Chris's email to Branch Members today
Good afternoon to everyone,
I wanted to send an update last Thursday, entitled "One Week On" following our first meeting, but thought I better wait for the results of the election.
It’s been a busy time for the branch as we have had the secretarial election and some further discussions about the make up of the Branch Committee.
Just as importantly (if not more so), I’ve had e-mails from you with some good suggestions and dialogue.
That question in London last week “What Next” is our biggest challenge and something which has had me thinking all the time. There is a lot of energy and dedication in our group and we should not allow that to dissipate or turn into a talking shop.
Our first meeting was fantastic as an introduction and a launching pad for what we are will do to achieve our aims down here in London to help our club.
To build on this, we will focus our next meeting on how we become organised and focus our energies and work to maximum effect. With this in mind, I have come up with some topics which we can discuss at our next meeting. I will return to this later.
Returning to the Committee elections, you will recall that I indicated that I was a willing but somewhat reluctant candidate for Chair due to my family commitments.
Once I saw three willing Committee members come forward it seemed sensible to see if we could use their enthusiasm and not lose any of it due to an election result favouring only one of the candidates. Steph Jones was a clear winner in the secretarial election.
I have spoken with Graham Smith (Assistant Secretary of the Union) and we discussed expanding the Committee to have the following members:
Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Direct Action
Co-opted Member 1*
Co-opted Member 2*
*The co-opted members will be general members to assist and support the functions of the officers and will serve for one year after which new elections will be held.
Graham has said that he would be happy to endorse the suggestion and following the results, he has spoken with all three candidates to formulate a solution.
The three candidates, Graham and I all agree on this solution, so if members are agreeable, we would like to propose that the following take the up these positions.
Chair - Steph Jones
Treasurer - Kev Dunn
Secretary - Mike Nelson
Direct Action - Pat Garrett
Co-opted Member 1 - Chris O'Dea
Co-opted Member 2 - James Grant
I can confirm that all have agreed to assume the positions for one year.
I appreciate that this a slightly unusual way of dealing with matters but it will get us up and running.
Unless there are any strong objections we will meet as a Committee as soon as possible and call the next Branch meeting shortly
Returning to my suggested agenda, which is based on people’s suggestions (so a big thank you to everyone who put them forward) below is what I am proposing and will discuss at our next meeting.
1. Direct Action – Led by Pat, to collect the ideas and names and availability of people. In particular, action regarding RBS, Broughton and any other related meetings in and around London.
2. Use of IT – how can we best use this, e.g. website, virals, mail shots, etc. Do we need an IT Team?
3. Information Officer – To build a team and an organised campaign to inform fellow Reds in and around London of the club’s situation, Share LFC, etc. This would include putting together a structured set of facts and information and distribution of the material, i.e. internet, flyers at tube/train stations/away games, posters etc.
4. People’s skills and availability – Both the branch and the main body need people’s assistance. I would like us to build a quick and simple database of everyone including their skills, connections and availability
of when and how they can help both for branch and the main body. If we
make this work, we could discuss with the main body if they would like to adopt it for all their members.
5. Assisting the Main body – they need help with answering queries, stuffing envelopes, etc. How can we help? And who would be willing to do so?
Raising funds – How can we raise funds to do some of the above, e.g. sell t-shirts, but I am sure we can come up with other ideas.
There were other very good suggestions, such as getting fans from other clubs involved. However, whatever we do needs to dovetail with the main Committee, and at a general meeting any formal links with other Clubs was ruled out for now.
It isn’t to say we cannot discuss it with the main Committee and see if this decision cannot be re-evaluated. Maybe if we can come up with a specific viable campaign which we can run without taking up too much of their resources, we can make this fly.
When the committee meet, a decision will be made about what will actually be discussed, but If you have something else you would like to add to above, please let me or Steph know so we can see where it can be added.
I was extremely proud to be the chair, albeit for a short period and thank everyone who lent me their support during my time in the position.
I am also very grateful to Steph for agreeing to take over the Chair and am sure you will all join me in wishing her and the other elected committee members the best of luck and all our support.
Regards
Chris