PENYA BARCELONISTA WASHINGTON DC:  MISSION, POLICIES AND PRACTICES

As of 12-August-2018. Updated on 3-february-2023

Background

In the fall of 2009, a small group of FC Barcelona  fans decided to create a “Penya” (supporters’ club) in order to unify local supporters and help share the passion for FC Barcelona in the Washington, DC area. Since then, our membership has been growing steadily and we continue to welcome new members. We meet for every Barça match and aim to organize other social activities related to soccer and the club.  In 2010, we were granted official status by FC Barcelona.

Mission and Values

The goal of Penya DC is, fundamentally, to support and promote FC Barcelona in the United States by maintaining a social network for FC Barcelona supporters in the Washington DC area, by supporting local charitable organizations that promote soccer, and by supporting and promoting FC Barcelona visits to Washington, DC.

Penya DC holds regular gatherings to watch FC Barcelona matches, arranges other social opportunities for our members  and provides donations and volunteer support to charitable events related to soccer in Washington, DC.

Funds raised by sales of membership or merchandise or by private donations are used for one of the following purposes:

• Support of our charitable partners (i.e. DC SCORES)
• Operating costs of the Penya (i.e. web hosting, membership cards, and promotional items)
• Special events and gifts for supporting members
• Decorations for Elephant & Castle; Penya DC’s gathering place

By definition, an official FC Barcelona penya must be a not for profit organization and we are no exception to this rule.  Personal profit is hereby excluded from all activities.

Membership

Penya DC  sells individual and family memberships on a season by season basis (August to July).  New memberships generally include the following benefits:

• Penya DC membership card and scarf 
• Discounts on food and drinks at Elephant & Castle during Barça matches
• An ability to reserve tables for important matches 
• Invitations to “Supporting Members Only” events 
• An ability to participate in Penya raffles 

Ensuring a quality match day experience is one of our fundamental aims. We hope that our members will attend several matches per season to help contribute to the collegiality and community atmosphere during a match.

We expect that all members will extend respect and courtesy to other members, visitors and employees of Elephant & Castle. Inappropriate behavior may lead to cancellation of membership.  We encourage our members to notify a member of our board if they witness or experience treatment that is not in keeping with this fundamental expectation.

The Board will examine the Penya’s financial situation near the end of each season and consider the need to readjust the cost of membership for the upcoming season.  The key factors for determining the annual cost of membership are ensuring an enjoyable membership match day experience for the Penya’s members and supporting our charitable partners.  

Membership renewal policy

Membership renewals are available for a lower price than that of an introductory membership and include all of the above listed benefits with the exception of the scarf. Periodically the penya will offer a renewal gift.

Members are eligible to the lower, renewal rate when maintaining their membership consecutively from season to season without interruption.   

Grace period for renewals

A previous member may renew at the lower, renewal rate provided the gap since their last membership was for no more than one season; a member during the season before last season.  

When membership has lapsed for more than one season, individuals/families must re-join the penya with a new membership.

The Board of Directors

Becoming a Member of the Board of Directors

A supporting member may become a member of the Board after having been a member of the Penya for at least two consecutive seasons.  In some cases, the existing Board members may invite a supporting member to consider joining the Board of Directors.  In other cases, a member may petition to join the Board by offering a proposal for an activity or project that will benefit the Penya and its members.  In these cases, the existing Board members will evaluate the proposal and resulting product before determining whether to grant Board membership.

Composition

Penya DC’s Board is made up of four named officers – president, vicepresident, treasurer, secretary and several members-at-large.  Named officers are chosen from among the existing members of the Board.  If needed, the Board members may hold a Board vote to determine the officers for a coming season. According to FC Barcelona regulations, the president must also be a current “soci” of FC Barcelona.

Responsibilities

Each officer role has a defined set of responsibilities that may be modified based on the needs for a given season.  Generally speaking, it is expected that all Board members will contribute in the following ways:

• Attend at least 50% of match viewings at Elephant & Castle 
• Welcome newcomers and answer questions about memberships and Penya events 
• Sell memberships and distribute membership materials
• Help place decorations at Elephant & Castle for match viewings
• Assist with planning and execution of special events

Currently, the officers fulfill the following responsibilities:

President: 

• Leads the Penya board at achieving the Penya’s mission and values 
• Maintains communication with Penya membership and Elephant & Castle management 
• Oversees the Penya’s web and social media outreach activities

Vicepresident:

• Maintains communication with FC Barcelona and the FCB Office of Penyes
• Serves as liaison and communicates with the World Penyes Confederation and with penyes in the CONCACAF (North America, Central America and Caribbean) zone
• Assists the Penya president with carrying out and achieving the Penya’s mission and values 

Treasurer:  

• Keeps financial records of the Penya 
• Accepts and makes payments on behalf of the Penya 

Secretary:

•  Keeps records and correspondence of the Penya
• Collaborates with DC Scores for events and donations

Responsibilities will vary based on the constitution of the board. 

Match Viewings

We gather to view all FC Barcelona matches that are available on the main sports networks (e.g., ESPN+, CBS Sports, and others).  In the case of very early start time (before 10AM), we may opt not to organize a viewing. 

Location: 

Elephant & Castle, 1201 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC.  After spending about 10 years at the 19th and I Streets Elephant and Castle, this location closed in 2021 and we relocated to the Pennsylvania Avenue one. This venue was originally chosen due to the family-friendly environment and lack of competition with other sports viewings during typical Barça match times. 

Penya game day viewings are open to the public for most matches except member-only events where reservations are required. Arrangements for member only events are coordinated with the management of Elephant & Castle. Members are notified of such matches via email. Notice of a game day viewing that is restricted to members only will be posted on the Penya’s website and social media sites. 

Members-only events such as El Clásico matches require current membership to be able to reserve a table. 

Website, Social Media and E-mail 

The Penya maintains and uses various mechanisms to disseminate information about Penya activities.  Our current web and social media outreach mechanisms are: 

• https://fcbarcelonadc.com/
• https://www.facebook.com/PenyaBarcelonistaWashingtonDC/
• https://twitter.com/fcbarcelona
• https://www.instagram.com/penyadc/  
• https://www.threads.net/@penyadc

Partnerships and Affiliations

When considering partnerships, affiliations and activities for our Penya, the top priorities will be maintaining the values of our Penya and FC Barcelona while considering the potential benefits for our supporting members. Under no circumstances should partnerships, affiliations and activities be considered which are designed to promote the individual interests of a Penya member or which carry the perception of benefiting an individual Penya member.

Promotional Products and Gifts

When considering the purchase of  promotional items and gifts, we take special care to ensure that they are of high quality and produced locally according to ethical standards of production. We make special efforts to consider the ideas of our supporting members if they show a special talent and interest in contributing an idea for a product design. 

Commitment

Board members are committed to the well being of the Penya and its members. To that effect, Board members are bound to follow and fulfill all the provisions described in this document. 

The Penya’s mission, policies and practices can be changed and amended during a regular or extraordinary meeting of the Board, as needed, and by the agreement of at least two-thirds of the members of the Board.