RAMSTRUST - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSQuestions about RamsTrust
Questions about the aims of RamsTrust
Questions about RamsTrust now it's properly formed
A: RamsTrust is the trading name of Derby County Supporters' Society Limited, a Supporters' Trust registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965-78. Registration No. 29493R Back Q: What is a Supporters’ Trust? A: The basic definition of a Trust a democratic, not-for-profit organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the voice for supporters in the decision making process at a club, and strengthening the links between the club and the community it serves. Back Q: Where did the name "RamsTrust" come from? A: RamsTrust originally had a working title of "TRUST". which stood for "The Rams United Supporters' Trust". However, at the Trust's inaugural meeting on October 3rd 2002, it was carried on a show of hands that the name be changed to "RamsTrust". Back Q: I've heard that there was a meeting on October 3rd, what was that for? A: The meeting was to gather together DCFC fans and introduce the idea of setting up a Supporters' Trust. There were guest speakers explaining how Supporters' Trusts work and what RamsTrust aims to achieve. People were also able to ask questions. Back Questions about the aims of RamsTrustQ: Is RamsTrust just set up to try to get rid of the DCFC board/manager/players?A: Absolutely not. RamsTrust is about safeguarding the future of the club no matter who the owners are. Fans are the only constant in football and it is only fair they have a say, regardless of owners, manager or players. RamsTrust allows this in a democratic and responsible way, with constitutional protection for its members and is representative of its members on all issues, from ticket pricing to governance. Back Q: Will RamsTrust organise protests? A: RamsTrust is not a protest group, but if there is an issue which fans and RamsTrust members feel strongly about, then it has a right to protest. At Swansea City, the trust wanted to remove the owner of the club, and with the aid of a takeover consortium lobbied for his removal. At Wimbledon, the ISA organised protests, while the Dons' Trust concentrated on fund-raising and constitutional issues - a good example of how two supporters' groups can work together. Back Q: What if the DCFC board ignores RamsTrust? A: RamsTrust is an independent organisation, but would obviously seek to work with the club. As membership and profile increases, the club would hopefully see the benefit of opening dialogue with RamsTrust. This has been the case at a number of clubs, including Bradford City and Norwich City. Remember - a supporters' trust is by the fans for the fans, to ensure the responsible running of their club - not pander to current owners. Back Q: Will RamsTrust be represented on the DCFC board? A: This would be a long-term aim, and has happened at 40 clubs so far, including Brentford, Charlton, Aberdeen and Northampton. Back Q: Will RamsTrust's representatives be any more effective than the current board in promoting the fans' interests? A: Hopefully, but this depends on an active membership. Back Q: Do RamsTrust Board members get perks like free match day tickets or seats in the directors' box? A: Absolutely not. To accept this sort of privilege would bring the trust's independence into question. Back Q: Would a fans' representative have allowed the club to put itself in the current financial crisis, relying on money not certain to be paid and spending it before it was received? A: Since the ITV Digital collapse, there has been a certain realisation amongst many clubs that they had been papering over the cracks for a while, and that it is time to look at new ways to gain funds, interact locally, and put the club on a firmer footing. A lot would depend on the skills of the Director elected, and the respect they commanded from fellow board members. You can imagine a 'Twelve Angry Men' situation where a Fan director makes a superb case and changes a lot of people's minds. The key is to make sure the Director is seen as a constructive player in the life of the club, and not someone who is simply there to object when required. The Director should always have their feet on the ground and be aware of fans' views - be in touch with Officers of the Trust, fanzine editors, website webmasters and so on, so they know what the prevailing view is. If there was uproar about an issue, the ability to represent that view forcefully and articulately could be a big factor in the Board's decision. But even if there was, the Director is unlikely to carry people with them if they simply sit at the end of the table and say 'the fans won't like it'. They have to explain why they won't like it, what the consequences will be, and how the objectives the Board are trying to achieve could be achieved in a way the fans would like. Equally, the Director also has the job of explaining the Board's views to the fans. Some people say that the fans aren't able to do this, that some random big mouth could be elected. That's always a possibility. But we believe in democracy, and if it's good enough to elect the Government, it's certainly good enough to elect someone to the board of a football club. A lot of the arguments have a familiar ring to them if you look at when people where fighting for the vote - some said that the people couldn't be trusted, they'd elect people who were irresponsible and so on. The truth then, as it is now, is that people treat elections with respect in the main. Most fans look at candidates and decide to vote for the one who'll represent them best - who's got the experience and the skills to do the best job, rather than the biggest voice. It's a truism that the abilities and experiences you find amongst the fans are wider and more varied than any Board of Directors. In any group of supporters, you'll find lawyers, accountants, media people, managers, company directors, councillors and so on, so the people able to do the job are out there already. A trust can bring them forward and get those skills working for the good of the club. DCFC is in a financial mess. Back Q: Will RamsTrust be able to do anything about that? A: Let's be realistic, RamsTrust cannot be expected to raise the funds necessary to cover the debt or to take over responsibility for huge loans. Back Q: What happens if the club goes into administration? Will RamsTrust members lose money? A: Absolutely not. Whether the club or the trust folds, which has never happened yet, trust constitution covers the members' liability to £1 - the price of their original share of the trust they receive when joining. As an Industrial and Provident Society, the trust protects members from any personal liability beyond this amount. Back Q: How will RamsTrust help the team? A: A club which involves the fans more generates a better atmosphere inside the ground. Hopefully this rubs off on the team - but there are no guarantees! Back Q: What is meant by "getting involved in the community"? A: A lot of people look at how football has gone over the past 10 years