Tottenham Hotspur Supporters' Trust - Board Meeting Minutes - 15th January 2014

Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust Board Meeting. Wednesday 15th January 2014
7.30pm – 10.00pm

THST Board: Darren Howlett (Joint Chairman), Darren Alexander (Joint Chairman), Katrina Law (Secretary), Adam Bailey (Treasurer),  Ellie Kershaw

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 1)      Board Review:  how the THST Board is running, problems encountered and moving forward:

DA opened up the meeting by welcoming AB to his first Board Meeting since being co-opted as THST Treasurer in October

• DH commented that the Weekly Updates were working well in terms of summarising the wide range and volume of work THST is undertaking. KL thanked  James Lapwood, Marketing Consultant, for his help in producing the Updates
• However, AB observed that, as a new Board Member, the volume and breadth of work undertaken by THST had surprised him. How we articulate that to our members and the wider Spurs community needs thought. From the outside, people are
  unaware of how much work is going on and the type of issues THST is involved with
• EK agreed to draft the strategy for 2014, stating THST’s key priorities and aims for the year, making them measurable as far as is possible
• KL commented that the Marketing strategy was being finalised and would have measurable targets in terms of media reach and membership numbers. Converting the 15000 twitter followers into members would be a priority
• KL stated her wish to step down from the role of THST Secretary after the forthcoming AGM. Under the 2011 Trust Rules proposed for adoption at the AGM, the Secretary should be appointed by the Board as opposed to elected and have a
  non-voting position in order to maintain impartiality. It was agreed to open up expressions of interest for the Secretary’s position in Spring 2014
• The Board had a discussion regarding potential roles for new Board members and the areas which needed cover/ expertise for 2014 – Capital Projects (the new  stadium) being a key one
• DA referenced the strengthening ties with SOS and MUST over the past quarter  in terms of coalition campaigning

 2)      Annual General Meeting– process and timings/ board elections/ approving the 2011 rules:

KL explained the AGM process and the measures and timelines needed to comply with the 2006 Rules THST currently works under

• KL recapped the motions and resolutions being raised at the AGM
• The Board then agreed to the THST specific elements of the proposed 2011 Model Rules, recommended by Supporters’ Direct
• DH agreed to retire under Rule 61 and to stand for re-election at the forthcoming AGM
• AB agreed to stand for full election after being co-opted to the Board in October 2013
• All paperwork was approved unanimously by the THST Board and the AGM process  will begin on Friday, 17th January

 3)      The Y Word

DA commented on the recent update from THFC on the Y Word Consultation. 11500 responses had been received, each statement had been read by at least one  member of THFC staff and the summary themes were almost ready for release

• KL updated on the 2 fans arrested for using the term ’Yid’ at White Hart  Lane. Both are now on a third rebail, awaiting the CPS decision on whether using the word is actually a prosecutable offence. Decisions are now due on 21st January
• EK confirmed that the FOI request relating to the Community Impact Assessment referred to by the then Chief Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police during our meeting in October has yet to receive a satisfactory response.  The new deadline is 27th January, whilst exemptions under data protection and policing are explored. EK to follow up
• DA agreed to follow up the offer of a meeting with the FA, with our agenda being to discuss tackling genuine anti-Semitism in football
• KL and DA updated the Board on the opportunity to meet with Kick It Out, to discuss anti-Semitism across social media following THST’s work in this area with the Met Police
• EK suggested approaching the FSF to discuss ways of encouraging fellow fans to self-police on the terraces, too

 4)      Stop StubHub campaign– update:
KL updated on the wider group campaign against the StubHub secondary ticketing platform. Further communication is due to drop on Monday 20th January following the transactional data from the opening 6 Premier League games of this season

• Media strategy with the wider group was discussed. KL to finalise

 5)      Broader campaigns update:
The Safe Standing Survey is progressing well with pushing 2000 respondents.  Strategy for presenting to the Club and THST’s overall objective was discussed and agreed

• Football Without Fans is Nothing will continue this year with another march/  joint protest with MUST, SOS and Black Scarf in the pipeline

 6)      Club liaison – fan engagement/ communication:

KL commented that day to day contact with the Club was exceptionally good, thanks in the main to Jonathan Waite (Customer Services and Supporter Liaison  Manager) and Sue Tilling (Safety Officer)

• DA commented that contact with Donna Cullen (Executive Director) was also  frequent
• However, it was agreed that wider Board level contact was not healthy,  causing difficulties in securing answers on the big questions
• The Board re-iterated its aim of achieving meaningful, 2 way dialogue with the Club, which wasn’t happening as much as it should
• At present, it certainly felt like communication was only there on the things THST could help the Club with
• THST is not willing to become a mouthpiece for the Club or an unpaid  extension of its PR arm. The Board was very clear indeed on that

 7)      Finances – bank account/managing donations/ subscriptions moving forward:

DH updated the Board on the issues experienced with Barclays transferring the Trust signatories following the resignation of Howard Sherman from the Treasurer’s post. This was still not resolved but should be within 5 working days

• THST agreed to move the account out of Barclays once resolved, as well as referring the case to the Banking Ombudsman
• AB confirmed this needed to be resolved in order to audit the Accounts in time for the forthcoming AGM
• AB also agreed to investigate opening a separate account for Flags and Banner donations, so as not to confuse the accounts with THST donations and membership
• AB stressed the Board needed to mindful of cash flow. A regular source of income was needed
• It’s imperative to push on with converting interest into members for 2014
• AB also wanted to tighten up the comms once an individual makes a payment to THST via PayPal, with an acknowledgement going out to each person as a matter of course
• DH agreed to explore Corporate Membership options

  8)      Proposed THST Supporters Roll of Honour Event:

DA reiterated that the main aim for 2014 was to convert interest/ followers into members

• Looking at ways to promote THST and encourage engagement, DA suggested a free event aimed at encouraging sign up
• DA always thought the Club’s Hall of Fame should be about fans legends, not Club legends
• The proposed event would take the form of a Meet and Greet with a Spurs legend – in a pub/ bar (relaxed environment) working the room and having one on one conversations, rather than a formal Q&A
• That legend would then be inducted into the Supporters Hall of Fame/ Roll of Honour at the event
• The onus would be on having a great night – nothing stuffy
• It was agreed to trial a Roll of Honour event in the first half of 2014

 9)      AOB inc. next steps on ACV/ Credit Unions/ Capital Projects (Stadium) etc:

EK updated the Board on Credit Unions, with the North London Credit Union potentially willing to offer Season Ticket loans to THFC fans from this season onwards. More info to follow

• EK, KL and DA  will attend the Supporters’ Direct Regional Meeting on 16 January with the key note speech on Assets of Community Value
• EK reported that the FOI request on Islington Council and the Metropolitan Police relating to the Arsenal FA Cup allocation discussions in December was deadlined for today. As yet, a response has not been forthcoming. EK to chase
• EK updated the Board on the Antwerp Arms, the Tottenham pub facing closure. The community group aiming to save the pub have now secured Asset of Community Value status on the pub and are currently running a survey to assess footfall
  and customer behaviour. THST agreed to help promote the survey via online communication channels
• EK updated the Board on the World Book Day initiative – encouraging every fan to bring a book to the Cardiff game for a Haringey child. THFC are on board and are considering appointing a player ambassador for this event, promoting
  with THST co-branding. Waiting to hear back from Haringey Council regarding linking with local charities, also

    
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust Board Meeting concluded at 10.10pm