Minutes of the Bairns Trust Meeting
21st May 2007 at Falkirk Stadium
Present: (22). S Jackson, B Guthrie, P Jack,F Caldwell, M Fraser, J Gardiner, R Stirling, Jnr., T Paterson, L Wilson, S Wilson, B Anderson, M Paterson.
M Allan, S Antczak, J Dick, L Liddle, D Robertson, T Smith, I Sneddon, G Williamson, S Williamson and 1 other.
- Welcome/opening remarks.
The meeting was hosted by Vice-Chairman B Guthrie and Minutes were taken by Treasurer P Jack.
Acting Chairman B Guthrie motioned that a letter be written to Falkirk FC (FFC) offering vote of thanks for the achievements of the past season. Unanimously passed.
Motion from the floor that a letter is written to C Ireland offering vote of thanks and best wishes on retiral from playing through injury. Unanimously passed.
2. Apologies. - L McDaid, M McIntyre.
3. Minutes of previous meeting. Proposed S Wilson. Seconded M Fraser.
4. Matters arising. - Buffet prices and food standards going down. Complaint to be made.
Discussions ranged from:
Prices on matchday at kiosks and Amarillo.
Drinks measures.
Food portions.
Number of bar staff on duty at peak times in Amarillo, etc.
Rather than verbal/written complaint agreed to invite caterers to a future meeting over close season to discuss approach for next season.
5) Secretary's Report.
Due to the apologies of the Secretary, no report was possible.
6) Treasurer's Report.
(Covered the 2 month period 25/03/07 – 20/05/07 due to AGM last month.)
Income:
1 new corporate member – John Mitchell Haulage Ltd.
1 new adult member paid by Paypal from Canada.
1 new adult member at reduced rate as at end of subscription period.
14 Sharesave members, 2 new possibles, generating £187/month.
£100 lump sum towards Sharesave from new joiner.
Contingency Fund at £754.82. 400 shares at £500 to be bought for outstanding claim. Passed.
DVDs sold x 1 = £5 made.
T-shirt invoice in and paid for at £259.45. New T-shirts ordered and half already bought.
Spot the Team Card raised net £15.
£44 earned from Italy v Scotland programmes.
Old programme sales £30.
First payment from PayPal for Italy sets received at £107.59.
Photos' going well £61.50 has been made.
Expenditure:
2 lots of AGM printing and posting costs at £123.63.
Postage and Stationery for eBay sales and Membership Secretary Postage £59.27.
Expenses re PayPal and eBay hosting costs + FPA £100 unclaimed re-banked = (£84.97).
Payment to "Auditors" re completion of Annual Accounts of £60.
Sharesave claim made in the period for £250.
Mrs Jamieson lunch settled by Trust at Tom Jamieson Memorial event, Wednesday 28/03/07.
No outstanding invoices.
Small gain in period of £66.53.
£4,216.77 balance at present.
212 emails have been sent over past 2 months.
Newsletters #33, #34 and #35 were sent out to members.
Trust AGM advertisement successfully placed in Matchday Magazine v St Mirren on 30/03/07.
No response from contacting Sharesaver on 26/02/07 who was willing to sell shares to Trust.
Italy eBay advertisement compiled and posted.
FSA Return + Inland Revenue Computation sent by 30/04/07 deadline with Annual Accounts.
FSA Return queried. Further letter to be written by Treasurer. Since completed.
Inland Revenue acknowledgement received. No Tax due.
Bank of Scotland "Soccersite" to be re-contacted.
2 Letters of Bereavement sent to widows. 1 letter of thanks received back.
Spot the Team Card winner – Alloa Ath. - G Williamson - £8.
Vote of thanks for the achievements of the past months offered to Treasurer.
7) Social Convenor's Report.
Tramps Ball no dates available.
Events for next 6 months to be confirmed.
Product samples for new range of merchandise to be obtained.
Recommended to book appointment with new Falkirk Shop Manager "Grant" to determine whether can stock our products if satisfactory.
