Post by Si Bradbury on May 6, 2015 14:13:02 GMT
Firstly the Committee would like to apologise that they are unable to upload these most recent committee notes onto our website at this time. All members will receive copies of the notes via email in the coming 24 hours or so.
In the meantime, as I am unable to direct anyone to a link, please find notes below.
Date: Thursday 30th April 2015 (held at Forest Road, Risinghurst, Oxford)
Attendees: Myles Francis (MF), Michael North (MN), Matt Cavill (MC), Terry Winter (TW), Matt Derbyshire (MD), Jeremy Faulkner (JF)
Apologies: Graham Butler (GB), Maurice Earp (ME)
Start: 7.00pm. Finish. 10.00pm
Minutes/Notes
1. Actions from the Minutes of the last meeting held on Wednesday 25th March
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed with the only follow up actions being that MD needs to inform Supporters Direct of the Committee changes and that we are still needing the membership packs to be collected from Mark Sennett. MD will contact Mark
2. Confirmation of roles within the committee.
(a) It was agreed that JF would perform the Chair role and the secretary role and that MF would perform the Vice Chair role and the Treasurer role
(b) It was agreed that MN would take on all the membership duties. This would include management of the member data base, logging of new members on the data base, updating member details and sending out the new member packs. An offer to support this function has been received.
(c) Joiners using the online system will be logged by MN and payments recorded by MF
(d) TW agreed that he would support MF and deal with all the banking of monies/subscriptions
(e) MD confirmed that he is happy to continue to support the committee as and when required
3. Finance and administration
(a) MF requested that we action new bank mandates/signatories. MD had the documentation with him and all the forms were completed on the night. JF will take the completed forms to a local Barclays to be implemented ASAP.
(b) MN confirmed a donation of £1000 to the Trust. Some of this money will be used to purchase new Program storage boxes and also to sponsor a Youth Tem Player and/or a Youth Team
(c) MD confirmed that the FCA return had been made on time
(d) It was agreed that the OxVox business address would be changed to MN’s address. JF and MD will liaise to action this and ensure all materials reflect the change
4. New Committee Members
(a) The meeting discussed that Sue Trafford had volunteered to join the Committee. The meeting agreed that she should become a co-opted member of the Committee and be invited to the next meeting. JF will make the invite ASAP.
(b) This will leave the Trust able to appoint 1 further Co-opted member this year and there has been interest from an individual in this regard. JF will follow up
(c) Offers of support (not to join the committee) have been received. Simon Bradbury has offered to manage the OxVox Twitter and Web Site communication mediums and the other individual has offered expertise to support the management of the member data base. Both offers were gratefully accepted by the committee and JF will contact the individuals concerned ASAP.
5. Membership drive and communication
(a) The meeting agreed that growing membership numbers would be a priority this year. It was felt that Sue Trafford could work well on helping this objective, but that everyone has a role to play. The next meeting will focus on initiatives to deliver this objective and agree a plan of action.
(b) New updated Membership forms and ‘marketing material’ will be developed by the end of June at the latest. The next meeting will review the layouts/designs/copy etc.
(c) An offer to revamp the OxVox Web Site has been received and accepted. It was greed that this should be completed by the end of June. JF will follow up with SB who has offered to work on this.
6. Meetings with the Club and The Yellow Army
(a) JF and GB met with Mark Ashton and his commercial team on the 7th April at the stadium to discuss the clubs marketing initiatives and free ticket offers. The meeting was positive, although there is still some concern that the data from the free tickets has not been collected. A number of members had noted that they were offered or had booked tickets without having their details logged. (full notes from this meeting have been distributed separately)
(b) JF and MN met with Joe Nicholls and Simon Hathaway from the Yellow Army on the 25th April. The meeting focused on ways in which we can compliment each other and it was agreed that there would be a further joint meeting including more members of the Yellow Army and more OxVox Committee members. This meeting will agree key plans and will be held by the end of July.
(c) JF and MF met with Darryl Eales (DE) in London on the 28th April.
The meeting discussed stadium ownership and DE confirmed that he is now engaged with all stakeholders with regards to the potential for Water Eaton and was enthusiastic about the possibilities. He did state that there was obviously a lot of work to do to flesh out the outline plans that already been prepared, but that he would be bringing together a group (that would include OxVox) to put in place a plan of action. JF and MF welcomed this approach.
DE confirmed that, in the fullness of time, that he is interested in considering wider fan involvement and ownership of the club and would welcome discussions about how best this might be achieved. This will be discussed further at the next formal OxVox/OUFC Board meeting which is scheduled for June
DE suggested that a joint meeting of his commercial team and the OxVox Committee should be set up to explore ways to improve the overall fan experience, match day atmosphere and increase attendances. JF will go back to the club with suggested dates.
