BU Blog

[Banana]

Your blog entry wasn't exactly designed to build him up as a force for good for BU, and becoming a public laughing stock might jeopardise his continued goodwill.

I don't see what I've posted says that at all. He is donating (as someone in this thread stated) £1000/month. For reasons that I haven't posted he would like a title. You're probably making it into a bigger issue.

As Mark says I believe BU members are entitled to know what is happening (as far as confidentiality allows).

 

[lincolnbee]

i may well be ignorant asking this question ! but who the f**k is supposed to be running this football club ??

 

[cheekybee74]

I imagine (but I don't know) that what Trevor is posting is some of the content from the "non-confidential" part of the BU board meeting and where attendance is available to any BU member who gives twenty four hours notice. As such it is therefore in the public domain.

I might try to get to the next one, who do I have to give the 24 hrs notice to?

 

[Banana]

I might try to get to the next one, who do I have to give the 24 hrs notice to?

The Secretary - Chris Gammon. Who then MUST inform The Chairman (but not bother with the rest of us )

Honestly, I wouldn't bother.

 

[shaggy]

If members of the public can attend then it is fine for Trevor or anyone to release this information. It's been deemed non-confidential.

We're trying to open up the flow and access to information - not stop it.

I don't care whether its been deemed confidential or not. I want to know that everything you, banana or anyone else on the BU board does is done with the best interests of BU in mind.

If there was some big downside to a title for PW I'd agree that it would be a good thing to focus on, but I'm questiong what the pro's and con's of highlighting are. I can't see many pro's, and I can see a con.

PRO's: ???
CON's: potentially pissing of a benefactor to the financial detriment of BU

 

[rebus]

i may well be ignorant asking this question ! but who the f**k is supposed to be running this football club ??

Keith Dickens. He's our new MD. You can email him at [email protected].

The board of Brentford FC Ltd have appointed him to get on with it. BU do not run Brentford Football Club.

 

[Simon C]

I don't care whether its been deemed confidential or not. I want to know that everything you, banana or anyone else on the BU board does is done with the best interests of BU in mind.

If there was some bid downside to a title for PW I'd agree that it would be a good thing to focus on, but I'm questiong what the pro's and con's of highlighting are. I can't see many pro's, and I can see a con.

PRO's: ???
CON's: potentially pissing of a benefactor to the financial detriment of BU

The pro for me is that I can now trust some BU members to be open about what gets discussed and inform me of the things that I am allowed to hear from Board meetings.

 

[PJ]

Seeing as you`re answering questions Nana ...............did you miss mine Thanks in advance

 

[Banana]

CON's: potentially pissing of a benefactor to the financial detriment of BU

How is it pissing him off? He wants a title for various reasons. I can hardly see how saying that is pissing him off as it will be in the programme and on the BFC website

 

[PJ]

I can hardly see how saying that is pissing him off as it will be in the programme and on the BFC website

It would not appear in the proggy as you have mentioned it ("PW wants a title"). Fact.
It would appear only once he has his title. Fact.
Big difference there Nana (ie not a potential source of embarrassment to PW)

 

[Nurse Betty]

Four champagne moments of the meeting for me were:

Banana's questioning of the word 'resisted' in the minutes followed by him highlighting the use of a greengrocer's apostrophe;

Stephen Callen telling us that his computer wasn't working and that he had not been able to access his emails for 10 days and had no financial reports - but not to worry because they are pretty much what they were last month except we are about £500 richer;

the Treasurer's point blank refusal to go through the last half dozen bank statements for the BU account so he can tell me when my standing order stopped arriving in the BU bank account (although it has never stopped leaving mine). Apparently, he checks every single standing order every time he gets a statement which takes a long time....but clearly doesn't communicate the information to Bruce Powell so that he can contact BU members to let them know/ask them why their S/O has disappeared. I am not asking for this because I am a Board member but because any BU member should be given this info, shouldn't they?;

Banana and I having to repeatedly urge Mr Callen to communicate with the voluntary auditors to see if they can produce audited accounts a wee bit faster. This is connected to BU accounts being available to members before the AGM (remember last year? You got the accounts at 11am and were asked to vote acceptance of them by at 11.02am). His tack seems to be that if we are not paying them, we can't insist that they finish by a certain date...which, er, wasn't what we were saying. If we don't explain to the auditors the problem the lateness of their self-imposed deadline, how can they respond and do something about it?

