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Trust AGM: OWTB Questions and Replies


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At the AGM I raised the issues in the questions submitted to OWTB on the other thread and I'm setting out in bold my recollection of the information given in reply. I thought a separate thread would make it easier for reference purposes.

 

1.How many identifiable paying members are there?

The Trust has 701 Members effectively because nobody has resigned.

Income from Membership subscriptions:

31.12.12 £1,402 31.12.13 £610

Note: Some members pay more than £5 per year. Some have been paying on a monthly basis and have been made life members.

2. There appears to have been a recent change to the Trust's company status. What is the reason for this?

The Trust was originally a company limited by guarantee. It then became an industrial and provident society on the advice of Supporters Direct but, on legal advice, the Trust has changed back to a company limited by guarantee.

Note: The Trust’s company name is now Oldham Athletic Supporters Foundation Limited.

 

3. What proposals, if any, are there to broaden membership and improve the democratic processes within the Trust?

Season Ticket holders (no mention of child ST holders) will automatically become Trust Members with them allowing their details provided for the Club to be shared with the Trust under Data Protection provisions.

Non-Season Ticket holders who attend matches, and supporters who do not attend matches, can become Trust Members by completing a form and making a voluntary contribution (no matter how small).

Non-Season Ticket holders who assist the Trust are eligible to become Trust Members without making the voluntary donation.

All Trust Members will have a vote at the AGM.

The Trust Directors may admit other persons (including non-Season Ticket holders who do not make a voluntary contribution or assist the Trust) as associate members, who shall be entitled to attend meetings but shall not be entitled to vote.

Note: Every effort will be made to stop non-bona fide supporters of the Club from taking advantage of this widening of Trust Membership to infiltrate the Trust e.g. supporters of another club. Obviously this will not be easy, but clearly the possibility has not been overlooked and the intention is well-meant.

 

4. What proposals are there to improve communication from the Trust to:
i) members ii) the wider fan base.

The Trust’s facebook website will be the source of all information and communication with Trust Members.

 

5. Is Barry (along with other Trust Directors) prepared to do a monthly Q&A session, posting answers on the Trust web site?

 

See reply to 4.

 

6. What are the primary objectives of the Trust for 2014 and 2015 and how will these be achieved?

Protecting the future of Oldham Athletic.

Representing the view of the fans and community.

Investing in the future of Oldham Athletic.

 

7. The Trust has occasionally asked for more people to get involved. What are the role specifications that need filling? See wardlelatic’s post on the AGM thread.

 

8. What plans does the Trust have to put itself in a position of strength in the event of becoming owners of the Club?

Unlike ten years ago, when the Trust was in its infancy, Barry’s long experience has given him and the Trust the knowledge (some written) of how to run a football club and he would approach the leading business people in the area.

 

9. What financial reserves does the Trust have and how would these be used in the event of a threat to the future of the Club?

General Reserve £10,228.

 

10. What plans does the Trust have for involvement in the proposed supporters’ bar within the new stand? Will it be open on non-matchdays?

The Contractor was present at the AGM. The facilities at other clubs have been studied and he is in consultation with the Club’s Chairman. He is also reporting regularly to the Trust Board. The supporters’ bar will be accessible from outside the stadium and therefore it will be possible for it to be used on non-matchdays – no decision has been taken yet on its usage.

 

11. How should the many exiled fans engage the Trust? OWTB, Facebook, the Trust website seem to me good forums to field questions from fans, and there is strong feeling that the Trust should be offering to do so, not ignoring repeated pleas for answers.

See reply to 4.

 

12. When is the Trust 'rep' on the board of OAFC up for re-election?

The current Trust ‘rep’ on the Club’s board, and the other longest serving Trust Director, shall retire from office at the Trust’s 2015 AGM, but both shall be eligible for re-election for a period of three years.

Note: Any trust Member shall be eligible to be appointed or elected as a Director. If the Trust voted to change the current Trust ‘rep’ on the Club’s Board, the Club would have to approve the new nominee. The current Chairman said that if someone else was elected as Trust Chairman, he would have to consider his position at that time.

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I can't honestly say I know what answer 6) means.

Yep. Meaningless platitudes.

 

I'd love to know how many actual, current, paid-up members the Trust has. I suspect it's an embarrassingly low number, being the reason for including everyone who's ever joined, even though most wouldn't have voting rights or be able to attend the AGM.

 

I think it's positive at least that there appears to be some progress in trying to reshape the Trust but part of me can't help thinking that this is somewhat forced from the Trust side. I'd like to see the Trust demonstrably taking steps without that being dependent on people really having to force the issue.

