Friday Fans Meeting with board over PC's takeover

[mightywhite]

I am confused....is there an issue with proxy voting or not? will i be able to vote or not as it will be a struggle for me to drive over from Leeds after work.

[dodger]

The board were 'adamantly not opposed' to the takeover and TK and BK were clear things had run their course, BK in particular spoke from the heart.
They gave as much as an indication without giving an indication.


Everyone who I trust down at Barrow in the support feel that PC was genuine..I liked the fact we weren't 'owned' by anyone but the members but ultimately the town isn't supporting that model right now, we are stagnating and we must move on.

So, that's it for me, there's no other course of action but to vote yes. In fact we have to do all we can to make sure the vote is 'got out' to make the 75%

That's it in a nutshell Steve! "Got Out" to make the 75% ! Some people have got to realise that this opportunity might only come along once!!!

[Spanner]

I am confused....is there an issue with proxy voting or not? will i be able to vote or not as it will be a struggle for me to drive over from Leeds after work.

It will be a written resolution (confirmed last night).

296 Procedure for signifying agreement to written resolution

(1)A member signifies his agreement to a proposed written resolution when the company receives from him (or from someone acting on his behalf) an authenticated document—
(a)identifying the resolution to which it relates, and
(b)indicating his agreement to the resolution.
(2)The document must be sent to the company in hard copy form or in electronic form.
(3)A member's agreement to a written resolution, once signified, may not be revoked.
(4)A written resolution is passed when the required majority of eligible members have signified their agreement to it.

So on that basis it isn't a "vote" as such, but rather a requirement for 75%+ of members to give written agreement. All "voting" will be by post and/or e-mail as the club will specify in due course (when issuing the proposal after the AGM/EGM). There won't be a vote at the AGM/EGM. That's my understanding anyway.

[frankums]

Yep gotta say that it's pretty much over now as it clearly obvious the board don't really think they can go any further with the current members club and virtually implied we vote for PC's bid.

The board couldn't actually say much about the bid because it wasn't a members meeting and they also couldn't give a recommendation one way or the other about the bid for the same reason but will do so at the AGM and EGM on 28th March.
TK talked about the situation with the present members club which is safe at present but has limitations in the amount of income it can generate. Basically they'll never do well in Conf Prem or get into the league with the present set-up.
TK did initially present how he saw the immediate future which was more development of the Cross Bar and removing the tops of the floodlights and moving the lights down to get them sorted. They also said the set up of the members club hindered us in the development bid for the NHS. Later in the meeting it was asked which of the current board would like to carry on and TK said no while the others didn't really express any preference but JM implied that PC didn't want any of them.

The club have checked that PC has the cash and the board won't stand in the way of PC taking over the club in any way but the members have to make a decision between the members club which we were told has a load of limitations and the takeover bid which provides more income initially and has risks. With regard to the bid from PC it clears all the debts but some directors won't get all their cash (loans) back. The question was raised about safeguards on the ground and an ACV but the board didn't ask this so Jeff Smith from Winders will check with PC on this. TK also said there was no other options on the table other than the members club or PC's bid.

One issue that was discussed was the way forward and the voting. Jeff Smith who'd been looking into the legal stuff said that 75% of the total membership was required to pass any motion as it was both a Special and Written resolution. However if 70% of the membership voted for the proposal TK said they would try to find a way round it legally so the motion could pass as he didn't want to be on a board where something else was more popular. There were also issues with proxy voting where 75% of those votes cast could be used but there would be no proxy or postal voting allowed for this but the club wants everyone to vote.
In addition there were members not receiving AGM Notices and kids signed up as members even though they weren't old enough to vote so these issues have to be sorted and any member who hasn't received an AGM Notice should get in contact with the club. The club currently has around 450 members but this total has been rising over the past week or so because of the PC bid.

In a fortnight the normal AGM will take place and then straight after that will be the EGM where further discussions will take place along with the board giving a recommendation the PC bid (pretty obvious from tonight they'll recommend acceptance). The following week voting forms will be sent out. One concern is that the AGM/EGM has been scheduled for the Cross Bar and many are wondering whether it will be a big enough venue?

Seems to me there is a major flaw in the constitution of the club if new members are allowed to sign up and vote in between the announcement of a vote which affects the entire future of the club, and the vote happening. What's to stop anyone wanting to take over/destroy the club signing all their mates up and proposing a ridiculous motion?