I left at 10pm because I was tired after a day at work, am not paying attention or making good decisions after 3 hours of meeting and felt bone-weary with the whole thing.

 

[shaggy]

The pro for me is that I can now trust some BU members to be open about what gets discussed and inform me of the things that I am allowed to hear from Board meetings.

I want BU board members who will sort out BU's dirty laundry before it becomes public knowledge, or make it public if things aren't getting sorted.

I don't want BU board members to just make public all the dirty laundry for the sake of making it public, and to avoid me having to bother to attend meetings that have already been made public.

 

[Banana]

Seeing as you`re answering questions Nana ...............did you miss mine Thanks in advance

I didn't but I don't understand what you want? Is it punctuation?

Brian suggested that myself (and perhaps some others) might like to put a motion to the AGM. That motion would be to bar the Chair of BU being on the Board of BFC Ltd. There would be no supporting documentation just a motion for members to vote on. I didn't see the value in that as members would be making an uninformed vote. Brian thought that as I was seeking a "more restrictive" role for him (as Chair) in being unable to be on the BFC Board than was voted on at the last AGM that we might like to "consult the membership".

I suspect that Brian is going to suggest that the membership at the last AGM voted FOR any BU Board Member to go onto the BFC Board so long as they are a non-executive and not AGAINST any BU Board Member being an executive on the BFC Board.

Members did, in fact, vote for the latter.

 

[abee]

It would not appear in the proggy as you have mentioned it ("PW wants a title"). Fact.It would appear only once he has his title. Fact.
Big difference there Nana (ie not a potential source of embarrassment to PW)

Trust me on this one PJ.......my take is it will be in every programme along with the rest of the "great and the good".........on the same list as "Denis Smith, President".......you get the drift.

My guess is that he wants to be an "Associate Director" which gets him into BFC board meetings but in a non-voting capacity and also will get him into away match board rooms.

 

[Edmundo]

I might try to get to the next one, who do I have to give the 24 hrs notice to?

It's bad enough having to attend these meeting if you're a board member. Going voluntarily is pure madness!

 

[PJ]

.......my take is it will be in every programme along with the rest of the "great and the good".........

I agree, said that in the sentence after the one you highlighted in bold

 

[abee]

the Treasurer's point blank refusal to go through the last half dozen bank statements for the BU account so he can tell me when my standing order stopped arriving in the BU bank account (although it has never stopped leaving mine). Apparently, he checks every single standing order every time he gets a statement which takes a long time....but clearly doesn't communicate the information to Bruce Powell so that he can contact BU members to let them know/ask them why their S/O has disappeared. I am not asking for this because I am a Board member but because any BU member should be given this info, shouldn't they?;

We have now reached the point in the meeting where any chairman worth his salt crushes the Treasurer into mashed potoatoes and tells him in words containing no more than four letters exactly how it's gonna be........were it any "business " other than Bees United I would say that I cannot believe it......the sad thing is that I can and do.

How do any of us know then whether or not our standing orders are finding their way through to the BU bank account.......is it when we receive the

"Your membership has lapsed" standard letter.......

 

[northantsbee]

To follow up on a point from Trevor (do wish you would spell my name correctly ) I will be putting together an action plan for fundraising which is to be my main focus. This will come out sometime over the next couple of weeks (hopefully sooner) and i will publish it on here as well as the BU website. Of course this plan will then have to be approved by the Board.

In the meantime anyone who has any ideas or suggestions, or can volunteer time, services, contacts etc etc etc please let me know.

 

[northantsbee]

The saddest thing for me about SC's PC was that it wasnt a surprise.

