Minutes of the Bairns Trust Meeting
16th April 2007 Falkirk Stadium

Present: (33). S Jackson, B Guthrie, L McDaid, P Jack, F Caldwell, M Fraser, J Gardiner, M McIntyre, R Stirling, Jnr., L Wilson, S Wilson, B Anderson, M Paterson, S Monfries.
M Allan, S Bird, J Dick, G Elliot, G Forster, J Jamieson, J Lemetti, P Reid, D Robertson, W Robertson, J Sneddon, I Turnbull, J Turnbull, G Williamson, S Williamson and 4 others.

1) Chairperson's opening remarks. 

Meeting was hosted by Chairman B Anderson who stood down from the post during the meeting.

Minutes were taken by Treasurer P Jack.

Apologies. - T Paterson.

2) Ratification of previous (AGM) minutes. Proposed B Guthrie. Seconded S Jackson.

 

3) Matters arising from previous (AGM) minutes. None.

4) Chairperson's annual report. 

Not as many members as had hoped following uptake the year before with t-shirt promotion.
Amarillo 10% discount to members appreciated and well used.
Ups and Downs during spell in Chair.
Recent Falkirk Herald article a great boost for the Trust.
2 successful Quiz Nights held.
Inception of the Former Players Association (FPA).
Continuation of commentary for the Blind at home games.
Trust merchandising v Club merchandising dilemma.
Potential conflict with Trust Boardroom representation to be resolved.
Thanks offered to fellow Trust Board Members, including Treasurer for Annual Accounts Audit wrangles and email correspondence. Accepted.
Best wishes in role to next Chairman. Accepted.

5)       Secretary's annual report.

(Covered the co-opted spell from 17/07/06 – 16/04/07)

Dutifully took Monthly Meeting Minutes and handled online correspondence.
Responded over the spell to:
Raith Rovers enquiry on SPL2 that sought both Trust and Falkirk Football Club's (FFC) view.
Invitations to other Trusts to attend our Programme Fair.
Liaised with Supporters Direct on change of Trust details.
Fielded FSA and Inland Revenue correspondence.
Dundee United ArabTrust contact re disabled supporter's fundraising and visit to FFC.
Enjoys arranging successful FPA on matchdays and ensuring Amarillo hospitality in place.
Replied to electronic messages re Social Night venue.
Forwarded, raised and replied to Charity Golf Tournament invites.
Ensured room booking in position for Trust Monthly Meetings.

Thanks offered by Chairman-elect on behalf of fellow Trust Committee and Members for efforts. Accepted.

6)       Treasurer's annual report.

Copies of Annual Accounts for year ended 30/09/06 were circulated.

Difficult trading year with known Sharesave maturities of around £6k and recovery of monies overspent in previous years.
Social Night fundraising did help alleviate.
Severe difficulties in getting Annual Accounts "signed-off" due to new regulations.

Income:

Merchandise, Social Nights, Spot the Team Cards, etc. raised £2,175.
Offset by miscellaneous Social Night stationery and Spot the Team Prizes of £285.
Net £1,891 well down on previous year following back end of DVD/Video sales.
Donations in period £387, now standing at £742 to date.
Double Contributions from Membership, and Sharesavers of £4,449.
Total income £6,729.

Expenditure:

Following from last years AGM, Postage and Stationery drastically cut from £744 to £263.
Main promotional material was Trust sponsorship of S Higgins home strip at £411.
FSA fee reduced from £110 to £60, £45 for this coming year.
Website incurred £33 but now fully operational.
2 lots of AGM printing and posting costs at £258.
Craig Gowans memorial wreath on behalf of Trust £35.
Show Racism The Red Card £42, with half met by FFC with thanks.
Sharesave payments £6,167.
Total expenditure £7,442.

Loss in period of £713.

Balance Sheet:

No change in Investments at £25,250.
Cash at bank £2,372 at 30/09/06, now doubled.
Creditors outstanding £6,355 mainly sharesaves due to mature and unclaimed overpayments.
Share Capital in Trust £507.

Question from floor re inserting Realised Gain from shares bought at 61p versus current value of 125p. As this was last period of full Annual Accounts to keep consistent this would not be implemented.

Accounts adopted. Proposed S Jackson. Seconded L McDaid. Signed copies to be forwarded by Treasurer to FSA and Inland Revenue by end of April. Since met.

Period report from 01/10/06 to present. No time available.
Normal Monthly report held over to next Monthly Meeting.
Thanks offered for the work undertaken by Treasurer. Accepted.
Spot the Team Card winner. Dunfermline. S Williamson. £15.

7)       Fans Directors annual report.

Pre-season tour to Holland delayed 1day in memory of C Gowans passing.
Thanks from S Jackson for opportunity given.

Highlights of spell as Fans Rep:
First talk from manager on confidential players after list an eye-opener.
Taken Trust's thoughts on season ticket prices to the Board of FFC.
Both S Jackson and F Caldwell take time to speak to other Directors.
Give tours to visiting Directors.
Introduction of aftermatch stat sheets.
Introduced as Fans Reps at away games. Berwick Rangers example quoted.
F Caldwell discussions with Rangers Finance Director.
Celtic Board shocked at FFC inviting Celtic Trust Rep to game.

