Minutes of the Bairns Trust Meeting
Monday 20th November 2006 at the Falkirk Stadium
Present: B. Anderson, P. Jack, S. Jackson, L. McDaid, F. Caldwell, M. McIntyre, J. Gardiner, R. Stirling, B. Guthrie, S. Monfries, J. Paterson, M. Paterson, D. Hill, H. Johnstone, J. Jamieson, D. Donaldson, G. Forster, S. Williamson, R. Moore, I. Bett, A. Jack, Pat Jack, D. Robertson, C. Hunter, G. McLaren, J. McCreaddie, S. Antczak, A. Thomson, J. Dick.
- Welcome/opening remarks.
- Apologies from S. Wilson, M. Fraser, S. Adam.
- George Craig gave a very informative and interesting talk on the aims of
Falkirk F.C. and fielded numerous questions.
- Minutes of the previous meeting approved by all.
- Matters arising:
Red cards – disappointed there were not as many volunteers as had been hoped for to help distributed cards on the day. Did distribute to three sides of ground and had additional bonus of being able to brandish again when DUFC player sent off! Falkirk F.C. has kindly paid half our costs.
Tom Jamieson trophy – situation at a standstill between Club and School and will be left for this year. March game to be fixed up with an alternative school if current choice of school cannot attend
Former Players – this is going very well and is proving popular with the ex
players. Would be helpful if the players could inform sooner if they would like to a particular game so details can be passed on to Falkirk F.C. a.s.a.p. Possible problem with Falkirk excluding players tickets for the Hibs and Hearts games too. Celtic and Rangers games already excluded from this.
Further discussions on this between the Committee and Tony Smith as was not the intention to have in Prime Centre Stand seating, thus reducing corporate hospitality potential. Club reneging on agreement? All FPs encouraged to join Trust and all have been issued with application forms.
Andy Lawrie testimonial dinner – this was a great success, £8000.00 made,
just under 160 people at the Park enjoyed a great night. John Hughes and many current players in attendance along with many ex players. John Yorkston, Chairman of Dunfermline Athletic donated his corporate hospitality prize on the night back to BairnsTrust for a disabled Falkirk supporter. This was a nice gesture by Mr. Yorkston and it was thought a bottle of whisky should be bought for him for his thoughtfulness. A draw was made after the meeting for the hospitality prize. The winner was J Scobbie, Brightons.
Late donations from Everton (pennant), and Celtic (ball) and Rangers offer a free tour of the Stadium. Many thanks to all who organised the night. Andy has written a letter of thanks. Another night down in Gala and a testimonial game still to be organised should result in a good testimonial year for Andy.
Website – think the problems with this have all now been solved.
Membership – cards out, remainder posted, many out by hand, £15 postage.
Membership Secretary reimbursed. Cards entitle holders to 10% discount in the Amarillo at certain times.
Corporate sponsors – Amarillo to be the second sponsor.
Junior Bairns – Trust will buy them a table which they will have to man themselves on match days.
Draw for boardroom experience:
Rangers 02/12 – Jostein Skramesto our Norwegian member & I Scott, Falkirk
Hibs 16/12 - A. Fernie, Polmont
I.C.T. 30/12 – G. Young, Falkirk
1876 Club – meeting with Tony Smith. The 200 Club would be no more with
the Trust marketing the 1876 Club with sole responsibility in recruiting new members, with more members through the trust, extra prizes and better sponsors. Launch date to be fixed. Still £10/month, should prove to be a success. There should also be non football prized to encourage more people to take part, eg. villa holiday.
6. Secretary's report:
Collecting ex players contact details, passing them on to FPA Committee. Several players have said how much they are enjoying it.
Typed the minutes.
Emailed Supporters Direct re voting and also contacted them again re change or name and address for Secretary.
Sent vote to Supporters Direct re elections for Board of Supporters Direct.
7. Treasurers report:
New Members - 10 adults, 4 concessions, 1 u-16 = £120
Share save £154.00 – 11 members
Contingency fund donation £55, including a £50 = £702.00 to date.
T-shirts – 4 new orders
Spot the team card x 4 - £107.00 gross in, doing well
Bills out – leaflets, etc., Red Cards. Falkirk F.C. paid half and this was much appreciated.
Good website photos to pass on to show success of Red Cards day.
Expenditure - £53 spot the team
Stationery bills for membership cards £182.87.
Big invoices – printing last Social 60's Night costs £75.25. etc.
Bill FSA £45 from £60 last year.
Lots of funds have to be held back, £493.00, so each member gets £1 share, contingency fund, cumulative and outstanding sharesavers, t-shirt order, disabled 5s tournament and potential audit fee.
1 person still can't find, 1 traced.
45 + t-shirts - £180.
Audit – looking for new auditor, independent examiner could be approached. 32-page handout produced by Supporters Direct re Independent Audit available for members to view. Will be an AGM topic.
Website – great progress from new IT Committee
150 emails sent out last month – chasing volunteers, Show Racism people, Andy Lawrie prizes, weekly update to Committee, correspondence re Board Room experience, good so far.
Meeting with a local auditor but they are reluctant. Supporters Direct have recommended 2 others but they are perhaps too high?
Appreciation to Membership Secretary for prompt distribution of cards.
Spot the team winner – S Monfries, took voucher instead of cash prize.
8. Social Convenor Report
Tshirt samples not received. Post Office enquiry.
Stagequest Stage School. Trust to run raffle at local events and make donation back?
Silly Connolly over for Motherwell game, Central FM and FFC website publicity. Copies of CD with all profits to Trust to be available.
Social Committee had over 4 hour meeting on 2007 events. Will revert to full Committee early in New Year.
9. Board Report:
None, but meeting due on Thu.
10. AOB:
Traffic survey v Rangers was still undertaken by FFC.
Firstbus to do a park n ride to the stadium? Will approach them re this with hopefully reasonable fare.
Stewarding problem – people with passes not getting in car park, people coming down late not getting in. This to be raised at Board Meeting.
11. Next meeting –
No Members Meeting December 20th 2006 due to proximity to Christmas.
Committee Meeting December 11th 2006 at 7pm
Members Meeting January 15th 2007 at 7.30
The next meeting of BairnsTrust will be at the Falkirk Community Stadium.
Everyone is welcome and can participate in discussion, but only members are allowed to vote on any issue.