[John Very Little]

I am confused....is there an issue with proxy voting or not? will i be able to vote or not as it will be a struggle for me to drive over from Leeds after work.

Proxy voting isn't allowed in the clubs constitution at present but there's a proposal at the AGM on 28th March to bring it back. Assuming it goes through then it will be allowed but postal voting is also gonna take place for PC's bid which means its gonna be a Written Proposal so that every member can vote.
If the 75% isn't quite achieved another EGM could be held where only those in attendance will vote and only the votes cast on the night would be counted and 75% of that figure could be used. Proxy voting would be an issue in this vote.

In response to frankums on the point about new members joining up when its known there is gonna be a major vote this was mentioned but if things don't go according to plan then I think this rule will be looked at for getting changed. The rules were drawn up 15 years ago when things were a lot different to how they are now and there were a lot more members.

[barrowfan]

Seems to me there is a major flaw in the constitution of the club if new members are allowed to sign up and vote in between the announcement of a vote which affects the entire future of the club, and the vote happening. What's to stop anyone wanting to take over/destroy the club signing all their mates up and proposing a ridiculous motion?

The £20.00 minimum for each of the new members!

[Bluey VIII]

Seems to me there is a major flaw in the constitution of the club if new members are allowed to sign up and vote in between the announcement of a vote which affects the entire future of the club, and the vote happening. What's to stop anyone wanting to take over/destroy the club signing all their mates up and proposing a ridiculous motion?

Those that attended the AGM where the members were asked to vote on a decision between the current (at the time) board and the Progress Group may remember that something very similar to this appeared to happen that night???

If PC gets the feeling it isn't going his way, it would be very easy for him to get people to sign up and vote for his proposal IMHO!

The £20.00 minimum for each of the new members!

For someone with the means and motivation, £20 for each voter isn't going to deter them!

[Jonty]

I am confident that this will be passed through, however, it is going to be very difficult to pass through at the first attempt. The club need make it as easy as possible for members to return their votes- ie - providing a pre-paid envelope for the return and enabling member votes by e-mail would be a great help. (it's 2014 now!).

The last thing we want is this running on into next season. On Friday TK called us a 1 in 10 season club. Well this opportunity from PC may be a 1 in 50 seasons opportunity so let's grasp it. Then let's see the current members re-group over as a trust in support of PC and his board

[watcher]

Then let's see the current members re-group over as a trust in support of PC and his board

question... are you a member? if not, it would be nice to see just how much you want this takeover to go through.... to help why not put your money where your mouth is and join up. You can then do your own bit towards the new order.

[Nigel Bamford]

Then let's see the current members re-group over as a trust in support of PC and his board

question... are you a member? if not, it would be nice to see just how much you want this takeover to go through.... to help why not put your money where your mouth is and join up. You can then do your own bit towards the new order.

Eh? Where's that come from? I would be gobsmacked if Jonty isn't a member knowing how much he cares about the club.

[Jonty]

regardless of being a member or not, which I am by the way, I hope the members pass the resolution but instead of disbanding, grow to support his future plans as a trust. Would happily get involved with doing that as well, with any other fans, whether they are currently members or not.

[spirit of 1990]

Then let's see the current members re-group over as a trust in support of PC and his board

question... are you a member? if not, it would be nice to see just how much you want this takeover to go through.... to help why not put your money where your mouth is and join up. You can then do your own bit towards the new order.

Not too sure where that's come from. Jonty has helped out as a volunteer & been a regular cash donator in the past. Anyway, Jonty would be one of a couple of people on here who would be ideal to help set up, or become involved with sort of supporters Trust.

[the dumbwitness]

My column in the NWEM tonight


http://www.nwemail.co.uk/home/2.4887/pl ... -1.1123592

[Chris Benoit]

My column in the NWEM tonight


http://www.nwemail.co.uk/home/2.4887/pl ... -1.1123592

A good article which I agree with entirely.

[mickmike wilson]

regardless of being a member or not, which I am by the way, I hope the members pass the resolution but instead of disbanding, grow to support his future plans as a trust. Would happily get involved with doing that as well, with any other fans, whether they are currently members or not.

Jonty, Please set up a ST or a.n.other type group..........Im sure many would back it & some financially even at 5 or 2 quid per week, It could only be a good thing for the club, it would/could run along side the set up when things are rosey & be some kind of safety if & when we ever need it.