Why should I join the TRUST?
A lot of questions are still being asked about the reasons for having a Trust and this is best summed up by a statement made at a Supporters Direct conference held a few years ago:
“Directors, managers and players come and go but the supporters stay with the club forever. Supporting a club is an emotional thing. You can change many things in your life but once you have selected your club then that's it. You have to experience the ups and downs that go with your choice. For the first time, a Trust gives the rank and file supporter the opportunity to be part of the club and to have a greater say in how the club is run."
What is a supporters’ trust?
A Trust is a democratic, not for profit organisation of supporters, committed to strengthening the voice for fans in the decision making of the club by means of the share structure of the club concerned, and strengthening the links between the club and the community it serves.
How will it achieve this?
The Trust will raise funds from its members. A proportion of these funds will be converted into shares in the club on behalf of its members. It will then use the voting rights of these shares to gain influence in the affairs of the club. It will also invite existing shareholders to join the Trust and ‘pool’ their voting rights with those of the Trust to maximise their collective influence. The membership of the Trust will decide how these shares are voted, on a ‘one member one vote’ basis – regardless of the size of any individual shareholding. This will be achieved through the election by the Trust of an Associate Director or Director to represent the Trust on the board of the Club.
What is the difference between the trust and other supporters’ organisations?
Most supporters’ organisations are constituted as unincorporated bodies, i.e. a club or association. This is fine for the purposes they were intended for but does not provide the robust legal structure and protection for members that a trust does. Also, a club or association cannot own property so would not be able to own shares.
What are the objectives of ArabTRUST?
These are as stated in general terms in the first question above. Specifically, the Trust will raise funds, primarily to help with the youth development programme at the Club. The Trust will also support football related local community initiatives, where appropriate. A proportion of the funds raised will be converted into shares at the Club. One long term aim (now achieved) is to acquire a significant shareholding in the Club, leading to supporters having elected representation in the Dundee United boardroom. This presents a real opportunity for fans to assist the Club in a positive and constructive way, whilst at the same time gaining some real influence in the affairs of the Club through the share capital of the company.
Will the membership fee be payable every year?
Yes. The current membership fee, or subscription as it is also called, has been set at £15 and is payable on the anniversary of your joining date each year.
If I decide not to renew my subscription at some future date will I get my previous subscriptions returned?
Unfortunately no. In common with all annual subscriptions these monies will be used for specific purposes during the period of subscription and cannot be refunded.
What is my £15 used for?
All money received whether, by annual subscription, donation or fund raising event will be used as directed by the membership in line with stated objectives of the Trust. Any administration costs will be tightly controlled. The Trust is registered with the Financial Services Authority and strict audit and review procedures will ensure that membership funds are used only for the purposes described in the objectives.
When will I get my shares?
Shares in Dundee United will be purchased and owned by the Trust membership collectively, not individually. As a member you will be entitled to ownership and voting rights in the Trust, and in effect Dundee United, as long as your membership is current.
How will ArabTRUST achieve a voice in the boardroom?
Now that ArabTRUST has acquired a reasonable shareholding, the Trust has secured a seat on the board to represent the views of the Trust membership. The board of the club however do not have to agree to this request, but the Trust will continue to work with the club to consolidate the Trust’s position on the Dundee United Board.
Who will represent the Trust on the Board?
Initially, because the Trust achieved its ambition of securing Trust representation on the Dundee United Board so far in advance of its own target, the Associate Director representing the Trust was appointed on an interim basis by the Society Board of the Trust. Now, the membership of the Trust elects their representative. He, or she, will be subject to election every 3 years. While the Trust representative may eventually assume the legal duties of a full director, they will also have a specific role in ensuring that the views of the Trust, and therefore the supporters, are represented in the decision making of the Club.
How can you ensure that the Trust is representative of Dundee United supporters?
The membership of the Trust will be open to all Dundee United fans. It will not be factional or run by a clique. All of the principal supporter groups have given the Trust their backing and are actively helping to get it established. Indeed the Trust has been a unifying force for all these groups. The Society Board have been drawn from a wide range of volunteers and are subject to re-election after a maximum of 3 years by the Trust membership at its AGM to ensure that the Society Board remains representative of the membership. While the Trust is completely independent from the Club, the board of Dundee United is also fully behind the Trust concept.