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Four initial comments:

 

1. If revenue was £610 this year from membership that would suggest a maximum of only 122 'active' members.

2. What LL says above re point 6.

3. If communication is to come via the Facebook page I hold no more hope for replies than on here - it only takes a brief look after a poor result to see the idiot contingency far more prominent on there than on here.

4. Does SC mean he will consider his own position? And what on earth is the point of having a rep on the Board to keep an eye on the Club if the Club get to veto who the rep is?

Edited by jsslatic
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Facebook page I hold no more hope for replies than on here - it only takes a brief look after a poor result to see the idiot contingency far more prominent on there than on here.

 

i agree with all you have said,but to add to this that the trust will be effectively moderating their own facebook page so you can expect more allegations of removing awkward questions

 

the ips point 2:- what was the legal advice given?

 

general reserves:- a touch over 10k...this is concerning

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1.How many identifiable paying members are there?

The Trust has 701 Members effectively because nobody has resigned.

Income from Membership subscriptions:

31.12.12 £1,402 31.12.13 £610

Note: Some members pay more than £5 per year. Some have been paying on a monthly basis and have been made life members.

 

So at most 122 paying members, probably less? That member list is all over the place...!?

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general reserves:- a touch over 10k...this is concerning

 

I have pushed the idea that the Trust should of been building reserves over the last 10/11 years but I was flatly told that wasn't an aim of the Trust. I think that decision might come back to eat us soon.

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So at most 122 paying members, probably less? That member list is all over the place...!?

 

They haven't a clue how many members they have clearly. But even more scary that they are happy to push the 701 number as if it was true. Its a poor attempt at showing they have a mandate from the fans when they clearly do not at the moment. Its frankly embarrassing that they have pushed the 701 number.

Edited by oafc0000
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Four initial comments:

 

1. If revenue was £610 this year from membership that would suggest a maximum of only 122 'active' members.

2. What LL says above re point 6.

3. If communication is to come via the Facebook page I hold no more hope for replies than on here - it only takes a brief look after a poor result to see the idiot contingency far more prominent on there than on here.

4. Does SC mean he will consider his own position? And what on earth is the point of having a rep on the Board to keep an eye on the Club if the Club get to veto who the rep is?

 

Re the reply to 6 raised also by others, I'm afraid no other information was given.

 

Re your point 4, about the note under the reply to 12, it's Barry who would consider his position.

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Am i right in thinking the fact season ticket holders will get a membership and vote at an agm is a new thing? Never heard that before and is a step in the right direction for me. A supporters trust should be accessible to all and fans actively encouraged to participate. This needs advertising

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The reserves point, is any of that Playershare? As the trust, seems to want to take full responsibility for that too judging by previous comments on here.

Note the trust received £610 from annual subscription fees, I wonder how that measures against Playershare?

 

I also note with interest that Barry's position was presumably up for re-election in 2012, but strangely no word about that AGM and it received little or no publicity. Funny that.

 

Furthermore 12 months and Barry could well be out on his ear. My reading of the situation based on information from here, as it's the only place worth going to about it, is that they have 4 directors, 2 of which, are up for re-election. Where's the trust constitution?

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Am i right in thinking the fact season ticket holders will get a membership and vote at an agm is a new thing? Never heard that before and is a step in the right direction for me. A supporters trust should be accessible to all and fans actively encouraged to participate. This needs advertising

 

Read it wrong... So withdrawn the point not to spread confusion....

 

Still a point on how do you opt in and out as a season ticket holder.....

Edited by oafc0000
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Imagine on starting a new job you was told Union membership was compulsory and they will use your "support" to fight in your name.

 

That's exactly what I was told upon starting my first job 15 years ago. Cheeky bastards.

 

I am struggling a little to see the nefarious side of automatic Trust membership though.

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The reserves point, is any of that Playershare? As the trust, seems to want to take full responsibility for that too judging by previous comments on here.

Note the trust received £610 from annual subscription fees, I wonder how that measures against Playershare?

 

I also note with interest that Barry's position was presumably up for re-election in 2012, but strangely no word about that AGM and it received little or no publicity. Funny that.

 

Furthermore 12 months and Barry could well be out on his ear. My reading of the situation based on information from here, as it's the only place worth going to about it, is that they have 4 directors, 2 of which, are up for re-election. Where's the trust constitution?

playershare money is seperate

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it a football clubs membership scheme you join it to support the club. this isn't like a union at all,

 

I disagree with your view... But its also not the right thread to take this forward... I don't want to be called a Troll again :)

 

Might be a better place...

 

http://www.owtb.co.uk/index.php/topic/45027-trust-relaunch/?hl=%2Btrust+%2Brelaunch - point 2 & others...

Edited by oafc0000
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