Supporters Club AGM: Thursday, 11.05.06

[AFF]

7.30 in the clubhouse on Thursday evening, then.

 

Does anyone on here know who is standing for re-election to t'Committee? Any challengers? The great gift of democracy is not to be taken lightly and I should like to carefully consider the manifestos of the various candidates before casting my vote. Unless Julia Goldsworthy MP is seeking election, of course, in which case she has my vote now.

 

Any specific issues to be aired? Dirty linen to be washed in public?

 

Perhaps we could invite an old friend like Jeff King to give a brief address - "My life in the Conference Nationale".

[Electric ~soul~]

Could we have a list of current committee members, their titles, and their role descriptions, please.

 

Therefore, it will make it easier for people to decide whether they'd like to put themselves forward for said roles.

 

Thanks in advance.

[AFF]

Haven't we had this question before, Zealster? This time last year?

 

Without wishing to place hurdles in the way of your enthusiasm, CZ, I think that, firstly you have to be a member of the Supporters Club to be elibible for the high office of membership of the Committee, and secondly, it's for a member of the Club to nominate another member of the Club for election to the Committee.

 

It's only £3 and you could join on the night, I suppose. [Take a tip from me, mate: make sure that you get a receipt clearly marked 2006/7 season. If you give 'em the chance they'll have your £3 for last season and want it again for next.]

 

I notice that the meeting is open to non members of the Supporters Club, however.

[Electric ~soul~]

I am a member, AFF.

 

So... if anyone can answer my questions, that'd be great, cheers.

[AFF]

Brilliant, Soulster! You joined! Great stuff.

 

Someone else better qualified than what I am could answer your question, CZ, but I think you will find that while there are specific roles like Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, other posts are allocated at the first Committee meeting. There is someone with the Supporters Club Shop portfolio, another is the Executive in charge of Transportation, for example. Others are just 'Jolly Good Eggs' [no dis-respect intended - I know that they work very hard, incidentally].

[Electric ~soul~]

Quote:

AFF said:
Brilliant, Soulster! You joined! Great stuff.

I did, yes, though come to think of it, when does the 2005/06 membership expire?

I get the Supporters Club emails too, but for some reason, they automatically go into my Junk Mail folder. Odd.

[GHA EFM]

<img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

 

I had that for a while, thought it best to sort it out though, otherwise how would I have found out about the open top bus and agm?

[JKiF]

do you need to bring a pencil?

[GHA EFM]

Is it all-ticket?

[AFF]

When does 05/06 expire? Yesterday if you're thinking of putting yourself forward, CZ. No, I'm only joking. The first day of next season, I guess.

 

Off the top of my head, existing members are: that bearded chap is the Chairman, Barry Hilliard is in charge of Vice, Duncan McLeod is the money man, Lucy Smith is the Hon. Sec., either Barry or Ken Allen is the shop-keeper, Ian Bangs is the Executive in charge of Transportation, and then the Jolly Good Eggs are Rob the Saint, Helen Christmas, Chris England, and Knocky. The books are audited by John Carvelly, as I remember, but I don't think that he's a member.

 

Many apologies if I have missed anyone.

[JKiF]

Quote:

GHA EFM said:
Is it all-ticket?

ala the deli counter?

[Electric ~soul~]

Thank you, AFF.

 

No, I have no interest in putting myself forward, though, being the kind of guy I am, I thought it may be beneficial for all job titles and job descriptions to be listed so that anyone with any interest would know what is on offer.

[Rob_the_Saint]

Helen also organises the Player of the Month sponsorship and Lucy arranges the matchday raffle. Barry and Knocky are also coach stewards to away games and Knocky sells the away golden goal tickets. Ian B and Knocky also distribute most of the matchday posters.

[AFF]

Very many apologies from me to her but I missed Sarah Hilliard off the list of Members of the Committee of The Supporters Club in an earlier posting. She was there last night and didn't speak to me - I'm not surprised. [i'm joking. Sarah was there and busy. Apologies again.]

 

There were about 30 fans present. With the exception of Chris England who is standing down due to work committments, the Committee all offered themselves for re-election and were duly re-elected. A new chap was nominated - Tim Hudson - and he was elected too.

