The VSC AGM Tomorrow. 11:30 Belle Vue Bar

[Mr1Croft]

If any of you forgot (or didn't read the home page, twitter or Facebook) we hope you turn out in numbers for the VSC AGM tomorrow on the morning of an historic day in Doncaster, which is followed by DRFC vs Crawley and the the Belles and Arsenal. John Ryan will be in attendance for a Q&A as well as the Chief Executive Gavin Baldwin.


A lot of work goes on behind the scenes for the benefit of VSC Members and DRFC fans and tomorrow allows you to hear first hand on what has been achieved and what is planned for the future. Organisations like Supporters Direct are referring to the VSC as the 'ideal trust' and we hope this continues with another successful AGM that will lead to another successful year.


The AGM will start around 11:30 tomorrow morning in the Belle Vue Bar. Members can join on the day and although it is planned to be announced tomorrow, the price of joining the VSC has been slashed from £27 to £12. That is £1 per month and your share in the society free!


See you all there. 


 

[Filo]

If any of you forgot (or didn't read the home page, twitter or Facebook) we hope you turn out in numbers for the VSC AGM tomorrow on the morning of an historic day in Doncaster, which is followed by DRFC vs Crawley and the the Belles and Arsenal. John Ryan will be in attendance for a Q&A as well as the Chief Executive Gavin Baldwin.


A lot of work goes on behind the scenes for the benefit of VSC Members and DRFC fans and tomorrow allows you to hear first hand on what has been achieved and what is planned for the future. Organisations like Supporters Direct are referring to the VSC as the 'ideal trust' and we hope this continues with another successful AGM that will lead to another successful year.


The AGM will start around 11:30 tomorrow morning in the Belle Vue Bar. Members can join on the day and although it is planned to be announced tomorrow, the price of joining the VSC has been slashed from £27 to £12. That is £12 per month!


See you all there. 


 

No it is n`t, it`s £12 per year is n`t it?

[Mr1Croft]

Mistake noted and rectified...


 

[Alan_Rovers]

How come the price has been cut so drastically?

[Mr1Croft]

It has always been an aim of the VSC to be an organisation that is representable of all fans, for that reason it must be accessible to all fans, where income isn't a factor on whether someone joins. The society board has had lengthy discussions (one meeting lasted 4 hours) about breaking down the barriers to attract more people to join.


If you break down the £27 which it was, £12 was your subscription fee and £15 of that was for your share and admin fees (etc., postage and share certificate). However under the rules the nominal value of a share has always been £1. So the board decided that £27 was no longer a feasible fee to charge, and we believe that by removing the £15 and take £1 of your £12 for your share then that is more than fair. Although a better way of looking at it is that it is the same price as your renewal £12, but your share is effectively free!

[Serring]

As an existing member and also having paid for the next years subsscription, I therefore look forward to receiving a further free share

[Mr1Croft]

Not exactly Serring, the VSC is an Industrial and Provident Society and therefore bound by our constitution of 1 share per member. Its in our rules that one person cannot possess any more than 1 share.

[Serring]

Point taken... but what I am getting at here is that often the loyal "supporter"of the cause is often missed at the benefit of  attracting the "newbie".
The number of times last year I heard some season ticket holders saying... "why doesn't the club do something for those who renew without moaning, when they throw offers as incentives to attract "new custom"" every week.
What I was getting at here was the loyal members who renew without question tend to get forgotten (unless there is something in the pipeline).
This trend is now being reflected in the VSC.
Nothing wrong with this as a venture, but just would be cringe-worthy to some who just pay up the full price.
Not really a problem as you see it every day in the supermarkets where you buy a product and the next day its buy one get one free.
My original post was meant half with tongue in cheek though.
I do indeed see both sides to the argueement.
 

[Mr1Croft]

I do hear you there Serring, but in the past the VSC has offered much to its members. For example there was a special offer to renew for £5 a couple of years back, last season members were given discounts on the JR August Revolution T-shirts, and members were allowed to use the VSC Hopsitality boxes for less. We have created a VSC Members only forum on here for discussion between only the members (if that is what they want). But this is something that we are also looking, our members do need rewarding but it ultimately comes down to our resources and what we can and can't do. We are a non-for-profit society that aims to be for the Community and encourages the club to do the same.