7. Other business
(a) The committee noted its disappointment that although OxVox had sponsored the Supporters Player of the Season Award (£275) and that no media coverage had been given and that no official OUFC communications had mentioned the OxVox sponsorship. JF will write to the club about this ASAP.
(b) The meeting discussed the Blue Plaque initiative at the Britannia Pub in Headington (where the club was first formed). The committee agreed that this was a great initiative and would commit to a fundraising campaign to raise the expected £700 required. JF will confirm to Andrew Hawkes (who’s idea it is) that we will fully support this and make it happen!
(c) In addition to the Blue Plaque plan, MC raised an idea that we should look to mark ‘the penalty spot’ location from the Manor Ground within the Manor Hospital which now stands on the site of the Manor Ground! The committee thought this was a great idea and will explore how this could be achieved. Follow up at next meeting.
(d) Members have asked if there is any news on the possible re-location of away fans in the stadium for next season. JF will write to the club about this and report back ASAP.
(e) It was noted that some fans had had their flags taken from them by the police/stewards at the recent away game at Wycombe. It was suggested that OUFC should in future communicate any specific rules like this to our fans in advance of away games. JF will write to the club
(f) It was suggested by MC and TW that OxVox should look to sponsor an age group team for next season. We will raise this with the club when we meet with the commercial team
(g) With the recent news that the club are looking at a pre-season tour in Europe, it was suggested that OxVox and The Yellow Army could combine to look at fans travel packages. It is expected that the tour will be confirmed by the Club by the 8th May. When we have the dates/venue(s) we will make contact with the Yellow Army and the club to discuss the possibilities.
(h) The meeting discussed the opportunity for an open forum event for members where members can meet the committee and discuss ideas/plans/concerns etc. It was suggested that this should include a guest ‘celebrity’ to encourage greater participation. The idea will be explored over the coming weeks and confirmed at the next committee meeting.
(i) On the subject of ‘Water Eaton it was agreed that JF and MF plus any other Committee members who are available will meet with all the Local Councils, Planners, other relevant stakeholders and ideally Firoz Kassam, to fully appraise OxVox of the current thinking and support (or otherwise) for the new stadium proposals. It is planned that these meetings will take place by the end of July.
(j) It is planned that the next meeting will be week commencing 1st June. Date/Time TBC
(k) The meeting thanked Mr and Mrs winter for their hospitality!
The meeting closed at 10.00pm
In the meantime, as I am unable to direct anyone to a link, please find notes below.
OxVox COMMITTEE MEETING
Date: Thursday 30th April 2015 (held at Forest Road, Risinghurst, Oxford)
Attendees: Myles Francis (MF), Michael North (MN), Matt Cavill (MC), Terry Winter (TW), Matt Derbyshire (MD), Jeremy Faulkner (JF)
Apologies: Graham Butler (GB), Maurice Earp (ME)
Start: 7.00pm. Finish. 10.00pm
Minutes/Notes
1. Actions from the Minutes of the last meeting held on Wednesday 25th March
The minutes of the last meeting were agreed with the only follow up actions being that MD needs to inform Supporters Direct of the Committee changes and that we are still needing the membership packs to be collected from Mark Sennett. MD will contact Mark
2. Confirmation of roles within the committee.
(a) It was agreed that JF would perform the Chair role and the secretary role and that MF would perform the Vice Chair role and the Treasurer role
(b) It was agreed that MN would take on all the membership duties. This would include management of the member data base, logging of new members on the data base, updating member details and sending out the new member packs. An offer to support this function has been received.
(c) Joiners using the online system will be logged by MN and payments recorded by MF
(d) TW agreed that he would support MF and deal with all the banking of monies/subscriptions
(e) MD confirmed that he is happy to continue to support the committee as and when required
3. Finance and administration
(a) MF requested that we action new bank mandates/signatories. MD had the documentation with him and all the forms were completed on the night. JF will take the completed forms to a local Barclays to be implemented ASAP.
(b) MN confirmed a donation of £1000 to the Trust. Some of this money will be used to purchase new Program storage boxes and also to sponsor a Youth Tem Player and/or a Youth Team
(c) MD confirmed that the FCA return had been made on time
(d) It was agreed that the OxVox business address would be changed to MN’s address. JF and MD will liaise to action this and ensure all materials reflect the change
4. New Committee Members
(a) The meeting discussed that Sue Trafford had volunteered to join the Committee. The meeting agreed that she should become a co-opted member of the Committee and be invited to the next meeting. JF will make the invite ASAP.
