Hi Keri,

Thanks for responding to some of my points.

With regards the fans survey I of course am happy to help, although perhaps one of the fourteen strong Board would like to lead the project? As an initial thought I wonder whether the survey is something that can be combined with the process of electing the new Supporter Director. Assuming that all members will be contacted directly with candidate statements, ballot form etc. then it would seem to make sense to include a copy of the survey (have you still got the template from last year?) with this, as well as a membership renewal form (kill three birds with one stone).

I am pleased to learn that the Trust is considering an additional representative on the Club Board and that issues such as how to attract 'floating' supporters are under discussion. Are there any plans to formalise a mechanism whereby members are involved in this and can make suggestions (in)directly to the Chief Executive or to the Supporter Director?

The issue about communication is an interesting one. Correct me if I am wrong but there appears to currently be some grey area over whose responsibility it is to keep supporters informed. When it comes to matters regarding the Club Board and appointments/changes to key personnel that are responsible for the strategic direction of our Club (and impacting on the Trust's representation at Boardroom level) then this is clearly - in my opinion - an issue that needs to be communicated to the Trust membership.

Cheers,

Dave

Sorry to intrude on what seems a bit of a private dispute, but I don't think Dave’s points have been addressed at all. You have to ask, what do Trust members get in terms of involvement for their 30% shareholding. How does that translate into the ability to shape and change things. A 30% shareholder doesn't just get informed about decisions, surely they are involved in making them.

Please don't blandly reply that the influence is through the supporter director, when the last selected himself as a main board member, then resigned from his post with the Trust.

Transparency, answers and action are required, not bland acceptable of everything the club does.

Hi Kevin.

Not an intrusion at all. It's good to get debate going. The Trust is made up of its members who all all entitled to have their say on how the Trust is working. That's how we on the Trust Board are able to reflect the views on members on how the Trust moves forward.

To try to answer you question about influebnce, I think that broadly this operates on 4 distinct levels.

Firstly, the level of 30.2% shareholders. This gives significant influence. The Trust can call special shareholder meetings on matters of strategic importance of the Club. For example, major decisions which affect our investment, possible takeovers etc. There is also in place a shareholders agreement which is a prescriptive document to protect shareholders rights. It give us, for example, the right to have a Trust Director of the Board, access to financial information which allows us to monitor the financial position of the Club etc. All this enables the Trust to afford protection to the Club and help block any predatory influences who may want to use the Club for their own personal gain. Ultimately, the Trust can even call for the removal of Directors if they are not seen to be action in the best interests of the shareholders. This is of huge significance given some of our recent history and the lessons from other Clubs.

Secondly, we have the the level of Trust Director with equal rights to all other Dirctors on the Club Board. The Trust Director is there to represent the views of the Trust Board and of course the views and aspirations of Trust members. We won't win every argument but we can still exert major influence. We push for things like the "Fans of the Future" initiative, we pushed for Season Ticket prices to be frozen and for the early payment deadline to be extended, we are pressing the Club to look again at the possibility of home fans in the Kop end, we have pushed for more financial opportunities like the deal with the Rugby Club and we also push for the Club to communicate well with fans and create more opportunities for them to feel part of their Club. All this and more shows how we can exert influence.

Thirdly, we have the Trust Board which is democratic and open to any member to stand to be a part of. The Trust Board meets regularly with Club employees and Directors to pursue matters on behalf of Trust members. We have raised issues about, for example stewarding, match day experience and a host of others. We have conducted fans surveys to find out members concerns and suggestions and these have been followed up with the Club. You can find copies of the surveys on this website. The Trust Board also directs the Trust Directors on many issues in line with the Supporter Director Code of Conduct (which again you can find on this website). It's not all about challenging the Club and following up porblems. There are a host of other positive things that the Trust can and does support the Club on. For example, restarting the Open Days based on what our members would like to see going on.

Finally, there is the level of the Trust Member. Every member can exert influence by feeding up views and suggestions to the Trust Board and to the Trust Director. Every member can question the Club Directors at forums and make suggestions. Members can change Trust policy and ultimately, through our shareholding, even Club policy through motions at Trust annual general meetings.

Make no mistake, compared to many other Clubs the influence here is major and should continue to be so in the best interest of the Club. The TRust is about all its members. So what's needed is for members to bring their views and suggestions to the attention of the Trust Board (who are elected to act on members behalf) so they can be taken forward.

I'm sorry if you though my previous answer was a bit bland. It wasn't meant to be. Messageboards are sometimes difficult to get the whole picture across on. I'm happy to meet up at any time to discuss this further if that would be helpful.

Cheers

Keri

Hi Dave.

Excellent idea about the survey. This is being looked at now.Cheers!

The issue of floating supporters is ongoing and we will have this on the agenda at the next Trust Board meeting. In the meantime, anyone who has any ideas, pleas let me know at: chair@nottscotrust.org.uk and we can follow the ideas up with the Club.

I've got to hold my hands up over the position with our previous Supporter-Director. We should have announced this to members and I take full responsibility for missing this. We are putting this right. I do think though that the Club should be making announcemnts regarding Club matters backed up where necessary by announcements from the Trust. We do after all own 30% of the Club and we have always had the aim of making the Club transparent and open wherever possible. It would seem a bit odd if the Trust were continually making announcements like this and the Club weren't. It's something we need to think about and get the balance right. Happy to get other people's views on this though.

Cheers

Keri

Get someone in as chairman of the trust who has a bit of passion Ian Richardson maybe.
get rid of Jeff Moore before he destroys our club and loses what supporters we have left

Hi Sue.

I know feelings are running high at the moment but as the current Chair of the Trust, my passion for Notts County is as strong as it was three years ago when so many of us worked so hard to help ensure we kept the Club alive.

Can I also say that I have seen nothing which suggests to me that Jeff Moore is trying to "destroy the Club". Of course the appointment of the manager has produced strong feelings amongst a considerable number of fans but we all hope fervently it will work out because we want our Club to be successful. That's our passion and I'll keep working to try to do my bit to help achieve this.
Cheers

Keri

So Kerri
you think mr Moore isnt destroying our club open your eyes or resign off the trust board.
firstly i was disgusted with the decision to disband the youth set up something that you agreed with without consultation with the trust members.
Then he appoints a manager no supporter would ever want but i thought ok we will give him a chance.
This manager then signs Jason Lee for goodness sake, is he the 20 goal a season man he talked about (1 goal scored for Northampton last season and that was against us not exactly hard was it).
Is there any input on these board meetings from yourself or are you just a whipping boy for Moore Wilkinson & Co
I know the board wanted us out of this league but I didnt think they wanted to put us in the conference
Very disheartened supporter of 40 years

ps
thanks for getting back to me about Phil Bignall (not) a striker who scored 32 goals for Carlton town last season but obviosly not in the same league as Jason Lee haha
Give the lad a trial if this club have any ambition at all