Minutes of the Bairns Trust Meeting
Monday 18th September 2006
at the Falkirk Stadium

Present: W. Anderson, P. Jack, S. Jackson, B. Guthrie, F. Caldwell, S.
Monfries, S. Wilson, M. Fraser, R. Stirling, M. McIntyre, J. Gardener, L.
McDaid, R. Sinclair, S. Johnstone, M. White, J. Jamieson, H. Johnston, L.
Wilson, J. Dick, S. Adam, G. Foster, S. Williamson, R. Moore, J. Hunter, M. Paterson.

Apologies: None.

Michael White gave a very interesting and informative talk on the history of Falkirk Football Club, which was very much enjoyed by those present.

Matters arising:

Red cards (racism) - getting a deal on them £80-£100, Falkirk F.C. will pay half and this will be well within the budget. Trust has already paid for first bill. Treasurer tasked with find cost of T-shirts from SRTRC catalogue - £7/£5.

Tom Jamieson trophy - Tom Elliot is on holiday, must get a date fixed soon, with gift bags available from shop, Trust videos and a goody bag for the children.

Ex players - hoping to have this in place for St. Mirren game on 14th October. Dr. Sinclair will meet them. Some ex players have already been in touch. Falkirk Herald will get photograph shortly to officially launch it.
Each ex player will get 2 tickets when they join.

Andy Lawrie testimonial - Sunday 5th November, 7.30 for 8 prompt, tickets are going well and should be a sell out. 3 guest speakers + Compare, 4-course meal. £50 ticket. Many ex-players taking tables. Several things planned for the evening, raffles, auction - a signed Andy Lawrie top up for auction - tops n tails, etc. Testimonial game probably against St.Johnstone. Dinner for Andy down in Gala should also be a sell out, being organised by friends of the family.

Website progress - access rights have now been handed over, back up disk of files and password. This will be getting updated now by the sub committee and should be up to date shortly.

Pennies Lounge - planned hospitality did not go ahead for the Aberdeen game, the offer was declined by them. Dee4 Life been contacted to advise on most likely supporters to attend.

The policeman who had been approached previously to become an away game fans liaison had declined the offer.

Secretary's report:

W Sommerville to hand over all old files, minutes, etc. he has. All electronic files now received.

Raith Rovers - SPL2 - what are our views? The Bairns Trust back Falkirk F.C.'s views - in agreement with it. Trust Vice-Chairman and Board Rep Steven Jackson gave a very detailed explanation of why the club and trust backed this.

This Sunday there will be a programme fair on the concourse at Westfield.
11-3, advert in Falkirk Herald? E mail as many trusts as possible ahead of it so they could perhaps visit the fair before/after the SPL meeting.

Supporters Direct holding discussions re SPL2 in Alec Parker Lounge at TFS same day.

Supporters Direct National Conference on Friday 13th October.

Supporters Direct AGM Forms completed by BairnsTrust by deadline.

FSA and Inland Revenue Forms completed re change of Trust Registered Address.

Email Dundee Utd. Re Heather, the girl injured in the crash. As good fundraisers, guest and one Trust member were invited up to Dundee for the presentation of new transport for Heather, £22,000 has been raised. We had to politely decline the invitation but would wish Heather and her family all the best and would invite them down to Westfield when Dundee Utd. played Falkirk on 28th October.

Complaint from Motherwell supporter re increase in away parking charge from £2 to £4. Asked to raise, but has already been discussed at Saturday morning meeting and decision was taken after much review of other club's charges.

Contacted by a company called Bedsearcher.co.uk - we advertise them; they would advertise us and search for all relevant details required for a
weekend in Falkirk. Brian Guthrie expressed concern.

Trinidad member has now joined the Trust and has information as to what happened with Denzil!

Membership cards for the season - still being negotiated. Possibly getting paid for by Alchemy Inns Ltd, would include 10% for Bairns Trust members in Amarillo. Brian Guthrie has a meeting on Wednesday of this week.
Hopefully will have full list of benefits within 2 weeks. Electronic newsletter #22 to be sent to members to explain.

Corporate Membership letter redrafted for potential £40 stationery advertising instead.

