
Board Meeting
Thursday 17th October 2013
6.30pm – 8.30pm
The George, Liverpool Street EC2
Darren Alexander (Joint Chairman)
Katrina Law (Secretary)
Ellie Kershaw
Formal apologies:
Darren Howlett (Joint Chairman)
Formal apologies were sent by DH, who was unable to attend the meeting owing to an unforeseen family matter.
1) Board Review:
How the THST Board is running, problems encountered and moving forward. It was felt the THST Board is running relatively smoothly and efficiently. No Board members expressed undue concerns or raised any significant issues, whilst
acknowledging there was still work to be done in terms of servicing and fulfilling Trust members’ needs to the best of THST’s ability. As a relatively new board, this is work in progress.
The heavy workload for a small Board was noted, however, and will be addressed at the forthcoming SGM.
2) Calling an SGM:
- Practicalities
A preferred date was agreed for the Special General Meeting of Sunday 15th December at 12pm/12.30pm, ahead of the home match v Liverpool.
A potential venue was agreed on Tottenham High Road, as it was felt this would attract more members than in Central London on a non match day.
- Responsibilities
As THST Secretary, KL is responsible for ensuring all members are notified as to the SGM within the stipulated notice period.
- The Fifth/ Sixth Board Member
The purpose of the SGM is to elect a minimum of one extra Board member, or more, should there be sufficient candidates. Constitutionally, THST requires 5 elected Board members and currently there are 4 fully recognised Board members
in situ.
Once 5 elected Board members are in place, others can be co-opted, if required, to plug gaps in skill set etc.
Election to the Board will be open to all paid members of the Trust.
Voting rights will be available to all paid members of the Trust.
KL will work with Supporters Direct to ensure due diligence is observed in arranging the SGM and all THST members will receive full details in due course.
3) THST Finances:
- Bank Account
KL is in receipt of all relevant paperwork relating to the THST bank account. KL will pass onto DH as a matter of urgency for the change of signatories to be
actioned.
- PayPal Account
KL to reactivate Trust PayPal account as soon as possible to enable funds to be raised for the Balcony Banners, initially.
- Fighting Fund
EK to explore the requirements for setting up a Fighting Fund to be used in defence of our fans using the Y Word, be that legal or campaigning costs. A separate Community bank account may be preferable and this could be subject to audit, also. An agreement on where to direct any excess monies will also be necessary in advance of launching any fund.
THST agreed that any fan receiving financial help from THST should be a paid member of the Trust, although this can be done retrospectively, providing a full membership is taken out within a reasonable time scale after seeking THST’s assistance and prior to any of the fighting fund being spent on said individual.
4) Campaigns/ projects update:
- The Y Word – update and prep for meeting with Chief Superintendent Johnson
THST discussed the current situation and focused on preparation for the meeting with Mick Johnson on Monday 21st October. We hope
THST members can appreciate the need for this to remain confidential until after the meeting, when we will report as fully as is possible.
THST also reviewed the final reiteration of THFC’s consultation on the Y Word and fed back comments to THFC, which were duly incorporated.
- StubHub petition
THST is awaiting an update from the owners of the StubHub petition as to their next steps with this campaign. Involvement will be agreed on a step by step basis moving forward.
- Atmosphere Group and Balcony Banners
KL reported that the newly formed Atmosphere Group was running smoothly with dialogue on a weekly basis.
Several participants had collected funds for the first Balcony Banner and were waiting for the THST PayPal account to be reactivated in order to move this forward.
THST welcomed design suggestions and encouraged those with ideas to email info@THSTOfficial.com.
- Stacey Mowle Auction
It was agreed that EK would contact the organisers of the Stacey Mowle Appeal to offer up the three auction lots currently secured to one of their official events.
THST is not best placed to host this and it was felt an official auction would raise more money and be higher profile than one held by THST.
The lots in question are of extremely high quality and should raise a significant sum of money if exposed to the right audience.
THST will continue to appeal for further donations in the meantime.
- Assets of Community Value
THST agreed to raise the possibility of applying for an ACV on White Hart Lane to its’ members at the forthcoming SGM. Full consultation with Trust members would be undertaken prior to any decision being made.
- Credit Unions
EK has a meeting scheduled with a Credit Union based in Enfield within the next month and will look to have an option in place by February for those who would prefer to finance their Season Ticket via a Credit Union.
5) AOB
KL asked for suggestions as to driving up the membership of THST. Whilst awareness was becoming less of an issue with Press exposure on the rise, converting that awareness into actual members was proving harder.
Following the half page advert in the Swansea programme, THST agreed to widen the net away from social media and will be speaking with various influencers over the coming weeks to push this forward.
The Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust Board Meeting concluded at 8.30pm
End