I really dont think he (or erin) was suggesting you should be at every thursday meet, or even attend a full "special event"... But just someone waving the flag and showing up, even if just at the meeting point for a few minutes, would be some good P.R. I reckon?
AFAIK ... The decisions people wanted to be involved in were exactly what you've just mentioned ... sponsors, club name, shirt design, etc. Seeming as though I've only recently started spending any time in here (after a long period of absence) I dont know how much input everyone had over those decisions.
Not that the decisions have affected anyone in a negative way, but once you start giving money for something you take a lot more of an interest, and like to give a lot more constructive(normally?) critisicm, towards what is being done. Once its a paid group, you like to feel your money gives you an equal right to everyone else whos paid money to have a say in whats going on. Without that option, you get cranky and whinge on teh intarweb I suppose.
Either way, I think everyone appreciates what youve done, they just want to be more in the loop is all. Even just a thread updating decisions and suggestions? Prehaps open invitation meetings every now and then? Having a rant at anyone who disagrees is not a good way to top off all the great work you've done in the past