An Open Letter To Imps Trust

In the interests of openness here is a copy of a letter sent to both the Lincoln City Supporters Trust and Supporters Direct. I feel openness and transparency to be the key element here to ensure we get democasy and a say back.

Attention of Lissie Wilkins, Chairperson.

Dear Sirs

The 2010 Trust AGM has not been conducted in a professional manner, and I would like your comments and reply to the points raised below as soon as possible.

Supporters Direct Rule 23 c. states: In addition to the provisions relating to the Annual General Meeting. all meetings may consider any other business relating to the affairs of the Society which any member of the Board may wish to raise but no resolution may be put to the vote of the meeting under this item. Rule 25 c) states: Notice of a general meeting is to be given in writing at least 14 clear days before the date of the meeting. The Notice must indicate the business to be dealt with at the meeting.

The fact is that the Trust’s AGM Notice, Item 6. to transact ‘any other business’ cannot be removed, unless a new Notice is sent to all members with Item 6. deleted. This as you well know was not done.

In the event, the Trust Chairperson failed in her duty to conduct the meeting in accordance with the Notice given to all members.

With regards to the Trust’s omission regarding the Rights and Powers of members to propose a resolution, it is clear you are not prepared to take the necessary action to make amends for this serious error. The Trust Board can resolve this matter by calling an EGM within a few weeks, and if the addition is passed, my resolution can be put to members. The excuse that the cost is prohibitive is not relevant. The Trust Board admit it is their error, therefore it is your responsibility to deal with matter immediately. You have already known of this problem for some weeks now, and have not given members at the AGM a time scale to sort the problem out. Even when you do, the earliest a resolution can be put forward is a year away at the earliest. This is not good enough, and action should be taken to call an EGM.

These issues should have been dealt with fully on the night, or an adjournment called, as you were obviously not sure of the correct procedure. Your own Rule 36. a) relating to general meetings state: the issues to be decided are clearly explained. You and I know this was not the case. 1) The Trust Notice regarding item 6., 2) The Rights and Powers of Members, and 3) issues to be decided clearly, were not dealt with in the appropriate manner. The details above are indisputable and it is your duty to accept this and call an EGM.

Would you also please clarify the answer the 3C’s gave to a Q & A regarding spouses etc. of Board Members being elected to the Board. The answer given was ‘If they have arrived there in an acceptable democratic way and they have a lot to offer the trust and club, why on earth shouldn’t say a man and wife be involved.’ I realise that may be acceptable, but in the case of a man and wife being on the Lincoln Trust Board, the man has not been democratically elected, and therefore your argument falls down at the first hurdle. Will the man stand down and make way for someone else to be co-opted?

Thank you.

Neil Gentleman-Hobbs
Trust Member

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