First 3 out of 4 Boardroom Experience winners been contacted and accepted.
First winner has completed post event feedback questionnaire.

Treasurers report:

In last month:

Memberships - 32 adult, 6 concessions, 1 Junior Bairns. Share save £22, £165/month, dons. £55/month, contingency £55. T-shirts, best price for more than 30, should be here by the end of the week for the next home game.

Spot the team - £22, programmes - ongoing auction re Dutch programmes, social night £63 costs- Silly Connelly, red cards £21, padlock for new cabinet, £100 gift voucher prize-winner paid out.

£221.00 (after -£30 float) made from the raffle of the signed Aberdeen top
Aberdeen may do this when Falkirk visit.

May be getting a signed Celtic top for their visit on 1st October.

£605.00 contingency fund to date, shares to buy, 433 members - 1 share each, share save - kept back £446, outstanding- some entitled to refund - £476.

T-shirts - £130 to be paid, Tom Jamieson - £155 - medals, goodie bags and videos from club and Trust.

Cheques with FFC for Scott Higgins Shirt sponsorship - £411.25 and £366 sharesave applicant.

Auditors have resigned, looking for new ones. Shires auditors £700, Stirling Albion £550, discuss this after the holidays with potential new Auditor. Raised the issue with Supporters Direct, prices are very high and
will raise it at the meeting on Sunday. Names of local auditors are with
Treasurer.

Supporters Direct - A.G.M. constitution change ok.

Missing £50 cheque to re Supporters Direct has now been cashed.

Treasurer thanked the Aberdeen trust on their website.

Sharesaver - Royal Mail "destroyed" a member's certificate! Treasurer to obtain duplicate copy from FFC Finance Director.

Emails to specific members for missing database details and also those who offered voluntary help, donation, memorabilia and raffle prizes to advise Trust.

D. McIntosh contacted to announce Trust events over tannoy.
Weekly note re BairnsTrust in Falkirk Herald.

Posters designed. Adverts to Aberdeen FC. AFC Trust and local newspapers re Shirt raffle and hospitality. Message thanking AFC supporters sent after match.

Electronic Newsletter #21 sent - are they too long?

Ex sharesaver is willing to sell his 400 shares.

J Hunter won spot the team on the night.

Social convenors report:

Social event Friday - Silly Connolly, at the Lodge in Brightons.
L MacPherson donated raffle prizes for this.

Adverts in all Alchemy Inns Ltd hostelries

Brian Guthrie - Bairns Trust inherited the social nights from J. Black.
This should be a good night, tickets £7.50, not wanting a loss on this one! As many as possible there would be appreciated, it has been moved downstairs in the Lodge.

Board meeting - last one 24th August, next one 20th September. John Hughes disappointed he didn't get all the players he wanted, but happy with signings. G. Barrett - 2 weeks away from fitness.

D Webster produced in depth financial report for Board.

Innovene situation ok - Falkirk happy with the outcome.

Roof will be on for Aberdeen.

Holland situation now dealt with.

T. McMillan of Alchemy Inns Ltd now dealing with catering.

Retail - shop doing well, lease ends soon, looking at 2 other areas in town.

Health and Safety - building - many things unsatisfactory. New manager's office created though.

New staff - lot. and mktg. and media mngr. Part time.

Majority Boards members have joined Trust.

Minority Shareholders Group discussed.

Membership cards:

133 - 99 adult and 33 conc., 11 under 16, 1 corporate (43 new members)

Treasurer chased up 90 members who have not renewed and has had some response.

Other areas already discussed.

Programme Fair and Supporters Direct:

Already discussed.

A.O.B.:

Toilets - empty alcoholic drink bottles found in gents.

Stewards need to be looked at. Not appointed correctly. They and police passed empty plastic bottles at the disabled section. Different rules for fans and players? A blind eye turned to wheelchair users and what they may be bringing in.

Training of stewards - Steven Jackson says they have all been trained but this was disputed. Steven to raise the matter again at Saturday meetings.
Invite Tom McGunnigle to next meeting?

Next meeting of Bairns Trust.

The next meeting of BairnsTrust will be at the Falkirk Community Stadium on Monday 16th October at 7.30
Everyone is welcome and can participate in discussion, but only members are allowed to vote on any issue.