It is sometimes difficult to reward your members without secluding yourself from everyone else. We are trying to find the middle-ground of making it easier to join (and becoming a stronger voice in the DRFC Backroom) but also keep our members wanting to rejoin.

[Serring]

In fact Mr1Croft... it appears that the £1 for the share was always taken from the first years subscription (as it appears to dictate in the constitution). Therefore, indeed nothing changes and it is just a waivering of the "joining fee" that has taken place in this instance.

The Society Board will decide and issue a form of application for membership.  Members are to pay an annual subscription of such reasonable sum as the Society Board shall decide, the first payment to be made at the time of application for membership.  The sum of £1 from the first payment shall be applied to purchase an ordinary share in the Society.

[Serring]

I do hear you there Serring, but in the past the VSC has offered much to its members. For example there was a special offer to renew for £5 a couple of years back, last season members were given discounts on the JR August Revolution T-shirts, and members were allowed to use the VSC Hopsitality boxes for less. We have created a VSC Members only forum on here for discussion between only the members (if that is what they want). But this is something that we are also looking, our members do need rewarding but it ultimately comes down to our resources and what we can and can't do. We are a non-for-profit society that aims to be for the Community and encourages the club to do the same.


It is sometimes difficult to reward your members without secluding yourself from everyone else. We are trying to find the middle-ground of making it easier to join (and becoming a stronger voice in the DRFC Backroom) but also keep our members wanting to rejoin.

Noted and thanks for the feedback.

[Mr1Croft]

In fact Mr1Croft... it appears that the £1 for the share was always taken from the first years subscription (as it appears to dictate in the constitution). Therefore, indeed nothing changes and it is just a waivering of the "joining fee" that has taken place in this instance.

The Society Board will decide and issue a form of application for membership.  Members are to pay an annual subscription of such reasonable sum as the Society Board shall decide, the first payment to be made at the time of application for membership.  The sum of £1 from the first payment shall be applied to purchase an ordinary share in the Society.

That is rule number 12 of our new rules which were only accepted by the membership at last years AGM (We are actually the first trust to move to the new rules).  The reason that it has a nominal value of £1 is in case the trust goes into liquidation the members only lose a £1 each. Now I have only been a board member a few months so I can't comment on the old rules and this is perhaps going off topic, but if you are there tomorrow I'll be more than happy to have a further chat to clear up any queires you may have.

[Red wizard]

l will be there today. I'm also joining the vsc today. Is cash ok or would you prefer a cheque ?

[RobTheRover]

Either is fine, RW.  See you there.

[weststander]

Not exactly Serring, the VSC is an Industrial and Provident Society and therefore bound by our constitution of 1 share per member. Its in our rules that one person cannot possess any more than 1 share.

I am a bit confused by this. In Andy Liney's days I made a number of contributions in multiples of £15 for which I was given share certificates. Without a search I cannot remember how many, although 6 seems to ring a bell. Have the rules changed since those days then?
 

[Red wizard]

I will be there just after 12 Rob.

[Filo]

l will be there today. I'm also joining the vsc today. Is cash ok or would you prefer a cheque ?

Cash, in used banknotes!

[Sheepskin Stu]

Will refreshments be provided?

[coventryrover]

cordial stu

[Chris Black come back]

Anyone tweeting live from the AGM for those who can't make it? Would be appreciated.

[bobjimwilly]

Anyone tweeting live from the AGM for those who can't make it? Would be appreciated.

You beat me to it Chris! Live twitter commentary from 11.30 - https://twitter.com/vscofficial

[Sheepskin Stu]

cordial stu

Are you turning up?

[coventryrover]

No mate...going to Chester

[Sandy Lane]

If anyone is on twitter, the dialogue is coming in now.

[bobjimwilly]

Managed to get a fair few tweets out there 
If you want to catchup on what was said at the AGM before we publish the minutes, check out our twitter page

 

[MartinB]

Thanks for that, looks like it was good meeting...lots of good content.

