The Trust committee held its monthly meeting on Thursday evening. Here’s a look back at what was discussed.
The main item on the agenda was the proposed re-launch of Junior Dale. It was decided that membership of the Junior Dale would be free to anyone wanting to join, and youngsters could become members by joining online or on matchdays.The admin of the members would be done by the Trust in conjuction with the club. On a Satuday, the FITC’s Saturday Club would be rebranded as Junior Dale and would be open to anyone of an applicable age. Further details still to be agreed include newsletters to members.
The Trust were delighted with the numbers who have already signed up for the 2013-14 season. It was felt that the ease of online membership had made a big difference, with many people who have not previously been Trust members signing up. Current membership totals for the 2013-14 season stands at 273 including 51 exiled members.
A further four local businesses have agreed to become Friends of the Trust. This takes our total to twenty.
In the next couple of weeks, we will start work on the club calendar which is back in Trust hands for the first time in three years. In previous years, thanks to sponsorship every single penny from the Calendars has been a profit for the Trust and we hope for something similar this time round. If anyone is interested in sponsoring the calendar, please contact mailbox@daletrust.com.
Talks with the club about announcing a Fans Forum as a curtain raiser to the 2013-14 season have been put on hold whilst the powers that be have been over in Tenerife. Given their return on Thursday, we hope to make an announcement very soon on this front.
We have previously stated that following the purchase of the pitch covers, there remains a surplus in what is considered to be the “Bowlee Fund”. A number of options have already been investigated, but we are planning on holding a short meeting before the Fans Forum where we will invite supporter and member opinion. There will be no spending of this money without a vote of Trust members.
With Dale heading to Accrington at the back end of September, plans are being formulated to have a sponsored walk to the Crown Ground on the day of the game. It is hoped that around 100 people will take up the walk in a bid to raise £5,000. The walk proved to be very successful back in 2009 and it is hoped for a similar success. With much better weather. Following on from the previous paragraph, it is hoped that this walk will be to help raise funds for a specific project. Invitations will be made to any Accrington supporters to join us on the walk.
A date has been announced for the Trust to host its AGM. It will be held on Thursday October 10th on a venue that is still to be confirmed. Hosting an AGM is a legal requirement for the Trust and we will invite members to attend on the night to approve our accounts, and to discuss present and future Trust plans.
Work on the Former Player Association is continuing with a view to tying its launch in with the 10th Anniversary Trust Dinner next year. The process was being slowed due to the former players taking too long on the phone reminiscing about their time with Dale such is their affinity with the club.
It was reported back to the Trust that discussions had taken place with the club with regards to the Ratcliffe Suite, and ways to boost its popularity. Following a recent visit to Fleetwood, Trust members were impressed by an initiative where team sheets were distributed in the club’s own bar, and were keen to see something similar implemented at Spotland. Following talks with the club, this is something that we should be able to do for the new season.
The meeting concluded with representatives from the Trust keen to contact the Board of Directors for one of our regular meetings. It was hoped that this could be done before the Fans Forum.
We have set up a scheme called ‘Fans bring Cans’ where we will be asking supporters to drop off items of food at the Trust Table in the Ratcliffe Arms before they enter the ground, hopefully it’s something we can do every home game, The Trust will highlight a shopping list where fans are asked to bring one item. Foodbanks provide a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK. All food is donated by the public and sorted by volunteers. Frontline care professionals such as doctors and social workers identify people in crisis and issue a food voucher. Foodbanks also make time to chat and to signpost clients to other helpful services. Foodbanks help prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems. A simple box of food makes a big difference. http://rochdale.foodbank.org.uk/
The next meeting would take place on Monday 5th August.