8) Board Report / Saturday Morning Report.
Still rumblings from Boardroom on Trust Reps on Board entitlement. One main antagonist.
Cannot remove Trust unless at FFC AGM as have full Director status.
Trust to continue and sit with our two current Reps until resolved.
Will re-run own Trust election and submit new candidate as per usual when known.
Reclassify some FFC Directors to non-associate status? Trust Reps bring own skills too.
Trust Reps only involved in one vote throughout past year.
Proving difficult to get all parties together for meeting to discuss this but will be imminent.
Acting Chairman B Guthrie re-read Trust initiation meeting document.
Trust has obtained latest FFC Shareholders list and notice discrepancies.
Trust's own holding inaccurate. Others are missing.
Trust has roughly 44,000 shares and could count on 32,000 proxy votes from Sharesavers.
Noted that 4 FFC Directors have no shareholding in Club.
On the playing side at the time of meeting still aiming for 7th spot. Since achieved.
Larger player budget and all budgets/accounts set higher if achieved?
Money for new sprinkler system as still not content with state of pitch.
Both recent Holland and Czech Republic scouting trips a success.
Pre-season friendly v Ajax planned. Since confirmed. Ajax will use new FFC Team Bus to travel to their other match v Rangers.
"Black Tie" Gala evening on Wed 16/05/07. Is it becoming to "high class" for ordinary fans? Was a good night nevertheless.
South Stand funding being sought.
9) A.O.C.B.
Website-
T Paterson from Trust IT Team contacted former web administrator and Host Company as currently no access at the moment to site or messageboard.
Still registered at Chairman's address with contact email of former web administrator.
Website – Lowcost names.
Host – Streamline.
Require two sets of passwords and account details.
Remove messageboard or merge into website via an "Ask Question" section discussed.
Since meeting, have determined there is a "boardnation issue and they are dealing with it."
Trust IT Team to progress matter. Member T Smith offered assistance.
Stewarding at Dunfermline on Sat 19/01/07-
Rock Steady Stewarding again!
Vice Chairman B Guthrie was asked to "speak with young fans at back of Stand."
FFC fans pitch invasion at first goal did not help.
Constant hustling by Stewards and Police throughout match.
Suggestion to write to SPL, but after debate in future mention to other Trusts to watch Rock Steady for any incidents and as a body contact Supporters Direct to progress.
Holland Pre-Season Trip-
Confirmed games, dates and venues received from FFC. As per FFC website.
Trust allowed to act as "travel agent/service to fans wishing to travel." FFC not involved.
Advert placed on ONEF that afternoon by Treasurer to attract interested parties to tonight's Monthly Meeting.
Ideas, packages, flights, hotels, coaches, prices, administration, etc. discussed.
Open new Trust bank account to handle?
Further advert to be placed in Falkirk Herald by Trust PR Officer calling meeting on Fri 25/05/07, 7pm at the Falkirk Stadium to gauge interest and confirmed numbers. Since published.
Trust Secretary-
Possible resignation imminent. Any interest from Trust Committee/Membership?
Membership Secretary vacancy still available.
Supporter's Direct Training Seminar-
Successful Committee Course ran on Sun 20/05/07 at the Falkirk Stadium attended by most of BairnsTrust Committee.
Covered Government backed Co-Op and Mutual Societies and Committee required skills presentations.
BairnsTrust seen as already having good practices and procedures.
Feedback offered back to Supporters Direct.
Trust Boardroom Rep position-
Former candidate S Wilson stood down from re-election, He offered best wishes to others standing, and will continue in current Trust Committee role.
2 known candidates ahead of deadline to Adjudicator of 5pm this Fri 25/05/07.
Re-election vote count will take place in front of all candidates.
Future elections will not deviate from Supporter's Direct guidelines.
10) Date of next Meeting.
The next meeting of BairnsTrust will be on Monday 18th June at 7.30pm in the Warm-Up Area of at the Falkirk Community Stadium.
Everyone is welcome and can participate in discussion, but only members are allowed to vote on any issue.
