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    Supporters Trust - Update

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    An update from the recent meeting to discuss the possibility of forming a Supporters Trust. The meeting was held at Caledonian Stadium on the 17th February 2005


    INVERNESS CALEDONIAN THISTLE - PROPOSED SUPPORTERS TRUST

    On Thursday 17 February David Stewart MP hosted an open meeting in the Kingsmills Suite, Caledonian Stadium to discuss the formation of an Inverness Caledonian Thistle Supporters Trust. The meeting had been widely publicised and 80 supporters attended. The basics of the proposed Trust were explained by David Stewart and a vote of thanks was proposed to the supporters club and members club for their work in reaching this stage.

    The main speaker at the meeting was James Proctor, Scottish caseworker for the Trust movement's parent body Supporters Direct, and he outlined the basis of the Trust movement nationally. It all started with a crisis at Northampton Town 12 years ago and a group of fans who got together to save their club. The organisation they created became the model for the Trust movement - there are now 28 in Scotland and 123 in the UK . ICT is the only SPL club without a Trust.

    Three years ago the Scottish Executive helped to finance Supporters Direct in Scotland and Scottish funding is guaranteed at present to 2006. Supporters Direct has full time staff and is there to advise Trusts. A Supporters Trust is formed within a framework of rules and it gives fans the opportunity to be part of their club. It influences a club, helps to make it better and works in the community. It is normally registered as an Industrial and Provident Society - a mutual cooperative organisation, democratic, not for profit, 1 person 1 vote. SD will take supporters through the legal process and money is available - but you have to raise money as well. The open meeting is the first small step in the process.

    Craig Brewster then spoke in support of the proposal - he welcomed all support for the club. The team will do its best on the park and supporters were asked to continue to back the team.

    Mairi Maclean spoke on behalf of the supporters club and Ian Broadfoot spoke for the members club. Both clubs are likely to dissolve after the Trust is constituted (assuming it is) but this will be up to members. The voting rights of the members club can be transferred to the Trust the football club board has agreed to this in principle.

    A wide-ranging question and answer session followed. Subjects raised included the position of a Trust Board representative voting (on major issues an EGM of the Trust may require to be held to determine how he/she should vote), the model constitution (Supporters Direct provide this), a possible junior section of the Trust (this is possible but full members must be 16 and 18 to vote), charitable status (not appropriate), number on a committee (circa 12 is about right but number can vary), cash grants (Supporters Direct can advise), legal costs of start-up (paid by Supporters Direct - they also advise as to specialist solicitors), timescale of forming Trust (launch no later than August 2005), community funding (complicated issue), equality of members (one person one vote), voting power of individual Trust members (one vote on how block vote can be made) and publicity to attract members (suggestion that club's season ticket list be used).

    A formal resolution to form a Trust was put to supporters and there was no opposition. Thus the motion was carried and a steering group will take the matter forward. This group will be drawn from the members club, supporters club and volunteers from amongst supporters.

    Supporters at the meeting were asked to complete a membership interest form as a first step to Trust membership. This form also asked for volunteers to help set up the Trust, to run it and to assist in the background.

    There was a vote of thanks to the speakers and the meeting was closed by David Stewart.




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