: Wed Oct 14, 2009 7:58 am  

tigertot wrote:

My concern is/was what do you hope to achieve - was there anyhting that came out apart from a fundraising group?

That's one of the major issues... Laura told that every trust is different in its long-term aims, the spectrum ranging from just fund-raising, to owning the club ala Bramley. E.g., a mid to long term aim might be to get a seat on the board, but the club won't go for that until the trust brings something positive to the table.

So, the ball is actually in our court - what do WE want to achieve?

(answers on a post-card )

Amongst those present there seemed to be a unanimous desire to help the club in young player development. But, ultimately, the fact is that raising funds at some level or other becomes a necessity.

: Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:35 am  

tigertot wrote:

was there anyhting that came out apart from a fundraising group?

I think people agreed generally that we shouldn't start out by trying to do everything at once, but take one goal and take it forward. If we try to do everything at this stage we'll end up doing nothing. That's not to say a trust couldn't do more in the future once it is established, but let's start simple. If there is enthusiasm for helping the junior talent at the club, let's take that forward.

Obviously, any other ideas are welcome!

: Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:41 am  

I think it's also worth pointing out the "sponsor a player for 2010" scheme is going to remain completely seperate.
We may look at bringing it under the trust umberella for 2011, but for now it is not.

A point I was trying to get across last night, was that people probably know exactly what's involved in running a trust (myself to an extent included, e.g. I would know what the job description for the secretary of a trust looks like, or a treasurer or chairperson for that).
My personal opinion is that a huge barrier for people getting involved is not wanting to jump in and end up being lumbered with too much.

I suggested, as we move forward, listing specific tasks people could cherrypick - that way, you've an idea of how much time and effort you're going to give up from the start, making it more likely you'll stick at it.

Also, as discussed last night, a "support team" around each postion would make things easier, i.e. through delegation.

: Wed Oct 14, 2009 10:43 am  

I agree last nights meeting was informative and positive, if we can emulate the Warrington model we would be doing well, however it would be interesting to see what other trusts are doing before the next meeting of the group. Can we make contact with some of the other trusts so we can look at how other trusts help there clubs ?. It would be great to see some of "our" boys with a first team shirt in a few years time.

: Wed Oct 14, 2009 4:37 pm  

All sounds quite promising reading this.

I especially like the idea of support roles. Having one person basically "in charge" of certain duties, i.e. on the committee/board, but having a group of people supporting them to make the duties a lot lighter and everyone sharing the workload. That way you have quite a number of people having a little to do, instead of a small group of folk having sh*tloads. I for one don't think I'd want a full on committee role (although I tend to be persuaded lol), but I'd certainly be interest in a support type.

Apologies if this was mentioned before, but I'm reading all this while quite tired (and still at work), but has a date for the next meeting been set yet? Tuesdays are generally good for me, it was purely last night's specific day that was bad (and turned out to be quite a terrible day all round if I'm honest), so hopefully can make the next one. If not a specific date, was any kind of timescale discussed?

: Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:12 pm  

Can we have a full role call of who was there last night?

I'l start...me

: Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:19 pm  

Me too.

: Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:31 pm  

MDF wrote:

Me too.

i knew that, due to you being sat next to me.

also adey, wigsy and mission.

then im stuck

: Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:33 pm  

Wigan Bull wrote:

I suggested, as we move forward, listing specific tasks people could cherrypick - that way, you've an idea of how much time and effort you're going to give up from the start, making it more likely you'll stick at it.

I'll look through the guide from Laura and try to create a list of jobs that need doing as far as a working group is concerned. If there's enough interest we can move ahead.

: Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:11 pm  

OK, we can group the key positions in a working group that need filling into the following "groups":

Admin/executive - Key positions: Chair, Secretary
Finance - Key positions: Treasurer, Fundraising officer
Communication - Key positions: Media spokesperson, Club liason officer

Ideally these key positions should have a deputy as well to share the workload and to stand in when necessary.

Tasks that need to be performed are:

Form working group
Draw up constitution
Establish bank account
Raise funds
Publicise trust: website, leaflets, posters, press
Create membership forms
"Feet on the ground" - putting up posters, handing out leaflets etc.

Obviously the details of these 'tasks' will be fleshed out by the working group, but broadly speaking this is what we're going to need. It's also worth remembering that if people don't have time to spare, just stating an intent to become a member will make the trust more feasible.

If anyone feels that they can help, at any level, the more the merrier. If we can get each key position filled with a deputy and maybe a couple of "foot soldiers", then we should be good to go. Bear in mind that we are NOT appointing the working group at this moment in time, merely establishing that there is enough interest that a working group could be formed at an open meeting.

Personally I'm happy to work somewhere in the admin side of things, and take a position in the working group. I also have an IT background so I'm happy to throw my hat in the ring and help out with a website, but I'll warn you all now that graphics most definitely isn't one of my strong points.