Bairnstrust Committee Meeting

20th October 2003

Elliots, Graeme Road, Falkirk

Committee Present:
Michael White
Brian Guthrie
Kirstie Adam
Bill Anderson
Stephen Bird
John Dick
Tom Jamieson

Others Present:
Wayne Toft
Jean Toft
Steven Adam
Murray McIntyre
Jack Gardiner

Michael White called the meeting to order and welcomed members who had come to observe.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were noted from Alistair Ferrie and Fergus Caldwell.

2. Leave of Absence of Chairman
Michael gave a brief summary of his new position within the club advising he would be responsible for devising a new structure throughout the club to carry it forward and the implementation of the new structure. The position is a full time appointment until next May. In view of increased responsibility the Committee have agreed to allow Michael leave of absence as BairnsTrust chair until May although he is required to continue as fans representative on the FFC Board.

3. Resignation
The Meeting was advised of a letter received from Alastair Ferrie regrettably resigning his position on the Board for health reasons. The committee unanimously thank for his hard work in getting BairnsTrust up and running and we all wish him well for the future.

4. Vice Chairman
It was agreed to nominate an interim Vice Chair until the AGM at the start of next year. Steven Bird was unanimously elected having been proposed by Tom Jamieson and seconded by John Dick.

5. Minutes of Last Meeting
Last months minutes were formally accepted as an accurate record. Proposed Murray McIntyre, Seconded Brian Guthrie.

6. BairnsTrust Publicity
Stephen is arranging for BairnsTrust promotional leaflets to be printed next week. Kirstie will then issue the members’ letters and the leaflets can also be distributed around supporters clubs and at home games. Supporters’ clubs bus convenors will be formally invited to the next BairnsTrust meeting.

7. Bairns Against Racism
The Falkirk team photograph in the promotional t-shirts will appear in this weeks Herald and Bairns Babes and the ball boys will be approached to wear the t-shirts at the Ayr United game. It was noted that we had received fewer shirts for distribution than expected.

8. Finance
- In Fergus’ absence, Kirstie advised the finances were in healthy shape and drew attention to the fact that the majority of the money already raised had been used to purchase shares
- Fergus is currently liasing with Martin Ritchie and Paul Kelly over the issue of share certificates.
- Stephen Bird advised that the monies raised for the ‘Fighting Fund’ in the Dunfermline Building Society account set up to cover legal costs at the time of the SPL appeal would be passed over to BairnsTrust at the end of the month once interest had been claimed.
- BairnsTrust has purchased advertising space in the programme until the end of the season for a cost of £500.

9. Fundraising

i) Video-Brian confirmed they hoped to access the editing suite within the next week allowing our video to be available the end of November at a cost of £15. There is a little concern over timescale for a launch at Christmas and this will be reviewed in one week.

ii) Number Plates-Kirstie showed the meeting a sample car number plate and suggested the trust could market these with the Falkirk FC logo. It was agreed that subject to the Falkirk Board approving the use of the club logo. The number plates will have the Falkirk FC logo on the left hand side with ‘Expect the Unexpected’ along the bottom

10. Potential Shadow Board
This is on hold at the moment until after the next Falkirk FC Board meeting.

11. Any Other Business
i) Concern was expressed as to the length of time that it appeared to be taking to erect the cover over the terracing at Ochilview. The meeting was advised that it is believed Stenhousemuir are responsible for the delay and subject to confirmation that this is indeed the case it was agreed that a letter be issued to Stenhousemuir FC in this respect.
ii) Bill Anderson advised the club are struggling selling hospitality and it was agreed we should be trying to assist in this.
iii) Tom suggested we obtain some form of ID badge for people to wear on official BairnsTrust business. Kirstie is to source this.
iv ) In view of Alistair’s resignation and Michaels leave of absence Stephen suggested we look at co-opting some more people onto the Trust Committee until our AGM. The following proposals were made and accepted: -

Wayne Toft: Nominated Stephen, seconded Brian
Jean Toft: Nominated Stephen, seconded Brian
Steven Adam: Nominated Stephen, seconded Brian
Jack Gardiner: Nominated Bill, seconded Tom
Murray McIntyre: Nominated Bill, seconded Tom

All are regular attendees at BairnsTrust meetings and accepted the positions.

12. Date and Time of Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place on 17th November 2003 at 7.30pm in Elliots. In view of meals being served the meeting may take place in the room to the left going in the main door rather than in the top bar area as has been the custom to date.

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