Minutes of the Bairns Trust Meeting
18th June 2007 at Falkirk Stadium

Present: (16). S Jackson, B Guthrie, P Jack, J Gardiner, M McIntyre, T Paterson, L Wilson, S Wilson, B Anderson, M Paterson.
J Dick, G Forster, P Reid, Bill Robertson, G Williamson, S Williamson.

1) Chairpersons opening remarks.

 

Meeting was hosted by Chairperson S Jackson.
Minutes were taken by Treasurer P Jack in the absence of Secretary L McDaid.

2) Results of Ballot for Fans Representative.

 

Scrutineer T Kopszywa (ShireTrust's Media Liaison Officer) intimated that of 198 issued ballot papers, 134 were returned, representing a 68% "turn-out".
It was agreed by all parties that all re-election papers were assumed posted and delivered by the Royal Mail to addresses held by BairnsTrust and all votes received and counted were genuine. With a couple of "spoilt ballots" the results were as follows:

a.       BairnsTrust Vice Chairperson Brian Guthrie - 38 votes.
b.       Trust Former Player’s Association Committee Member Murray McIntyre - 64 votes.
c.       Trust IT Co-ordinator Tom Paterson - 30 votes.

Therefore Murray McIntyre was declared the winner and will be presented as the successful candidate to the Board of Falkirk FC at the next available opportunity.

Scrutineer T Kopswyza took the opportunity to inform meeting of upcoming ShireTrust Annual Close-Season Quiz Night. Tue 03/07/07, Graham’s Road Masonic Lodge, 7pm. £10/team/4. BairnsTrust Committee will send one/two teams as per usual.

There then followed an informative and enlightening 45min discussion with R Smith from the Amarillo Bar Bistro and D McGillivary from stadium caterers Alchemy Inns Ltd covering all aspects. Various questions, recommendations, suggestions and options were debated for mutual benefit.

3) Apologies. - F Caldwell, L McDaid, D Robertson, R Stirling, Jnr.

 4) Minutes of previous meeting. Not available in the absence of Secretary L McDaid.

5) Matters arising. – Trust website down.

 

IT team in course of changing over to new server.
Streamline.co.uk not changing security access.
Lowcost names recommended contacting Joker.com to transfer domain.
New server obtained via contact of IT team.
New messageboard to be incorporated within new site, not separate.
Hope for installation to new server within the week.
Treasurer to check website payments to date and advise Committee. Since done.

6)      Secretary's Report.

Due to the apologies of the Secretary, no report was possible.

7)      Treasurer's Report.

Income:

Close season always difficult for income generation.
0 new members, understandable as at end of subscription period.
14 Sharesave members, generating £165/month.
£250 lump sum paid out to FFC for outstanding member entitlement.
Contingency Fund at £504.82.
DVDs sold x 1 at £6 via website online shop, paid by PayPal.
Spot the Team Card raised net £15.
£50.48 more earned from eBay Italy v Scotland programmes held at PayPal account.
Old programme sales £29.50.
Photos' going well. One invoice cheque still to be cashed for £17.00.

Expenditure:

Small eBay hosting advert costs of £2.46.
Fans Director re-election posting costs at £66.78.
Vice Chairperson Telephone costs for arranging cabaret nights settled at £90.00.
Sharesave claim made in the period for £250 and refund for overpayment due at £85.

Missing T-shirt outstanding invoice presented at tonight’s meeting for £112.50.
Large loss in period of £635.26.
£3,699.97 balance at present, meets long-term liabilities with £1,110.15 spare.

Only 88 emails have been sent over past months to members of Committee. Highlights:
- Dutch tour application form compiled at very short notice.
- Full stock check of stall undertaken. All old programmes now listed electronically.
- Annual Audit updates.
- New FFC eBay advertisements compiled with IT Team and posted.

Newsletters #35, #36 and #37 were sent out to members.
Names sought for Supporters Direct Conference. Treasurer to progress and make booking by deadline of this Thursday. Since done by Treasurer.
Treasurer compiled Draft AGM Minutes and May Monthly Meeting Minutes.
Letter written by Treasurer re FSA Return query not accepted. Registered Auditor now to be sought. Contact at firm who compile Falkirk FC (FFC) Accounts invited but unable to attend tonight.
Bank of Scotland "Soccersite" re-contacted. Email message read to Members and discussed.
Last of Bank of Scotland SPL merchandise donations to be collected by Treasurer.

Chairperson has obtained majority of all old FFC stock of unsold matchday programmes at a bargain rate.
All attendees at Supporters Direct training afternoon on Sun 20/05/07 have a post event questionnaire to complete and return.

