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