WALSALL SUPPORTERS’ TRUST
Minutes of Annual General
Meeting held at the Saddlers Club 10th February 2004.
Meeting Commences at 7.30pm
Apologies -: P. Haycock,
P.Geiss, C.Miller
Chair -: Richard Hall,
V.Chair -: R. Rowley, Secretary -: P.Sturgess
Treasurer -: D. Roe
Trustees -: A. Winnall,
P.Geiss
8 Members Attended
Due to the membership
attendance not being quorate the meeting was adjourned until 7.45pm.
At 7.45pm the meeting was
re-opened
1.
Minutes of the last AGM
Accepted
as a true and correct record
2.
Matters Arising
The
subject of the trust becoming an Industrial & Provident Society was raised
again, R.H explained that the Trust Board had met Supporters Direct to discuss
the issues of changing over.
He
outlined that the change was intended to make the Trust more accountable to
it’s members but that S.D. had accepted that our constitution pretty well
covered most of the suggested changes, and that the biggest factor was the
requirement to pay a £40.00 registration fee annually, R.H would obtain more
information from S.D.
New
Auditors -: D.R explained that he had contacted other auditors and found them
to be more expensive and that it looked like the present auditors were very
competitive.
3.
Secretary’s Report
P.Sturgess
mentioned the decline in the membership as a major problem facing the Trust
down from a peak of 500 to 137.
Disappointment
was expressed with the club’s continued unwillingness to talk to the Trust, and
their resistance to recognise and work with supporters’ organisations to take
the club forward. Only with all sections of the club pulling in the same
direction will the club be able to firmly establish itself in the 1st
Division.
No
response had been received with regard to the Travel Club although on the rare
occasion we may have a “big“ match then this will be attempted again.
Finally
he thanked everyone for their support through the year and in particular R.
Rowley because of his unstinting work searching for shares.
4.
Treasurers Report
D.
Roe issued the accounts for the last 12 months and stated that the Trust had
again had a positive trading position of £ 206.00
Income
for the year was £921.00
Expenditure £715.00
However
D.R explained that income from memberships had declined dramatically and that
the trust faced some difficulties to come if the revenue issue was not
addressed by the Board & the Trust.
Ian
Roper’s shirt would be available for a raffle again this year but this alone
would not generate the revenue required.
R.
H asked that his comments be noted and thanked Dave for his efforts through the
year, and proposed that the accounts be accepted.
Proposer
-: B.Barnard
R.Thomas
Carried Unanimously
5.
Election Of Officers
The
two offices up for re-election were that of Secretary & V. Chair
P.Sturgess
was proposed by D.R
Seconded
R.T Carried unanimously
R.Rowley
was proposed by D.R
Seconded R.T
Carried unanimously
6.
Appointment of Auditors
Following
the Treasurers earlier comments it was proposed that the present auditors be
retained
Proposer-: R.H
Seconded-:
R.R Re- appointed unanimously
7.
Any Other Business
Membership
-: R.Hall expressed his own disappointment with regard to the attempted
membership drive a few weeks earlier, and that the board needed to outline the
scope for the future direction of the Trust. i.e. Limit it to attending
shareholder meetings Club AGM, Membership drive and then operate under a “slow
burn” scenario until such time as the club are willing or indeed need to get
the support of such organisations.
A
debate on membership, cross sectional representation from the population of the
town, both at the club and the Trust, ensued.
The
question of further share purchases was also made due to the state of the
Trusts finances.
Outcome
Continue
to locate shares and make decision to purchase at the time. Action R.R
Contact
Walsall Council to discuss the possibility of expanding social inclusion with
ethnic groups. Action B.B
Contact
other interested supporters parties to form a united front. Action R.H
Membership-:
Send out renewal letters, standing order forms and covering letter. Action R.H, P.S. R.R. D.R.
Meeting
closed at 9.27pm