Details of a public meeting to be held in the Stadium on Thursday February 17th to discuss the formation of the ICT Supporters Trust.

You are warmly invited to an open meeting to discuss the formation of the Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust.

• Date:  Thursday 17 February 2005
• Time:  7.30pm
• Place: Caledonian Stadium, Inverness

What is a Supporters Trust? A Supporters Trust is a democratic, not for profit organisation of supporters who are committed to:

• Giving supporters a greater say in the decisions made by the Football Club
• Strengthening the links between Inverness Caledonian Thistle and the local community

What are the aims of the Supporters Trust? These will have to be agreed once the Trust has been formally established, but are likely to include the following:

• Creation of an independent voice for Inverness Caledonian Thistle supporters.
• Creation of a supporters - shareholder group, combining the votes of individual shareholders.
• To build a block of shares in Inverness Caledonian Thistle which are collectively held by the Trust.
• To achieve democratically elected representation on the Board of Directors.
• To ensure that fans views are taken account of in decisions by the Club.
• To bring the Club closer to the local community.
• To raise money to finance the future development of the Club on and off the pitch.

So why does Inverness Caledonian Thistle need a Supporters Trust? At a time of change within the Football Club it is felt that many of the ordinary supporters do not have a voice in what is happening with their club.

• Despite the success of recent years hardcore support remains relatively low.
• Many local football fans leave the area every Saturday to support other teams – we need to encourage them to watch ICT.

So what difference will the Trust make?

• In the short-term, the Trust will seek a place on the Board of Directors to give supporters a genuine voice and help bridge the gap between the Club and the local community.
• In the longer term, and with the right backing, the Trust could become a significant shareholder cementing the Club’s place in the community and ensuring that the Club lives within its financial means.

We already have a Supporters Club.  What is the difference between it and a Supporters Trust?

• The Trust aims to democratically elect a representative to the Football Club Board.
• The Trust aims to obtain a significant shareholding in the Football Club.
• If the Trust is constituted as an Industrial and Provident Society (IPS), it will be able to access funding to assist with the on and off-field development of the Football Club
• The Trust will publish regular information bulletins to keep its members up to date with important issues.  Above all, it will be committed to democracy, transparency and accountability.

So how will the Trust work? The Trust relies on 3 basic principles:

• It has a clear set of rules and aims, and must operate to the benefit of the local community
• The Trust is a democratic body - its members will all have an equal stake and elect a Committee from the membership
• No individuals can profit from the activities of the Trust

It is intended that the Trust will be registered as an Industrial and Provident Society, with very clear rules about its operation. Supporters will be asked to join the Trust by paying an annual membership fee entitling them to a share in the Trust. They will be able to participate fully in Trust meetings and be eligible for election to the Trust’s Management Committee We hope that this will answer some of your questions about the Supporters Trust.

The launch meeting on 17 February will give you an opportunity to have your questions answered and find out about the Trust, and we look forward to seeing you there.