F OT L open evening

[Mallard]

Could the ‘Freinds’ not set out goals for what they are aiming for then arrange fund raising ideas to meet those aims ?   At least that way the fans know what they are donating towards.

Surely this has to be a better way forward than the FOTL raising money to then have 10k in the pot and just handing it over to the club ?

Great that the 12th man idea is directed straight to players wages but maybe a big ticket project could really focus the attention as the main funding raising activity.   Something that would benefit the fans and the Club.

[Grissles Oleary]

Malcolm, thanks for the committee list and roles

When asked who is in charge of fund raising all the fotlsc committee are,and all of the fans

Whilst this may be true in its widest sense, fundraising doesn't happen 'on its own' and generally needs to be co-ordinated and, in my experience, preferably by an individual who co-opts others for specific tasks rather than 'by committee'. 

Please could you give a summary of the current fundraising schemes that are up and running?  I know you are a new committee still finding it's feet but you have had two meetings since the AGM and the first home game is tomorrow and whilst transparency as to how the FOTL operates and where fundraising proceeds are directed is a laudable aim it is a bit irrelevant if fans are not aware of the various fundraising schemes - better to inform and publicise, not wait for fans to ask.

At the moment Tony the only fundraisers running are the 12th man scheme and the 100 club,we have nothing in the pipeline yet to speak of. This is one of the reasons for having an open evening,this gives fans an opportunity to make suggestions and put ideas forward,not just for possible ways to raise funds but also to make suggestions as to where those funds could be spent.

[Mallard]

Griss if there is a big project would a joint venture with the Trust be an option ?   I know there are maybe certain people ( person) on The FOTL Committee who doesn’t want to work with the Trust but time to put personnel issues to one side for the greater good.

New Broom and all that.  Time for mending fences.

[Grissles Oleary]

Griss if there is a big project would a joint venture with the Trust be an option ?   I know there are maybe certain people ( person) on The FOTL Committee who doesn’t want to work with the Trust but time to put personnel issues to one side for the greater good.

New Broom and all that.  Time for mending fences.

I personally would like to see more joint ventures between the Trust and the FOTL,the last joint quiz was very successful and swelled the coffers of the ground improvement fund. If all joint ventures would promote harmony and put monies into the ground improvement fund then everyone wins?

[Badger]

I have in the past asked if the FOTL could advertise how they have helped the Club and what they have purchased. There is plenty of time to do this prior to the 7th Sep and if they did I believe a lot of people would like to become members especially at only £5. 

Regards -Badger. 

[Grissles Oleary]

I have in the past asked if the FOTL could advertise how they have helped the Club and what they have purchased. There is plenty of time to do this prior to the 7th Sep and if they did I believe a lot of people would like to become members especially at only £5. 

Regards -Badger. 

At the present moment Badger records of previous assistance are not to hand,a few of the things off the top of my head include the disabled shelter,a stretcher,illuminated number boards for the dugouts,as more things come to light they will be widely publicised. As to future fundraising and purchases we hope we can keep the fans fully informed each step of the way.

[TonyM]

...The rules of a club (often called its constitution) are critical; they determine how the officers and other management committee members of the club are appointed, and what powers they have. If  the rules aren’t followed then potentially the committee members aren’t appointed lawfully, and so their actions may not be lawful either.

This could result in the committee members being personally liable for the actions of the club.

The committee of the club must carry out the expressed wishes of the MEMBERS.

So, the FOTL's Supporters Club committee members can be held legally responsible, just like Trust committee members are.

Going to agree to disagree on this B&G.  Having read through the FOTL constitution, it is written very, very loosely and with no reference to taking into account the views of members other than at the AGM so there isn't much the FOTL committee could do that it couldn't be argued would fall within the stated Aims and Objectives

If they are not prepared to go to their members on such matters as major expenditure then I believe the Committee members will experience problems ahead and it could also affect the take up of new membership.

This is a separate point and one I would fully agree with and may be an indication of why the membership was where it was at the last AGM.  A couple of years ago the accounts had a full breakdown of purchases made for the benefit of the club (and included items for the reserves and ladies sides as well as the first team) but unfortunately a similar breakdown was not provided for the past two financial years at the last AGM.

[Blue_and_Gold]

...The rules of a club (often called its constitution) are critical; they determine how the officers and other management committee members of the club are appointed, and what powers they have. If  the rules aren’t followed then potentially the committee members aren’t appointed lawfully, and so their actions may not be lawful either.

This could result in the committee members being personally liable for the actions of the club.

The committee of the club must carry out the expressed wishes of the MEMBERS.

So, the FOTL's Supporters Club committee members can be held legally responsible, just like Trust committee members are.

Going to agree to disagree on this B&G.  Having read through the FOTL constitution, it is written very, very loosely and with no reference to taking into account the views of members other than at the AGM so there isn't much the FOTL committee could do that it couldn't be argued would fall within the stated Aims and Objectives

If they are not prepared to go to their members on such matters as major expenditure then I believe the Committee members will experience problems ahead and it could also affect the take up of new membership.

This is a separate point and one I would fully agree with and may be an indication of why the membership was where it was at the last AGM.  A couple of years ago the accounts had a full breakdown of purchases made for the benefit of the club (and included items for the reserves and ladies sides as well as the first team) but unfortunately a similar breakdown was not provided for the past two financial years at the last AGM.

The laws of clubs are very tricky.

I do understand where you are coming from.

As its a "Supporters Club", meaning its for the supporters, unless the Constitution explicitly states that they do not have to consult with the members on such matters, they would be on a very sticky wicket if they didn't. If they did have this written into the constitution (why would they?), I would imagine many people would give The Supporters Club a wide berth. If, for whatever reason they decided they didn't want to consult with members, then that particular point needs to be included in the Constitution, probably under the aims and objectives i.e. If they make a decision not to report to members, then it is a particular objective of theirs so needs to be documented.

If I was a committee member I really wouldn't like to risk it, would you?

[Blue_and_Gold]

The friends are soon to have their own website and yes we are fully Independent of the Club.  The committee are Chairman Malcolm Hill,Treasurer Matt Hanney Secretary Josh Yates,Membership Secretary Barry Fysh ,Committee Members Mark Mortimer,Mark Mallows ,Matthew Green.John Flanagan

Thanks Malcolm.

Josh is still involved with FOTL's then, but no longer assisting with clubs website?