Attached are notes from the EGM held on Wednesday 3rd June.
EGM Notes -Wednesday 3rd June 2009
Chairman thanked all for attending and outlined how we have come to be in the position of an EGM. After Charlie Little had initially contacted Graham, over 18 months ago, both Ian and Graham found it hard to contact him in regard to an "official" supporters club. The first we, as a committee, knew about the proposed new supporters club was at the London Irish home game, when the season ticket renewals had arrived. Subsequently seven members of the committee attended a meeting with Charlie Little and Tom Ryder at Sixways to discuss the issues and reported back to the rest of the committee and discussed in detail.
The Chairman outlined Charlie Little's vision of the new club stating that it is hoped to be eventually self financing and would draw its committee from all sections of the Warrior fan base. His perception of the benefits include Rugby Nights in the Pitch View Restaurant with guest speakers Q and A sessions, which may be broadcast live on local radio. DVD nights would be held with players available to interpret the game. All these events would be free to members and £5 to non members. Food would not be included but available. The new supporters club would work with the Ticket Office and arrange all away travel. There would also be members discounts and a "supporters voice" which would be heard and noticed within the club. The suggested standard charge of £40 to non debenture/season ticket holders would be reduced to £15 for all existing members of the WWSC for the coming year. They did not have a clear view of a constitution or knowledge of how the new committee members and officers would be elected. WRFC Trading would attend meetings but would not be on the committee and could not vote.
The Chairman then opened up the meeting to the floor for Q and A and opinions.
Points made from the floor
The new supporters club would only have 5000 members because it was automatic membership and not because they wanted to join a club. WWSC is the real supporters club. The Club have not thought it through thoroughly There should be a degree of independence for the new supporters club and this should be in the constitution It will be Charlie Little's way or no way. He appears to want/need control. Continued contributions to the WWSC Development Fund were discussed with several members saying they would discontinue payment. It was thought that the DVD nights at the Exchange would continue as normal. Some degree of cautiousness about the DVD nights if two clubs were operating as to whether the DVD's would not be available. Questions as to how we would be able to get players such as Scott Quinell to speak. Charlie Little would call in "favours" rather than pay out fees but it was thought this may not work. It was stated that other premier clubs are in the same boat so it may be feasible. Whatever happens the supporters will be able to go to £40 worth of events at no cost to themselves if they are a Debenture or Season Ticket Holder. If we became a social club we could still put on events - non-rugby related. We should choose Option 2 as if we don’t and the "official" club fails we would get the blame and then get no co-operation from the club. Would we keep our logo? If Option 2 was decided upon we would "mothball" WWSC to include the logo, monies, our name and any functions until such time that we felt that we had need to reopen it. The existing members would have next year’s membership [09/10] totally free but if we had to reopen it during that year a fee would be payable. Trevor Smith would like it recorded that as he has no intention of being a member of the new club, he would like a £40 rebate on his debenture and has asked the committee to put this forward to Charlie Little and the club. It was felt by some that Charlie Little would back down on his promises and any statements made by him should be in writing for future use. Option 3 was discussed as being independent but going to the Clubs events. WRFC would let the supporters club use their room for events.
The vote was taken and emailed/posted votes taken into account and an overall majority was in favour of Option 2.
Further reports will be made at the AGM in August.
