oafc0000 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) As the main moaner on here I thought it was time I posted a positive thread... One thing I am certain about is we NEED the Trust! But simply walking along and signing up now and parting with more money isn't going to happen until the Trust can demonstrate to me its changed. I feel many fans feel this way. So I would like to propose a number of steps for the trust to take to win back support. Feel free to contribute. Make use of modern day communication tools. The Trust website, Trust Twitter and Trust Facebook should be the main form of communication. Secondary should be fans forums like OWTB. Last of all should be face to face meetings, social events and so on. There really shouldn't be a need outside a yearly AGM for everyone to get together except for social / fund raising events. The world has moved on. People don't have time for that sort of monthly / quarterly meeting. I know people will immediately point to people without web access but the stark reality is you can't run something like this as if it was the 1980s still. The world has moved to online. Its time the Trust did. Real representation - If the Trust is not representing the fans it is not doing its job. Our man on the board has to be taking more than his own opinions to the board. Even when he doesn't agree with the fans consensus. The Trust is a Union and any good Union leader knows he is there to represent his membership first, second and last. Once you stop doing that its game over. Real democracy - One fan One vote. The current system of Director lead appointments for our guy on the board is not right. The fans should be choosing their representative. The Trust needs leaders, its need directors. But anyone should be able to stand for election to the OAFC board. The appointment should last no more than two years. Candidates should have to produce a brief explanation of why they should be elected and members should vote them in. Full transparency - Everything should be published on the Trust website. Accounts, Minutes, News, Events etc. Real consultation - Issues facing the club and being raised at board meetings should be put to the fans for consultation. Fans can be polled via the Trust website. Financial contribution - The membership fee is stupid low. I would suggest Playershare should be dissolved** - having a separate scheme like Playershare and a trust almost puts the two up against each other for our money. A new membership package need creating via the trust with a membership fee to suit with an option to make regular monthly contributions on top of this. The Trust as a collective can then decide how it wants to use the money, including helping fund players if that is what people choose. Ok its a bit of a fag packet list but its something of a start. Feel free to add / counter suggest but keep it positive as possible. **Please don't take this is any sort of criticism of a fantastic scheme. Edited March 21, 2014 by oafc0000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddog Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 You are far from the main moaner. You've been dethroned several times over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BP1960 Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 How it could be ? http://star-reading.org/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latics and England Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Good post. Let's keep this as the positive, ideas for the Trust thread. The only point I disagree on is your final one. I absolutely believe that the Trust and Playershare have different roles and should exist side by side. I also think that increasing the cost of Trust membership would be a mistake. The Trust needs to be fully inclusive. Excluding people who can't afford the fee would be wrong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Corney's most recent attention seeking behaviour has certainly presented the Trust with a big opportunity: to prove to the fans that it has a purpose, can function effectively, and can engage and represent the fans/its members. Ultimately, to rebuild its membership, which I woukd speculate is a tiny proportion of fans currently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
singe Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 I'd like to this opportunity to repeat request for a long list of all the jobs the Trust need and would like to do achieve. Maybe people wiuld be happier doing a little bit. Or unbknown to everyone someone has a skill or contact thats is needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latics_Fanatic Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 The way I see it is that the Trust will never evolve or move in with Barry "in charge" - he's in far too deep on the board these days to represent our interests properly. But, A relaunch would also need his support or for him to be overthrown, but this isn't 20th Century Russia, afterall... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc0000 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) Good post. Let's keep this as the positive, ideas for the Trust thread. The only point I disagree on is your final one. I absolutely believe that the Trust and Playershare have different roles and should exist side by side. I also think that increasing the cost of Trust membership would be a mistake. The Trust needs to be fully inclusive. Excluding people who can't afford the fee would be wrong. I was thinking about this... When I was a Labour Party member there was a base level membership fee but then you could set your membership contributions higher if you wished. The published a list which had suggested amounts depending on your salary. Standard membership - £25 per year. Further suggested contributions: £12,000-£20,000 - £10 per month £20,000-£40,000 - £20 per month £40,000-£60,000 - £30 per month £60,000+ - £40 per month Other - £ suggested per month So it's not excluding anyone really just giving you an option to give more if you can. I just think a cocentration of fans giving is more powerful than a number of distributed schemes. Reduced costs as well. But just a thought... Edited March 21, 2014 by oafc0000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc0000 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) The way I see it is that the Trust will never evolve or move in with Barry "in charge" - he's in far too deep on the board these days to represent our interests properly. But, A relaunch would also need his support or for him to be overthrown, but this isn't 20th Century Russia, afterall... If the steps above are implemented then whoever is in charge couldn't be charged with not having the support and mandate from the fans... Be it Barry or someone new.... Edited March 21, 2014 by oafc0000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latics_Fanatic Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) If the steps above are implemented then whoever is in charge couldn't be charged with not having the support and mandate from the fans... Be it Barry or someone new.... But, you'd have to acquire support of Barry and/or the current board of the trust. Could this be done? Anybody's guess... they seem content with Barry at the helm to me. Although, to keep it positive, i fully support your ideas oafc0000. Edited March 21, 2014 by Latics_Fanatic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underdog Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Oi your off my thank you letter to playershare fans now...tut... But yes it should be open to discuss, playershare and all trust related as it's for the fans. Defo open to new suggestions, ideas ect. Don't forget trust meeting on 14th April it's in two parts. 