AGM : Initial Report on proceedings

The long awaited Trust AGM took place on Wed 15th April at The Old Peacock pub on Elland Road

Thanks to members for adding very welcome points to the agenda and a lively discussion followed the usual procedural matters. Those who attended (some having travelled considerable distances) left having had a very worthwhile and open discussion. Thanks to all who attended the meeting for helping to make it a very enjoyable dicussion and a wide exchange of views all round.

Your New Trust Board
The following members were formally elected onto the Trust Board
Malcolm Christie
Patrick Bushell
Gary Hewitt
Jeremy Walker
Rick Duniec
Matt Yates will be offered a place on the board

Dan Moylan and Richard Lyne stepped down and did not stand for re-election. Our thanks to both for their previous involvement. Richard will remain webmaster to the Trust although not on the board. The Chair also recorded the thanks of the Trust to Chris Maynard who single handedly ran the Trusts admin and who is sorely missed, and to other former board members.

Our thanks to the 3 members of the Independent Election Steering Group who provided a NUL report i.e. no matters of concern or matters arising.

There remain 5 vacancies on the board and members are invited to put themselves forward to take up these places. An induction Training day for new Board Members will be available in Leeds on Sunday 31st May. Other clubs Trusts will also attend so it is also an opportunity to meet others in the wider Trusts movement.

Minutes of past meetings (the last AGM and an SGM) were approved.
A summary statement from the Chair briefly reviewed events since February 2007.
The Treasurer introduced accounts for years ending 2007 & 2008 which were both approved and will be submitted to the FSA.
Auditors were re-appointed plus power granted for the Board to process changes which will allow an Independent inspection to replace the requirement for an audit in future years. This can be a lengthy process so auditors have been approved in the interim.

The meeting approved the Trust moving significantly towards electronic communication and teleconferencing. This included approval for Board meetings to be held by means of telephone conferencing which will allow wider participation and which recognises the wide geographical spread of Leeds fans.
It is hoped that members might now wish to join the board even though they may be located considerable distances from Leeds as the requirement to travel to meetings is drastically reduced.

The discussions following the formal AGM were wide ranging, frank, and lively. Topics covered included the relationship with the club and club Chairman, the situation with the anticipated Thorp Arch buyback, regular open meetings for Trust members, election of the Trust Chairman, the role of Press Officer, engagement with the fans, a voice for season ticket holders, leaflet campaigns for increasing Trust membership, the Role of the Trust, the size of the Trust in terms of members numbers, concessions in the West Stand, ticket prices, the Trusts links with Football authorities, confidentiality, arrangements for the coming play offs (hopefully), and wide ranging related topics. Improvements were requested to areas of the website which will be addressed.

See my post on the 'well done' thread

The next set of Trust accounts have been produced and will now be audited.
As soon as this is done arrangements will be made for the next AGM to take place.
Memebers will be advised by individual email.

Have we had the formal minutes from the last meeting yet?

I am well aware of the fact that Mr Chairman has been busy on WACCOE all day fighting an argument that can't be won, but a response to a direct member question would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Come on guys, a simple answer as to whether the minutes are available is in order.

Sorry. I hadn't seen this until just now.

Granted it may have been a busy few days, but this topic is nearly six months old!

Isn't it the secretary's role to get minutes out rather than the chairman's?

Some great ideas came up at the meeting, many of which are now past their sell by date. While I'm sure that 'things' have been going on behind the scenes so far as the members are concerned there have been no initiatives, no consultation and no engagement.

It just adds to the perception that the Trust is rudderless and incapable of doing even the simplest thing. I'm not saying that perception is fair, but equally there is little concrete to counter such an allegation.