Highlights of Boardroom Meetings:

Lots of disagreements, e.g. vote on team short mid-season trip to Spain.
Injury updates are prevalent.
New stands regularly discussed. Temp stand down for close season.
Noted that Company Secretary D Webster does a first class job.
New Team Bus has been a success.
BairnsTrust representation on Board discussed. Remove another Director? Chairman and Board aware of Trust concerns on this.
BairnsTrust and L Millar only parties on current Board to invest sums this season.
BairnsTrust Falkirk Herald article and best practice model highlighted to Board.
Season ticket prices too high. Early bird deals acceptable.
Both Trust Reps actively recruit new members in Boardroom.

Questions from floor:

1. Trust actually entitled to 3 Full FFC Directorships. Currently 1 year on, 1 year off to provide coaching is ideal setup. FFC AGM proposal for 3 years on, 3 years off for FFC Directors continually messed up. Shareholder's Rep can be elected if capital of £100k found. What shareholding has Chairman? 9,000 shares. If bringing skills can have many on Board. Only two Trust Reps and G Craig buy their own season tickets. All rest can afford. Should not be looking for perks. Should be reviewed. Admit should never return to days of only 1/2/3 Directors. Fans invest as much in 1 year, over 10 years as any Director.
2. Too many guests in Boardroom?
3. Which Directors take a fee/salary? G Craig only.
4. FFC Board worried about too many on the Board? No.
5. Professionals on Board with no shares, e.g. Accountant/Lawyer. Yes entitled to perks in lieu of fees. Example quoted of 50k shares given in lieu of services.
6. How many other Boards are FFC Directors on? Spread too thin?
7. How would FFC ratify/remove Trust Reps? Difficult to do unless individual legal breach.
8. Following Falkirk Herald article on BairnsTrust model, would FFC wish to antagonise?
9. FFC constitution on bringing in Trust Reps. Trust entitled to another Rep if raise £30k. If FFC increase Board, Trust gets extra position. Min. £30k x 5 persons could buy-out FFC. 1 Trust Rep and 1 other body Rep possibility. Trust can put an amendment to FFC constitution forward as proposal if status quo jeopardised.

 

8)       Social Convenor's annual report.

Social Nights total profit £2.3k.
Trust videos/DVDs caused FFC Board problems.
Trust are a Limited Company in own right so cannot be prevented from trading.
Trust will continue to introduce new ideas, e.g. Photos, t-shirts, greetings cards, etc.
Former caterers Drew Norloch Ltd allowed events that fell through due to receivership. Trust took on at a small loss.
S Connolly showcase upcoming. 100 free tickets. Raffle for Trust. Future member?
Donated programmes from Club, Trust Committee and Members all raise good funds.
Successful Quiz Night and more to come.
Meeting with G Craig re Holland trip three weeks prior. No news. Now Amsterdam base, not Groningen. Deposits of £100 non refundable. Not ABTA. Have to protect Trust. Will get fans there and back. Require Notice of Intent. Trust IT team to progress website advert for St Mirren game. Modest profit. Little scope for loss.

Thanks offered for efforts by Social Convenor to Social Committee of S and L Wilson, S Jackson, etc. Accepted.

Thanks offered for efforts by Membership Secretary S Monfries following resignation. Accepted.

9)       Election of office bearers/Committee members.

Scrutineer S Bird took over Meeting to announce:

Chairperson – One unopposed nominee. S Jackson. Duly appointed.
Vice-Chairperson – One unopposed nominee. B Guthrie. Duly appointed.
Secretary – One unopposed nominee. L McDaid. Duly appointed.
Treasurer – One unopposed nominee. P Jack. Duly appointed.

Committee –
Unopposed nominees. F Caldwell, T Paterson, R Stirling, Jnr., L Wilson. Duly appointed. Retained for second year – M Fraser, J Gardiner, M McIntyre, S Wilson.
Nominations from floor – B Anderson, M Paterson. No objections. Duly co-opted.

10)      Election of fans representative to the board of Falkirk FC.

Scrutineer S Bird took over Meeting to announce:

S Wilson – 15 votes.
M McIntyre – 20 votes.
P Jack – 32 votes.

However, issues raised that some members did not receive ballot papers or proxy forms in AGM mailings. Trust could not confirm/deny those affected.
Scrutineer recommended rerunning election. Vote carried.

11)       Constitutional amendments.

Scrutineer S Bird took over Meeting to announce:

Resolution #1 re overpayment of funds to BairnsTrust – For 51. Against 2. Carried.
Resolution #2 re Independent Examination – For 52. Against 1(Spoilt vote). Carried.

Following decision to rerun election of fans representative to the board of Falkirk FC. Vote carried not to rerun Constitutional amendments as well.

12)       Open Forum.

Numerous questions were fielded and answered during the Fans Directors annual report above.

13)       Any other business.

Treasurer highlighted need for Committee to sign Annual Accounts to FSA and Inland Revenue. Carried over to Committee Meeting immediately after AGM.

14)       Date of next meeting.

AGM – TBC.
Monthly Meeting - Monday 21st May at 7.30pm in the Warm-Up Area of Falkirk Stadium.

 

Committee Meeting.

There then followed a Committee Meeting to form new roles and discuss rerun of election of fans representative to the board of Falkirk FC.

 

 

 

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.