8)      Social Convenor's Report.

Vice Chairperson successfully chaired last month’s Meeting.
Letter on behalf of Trust to Craig Ireland compiled and posted.
Main task was sourcing, advertising meetings for interested parties and keeping all updated re proposed Holland trip. Numbers poor. Trust could not gamble. Package cancelled.
Castings Club have a couple of dates for events planned.
Events for next 6 months to be confirmed for next Monthly Meeting.
Amarillo confirmed available for Trust events.
Falkirk Herald has allowed Trust to raid old files for our merchandise purposes.
Unique merchandise planned for Ajax and Millwall pre-season friendlies.
Trust banner again being sourced having seen an ideal example at recent StageQuest showcase at Princes Street Gardens Bandstand, Edinburgh as seen by Social Convenor and Treasurer. Corporate Sponsors to contribute? Club could allow display free of charge.
Current Club Commercial Manager wishes representation at each Trust meeting.
New shop window layout may allow Trust display space.
Social Convenor approached by local old folks home to provide entertainment events. Many are FFC fans. New lounge being opened at home. Seeking memorabilia to decorate. Club Historian has already given talk. Club to send current player? Trust FPAs to visit? Trust to pay for installation of Falkirk TV?

Letter to club re successful past season to be done by Secretary.
Email to all Holland interested parties informing of cancellation done.

9)      Board Report.

Manager worried about fan expectation levels for next season. Still punching above weight and no guarantee to finish top six. 2 years ahead of schedule. Understood and backed by FFC Board.
Trust Chairperson and Boardroom Rep asked his view on what would be acceptable - 7th/8th in League, Cup run and better January.
Aston Villa Austrian goalkeeper sought. Since signed.
Stirling University contractor Murdoch Smith approved. Commenced early June. 24 week build.
FFC Chairperson recently rushed to hospital. Not now attending Holland and will be out of action until into new season. Trust to send card. Since done by Treasurer.
Confirmed pre-season and Stirlingshire Cup fixtures read to Members. No game with Barcelona Reserves.
FFC adamant Trust will not be allowed to replace second Rep.
Following re-election result tonight, Trust will formally propose candidate at next Club Board Meeting.
Cannot remove Trust Rep unless at FFC AGM as have full Director status.
FFC would have to propose at AGM to remove one Fans Director and inform Trust in advance.
Trust would also have to amend own constitution to election of one candidate every two years.
Trust to continue and sit with our two current Reps until resolved.
Vice Chairperson has sought legal guidance.
Supporters Direct have passed latest FFC Shareholders list, Articles and Memorandum of Association to their lawyers for view. Trust's own holding inaccurate. Others are missing. Companies House should not have accepted. FFC Board Meeting Minutes are not recorded at Companies House. Are FFC signed documents "illegal?"
Trust has roughly 44,000 shares and could count on 32,000 proxy votes from Sharesavers.
Trust Chairperson explained that his position is not a conflict of interest with new Councillor role.
Former FFC Chairperson was a Provost of Falkirk Council. Confirmed with Legal Department at Falkirk Council that all Councillors with allegiance to FFC do so not for financial gain hence no conflict.

10)     A.O.C.B.

Supporters Direct Annual Conference-

Confirmed names required of those wishing to attend the 5th Annual Supporter's Direct Scottish Conference are 10am to 5pm, Sat 30/06/07, Royal College of Physicians, 232-242 St. Vincent Street, Glasgow. 
BairnsTrust usually send our full delegation of 4 to the event, made up of Committee Members.
Registration required before Thu 21/06/07 to guarantee places and receive pre-conference information.
All names to Treasurer to progress registration and arrangements. Since done. 5 delegates, excluding Trust Chairperson who may receive personal invite from Supporter's Direct

Alex Totten Testimonial Dinner-

Potential date Sun 18/05/08. Trust to take a table? Declined.

Andy Laurie Testimonial-

Free Saturday in October. Friday night possible for game.
Federation cheque discussed.

Ajax Friendly-

Playing Rangers on Tuesday. Potentially 1,500 supporters coming over. Event in Callander Park Sat/Sun? FFC keen to do. Since advised only 200 supporters coming. No event now.

Trust Membership Form-

Chairperson will finalise form.
Trust assistance compiling season ticket book envelopes. Chairperson will liaise with FFC.

11)      Date of next Meeting.

No Meeting Monday 16th July due to summer holidays and Dutch trip.
Next Meeting Monday 20th August at 7.30pm in the Warm-Up Area of Falkirk Stadium.

Everyone is welcome and can participate in discussion, but only members are allowed to vote on any issue.