Trust Board Meeting – Monday 5th Feb 2024– 6.30pm
Location – Rochdale Sports Club
Present. George Brigham,Chair. Murray Knight, Secretary.
David Earnshaw, Shiv, Bob M, Keith Hicks, Scott Goulding Matt Devine.
Agenda
Apologies.
Received from, Ian Goodwin, Michael Shepherd,
Previous Minutes:
The minutes of our January meeting were agreed, proposer MD and seconded DE.
Membership 2022-23
Scott updated with the membership details as of the date of this meeting, acknowledging some recent membership applications,so now we are showing a total of 970 members (incl. 282 exiles)
After discussion it was decided to leave the 23/24 membership window open, a review to be held next month. Also decided that we did not need membership cards in the future as they served no real purpose since we rested the “Friends” section. We will design an appropriate letter to be sent on receiving applications which may have a membership “card” built in.
Membership renewal leaflets, amount and size etc to be decided at next meeting.
Board membership and conduct
Chair explained that there was a reluctance from the club to share information the inference from the club being that they did not trust the Trust board or certain members to keep confidence. A request had been made at our last Trust/Directors meeting for this to be put in writing which as of today’s meeting this has not happened.
Share Purchase response.
As of date of meeting we had applications equating to 238 requests for a 25-share minimum, this was not 238 individuals but a global figure for 25 share blocks. Discussion on how to ring fence all actions to date and in the future so ensuring the Trust takes responsibility (and taking the kudos) for this release was discussed, this was a Trust driven initiative and had to be seen as such given that the club had been reluctant to sell shares at all till their last AGM where it was decided on a limited availability.
Decided GB to write a global letter to all applicants, include a share application form which should be returned to the Trust along with appropriate payment, reference coding for accounts to be decided.
Before sending application form, Murray to double check that the Trust taking the money was the correct way, though it was unanimous that we retain ownership if possible.
Curry Night.
To be held in the 1907 on 28th MARCH 2024.
Menu as provided by Scratch Catering was acceptable and we will go with them as providers.
This year the menu will be Indian/Thai at a cost of £16.20 per head. Menu will be announced on website along with booking and payment details.
Pricing to be two tired as usual, Members £30 non-members £35. Overall organisation will be by Charlie and Dave, Scott to assist where possible and run the silent bingo, previous table plans etc where available will be sent to CS and DE in next week. RM is away for three plus weeks prior but back for final week and will coordinate any on line work from either here or abroad, RM to assist compare for the evening Matt Devine during the event. All board members to help sell raffle tickets and propose raffle prizes. BOGS be asked to organise the auction, though Trust expected to “call” it.
Guests: Keith asked for preferences, several names eg, Tony Ellis, Matt Gilks, Scott Warner, Andy Thorp, Josh Lillis and Gary Jones, the latter being appropriate as the Trust Plaque on Dale wall honours Gary Jones. Keith to sound out and get a reply, ideally within a week so to start PR on web etc.
There will be no tickets but a record of names (Dave with Excell master sheet?) paid and interested will be built with all relevant details. Payment will be by Cash or Card at the Trust desk or via card on line (a link will be set up to use) we will not be using PayPal.
Once details of guests have been finalised all publicity angles need covering.
Guest Hotels. To be avoided, if possible, though reasonable expenses expected.
Murray to confirm 1907 is free and that we have the PA system in place. Liaison will be via Ryan Bradley and Bar manager.
Exiles night.
Ian Goodwin is collating names, which at time of meeting is sparse. Ian will be promoting again on line and through contacts and Keith to finalise the names of the two FP who will attend, again the latter being important as it will boost (we hope) attendee figures) All details so far are on the website, Ian G to continue to act as a liaison with club. Scott to assist in hospitality with Ian, or if in Ian’s Absence to lead for the Trust on the day. Costings have been approved with the club.
Lottery
As reported at recent meetings, the present lottery provide will finish in May, from the club Tony Pockney and Murray Knight have been working on a replacement, thanks to Matt Devine for sourcing further information to assist the club make their decision, whatever that is! Our hope is for a seamless transition, we understand that this will be the case and that the new provider will bring for the club a much higher returns for members contributions.
Pitch Purchase.
Our recent application to the government for funding through the Community Funding Scheme fell because the business plan was “weak” by the standards they expected. Further analysis of how any funding would be audited showed that there would be a “forensic” approach to monitoring given that this was public money that was to be used. Trust to investigate names of individuals who were “expert” bid writers to see if the application could be re-written in a way that makes it acceptable to government scrutiny, if successful we would still have to find a matching fee of 200K at the worst.
Club board sharing club meeting agenda.
At last trust/club meeting it was agreed that Club Board agenda would be circulated to the Trust, possible with some redaction but in principle it was agreed, this has not happened, indeed our own Director often finding agenda provision was very last minute, this item to be followed up at next meeting with the club.
AOB.
Barnet Home game. Agreed that we will pay the screen licence fee as we have before. Football card to be sold, BOGS involvement to be discussed.
Desk duties. SB and Bogs.
Given that fund raising for SB either direct or via BOGS will be at a pace still to end of season game (at least) and that we are selling Sandy Tickets plus running a football card and a mini bucket shake (Ratcliff Suit) and even membership queries, that all Trust board members really are needed to be on hand to assist with money payments, enquiries which will undoubtably concern booking and recording the Curry Night as well.
Dave to coordinate the desk rota and increase staffing If possible.
Next meeting
Monday 4th March 2024.