The Trust participated in the first internal meeting of the Plymouth Argyle Supporters Board (PASB), which seven of our members attended.
Trust Board member Ed Shillabeer was elected the spokesperson for the PASB.
The PASB also agreed a statement following the meeting, which reads as follows:
“The PASB held its first internal meeting before the home match against York City. The meeting, which was attended by all but one of the twelve members, was very constructive.
The problems associated with the flawed election process were noted. It was however felt that the PASB now needs a period of stability to establish its format and scope, so it was agreed to hold the next elections at the end of the 2013/14 season, by which point the PASB should agree its future election process and how to include pay-on-the-day supporters.
The objectives of the PASB were discussed, with the priority agreed to be scrutiny of the club board’s decision making, and being a ‘critical friend’ to the club. The PASB should also act as a conduit between the Club and the various fan groups. The terms of reference adopted by the Bradford City Supporters Board, which were drafted with the help of Supporters Direct, were discussed. It was agreed that the PASB would form its remit based on combining the objectives presented at the first meeting with the Club with the core of the Bradford text providing the means by which the objectives can be achieved.
The PASB discussed whether it should have a Chair or a spokesperson. It was agreed that initially the PASB would have a spokesperson as the liaison between the Club and the PASB, and Ed Shillabeer was duly elected to fill the role.
The situation at the Club was then discussed as a matter of high priority. The Trust’s recent communication to the Club on this issue was discussed, and the PASB agreed on the importance of transparency on finances. It was thus agreed that a meeting would be sought as soon as possible with the Club to put forward a number of questions with the aim of clarifying the club’s current financial position, and encouraging the highest possible level of transparency between the Club and supporters.
The next internal PASB meeting was agreed to be held on 12th January before the Morecambe game.”
The minutes of the meeting are also available here (PDF format).
The Trust has three supporter group representative positions on the PASB, one of which is currently taken by former Club director Damon Lenszner. If you are interested in representing the Trust on the PASB through one of the other two positions, please contact the Trust Secretary at secretary@argylefanstrust.com.
