AGM update and raffle winners

Thanks to all who attended our AGM in Tolka Park last week. It was a very positive meeting with a lot of good points raised and a lot worked on, details of which can be found below, as well as last year’s account results.

On the night we ran a raffle, the results of which were:

1st: Peter Murray (framed signed jersey)

2nd: Ian Smith (matchworn jersey)

3rd: Luke Dunne (a copy of Gods vs Mortals)

The 1895 Trust Co-operative Society Limited
Society Number: 5594R

Special General Meeting

Location: The Bar, Tolka Park
Date: April 20
th, 2017
Starting Time: 19:30

Names of Trust committee members: Ben Dale (Acting Treasurer), Lee Daly (Acting Chair), Ruaidhri Croke (PRO),

Conor O’Briain (Acting Secretary), Will Clarke (Acting Community Officer), Gavin Doherty (Membership Officer), Aoife Gorby (Ordinary Member), Ciaran Doyne (Commercial Officer).

  1. Financial Update.

  2. Membership Update.

  3. Presentation on discussions with Club Board reps.

  4. Debate on any motions submitted.

  5. Elections to the committee (20:45).

  6. Any Other Business.

  7. Question and Answer Session (21:30).

To submit motions for debate or to stand for election to the committee, please email shelstrust@gmail.com.

The 1895 Trust Co-operative Society Limited
Income and Expenditure Account

Year ended

Year ended

for the year ended 30 November 2016

30 November 2016

30 November 2015

Profit and loss
Sales of merchandise

444

637

Cost of merchandise

20

755

Less closing stock

(329)

20

426

Gross profit/(loss)

424

211

Other income
Subscriptions

12,823

9,446

Donations

846

1,800

Fundraising income

360

401

Total income

14,453

11,858

Expenses
Sponsorship and donations

(860)

(888)

Online costs

(435)

(382)

Printing

(84)

(245)

Event Costs

(265)

Administration

(1,003)

(2,116)

Cost of subscriptions

(575)

(189)

Bank Charges

(272)

(44)

Registration Fees

(150)

(50)

(3,379)

(4,179)

Surplus/(deficit) on ordinary activities

11,075

7,680

Balance Sheet
as at 30 November 2015

30 November 2016

30 November 2015

Current assets
Debtors

2,790

689

Stock (merchandise)

329

329

Cash at bank

20,655

11,642

Cash in hand

60

60

23,834

12,720

Creditors
Accrued audit fees

(963)

(1,538)

Sundry

(765)

(150)

Creditors

(1,728)

(1,688)

Net current assets

22,107

11,032

Capital and reserves
Opening retained surplus

11,032

3,352

Retained surplus/(deficit) for period

11,075

7,680

Accumulated surplus

22,107

11,032

Trial Balance
for the year ended 30 November 2015

Dr

Cr

Subscriptions

12,823

Merchandising Income

444

Fundraising Income

360

Donations

846

Opening Retained Surplus

11,032

Sponsorship

860

Merchandising Costs

20

Online costs

435

Printing

84

Event Costs

Administration

1,003

Bank Charges

272

Registration Fees

150

Cost of subscriptions

575

Cash at bank – Bank of Ireland

Cash at bank – AIB

20,655

Debtors

2,790

Cash float

60

Creditors

1,728

Closing stock (asset)

329

Closing stock (profit and loss)    

27,233

27,233

Summary of Trust Situation in 2017

Current Challenges

Unclear mission and function

The Trust was founded to enable Shels fans to one day take a stake or outright mutual ownership of the football club. However poor relations with the club board, our campaigning on the Dalymount move and lack of consistent achievements have all distracted from or impinged on this goal.

Critically tarnished brand/perception from non-members

The protest at last year’s game against Waterford and the ongoing boycott have increased the divisions within the club. Without people participating in fundraising for the club, which we propose to increase this year, as well as a more divisive atmosphere in general, it will be difficult to achieve fan ownership in part of in full.

Few clear arguments in support of supporter ownership

Although we have accumulated significant funds, they are nowhere near what is required to take on the running of the club, much less see it promoted and return to some form of success. The movement in the UK has also slowed down and hit difficulties, meaning the concept seems less appealing to fans.

Potential Outcomes

Status Quo:

Pursuing our current aims with our current structure for the current season is what we are proposing. However, we have hit significant issues with keeping a consistent committee together and in recruiting new members, which we feel is a result of the challenges outlined previously. Undertaking some fundraising initiatives to benefit the football club will go some way to addressing these we feel and

Conversion to “safety net” model:

Should these efforts fail, we propose to suspend any and all campaigning efforts such as the one undertaken on the Dalymount move and carry out the minimum necessary to keep the Trust as a going concern. We propose focusing entirely on accumulating funds through ongoing subscriptions for a future eventuality when the club’ existence is under threat or there is an environment more conducive to fan ownership. It would also entail shrinking the committee by at least half, with these individuals agreeing to effectively function as trustees, meeting only to fulfill the legal obligations imposed by continuing as a co-operative, such as financial returns or holding of an AGM.

Disbandment:

The other option open to the membership is to disband the Trust and disperse some funds to fans who have contributed through the years. Although not ideal, members must remain realistic about the prospects of achieving anything approximating our aims and aware of the difficulty there has been in renewing the composition of the committee.

Our current recommendation is to continue with the status quo for the rest of the season, and review the situation at an EGM later in the year.

Fundraising for the Club:

To improve our image within the club, assist it through its current situation and give a focus for members, we suggest the Trust makes a commitment to hold the below fundraisers, with a projected target revenue of 12,000.

Mini World Cup: 8,000

Last Man Standing: 2,000

FAI Draw sales: 2,000

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