MKDSA - Committe Meeting Minutes

27th May, 7 pm. Gate 7 meeting room, 3rd Floor, Stadium MK

Present: David Bodset (DB), Barry Pearson (BP), Jim Bates (JB), Stephen Flanagan (SF), Jeevan Singh Shergill (JSS), Nicol Onslow. (NO).

Apologies: Matt Ricketts

1. Last commitee meeting minutes ratified as a true record - 5 minutes.

Agreed as corrected. AN not present.

2. Matters Arising (not in the agenda) - 5 minutes.

BP agreed to speak to Neil about a speaker for the AGM and Zif there is going to be 1 x home pre season friendly.

BP said that he had received an email from the auditor. It was agreed that he got a quote and if acceptable, proceed with the offer.

3. Treasurer’s report

The balance stands at £3,405.47. There had been some income from membership fees and the the sponsored walk. There had been a service charge of £6.45 and a shopify fee of £25.00 deducted.

DB said wd need to use shopify more to make it worthwhile and he has also set up mailchimp so we can mail certain members better.

4. Membership Report

7 people have joined in May. However I have archived 15 people and 3 people due to expire in June will be asked if they wish to renew.

We now have 214 life members (7 without emails), annual 83 annual members (2 without joining dates) and 38 contacts.

5. MKDSA vision / new ideas

1. Representing Dons fans / members

The Committee wil abide by the majority view, while respecting minority views.

The committee will consult widely, identifying shared issues. It will be independent, report back from the Club and football community, being the bridge between fans and the club.

Through the use of surveys and zoom calls, the Committee will contact members and ask for regulatr feedback, raising the profile of the MKDSA amonst members and fans.

The Committee will press the Club to share it’s Fans Charter and have a dialogue on how the MKDSA can ensure fans views and interests are met as part of the Charter..

The committee will seek value for money in respect of club merchandise. It will ask the club to improve the quality of the shirts and will ask the FSA to benchmark with other clubs in terms of price, quality and sizes.

The Committee will poll members and liaise with video blogs on price, quality, sizind and sponsorship at the same time. It will contact Dons Action to see if we can combine our endeavours on club merchandise.

The Committeee will also monitor the availabilty and price of away coaches. It will highlight and support women’s game. Officers will attend womens’ games and the awards evening. The women’s captain will be invited to the AGM as a guest speaker and reports of womens’ matches will be posted on the web site. People involved in the Women’s game will be invited to attend Committee meetings and the Committee will consider if there should be a MKDSA Womens’ group.

2. Expanding membership

The Committee will be interactive, providing content and interest to the best of it’s ability. It will engage and encourage spaces for debate. It will personalise, monitor and review where appropriate. Using the web site, fanzine and social media to generate interest. It will seek to be on video blogs and MK Radio. It will consider forums as a vehicle to expand interest and membership.

3. MKDSA Campaigns

The Committee will participate in relevant football campaigns and where appropriately create our own. It will also consult will the MK Dons Community Trust and consider if it can provide further discounts for away travel, where it can be shown to benefit members and raise MKDSA profile. It will also consider how to interact with local schools in an ambassadorial way.

4. Raising funds

The Committee will raise funds through membership fees, sponsored events, donations from members / fans, old programme, prints, match day stalls, commercial fees, community events, merchandise and other avenues as appropriate.

It will consider setting up a MKDSA Ebay site and setting up programme catalogue, contacting other old programme sellers. Where appropriate it will give programmes away and donate programmes to schools. It will sell the 2 TVs found at the stadium and other assets which are no longer required.

5. Communication channels

The committee will maintain, develop and update the MKDSA web site, social media channels, fanzine and online polls / surveys. It will tie in with blogs, forums and meetings where appropriate. It will also consider setting up a MKDSA Instagram channel, asking for match day photos it can post and where relevant shadow club and players channels.

It will approach the Club to invite players, the manager and chief executive to events to discuss the club’s plans to fans and on video blogs. They will also be invited to speak at the AGM.

6. Promoting Dons identity / history

The Committee will restore Dons history on the web site etc. Telling the origin story, with clear milestones. It will also collect and share personal audio memories, which will be posted on the web site. It will be inclusive, celebrate traditions and social developments. It will use photos, images and develop a brand.

7. Fan / member participation

The Committee will build clear values, identity and stories that matter to fans and members. It will put issues to members and invite members to meetings. It will consider having zoom meetings, if this can increase participation.

It will approach the Club to have pre match interviews, autograph and photo opportunities with ex and injured players in Lewingtons.

8. Affiliations / Community

The Committee will make people welcome, valued and heard, feeling part of something meaningful. It will take the lead where there is none. It will Invite members, especially new ones to meet pre-match and send out a welcome pack.

It will approach Pete Winkelman, Karl Robinson and Alex Gibley to see if they are willing to be honorary members of the MKDSA.

9. Recognition, loyalty, inclusion

The Committee will show what MKDSA has achieved and the future plans. It will provide regular updates about the Club, the Supporters Board, the FSA, etc. It will be transparent as possible.

It will make it clear the MKDSA is a safe space for all fans and has zero tolerance culture. It will have a report abuse or unacceptable behaviour link on the web site and promote this to members.

The above will form the MKDSA aims & objectives / plan of action and will be submitted to the AGM.

6. AGM

The following agenda has been agreed.

Date: Monday 3rd August, 7 pm

Venue: Stadium MK. Room to be confirmed.

1. Chair’s remarks

2. Speaker (to be confirmed)

3. Treasurer’s report

4. Motions

5. Tiered membership

6. Constitution

7. Aims and Objectives / Plan of Action

8. Code of Conduct

9. Displinary Policy

10. Safeguarding Policy

11. Election Policy (for future elections)

Elections

1. Chairperson

2. Vice Chairperon

3. Treasurer

4. Secretary

5. Communication Officer

6. Committee members

7. Sponsored walk

So far £325 has been raised (minus GoFundMe fees).

8. AOB

   1. It was agreed to ask Ollie if the club can hold an evening with trophy for fans who work during the day.

2. It was agreed the MKDSA fund a brick in the Club in the Fans Stones campaign.

3. It was agreed to have a pre AGM meeting on Monday 27th July.