Notes of OxVox committee meeting on Monday 28 April 2008 

1. Present:   Trevor Lambert, Neil Carter, Tim Rosser, Graham Hilsdon, Bob Scholes, Matt Derbyshire,  Graham Cripps, Simon Bradbury and Chris Davis. 

2. Welcome:   This was the first meeting after the AGM/6 and the 3 newly elected members were congratulated upon their success and welcomed to the committee. 

3. Review of responsibilities: 

Chairman   Trevor Lambert
Secretary  Chris Davis
Treasurer  Neil Carter
Webmaster Trevor Lambert (Graham Hilsdon/Matt Derbyshire to assist) 

The web-site needed to be modernised and polling on key Trust issues was to be introduced. 

Forum administrator  Bob Scholes
Press Office  Tim Rosser, Graham Cripps and Simon Bradbury
Stadium facilities  Graham Hilsdon
Membership sec  Trevor Lambert (for oversight only. The detail will be undertaken by Sally Lambert)
Commercial reps Neil Carter and Simon Bradbury

A newsletter editor was not required. The committee voted 6 – 3 in favour of discontinuing the newsletter in its present form. The Trust will find new and effective ways of communicating with all of its members.

The committee re-stated its objective to support the Club, particularly the Communications Officer and the soon-to-be appointed Sales and Marketing manager, plus the Club’s sponsors wherever possible.

It is not known if the Club will hold an Open/Fun Day this year. This would be the biggest single event in the close season where the Trust would be involved. 

4.    Review of AGM:  

The committee would follow SD best practice recommendations in full for future committee elections. This would allow for postal voting. 

An Independent Examination of accounts query is to be resolved with a member. 

5. Membership 500:  

A sub-committee involving the commercial reps and Matt Derbyshire will review the Trust’s activities, what it stands for and what it has achieved in an attempt to overcome barriers to signing up new members. 

To date, 4 potential corporate sponsors had been identified. Revenue from them would pay for their company advertising on our web-site and publications and could assist with special offers to attract new members. 

To further promote the Trust, consideration will be given to an ex-player and/or prominent member being made president/vice-president, plus the sponsoring of a player from the Retained List after it is announced at the end of the week.

6. Relationship with OUFC: 

This continued to improve and a further meeting, mainly about season ticket prices, was held on 23 April. The Club expected to announce prices also at the end of this week. The Trust had been given a flavour as to what to expect but would respond when it has seen the detail.

The Club turned down the Trust’s request to enclose membership forms with the season ticket information. Nevertheless, we will ask if this could be done when season tickets are despatched.

7. Date of next meeting: 

 Monday 2 June 2008 

8. Any other business:  

a) The response from Rt Hon Andrew Smith, MP, was read out at the AGM. He asked if he could attend a committee meeting and this will be arranged.
 
b) The committee had taken up a member’s case where she will be expected to pay the full price for an adult season ticket and get reimbursed pro rata in August when she turns 65 after 1 or 2 home fixtures. The initial expense could prove difficult for those on fixed incomes but the Club could not offer any flexibility within its rules. The Trust may be able to assist when the prices become known.

c) The committee will find out if there is any merit in an informal pre-season dinner at Oxy Oriental for members to talk informally about Trust issues. 

d) An executive box user, Oxford United Cars had become aware of the Trust’s link-up with one of its competitors, FB Contracts. The company is a sponsor of the Club and his children are Trust members. One of the commercial reps will contact him to see if any advertising/sponsorship package can be agreed.

Chris Davis
Secretary
29 April 2008