| 1 |
Q
Can we buy shares as a group/branch of supporters? |
|
A
You can buy shares however you like. A share can be owned by an individual,
a family, or a group. |
| 2 |
Q Is it
one member, one vote? If so, why should someone buy 100 shares,
when they only get the same voting rights as someone who buys one
share?
|
|
A
The Society is a co-operative, and the nature of co-operatives is
"one member, one vote". The most important concept is that
it is an entirely democratic group, and nobody has the ability to
buy a greater say in decisions of the Society. People are generally
buying more than one share, and hopefully they are doing this because
they believe strongly in what we're doing. The more money invested
in the Society means that the Society is able to buy more shares in
Doncaster Rovers - the more invested in the club, the more they will
have to listen to our voice. There is no personal gain in buying more
than one share, but it helps the group. So far, around a third of
members have bought one share. |
| 3 |
Q
Who is, and can be on the committee? |
|
A
The committee is currently Alistair Millar (secretary), Andy Liney
(chairman), Maureen Stephenson, Ian Dobb and Nicky Beech. We are also
going to try to get one or two other committee members who could be
useful to the cause - for example high profile names, or those with
particular required skills
At the public launch meeting there will be a ballot amongst existing
members to re-elect the current committee, and also to elect the supporter-director
to the club's board. |
| 4 |
Q
Where does the money go - both the annual membership fee and the amount
to buy each share? |
|
A
The shares are £15 each, and the annual membership fee is £10.
We are currently estimating running costs of £1,000 per year
if we achieve 1000 members. Anything above that will belong to the
Society's members to invest in the Society's aims - to invest shares
in the club. That money invested then "buys" us the supporter
on the board. |
| 5 |
Q
What "power" will the Society have that fans do not already
have? Will this mean that it may replace the Supporters Club? |
|
A
The Society certainly will not replace the Supporters Club - they
offer a variety of services that we don't. The power will come from
the fact that the club has indicated a wish to listen to the fans,
and to keep them involved. The planned regular meetings will provide
updates from the boardroom, and feedback to the board from fans. |
| 6 |
Q
What will the Society director be allowed to report back to us - the
shareholders? Could not the rest of the board veto anything considered
sensitive from being relayed back? |
|
A
The "veto" by the board is a possibility, but we are working
on trust at the moment. The club have made it very clear that they
wish to speak to the supporters, and that the history of mis-trust
needs to be removed so that we can all work together and push Rovers
in the right direction. |
| 7 |
Q
When a vote has to be taken by the board, will the Society be given
advanced notice so we can decided which way our elected member will
vote? |
|
A
That will depend on the timing of the votes. What we have to do is
to elect somebody to the board that we are happy will do a good job
of representing the supporters. As an example, your MP doesn't notify
you of votes in parliament, but you elect him/her on the basis that
you expect them to do their best for you. We will have other outlets
that will have regular updates such as email, and a web site, so that
a general opinion can be canvassed from members. |
| 8 |
Q
Who will be the elected member of the Society to sit on the board? |
|
A
Anyone who is a member before July 20th, 2001 (for administration
reasons) can notify of their wish to stand for election to the supporter-director
role. They will then be able to make a short speech at the meeting,
and then there will be a vote amongst the existing members. Candidates
will need to be proposed and seconded by members of the Society if
they are to stand for election. |
| 9 |
Q
Are there any meetings planned in the future? |
|
A
The next formal meeting will be in August (hopefully on the day of
the first home match) when we hope to have some guest speakers and
to hold the ballot to re-elect the committee, as well as to elect
the supporter-director to the board. |
| 10 |
Q
What is the maximum investment allowed? |
|
A
The maximum amount which is allowed under the rules of the Society
is £20,000 |