EGM and membership status

[Swifty]

Intrigued by the announcement of the EGM tonight. For the record, could someone please confirm if I'm a club member or a full member? (I assume the former.)

[fatboyatmfc]

 

Hi Ed, Its much ado bout nowt really. Most football clubs are Ltd, we are just a bit slow on the uptake.

 

It is important to do things correctly though, hence the EGM.

 

As to if your a member or not........i have heard you called worse things

[Beano]

Dan is right, in so far as the process of incorporation is one that many clubs at our level have been through. There are different types of limited companies, of course, and we have deliberately taken a route that protects the "one member, one vote" principle.

 

We believe that this is an essential step to both safeguard the club against any difficulties that might arise and to assist with its future development.

 

In terms of membership; anyone who has been a social member of the club for five years or more, or was granted full membership ahead of the EGM held last year (this included all paid up social members at the end of September 2010) holds a vote for the purposes of this meeting. If anyone has any questions about what the committee are proposing, then please let me know.

[Keith B]

Gareth -

 

I might assume I am a Fully Paid Up Member, having an ongoing DD for Club Membership and Season Ticket still being paid at 2009 rates (my choice).

 

However, I am a tad confused. Am I a Member (for voting purposes), or not? I am probably a wee bit thick, but would appreciate some clarity on whether there are different types of membership and, thus, voting rights?.

 

Thanks

[Beano]

Hi Keith,

 

Based on the information you've supplied, you would be a Full Member and therefore entitled to vote at the EGM.

 

There are three basic membership types; Full Member, Associate Member, and Affiliate Member (ie, members who have joined through the Junior Club).

 

Until a year or so ago, Full Membership was restricted to those awarded the right by the Committee, plus the players. This clause was put in place to protect the club's identity and prevent the football club being "swamped" by outsiders from other organisations. I'm aware that sounds paranoid, but it's worth remembering that for many years, we shared Short Lane with the Cricket and Hockey Clubs, whose aims might not always have been the same as ours. Therefore, the majority of members would have been Associate Members.

 

Before the EGM held in the Autumn of 2010, the Committee voted that ALL paid-up Club Members at that time not already holding Full Membership be afforded that status. Therefore, all long-standing club members should be able to vote if they wish, so long as their subscription is paid, of course!

 

Additionally, Phil Marshall has designed a new membership structure that provides a fair and transparent system. Specifically, new social members join as Associate Members, but automatically become Full Members after five years continuous membership. If a new member is invited to join / elected to the Committee (and/or Board if the EGM goes well) they would become a Full Member. All of this is included in the Bye-Laws for the new company, if formed.

 

I hope that helps.