(b) This will leave the Trust able to appoint 1 further Co-opted member this year and there has been interest from an individual in this regard. JF will follow up
(c) Offers of support (not to join the committee) have been received. Simon Bradbury has offered to manage the OxVox Twitter and Web Site communication mediums and the other individual has offered expertise to support the management of the member data base. Both offers were gratefully accepted by the committee and JF will contact the individuals concerned ASAP.
5. Membership drive and communication
(a) The meeting agreed that growing membership numbers would be a priority this year. It was felt that Sue Trafford could work well on helping this objective, but that everyone has a role to play. The next meeting will focus on initiatives to deliver this objective and agree a plan of action.
(b) New updated Membership forms and ‘marketing material’ will be developed by the end of June at the latest. The next meeting will review the layouts/designs/copy etc.
(c) An offer to revamp the OxVox Web Site has been received and accepted. It was greed that this should be completed by the end of June. JF will follow up with SB who has offered to work on this.
6. Meetings with the Club and The Yellow Army
(a) JF and GB met with Mark Ashton and his commercial team on the 7th April at the stadium to discuss the clubs marketing initiatives and free ticket offers. The meeting was positive, although there is still some concern that the data from the free tickets has not been collected. A number of members had noted that they were offered or had booked tickets without having their details logged. (full notes from this meeting have been distributed separately)
(b) JF and MN met with Joe Nicholls and Simon Hathaway from the Yellow Army on the 25th April. The meeting focused on ways in which we can compliment each other and it was agreed that there would be a further joint meeting including more members of the Yellow Army and more OxVox Committee members. This meeting will agree key plans and will be held by the end of July.
(c) JF and MF met with Darryl Eales (DE) in London on the 28th April.
The meeting discussed stadium ownership and DE confirmed that he is now engaged with all stakeholders with regards to the potential for Water Eaton and was enthusiastic about the possibilities. He did state that there was obviously a lot of work to do to flesh out the outline plans that already been prepared, but that he would be bringing together a group (that would include OxVox) to put in place a plan of action. JF and MF welcomed this approach.
DE confirmed that, in the fullness of time, that he is interested in considering wider fan involvement and ownership of the club and would welcome discussions about how best this might be achieved. This will be discussed further at the next formal OxVox/OUFC Board meeting which is scheduled for June
DE suggested that a joint meeting of his commercial team and the OxVox Committee should be set up to explore ways to improve the overall fan experience, match day atmosphere and increase attendances. JF will go back to the club with suggested dates.
7. Other business
(a) The committee noted its disappointment that although OxVox had sponsored the Supporters Player of the Season Award (£275) and that no media coverage had been given and that no official OUFC communications had mentioned the OxVox sponsorship. JF will write to the club about this ASAP.
(b) The meeting discussed the Blue Plaque initiative at the Britannia Pub in Headington (where the club was first formed). The committee agreed that this was a great initiative and would commit to a fundraising campaign to raise the expected £700 required. JF will confirm to Andrew Hawkes (who’s idea it is) that we will fully support this and make it happen!
(c) In addition to the Blue Plaque plan, MC raised an idea that we should look to mark ‘the penalty spot’ location from the Manor Ground within the Manor Hospital which now stands on the site of the Manor Ground! The committee thought this was a great idea and will explore how this could be achieved. Follow up at next meeting.
(d) Members have asked if there is any news on the possible re-location of away fans in the stadium for next season. JF will write to the club about this and report back ASAP.
(e) It was noted that some fans had had their flags taken from them by the police/stewards at the recent away game at Wycombe. It was suggested that OUFC should in future communicate any specific rules like this to our fans in advance of away games. JF will write to the club
(f) It was suggested by MC and TW that OxVox should look to sponsor an age group team for next season. We will raise this with the club when we meet with the commercial team
(g) With the recent news that the club are looking at a pre-season tour in Europe, it was suggested that OxVox and The Yellow Army could combine to look at fans travel packages. It is expected that the tour will be confirmed by the Club by the 8th May. When we have the dates/venue(s) we will make contact with the Yellow Army and the club to discuss the possibilities.
(h) The meeting discussed the opportunity for an open forum event for members where members can meet the committee and discuss ideas/plans/concerns etc. It was suggested that this should include a guest ‘celebrity’ to encourage greater participation. The idea will be explored over the coming weeks and confirmed at the next committee meeting.
(i) On the subject of ‘Water Eaton it was agreed that JF and MF plus any other Committee members who are available will meet with all the Local Councils, Planners, other relevant stakeholders and ideally Firoz Kassam, to fully appraise OxVox of the current thinking and support (or otherwise) for the new stadium proposals. It is planned that these meetings will take place by the end of July.
(j) It is planned that the next meeting will be week commencing 1st June. Date/Time TBC
(k) The meeting thanked Mr and Mrs winter for their hospitality!
The meeting closed at 10.00pm