Committee meeting 3 October 2005
Present: Trevor Lambert, Chris Davis, Sally Lambert, Neil Carter, Graham Hilsdon, Ray Whittaker, Stan Taylor.
Apologies: Andy James, Helen Joslin
Minutes
1. Supporters Direct conference
Attended by Terry, Trevor, Neil . Useful contact made with a Stockport County director and trust officer (Dan Levy); agreed to meet him, either some of committee to meet him, and/or invite him to speak at next members meeting.
2. Financial matters
End of year on 30 September sees finances healthy. Membership total has grown helped by promotion of OxVox on TiU website at the end of the month.
3. Auditing policy
Following Supporters Direct decision last Friday to allow trusts with turnover < £2350 to avoid full auditing ( direct result of our requests), we resolved to take advantage of this provision for the 2004/5 accounting year. We need to find an accountant willing to act.
4. Membership issues
Growing membership further:
Agreed
1) to run a membership signing up desk at the Wrexham match on 12 November, with publicity beforehand
2) to offer to help to sell Oxtales in return for handing out trust leaflets
3) to look at contacting possible new members via other groups such as Exiles
Online joining via website: Agreed to add a statement to the website to confirm that by joining online members indicated agreement with the aims of the trust.
Approval of five year membership deals: Agreed that the £40 (£20) concessions recently offered for five year membership should become part of our standard pricing.
Decision about a refund for one member: Agreed after discussion to refund £90 to a recently joined life member who was in financial and personal difficulties.
19 annual members needed to be approached again to renew.
5. Buses developments: Stan to attend Council meeting on our behalf the next day which involved Oxford Bus Company; he would report back. Chris and Trevor had received data on ticket sales from OBC which was being used to assess possible charging options; another meeting with OBC would be helpful. Club believed to be pursuing other possibilities.
6. Approval of draft letter to fixture poster outlets: Chris has written informally to Bicester outlets; Trevor to do the same for others.
7. Planning for next event: Trevor proposes a race night; to be investigated.
8. Planning for next newsletter: Agreed to set a deadline of October 31 for copy for newsletter 9; articles required as soon as possible please. To be printed and handed out at the desk on 12 November, remainder to be posted (or emailed if file small enough).
9. Next meeting with club: Date needs to be arranged. One or two committee members might attend the ideas evening on 13 October.
10. Production of a calendar / any other promotional activities:
Calendar: Agreed to aim for an OxVox-only production and to approach Steve Daniels for pictures (via Martin or Andy), and to cost up production from local companies. Need to make quick progress.
Raffle: Too late for this Christmas. Stan gave details of licensing: £35 to register, £17.50 to renew. Felt to be a good idea for the future.
11. Anti-racism week: Agreed to approach club (Trevor/Martin) regarding possibility of Afghan refugees team playing pre-match.
AOB:
1. Trevor to post minutes of the Steve Hanks meeting to non-email members.
2. Discussion of aim 5 wording 'To build and develop a positive, proactive relationship with the owner(s), board and management of the Club and any other interested party and promote constructive dialogue between the Club and its supporters.' : Some TiU posters took exception to the wording and felt it indicated explicit support for FK. Removing the word 'positive' would be a minimal change and was thought acceptable to the committee. Any change would have to be passed by the membership and would cost money in legal costs. Agreed that Trevor could discuss this informally on TiU and ask whether such a change would meet the concerns of those criticising the current wording.
Date of next meeting: Thursday 3 November, Quarry Gate 7.30.