and feel that the community roots of a club in some places have been lost - the clubs seems to care more about money, or sponsors, than fans who live in the area. The classic example is a Premiership club that doesn't allow a supporters club to be based in the area where it plays, as they assume everyone there supports them anyway. The club represents the very best of the community it plays in, and can act as a symbol of that community for everyone to support. Trusts are about making that really happen. It's usually the fans who care most about these things - they live in the community or used to live there, and they want to see the kids in the town centre on a Saturday wearing the local club shirt rather than that of a club 100 miles away. Back Questions about RamsTrust now it's properly formedQ: What is RamsTrust doing?A: Seeking to represent the fans concerned with the good governance of the club. Ensure the club is acting responsibly within its means and realises the value of a football club as a community asset. Each Trust has to look at what the situation is at their club and act in the way most likely to produce results. Q: Why should I join? If you wish your voice to be heard in the boardroom of Derby County FC, joining RamsTrust is an ideal way to do it. RamsTrust will represent the fans in general and its members in particular. Back Q: How do I join RamsTrust? A: Use our online application form here Contact RamsTrust by email on ramstrust@ramstrust.org Contact RamsTrust by telephone or fax on 0870 4321871 Write to RamsTrust at PO Box 6377, Derby DE1 9XP Back Q: What will it cost to join? Is this a one-off payment or an annual subscription? A: Supporters Direct recommend that annual subscription should cost no more than the price of a normal match ticket and quite possibly considerably less. The whole idea behind RamsTrust is that it's accessible to the everyday fan and should be affordable. It may be that the annual subscription is held intentionally low in order to encourage a larger membership. Back Q: What happens to the money that members pay in? The first pound buys you a share in the trust. Any other funds contributes to the strength of the trust, allowing it to buy shares if available, extend its work in the community, and allow the trust to become a major player in the running of the club. Back Q: Does it pay the RamsTrust's board, or are they volunteers? A: All time given by RamsTrust board members is done so for free and entirely voluntarily - no individual can make personal profit from a supporters' trust - IPS constitution regards this as fraud - an offence that carries a prison sentence. Back Q: Does the money buy DCFC shares? A: It could do but no DCFC shares are currently available. Back Q: Can children join? A: Absolutely, although members must be 16 or over to qualify for voting rights. As a Trust is a legal entity (under company law, it's classed as a company, but it's a company that only allows one share per person and is not-for-profit), minors aren't allowed to be full, voting members. But you can have a young fans' section which has representation on the Trust committee, and young fans can join - you can create a category called 'associate membership' for example, which is cheaper, which means young fans can do everything except vote at the AGM and in the elections. But your youth section can have votes itself, and the Trust can take that on board in its own decisions. At Chesterfield, their young fans' section was set up expressly to bring out the next generation of leaders of the club - the people who would be running it in 10-20 years time. Back Q: I can’t attend meetings. Can I still join RamsTrust? How will I vote? A: Of course you can join. In terms of voting, there are options. In the first instance, the trust may wish to instigate a mail out to all members, including long distance, to ensure honesty and fairness in the first instance, despite cost. However, long distance members can decide to proxy their voting rights across to the chairperson of the board. Also, trusts may wish to investigate on-line voting. Supporters Direct works with www.election.com to offer reduced election packages for trusts. Back Q: Do all members of RamsTrust have equal voting rights? Trusts are formed around the principle of one member, one vote. Back Q: Who will be in charge of RamsTrust? A: The board members are voted for by the trust membership through a full ballot of all its members. The elected board itself then decides who shall be the officers based on the skills and experience of those elected. Back Q: How will they be accountable to members? A: The trust board can use a number of things - the AGM, regular newsletters, websites, etc. Communication is crucial in any trust. Back Q: Are there any decisions that RamsTrust's board can make without putting it to the vote of all RamsTrust members first? A: The day to day running of the trust is what you vote committee members in for - it is their responsibility, but you have elected them. On major issues, the trust should always consult with members. Back Q: What if I don't like the RamsTrust board members? How long will they stay in office? A: The trust can decide, in its constitution, that a certain number of active directors retire each year, for example and their seats are contested by new candidates, to ensure a balance between continuity and new/fresh blood and ideas. If a member is a cause for concern, a unanimous vote to remove them can also be part of your constitution. Supporters Direct provides model constitutions and can also provide the constitutions of other trusts for ideas and best practice. The Board also have the right to suspend members acting against the interests of the Trust and to refuse membership to anyone who clearly does not agree or abide with the aims and objectives. Back Q: Can one board member 'take over' the trust? A: No, because there would be other members (up to 14) who could outvote that one person. Back Q: Could I become a RamsTrust board member? A: There is nothing to stop any trust member standing for board elections, although considerations of time and commitment must be taken into account. Back Q: Will DCFC become like Chesterfield FC, with the Supporters' Trust owning and running the club? A: In the future, possibly. Theoretically, it is a model that can work at all clubs. Back Q: How can I find out more about RamsTrust?
Q: What Is East Midlands Trusts? A: This is a forum currently comprising all ten football supporters' trusts in the East Midlands area: Chesterfield, Derby, Grimsby, Kettering, Leicester, Lincoln, Mansfield, Northampton, Notts Co and Peterborough. The forum exists to provide mutual assistance and support and to share best practice. Any other club forming a trust in the area is welcome to join. Meetings are held monthly and the concept is 100% supported by Supporters Direct. All but one member trust in the group is also affiliated to the East Midlands Co-operative Council. East Midlands Trusts has its own website at www.emtrusts.org.uk. Back |
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