Trust meeting minutes Thursday, 10th Apr 2008 14:03
Dale Trust recently held a meeting with the directors regarding a variety of matters. Here are the minutes arising from that meeting.
Trust/Directors Bi-monthly Meeting – 10 March
2008
Location
: Spotland Stadium
PRESENT
:
Chris Dunphy
Colin Garlick
Paul Hazlehurst
Scott Goulding
Murray Knight
MINUTES
1.
MATTERS ARISING FROM LAST MEETING
-
Nothing of note
-
Minutes to be kept of these meetings, and issued after submission to Colin for
approval.
2.
DALE TRUST MATTERS
-
Audited Annual Accounts/Reports for 2006/07 have been submitted to the Financial
Services Agency.
-
Scott Goulding to step down as Chairman at the end of this season.
-
The
Trust will continue to operate at both Studds and the Dale Bar to meet the needs
of supporters.
-
The
Trust are to involve exiled members more fully, and plan are being devised to
develop this theme.
3.
ROCHDALE AFC MATTERS
-
There was discussion concerning the effectiveness of the incentives to encourage
an increase in attendance at home games, and it was agreed that the “Kids Go
Free” promotion at the Hereford United game was a success and thanks were given
by the Directors for the considerable efforts of those who participated in this
and the Superfans promotion. A full list of the winners of the Superfans will be
published in time for the presentation to be made at the Accrington Stanley
match.
-
To
use up the remainder of the Trust grant for community projects, a proposal was
made by the Trust to sponsor another ”Dale’s Dragons/“Kids Go Free” at the
Rotherham game on Easter Monday. It was decided to postpone it until the
Morecambe Game on Saturday 19th April (see Community/Fans for the Future below).
-
As
stated at the Trust AGM, a proposal was made by the Trust to donate an amount of
money for specific projects – a specific piece of equipment for the Rehab room
and/or equipment to aid the ground staff with the pitch in exchange for shares
in the Club, and the detail will be discussed at the next Trust Board meeting,
with any resultant proposal made to the members for their approval.
-
The
Trust requested that two Fans Forums are arranged by them for next season with
the possibility of a changed format, the nature of which to be discussed
further.
4.
STADIUM COMPANY
-
There is no further development with regard to the Stadium Company. Discussions
are ongoing, and the next meeting is planned for the 17th March.
-
The
Pitch Appeal Boards are now being produced and their location/s detailing the
names of those who donated to the Pitch Appeal, organised by the Trust, will be
discussed between Colin and Ian Bailey when the boards are available. Once
again, both the Trust and the Club expressed the need to resolve this issue as a
matter of urgency, due to the time elapsed since the money was raised.
5.
COMMUNITY/FANS FOR THE FUTURE
-
The
Dale Dragons Day planned for the Brentford game was cancelled, due to a clash
with “Kick out Racism” event. Future activities were discussed and it was
suggested that the balance of the grant secured by the Trust for such a
Community venture would be used for the Morecambe game on 19th April.
-
As
previously discussed, in an attempt to encourage support from the Asian
community, the Trust have undertaken a project with Azmat Khan (Football
Development Officer), to recruit to Trust membership those participating in the
football coaching for which he is responsible. A supply of membership forms have
been provided through Keith Hicks.For the under-16’s membership is free, and, in
addition, to become a Dale Dragon for the under-12’s it is also free. This way,
it is hoped that the future support at games will be encouraged, whilst also
attracting the parents to become involved.
-
As
mentioned above,the grant obtained by the Trust from the Coop to fund such
projects as Dale Dragons will be used up after the promotion for the Morecambe
game, it was suggested by the Trust that the Club take over the running of the
Dale Dragons as a junior fan project, and the Directors agreed to consider the
project and come back to the Trust with a reply.
6.
CENTENARY
-
Confirmation given of the two events organised by the Club to celebrate the
Centenary – the Sportmen’s Dinner on Thursday 1st May, and the Golf
Day on Wednesday 7th May. Further information will be provided as
soon as details are finalised.
-
The
Trust confirmed the date for their Legends Fans’ Forum as Tuesday 13 May, to be
held in Horners Lounge, with the proviso that it does not clash with the
Play-off dates, provisionally advised by the League to be played on 10/11/16/17
May.
-
The
Trust also confirmed that the Player of the Year Award will be presented to the
winner after the Shrewsbury game on Saturday 3 May. Colin will speak to Dave
Sweetmore to publicise this at the remaining home games.
7.
TRUST MEMBERS FEEDBACK – QUESTION TO THE BOARD
One of the
features of these meetings is to encourage fans, through the Trust, to ask
questions of the Club Directors concerning issues about which they are
interested or concerned. The following are the questions forwarded to the Trust
by fans for this meeting :
Question
“What are the
Directors views on the Youth Programme and what is their strategy to underpin
and build on the recent very exciting successes?
Reply
At the recent Fans
Forum organised by the Club, Andrew Kelly gave a comprehensive presentation on
the workings of the Centre. The Trust have requested a copy of the Powerpoint
presentation to issue to those fans who were unable to attend the event, which
will illustrate in clear terms the intentions of the Club with regard to Youth
development.
Question
“When are the Club
going to complete the role of Honour Boards in Studds Bar? They look silly as
last year’s haven’t been added. It looks unprofessional and slap-dash.”
Reply
There are plans
for a full refurbishment for Studds Bar, but, in the meantime, the Club will
investigate the position regarding updating the Honour Boards.
Question
“Do the Board
consider the fans incentive a success? As a season ticket holder, I feel that
regular supporters lost out slightly with the promotions involving reduced
prices. Also, having to work one day of the weekend I book all Saturdays off to
follow the Dale, so the reduction in prices for non-season ticket holders, the
Sunday fixture, plus the rearranged games due to postponements, (through no
fault of the Club) means that I shall probably not be renewing my season ticket
next year”
Reply
The Club were
encouraged by the response to the fans incentives, although, incidentally,
revenue as a result did suffer, but were encouraged more by the significant
involvement of the fans, many of whom were also season ticket holders, in
helping to devise and participation in applying the promotions, to attempt to
encourage an increase in support, a long term problem, at this crucial time. The
Directors are mindful of season tickets, and do want to “under value” them, and
consider season ticket holders very carefully when coming up with these
initiatives. They realised that the reduced price promotions, and the switching
of one of the fixtures to a Sunday might be regarded as a negative action with
regard to season ticket holders, but felt that the issue of improving attendance
was a vitally important issue to stimulate interest and support for the team.
However, the points made are ones to be considered for any future activity
concerning promotions to increase support.
8.
DIRECTORS’ FEEDBACK
-
The
Club accounts for 05/06 and 06/07 are now ready and the date for the AGM will be
announced soon with the 30 days notice period to shareholders required.
9.
NEXT MEETING
-
Mid-May. Date to be confirmed.
Photo: Action Images
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