How can I help right now?
The Board still require assistance in running the Trust and raising funds. If you have any particular skills, which can help or have a fund raising idea, please contact the secretary who shall ensure that the Society Boardoard are made aware of you.
How many shares will the Trust try to obtain?
This depends on the success of our fund raising and the availability of shares. Initially, Dundee United Chairman Eddie Thompson kindly agreed to donate some of his personal shares to the Trust. Our preferred medium term option is to acquire new shares via a new share issue. However, we shall seek the views of the membership on how to proceed with share purchase.
At present the Trust owns 1807 shares at a cost of almost £60000 and after the Thompson family is the Club’s largest shareholder.
As the current chairman of Dundee United has, and will retain a majority shareholding, how can a representative from ArabTRUST make any difference? After all, what the chairman says, goes, doesn’t it?
The ArabTRUST representative on the Board of Dundee United will have a voice and will put forward the views of the Trust membership and vote on behalf of the members. Ultimately, as the majority shareholder the Chairman will make the decisions but he will take account of all input, including that of the Trust representative. The Trust will also be looking into the possibility of obtaining the proxy of other small shareholders to give ArabTRUST increased voting rights and increased influence.
How many members do you expect to get?
That is difficult to answer but at other, smaller Scottish clubs there are memberships ranging from 40 to around 200. Surely a club the size of Dundee United can expect to rally the support of more than that.
It is generally accepted that any fans’ organisation having a verifiable membership of around 7.5% to 10% of the average home support is indeed representative. This would indicate that the Trust would require a fully paid up membership of around 5000 to make it truly representative. This may take some time but surely this should be achievable.
I would like to put in more than £15. Does that mean I get more of a say?
The Trust will accept any amount over and above the membership fee and is very grateful to those who have already donated sizeable sums to the Trust. Those who have done so however have done so in the full knowledge that the Trust is run on strict democratic principles, on the basis of one member one vote, regardless of the size of their donation.
How will the committee be elected and can I be on to the Board of ArabTRUST?
At present ArabTRUST is being run by an elected Board. Once elected board members will serve for a period of three years but a third of the Board members must stand down or stand for re-election each year at the Annual General Meeting. The Board also has power to co-opt up to 3 non-elected members who have special skills required by the Trust Board e.g Legal or Financial expertise.
When can I attend a Trust meeting?
Board meetings are held approximately once each month but it would be unrealistic to invite the entire membership to attend these but if you as a member wish to come along to a board meeting you should contact the secretary to arrange this. All members will, of course, be invited to the Annual General Meeting where many major decisions will be made and election of board members will take place. Also throughout the life of the Trust it may be necessary to obtain the views of the entire membership on a matter and in this case a special meting would be arranged. We intend to hold quarterly meetings with the membership and also with representatives of the Board of Dundee United. live out of Dundee and will be unable to attend meetings.
How can I vote on the various issues and election of board members?
As stated earlier, the Trust is a truly democratic organisation based on the principle of "one member one vote" for all important issues. Arrangements will be made for those unable to attend meetings to cast their vote. This may be by proxy, postal or electronic means.
How will trust communicate with its members?
For those members on email we will dispatch correspondence electronically and for those without this means of communication we will send newsletters. Dundee United has also advised us that they will allow us the opportunity to publish articles via weekly Arab eNews, Club Website and matchday magazine. There will of course be the annual general meeting to which all members will be invited and also, if necessary special meetings will be arranged if important issues require debate prior to a decision being made. Consideration is also being given to producing a regular newsletter, which will be issued to all members.
Where can I get more information on Supporters Trusts generally?
On the Supporters Direct website at http://www.supporters-direct.org/ or by writing to:
Supporters Direct in Scotland, Robert Owen House, 87 Bath Street Glasgow G2 2EE t
Telephone: 0141 353 1615 Email:scotenquiries@supporters-direct.org