6.30pm-7.15 none trust members, 7.30pm onwards for members Let's try and get there, not only to get things clarified but a relaunch sounds good to me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc0000 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 6, There should be a members welcome pack. Welcome letter, membership number / card, monthly newslette. Could all be done electronically to keep costs down. 7, Trust Oldham merchandise for sale to raise funds. It should be something you are proud to show you belong to. 8, following on from the merging of playershare into the trust. The web shopping thing where you get cashback should be part of the trusts fund generation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddog Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Oi your off my thank you letter to playershare fans now...tut... But yes it should be open to discuss, playershare and all trust related as it's for the fans. Defo open to new suggestions, ideas ect. Don't forget trust meeting on 14th April it's in two parts. 6.30pm-7.15 none trust members, 7.30pm onwards for members Let's try and get there, not only to get things clarified but a relaunch sounds good to me Will they know who to chuck out at 7.15? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc0000 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 Oi your off my thank you letter to playershare fans now...tut... Just to clarify... Player share has proven to be great. I woild imagine even with my suggested changes club player purchases would still be supported. The suggestion was defiantly not a crisis of player share just a suggestion of restructure in the approach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underdog Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Will they know who to chuck out at 7.15? Me Barry is all knowing and knows I'm not a member so I'm out...heheh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc0000 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) Will they know who to chuck out at 7.15? Me Barry is all knowing and knows I'm not a member so I'm out...heheh9, being a member gives you voting rights, maybe access to various members benefits etc... not being a member will never exclude you from attending events, hearing / viewing / being privay to information and discussions. TRANSPARACY. Edited March 21, 2014 by oafc0000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underdog Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 Just to clarify... Player share has proven to be great. I woild imagine even with my suggested changes club player purchases would still be supported. The suggestion was defiantly not a crisis of player share just a suggestion of restructure in the approach. Good then if your at the match tomoz you can look out for me,Chris hill, wardle latic handing out the playershare newsletter. Make yourself known and if you take a leaflet, please recycle it responsibly...heheh Actual I like the concept of maybe a kickback to playershare as part of the membership, would that encourage more members to I join and to see the product on the pitch too? Could it be successful re integrated? There is certainly plenty to chew over...but I need another vino first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underdog Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 9, being a member gives you voting rights, maybe access to various members benefits etc... not being a member will never exclude you from attending events, hearing / viewing / being privay to information and discussions. TRANSPARACY. Ooooo I'll bring sleeping bag and camp out.....hope it's not too cold outside the O2 suite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinevillawill Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 It seems the biggest concern is the lack of a true fans' representative. A breakaway supporters' association would put that issue to bed. Leave the Trust to do whatever they do and let the fans have a voice through a separate entity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Latics and England Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 It is important that the Trust genuinely represents the views of fans. The only way this can be achieved is by talking to those who you think could represent your views and then nominating them to become a Trust director. If you think that you could do a good job then ask someone to nominate you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
underdog Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 It seems the biggest concern is the lack of a true fans' representative. A breakaway supporters' association would put that issue to bed. Leave the Trust to do whatever they do and let the fans have a voice through a separate entity. Are we not more divided then? Is it better not to have a revised structured with still a voice on the board? What happens if the supporters association goes the same way? We have another fracture across the fans. Do we not have the right to protect/preserve the 3% share the fans have in the club? Oh my head hurts....we have lots to think about don't we.... Think the best start is that we show up, as many as we can on the 14th and we take it from there... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barryowen Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 A good debate. Some ideas born out of ignorance because it is not as easy as you might think. At this stage I would suggest people are careful of what they wish for. Don't knock the efforts of the Trust over the past 10 years too much. A lot of experience has been gained as to how a football club works on a daily basis and that knowledge has not been achieved overnight. The Trust is what it says on the "can". It is not a "supporters Association". Of course we have made mistakes and we work with the numbers we have available and those who can make the time to contribute. Many changes are in the pipeline with regard to the consititution and membership. I have said on numerous occasions we need help and volunteers so jump on board. We are in the process of working on the website to make it more updated and user friendly but again this will take a lot of someone's time to complete. I will be doing an interview about the Trust generally over the past 10 years which will go on the Official Website. It will include many areas of my exeperiences over this period of time. I will also identify with the likelihood of clubs surviving properly under Trust management in the Football League and the fans perception of our club, its ability to survive and the personal input of our Chairman, Simon Corney. As I say be careful what you might wish for. I hope as many of you can attend on the 14 April for the fans meeting between 6.30pm and 7.15pm. For those staying for the AGM please ensure you have your membership card with you. (Tracey I might be able to forge you one if you start to treat me nicely lololol). Barry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevie_J Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 I was thinking about this... When I was a Labour Party member there was a base level membership fee but then you could set your membership contributions higher if you wished. The published a list which had suggested amounts depending on your salary. Standard membership - £25 per year. Further suggested contributions: £12,000-£20,000 - £10 per month £20,000-£40,000 - £20 per month £40,000-£60,000 - £30 per month £60,000+ - £40 per month Other - £ suggested per month So it's not excluding anyone really just giving you an option to give more if you can. I just think a cocentration of fans giving is more powerful than a number of distributed schemes. Reduced costs as well. But just a thought... People aren't going to part with anything like that amount of cash until the Trust has made huge strides forward in rebuilding fans' confidence. And even then... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oafc0000 Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 People aren't going to part with anything like that amount of cash until the Trust has made huge strides forward in rebuilding fans' confidence. And even then... Agreed... There has to be change before there is any hope of buy in.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddog Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 I suppose lack of freely available information and transparency, even when answers have been sought breeds ignorance, Barry. So forgive our, erm, 'ignorance'. Let's hope some of this can be rectified at the meeting to redress the balance after all this time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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