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Trust meeting minutes
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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