EGM Called - 19 July

[thomo]

All members should have received a letter from the exec:
" The Executive committee feel that the speculation with regard to the sale of Ingfield has gone on long enough. Members were informed of the offer in the recent information bulletin.
Therefore in pursuance of Rule 8(D) of the Constitution of Ossett Town AF & Social Club, the Executive Committee hereby gives notice that an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Club shall be held on 19 July 2006 at 8.00pm to discuss and vote upon the following resolution:
That the membership should vote for Ossett Town AF and Social Club to remain at the present Ingfield Stadium for a period of at least the next five years and every effort be made to develop and improve the site to the benfit of all parties connected with the club rather than consider any offers to purchase Ingfield during that period.

The preference of the Executive Committee is to support the resolution"
Meg Coxhill
Club Secretary (unsigned)

[thomo]

A few things spring to mind here the most obvious being the timing of this drives me to despair and how can such a vote be taken when alternatives i.e. the Dewsbury Rams offer has not been put before the members.

A previous unanimous vote was carried by all members at an AGM asking to return to the members when an offer was on the table.

Why an EGM and not an AGM.

If the vote is allowed to proceed and is carried will the NEW executive committee pledge their committment for the next 5 years to ensure this development is achieved or will a certain few drop back into the background until the 5 years is up and leave the same few to pick up the pieces.
Similarly if the resolution is passed will the membership books be opened as the 5 year period negates the need to go down the social member route.
Why after written assurances were given have the executive committee not sent represenatation to meet the Juniors and assess their feelings towards both options.
Three of the current executive committee have encouraged a relocation package by way of repeated discussions and votes to secure a deal. I note the absence of unanimously support the resolution.
I wonder if the exec will have the common sense to invite the Clubs solicitors and this well respected Corporate Law specialist to attend the EGM to confirm that procedures are constitutionally correct and clarify the inaccuracies in the 'Information Bulletin'. In doing so it would be worthwhile to ascertain if the vote is carried will this add to the constitution by way of an amendment, if so, is a 2/3rds majority required. If not can the decision be overturned in the future by the exec a little similar to the way a unanimous vote has been overturned?

Who will be allowed to attend as there is still extreme doubt regarding the Clubs response to Chris Harrisons application apparently he has paid subs for 7 years but 1 year he missed. Who says so? and why did that person not chase the subs as a debt of the club? Finally constitution states 5 years as a social member nothing about continuous. The club have accepted payments since the alleged arrears so by definition he should be ratified especially as Chris has coached at Ossett Town Juniors for the last 7 years or so. Couple this with doubt regarding the social membership to full membership approval for one of the signatories on the previous vote of no confidence and the whole thing seems slightly one-sided to me.

Read into it what you will but I'm getting a little tired of receiving no reply to legitimate concerns and inaccuracies, so if you happen to be one of the privileged few who can attend on the 19th please speak up for the benfit of ALL at Ossett Town.

I'm away now to exchange pleasantries with messrs Domenech & Lippi(look for the St George Flag with Ossett Town on), followed by a session in the sun with Ramon Vega and our forthcoming Under 17's so good luck to all concerned and if any decisions reached are truly in the best interests of Ossett Town Football Club and not just the social club then I will as always support the club.