Well it's that time of year again! How would you like to be more involved in running the Trust? We are looking for nominations for people to join the Trust Board for 2012 -13.

The Trust Board is responsible for directing the activities of the Trust and carrying out the administration associated with running it. This involves managing membership and finances, but most importantly the Board looks at how best we can deliver on our objectives, best serve our members and make the Trust a key part of the Club.

Every year, half the elected Trust Board members need to stand down on rotation and seek re-election if they want to continue. This year, two people are standing down, Paul Stockton and  Brian Edge have come to the end of their two year period and this means that there are five places up for election. (Note: the role of Secretary is not an elected post, and is appointed by the new Board after each AGM)

Plans for the future of NVFC

Following an ‘open’ fans meeting on Thursday 3^rd May 2012 – which was attended by over 100 supporters (both Trust and non-Trust members)- the Trust Board has been asked to write this open letter to you on behalf of a significant proportion of the fan base, which has genuine and significant concerns regarding the lack of information which is being issued in relation to the future of Northwich Victoria Football Club. These fans feel very much in limbo  regarding the future of the Club, your plans and the timescales involved.

Vics fans have experienced many highs and lows in the last 10 years. Unfortunately, just recently, there have been more lows than highs. Despite excellent performances on the pitch, as a result of the Club failing to meet its obligations regarding the servicing of the CVA, we have seen our team relegated to the lowest level it has played at in the last 100 years. This has lead to significant doubts about the short and long term viability of the club.

In addition to joining the Trust via the website, it is possible to download a membership form (see attachment below) and post it to the address on the form. Alternatively, you can use the Standing order form to pay directly into the Trust bank account, but please send or email your membership form (email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

Thanks

Have you got some spare time that you could spend helping with the development and running of a community club?

Whether the future of Northwich Victoria is a new fan run club or supporters' representation in a variant of the existing club, one thing is certain - the club will need people with a range of skills to help out. Not only that, but the Trust Board could do with help in the development of the plans and schemes to support any new club set up.

Supporters Direct in conjunction with Cobbetts solicitors have developed a set of model rules for trust run sports clubs. This is based on the model rules for the trust, but amended to reflect where trusts own and operate their football club. Whilst this is not currently applicable to our situation, as we are reviewing and revising the Trust Rules, it was recommended that we take the opportunity to amend the Club rules and seek agreement to them in principle from the Trust members. In this way, we will have them ready to go, if a crisis should occur and we need to set up a phoenix club.

Amendments in blue in the document are specific to NVST and the yellow highlighted text reflects specific requirements that have been added to meet the Football Association requirements.

 Proposed Changes to the Trust Model Rules
The Trust Board are recommending that we change our Trust Rules – details regarding the proposed changes are given below. At the same time, we will be asking Trust members to vote to accept in principle the rules for running a football club, which consist of the same core rules, but with additional controls required by the Football Association, to permit us to have the appropriate governance and rules for running a football club, should we need to set up a 'phoenix' club.

Why do we need to change?
Our rules were set up in 2004 based on the model rules for an Industrial and Provident Society and the best guidance available at the time. As Supporters Direct (SD) has gained experience of working with Supporters Trusts throughout Football and latterly Rugby League, they have developed new model rules, in conjunction with Cobbetts Solicitors.

The changes are related to the clarification of our purpose, which is defined in Rule 3 – Community Benefit Purpose

The Society’s purpose is to be the vehicle through which a healthy, balanced and constructive relationship between the Club and its supporters and the communities it serves is encouraged and developed. The business of the Society is to be conducted for the benefit of the community served by the Club and not for the profit of its members.

The attachments to this article are the new side policies that will support the proposed new rules. The rules outline our legal obligations and controls, but the policies are a more detailed procedure for how we will manage the Trust and the code of conduct that Trust Board members must follow.