Silkmen Supporters Trust Open Meeting Report

The Silkmen Supporters Trust held an Open Meeting in the McIlroy Suite at the Moss Rose on Saturday 20th January

Introduction

The meeting was attended by approximately 35 supporters and resulted in the following broad and specific objectives for the Board to consider in the long and short term.

Objective 1

Consolidate structure in order to spread the load and improve involvement from all Trust members.

Actions:

1.1 Populate board to maximum 12 members

1.2 Form and staff four sub-committees:

• A: Membership
• B: Community involvement
• C: Communications/promotion/fund raising
• D: Social and Events

1.3 Board should look at terms of reference for the sub committees to prevent overlap and should encourage as wide a membership as possible.

Objective 2

Improve communications between Trust Board, MTFC plc, membership and fans in general.

Actions:

2.1 Seek closer ties with Club owners, Chief Exec, Chairman possibly by requesting quarterly briefing meeting.

2.2 Experiment with a monthly or two monthly mail shot by email to SST members. This costs nothing and whilst there is a danger of missing some members, the show of hands at the meeting indicated that we would access a large number of members. Occasional postal distribution should continue but not as the norm because of high cost.

2.3 Attendees encouraged the Trust to publicise its successes such as the funds raised, the successful walks to Stockport, the seating reservation for season ticket holders, leaflet campaigns, etc.

Objective 3

Community involvement must be addressed. This appears to be a major issue so far as the Trust is concerned and it may be a route through which the Trust can obtain funds for projects

Action:

3.1 Continue to seek information from other Trusts and the national association, Supporters Direct.

Objective 4

Develop an attractive social programme in order to attract new members as well as to give some lighter side to the Trust as well as raise funds

Actions:

4.1 Arrangement of `Player of the Year' awards, possibly linked to 'Decade' celebrations. Social sub-committee to lead.

Objective 5

Discuss, define and then approach the plc Board with a capital expenditure proposal that could be attainable by the Trust. Then publicise it as much as possible.

The following ideas were suggested at the meeting:

Refurbish the Blues Bar and/or seek from the Club greater access to the bar for A Line Stand Supporters both before and after games to a level agreed before funds raised. (From a `lick of paint' to a full refurbishment depending on support).

Replace/improve the TVs in the fans' areas - many complaints and not prohibitively costly.

Improve disabled parking.