[NathanDRFC]

VSC achievements in the past 12 months:

1)   Created a new website and forum for the benefit of all DRFC supporters
2)   The first ‘Supporters Trust’ in the country to incorporate the new Supporters Direct rules
3)   Successfully introduced the ‘fan engagement’ concept to DRFC which became the DRFC ‘In Rovers We Trust’ campaign to significantly improve the relationship between the club and its core supporters
4)   Successful cooperation with other Supporters Trust’s around the country to assist them in various tasks, including Leeds Utd, Barnsley, Portsmouth and Scunthorpe to name a few
5)   We have a Board member on the National Council of the Football Supporters Foundation
6)   We have a Board member on the Doncaster Football Partnership
7)   Board members attended Supporters Direct training and regional meetings to enable the VSC to run better and more effectively
8)   Created our Community Panel to create opportunities for charitable work
9)   A close working relationship with the Community Foundation team which resulted in the introduction of the Fit Fans Initiative and we assisted by donating a hospitality box for a Rovers game for the participants
10)   Negotiated with the club on Season Ticket and match day prices plus encouraged the elimination of match categories.
11)   Assisted with the creation of add-ons for Season Ticket holders
12)   The successful campaign for retrospective ticket price reductions between Doncaster and Barnsley which saved both sets of supporters £7 per game
13)   The behind the scenes work to ensure the Keepmoat Stadium was retained as a community benefit for the local community but especially DRFC supporters
14)   We contributed to the ‘Rovers Promise’ and assisted with updating the clubs charter
15)   The return of the Vikettes
16)   Kit sponsorship for James Baxendale and Mustapha Dumbya
17)   Renaming of the Lakeside Bar to the Belle Vue Bar
18)   Donated memorabilia to the above
19)   Raised over £2k for the Loan Star appeal
20)   Created new fundraising ideas and incorporated our Commercial Partners
21)   Increased our membership for the 3rd year running
22)   Donated a hospitality box to the Lewis Jeynes Fund and raised over £500 in the process
23)   Raised funds and donated VSC memorabilia to the Billy Sharp LJS Foundation
24)   Sponsored certain children’s football activities at the Keepmoat
25)   Represented Rovers supporters during complaints made to Norwich City FC about the quality of their Stewards
26)   Cooperated and helped where we can with DRFC Supporters club
27)   Created and distributed the ‘August Revolution’ T shirts
28)   Arranged for the purchase of the giant flags and putting them up on match day
29)   Met with SYPTE and DRFC officials to resolve the public transport issues.

[NathanDRFC]

VSC Board:

VSC Board

Rob Clark – Acting Chair
Nathan Batchelor – Acting Vice Chair
Martin O’Hara – Secretary
Rob Williams – IT Manager
Lee Croft – Acting Treasurer
Glyn Wigley
Andrew Audsley
Martyn Bentley
Dave Burkitt
Mike Follows
Mark Lister
Kevin Twell



For 2012/13 so far we have...
The continuation of the “In Rovers We Trust” project
The “Tomorrow’s Rovers” project
Kit sponsorship of James Harper
Sponsorship of two Rovers Youth teams
More work to strengthen the linkages between the club and the community
Two multigame tickets to donate to deserving community members on a match by match



Secretary’s Report

The new rules, as discussed at the 2011 AGM were  implemented in full, approved by the FSA thus making the VSC the very first Trust in the country to do so!

So far we have advised 4 other Trusts regarding new rules.

We still have some issues with FSA regulation but we hope to be back in full membership of SD soon.

Despite this we are considered by SD to be a model trust, our In Rovers We Trust project was mentioned at the SD/FSF Fans Weekend!

We are in full membership of the FSF as an Affiliate.

The ‘All Party Select Committee’ report has so far failed to deliver the changes the Trust would like to see.

[RobTheRover]

Not exactly Serring, the VSC is an Industrial and Provident Society and therefore bound by our constitution of 1 share per member. Its in our rules that one person cannot possess any more than 1 share.

I am a bit confused by this. In Andy Liney's days I made a number of contributions in multiples of £15 for which I was given share certificates. Without a search I cannot remember how many, although 6 seems to ring a bell. Have the rules changed since those days then?
 

Hi Weststander,

We'll be in touch shortly about this.

Rob