 

The four posts of Chair, Vice, money-man and Hon Sec are to be filled by the present encumbents, and the remaining tasks will be allocated at the first Committee meeting, no doubt.

 

A wide range of matters were discussed as is usual and Ian Rogers has the views of those present to carry to the next meeting of the Board of Directors of the football club next week. I am not a member of the |Committee and I'll leave the person with the "Media & Telecommunications" portfolio to issue an appropriate release. [i only came on here this morning to apologise to Sarah.]

[Rob_the_Saint]

All I will add to the above (I counted 33 present btw) is there were three mains issues which Ian Rogers was asked to take to Monday's main Board meeting:

 

1) Pricing policy for admission. The general feeling was to keep admission as near to the Conference minimum as possible, with special packages for families. Season tickets should also be better publicised with discounts for early payment.

 

2) There was general concern over the catering arrangements, i.e the quality and the early closure on matchdays. There was also concern that the franchise had been re-awarded without consultation and extended to include the bar.

 

3) there was general disquiet about the state of the ground. Given that any new ground would be at least three years down the line, it was felt that money and effort should be put into raising the standard to a reasonable level.

 

Sorry if this is gibberish, I haven't had me breakfast yet! <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/cheeburga.gif" alt="" />

[AFF]

Hi Rob.

 

The question of a possible re-location to a new ground receives very little formal coverage, and I am a little concerned that your brief summary could, inadvertantly, mislead.

 

There was no discusion last night to any degree whatsoever regarding a re-location to a new ground. The current position of the search was not raised and fans are relying upon the brief references and quotes from the local press.

 

Great concern was expressed by several members who appeared to have unanimous support at the meeting regarding the state of Clarence Park and the lack of maintainance and TLC over a number of years. Some eejit from the floor mentioned Gibbo's quote from the Observer to the effect that we needed to be in a new ground within three years and he, the eejit, suggested that 3 years might be a wildly optimistic hope. He suggested that events might turn out that we could be at t'Park for 5 or 7 years or more and that, in his view, a fairly comprehensive programme of re-decoration and general maintainance should be implemented as econopmically as possible, without further delay.

 

Concern was expressed at the principle that all works required might be able to be undertaken by volunteer labour [DIY!], and that whilst some few tasks might be able to be fulfilled in this manner, properly qualified persons would be needed for the most part.

[Rob_the_Saint]

Isn't that just point (3) in Estate Agent speak? <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/bootyshake.gif" alt="" />

 

I forgot 4) There was some discussion about the extra stewards and gatepersons required for next season and it was explained that this would fall under the remit of James Brewer's new role as Matchday Organizer.

 

Hopefully he will also be responsible for the general condition and cleanliness of the clubhouse and toilets (my words).

[AFF]

Slightly different emphasis for clarity, actually, Rob.

 

The former Clubhouse Manager's husband will be pleased at your extension of his new role, Rob. Has he been ..ahem.. made aware, yet?

 

I can't resist reference to one brief moment at the meeting last night, which may otherwise pass without comment. In addition to the outgoing and incoming Chairman of the Supporters Club Committee - one and the same person, of course, Ian Rogers - we were fortunate to have present last night a director of the Board - Leigh Page -, and the chap who used to drive the red tractor and Club Secretary in his spare time - Steve Eames -, both of whom are members of the Supporters Club, of course.

 

The subject of the appointment of a Commercial Manager was raised. and there then followed a short game along the lines of that pavement gambling game where you have to guess which of three tin cups a pea is placed under. "We have a new Commercial Manager", said one of the three Officials. Another said "I don't know anything about that". And the third said "I think that negotiations with an applicant are continuing".

 

"Eh" said an eejit from the floor. The 8.37 St Albans to Bedford train went past at that moment, but I'm pretty certain that the three Officials each then repeated what one of the others had said a moment or two previously.

 

"Once more, please" came a voice from the floor. They then each gave the third alternative response, each. If you see what I mean.

 

The best summary of that brief exchange is that we might have a new Commercial Manager, or we might not. Official confirmation will follow.

 

A moment to raise a smile, anyway. Well done to each of them. And him. Or her. If we have one.