Minutes of OxVox Board meeting on Monday 14 August 2006

Present: Trevor Lambert, Neil Carter, Graham Hilsdon, Ray Whittaker, Tim Rosser and Chris Davis.

Apologies were received from Martin Brodetsky and Paul Lowe.

Matters arising:

The Trust has now acquired 4 shares in OUFC Ltd. The share certificate is to be pursued with the Club/Company Secretary. (sec. note: the stock transfer form has been received by the Club.)

The Rt.Hon. Andrew Smith, MP has accepted our offer to become a patron of the Trust. He will become a Honorary Member. In his reply, Andrew confirmed that he had already met Nick Merry during the Summer at non- football related events.

A banner has now been produced at a cost of £252.63 and it has already made its debut in the North Stand. Consideration will be given to fixing it to a vertical surface and/or to a lower row of seats at the next home game for increased visibility. It will also be taken to selected away games.

The remaining OxVox badges with the old logo will be sold off at £0.50p each

The anonymous donor (name withheld from the minutes) who donated Ray Graydon's 1984 Div 3 Championship medal will be offered life membership. The donor accepted our proposal to use the proceeds from an eventual sale/auction to either acquire further shares or to assist with sponsorship of one of the youth teams.

Last Club meeting:

The minutes have been agreed and posted on our web-site. Once again, a discussion surrounded the ownership of the stadium company and conference centre but on this occasion referred to the relaxed attitude to the negotiations being adopted by the Club. The Board could not agree whether this was a measure of confidence that a sale will go through or if the Club was complacent.

The number of unsold executive boxes was a concern and there seemed to be little visible drive in trying to improve the situation. Some Internet forum users still erroneously believed that the box revenue, excluding food and drink, went to the stadium company. It does not. It benefits the Club.

7-a-side competition:

This was deemed to be a success by all parties despite 2 teams failing to appear (although paying the entrance fee.) The football reached a good standard, the referees were excellent and the Brooke's University staff were helpful. The intention is to run the competition next year and ensure teams are booked in plenty of time. The football event made a loss of £43.55 although the trophy remains Trust property. The raffle brought in another £50 and there was £15 in donations. The two latter amounts have been ring-fenced for youth development sponsorship.

Membership renewals:

In view of the high number of renewals due at the end of September and the fact that many members are on one year deals, it was agreed to introduce a 3 year membership for £20. Additionally, there will be an annual £5 membership fee for a second adult at the same address. Letters will be sent out around 25/08/06. The option of paying £40 for 5 years will be closed for new and renewing members.

Open meeting:

This has been arranged for 04/09/06 at Cowley Community Centre (upstairs) from 7.00pm. Kelvin Thomas, Club director, has promised to attend. The event will be advertised in the local media and on our web-site. New members will be able to join on the night.

Date of next meetings:

Monday, 11/09/06 followed by Monday, 09/10/06 and Monday, 13/11/06.

Any other business:

A desk and stand/notice board will be purchased for use in the Exhibition Bar and at events.

The OU Exiles group has nominated Dean Temple as their representative on the Board. He will serve as a co-optee.

Paul Lowe has offered to resign from the Board due to heavy work commitments and has also offered to return to the co-optee role he held prior to AGM/4. This request was accepted.

The resignation has left the Board with 7 elected members which is below the minimum number called for in the rules. In order to avoid a costly and time-consuming by-election, effort will be made to submit the Trust's accounts up to year ending 30/09/06 for audit as soon as possible, followed by AGM/5 in early December when we can call for Board vacancies to be filled.

Chris Davis
Secretary
15 August 2006