Minutes of the meeting of Bees United Fundraising Group.
Meeting number two held on Wednesday 10th January, 2007 in the Brentford FC Boardroom at 7.30pm
List of attendees
Natasha Judge (Fundraising Director), Jason Judge, John Anderson, Peter Gilham, Tony Cross, Claire McNicholls, Philip Turner (Minutes), John Huggins, Ron Cooper, Dan Suh, Chris Tate.
Introduction
Natasha welcomed everybody to the meeting and briefly summarised the events of the previous meeting in October. Tony Cross was due to arrive midway through the evening due to meeting with Keith Dickens on behalf of BIAS.
Discussion of Existing Ideas
STEERING GROUP
There is still a vital need for the supporters to understand how the various groups fit together. A steering group has been formed, those who attended the initial meeting consisted of Peter Gilham, David Harrison of the Programme Collectors Club, Luke Kirton and Natasha. Apologies were received from Tony Cross (BIAS) and Paul Skelhorn (CST). There are plans to enlarge this group to nclude GPLZ as a minimum.
SOCIAL EVENING
A sem-social evening in the Hive is planned for Wednesday 7th February, to which representatives of the main BFC groups will be invited or encouraged to send people on their behalf. There will be presentations and displays informing those in attendance what these groups actually do. Whilst this is not a fundraising evening it is an idea that has grown from the formation of the steering group suggested at the initial fundraising meeting and Natasha’s responsibilities for investigating community strategy for BU and will have an effect on fundraising, membership and support overall. It is felt that the understanding and communication to the wider BFC community of the responsibilites and function of each group will help to unite all Bees fans in support of fundraising initiatives amongst other things.
The main groups invited will be GPLZ, Community Sports Trust, BU Board, BIAS committee, the fanzines and the messageboards, who can all hopefully start to learn more from each other.
LONDON GIG
Pete Johnstone is putting together plans for a big London gig, possibly at Shepherds Bush Empire.
BRENTFORD REUNITED?
A suggestion was made that all the fundraising activities should all operate under one banner. All members of existing groups should automatically be considered a member of this wider collective. This is still open for debate and no proposal or decision has been made. Initial responses were that this would be inappropriate as it would lead to further confusion about who is doing what etc the very thing that the steering committee evening is trying to eradicate.
THE BRICKS SCHEME
Ron Cooper presented examples of the leaflets to promote this scheme, which could be ready to launch at the end of January. There will be a wall outside the Hive, and also another wall in the New Road. On completion of the forms, supporters will receive a certificate with their proposed wording on, allowing them 10 days to resubmit it in the event of any errors. Ron will return to the firm who produce the bricks after the meeting to find out the necessary production time span. Jason offered to assist him with the administration of this scheme.
A team of fundraisers and bucketeers will hopefully be in place near the turnstiles to hand out mass leaflets at a forthcoming home game.
BUCKETS
The amount raised by the bucketeers has dropped off sharply during this current season, due to apathy and poor results on the pitch. It needs to be relaunched with new labels and promotion, and we need to find out who the Player Fund/Fighting Chance money is actually paying for in terms of new players.
SPONSOR A STRIKER
John Huggins has produced more leaflets to re-promote this scheme, they are in the hands of Winnie in the office who should have arranged for them to be inserted in recent matchday programmes. John will continue to chase up their whereabouts.
BEE GREEN
The cartridge and mobile phone recycling idea also needs a relaunch, and a new collection point.
SHOPPING PORTALS
Easyfundraising has 200 users and has so far raised £550 and will continue to be promoted.
SPARE CHANGE TINS
Since this scheme was started by Ron Cooper, it has raised £6000, though only £300 so far this season.
GIGS
John Anderson reported that the Hive was still unsuitable for gigs (apart from Jazz nights) as no soundproofing had been installed yet. He said money should be spent to change around the interior of the Princess Royal which could be a better location for gigs. Peter Gilham will approach Keith Dickens to discuss this.
THE BIG RAFFLE
The draw for this will be made on Saturday 27th January at the Carlisle home game. Peter Gilham requested support in selling these at the intervening Leyton Orient game, and Natasha, Jason and Phil offered to assist.
THE VIRTUAL STADIUM
Tony and Chris are working on this project. Tony suggested we approach a university or college to do the web design work for us, Claire is going to make enquiries at her university. John Huggins said we should use GP as our model rather than a potential new stadium whose design may change between now and its eventual construction. Dan suggested going back in time a few decades and using retro plans from GP to increase the nostalgia factor. Tony is to produce a proposal and email it back to the fundraising group. The possible launch date for this scheme is the start of the 2007/08 season. Dan will try to find out more regarding the possibility of trademarking the idea.
THE GRASS ROOTS CLUB
A scheme is in place and ready for launch whereby plots of grass on the GP pitch will be sold off, 1 yard square by 3 inches deep. There are 8,200 of these at a suggested price of £20 each. The idea for the scheme was suggested by Bill Hollins and originally scheduled for the end of January but may be put back slightly.
POOL COMPETITION
This idea was originally scheduled for last year and had 40-50 names lined up to participate, but was delayed partly due to Leroy Rosenior's departure. There was also a decline in participation levels possibly down to the proximity of Christmas and insufficient exposure. The new launch will be in February, and the actual date of the competition will be May 2007.
GENTLEMEN'S EVENING
Dan Suh is keen to run a gentlemen's evening, if not in the club itself then in a local pub or venue such as the Inverness Club. It has been proven to attract large numbers and raise big sums in bar takings. Natasha warned that certain BU Board members would likely object to the association of BU with this idea, and suggested it be held under the Fighting Chance banner. She will contact Keith Dickens regarding possible use of the Princess Royal for this.
1967 BRIGHTON TO BRENTFORD WALK REUNION
This summer marks the 40th anniversary of this legendary fundraising event, and plans are being considered for a reunion including a dinner, ball and a commemorative matchday programme. There were approximately 260 people who took part, although nobody has a precise list of them. Announcements will be made to locate those still around so they can be invited along.
The Meeting Ended at 10.05pm