we hold. I’ve also spent a two-year term serving on the Wonderwall board, in 2017 as a board member and in 2018 as board secretary. From that experience I have learned how boards run, I have an intimate knowledge of the GBC structure and great working relationships with many of the Wonderwall board members. I also have great relationships with several members of MNUFC’s front office and through my time with the Independent Supporters Council, have connections with supporters across the country.
A video message from Samantha:
Ready to vote? Visit mndc.sg/21boardvote.
Thanks for participating in this year’s board election!