My other half spent over a month trying to get bank details from him to bank a cheque for Bees Untied

 

[cheekybee74]

The Secretary - Chris Gammon. Who then MUST inform The Chairman (but not bother with the rest of us )

Honestly, I wouldn't bother.

I was thinking it'd be nice to put names to faces...

 

[Banana]

We have now reached the point in the meeting where any chairman worth his salt crushes the Treasurer into mashed potoatoes and tells him in words containing no more than four letters exactly how it's gonna be........were it any "business " other than Bees United I would say that I cannot believe it......the sad thing is that I can and do.

How do any of us know then whether or not our standing orders are finding their way through to the BU bank account.......is it when we receive the

"Your membership has lapsed" standard letter.......

He also said he's the FInancial Director not the Treasurer!

Brian did get Bruce to investigate in the end.

Callen's attitude was the same ole Callen - "it's not my problem guv, it a Standing Order and it's an instruction from your bank". There was no willingness to help, no offer to get in contact with the BU bankers, nothing. Bruce was concerned as there are other people that are in the same boat as Allison and it's something that needs sorting. Allison had sent Bruce details of her account and had checked with her bank that the details and had passed these onto Bruce who had passed them onto to Callen - cue "Oh did you".

 

[cheekybee74]

It's bad enough having to attend these meeting if you're a board member. Going voluntarily is pure madness!

Lol - I've skipped my medication, but don't tell anyone

 

[abee]

I want BU board members who will sort out BU's dirty laundry before it becomes public knowledge, or make it public if things aren't getting sorted.

I don't want BU board members to just make public all the dirty laundry for the sake of making it public, and to avoid me having to bother to attend meetings that have already been made public.

In fairness David, Banana just merely reported it factually.

It was then picked up as being faintly pompous by other posters (including this wretch).......everyone will have their own take on it........is it important on its own.......not one bit....... but as I have said it's clearly important to Peter Wheatley that his contributions be acknowledged in a way that is meaningful to him so just give him whatever title he wants and which will enable his life to be better.

For God's sake shouldn't it just be announced to the BU board by the BU Chairman that PW wants this... he contributes so much a month.... is it faintly absurd.... yes of course it is but I've agreed it and you'll be seeing the name of PW added to those of the "bold and the beautiful" from the next proggy onwards.........

 

[abee]

I agree, said that in the sentence after the one you highlighted in bold

My mistake........I misread the "once" to mean that it would only appear once which make me a once.......or something like that.

 

[abee]

He also said he's the FInancial Director not the Treasurer!

Jesus, I think I see a pattern forming here and I have a good idea regarding the BU October agenda.........

Between you cannot you just appoint a

"Director of Titles (Executive)"

..........and have done with it.

 

[Banana]

Jesus, I think I see a pattern forming here and I have a good idea regarding the BU October agenda.........

Between you cannot you just appoint a

"Director of Titles (Executive)"

..........and have done with it.

You were there last night weren't you lol

 

[Brain-dead Bee]

Banana's questioning of the word 'resisted' in the minutes followed by him highlighting the use of a greengrocer's apostrophe;

If Banana was being pedantic in the meeting, can I be pedantic here? Shouldn't it be "a greengrocers' apostrophe" (the apostrophe used by greengrocers) rather than "a greengrocer's apostrophe" (an apostrophe taken from one greengrocer)?

And if that sort of thing was being debated, its no wonder the meeting lasted 4 hours

 

[Bee H]

posted as a BU member

Stephen Callen telling us that his computer wasn't working and that he had not been able to access his emails for 10 days and had no financial reports - but not to worry because they are pretty much what they were last month except we are about £500 richer

That's a bit worrying if my annual £1k Loan Note was allocated during the last month ! :

 

[JoeBourke]

This seems as good a place as any to draw your attention to a couple of current articles in the September (Issue 23)Supporters Direct Magazine that may be of interest to BU members and Brentford supporters.

Page 15 - Football Finance and Administration by Stephen Hope, Lecturer in Economics.

Page 21 - Think Tank by Marc Jones of the Dons Trust.


http://www.supporters-direct.org/englandwales/library.htm#newsletters

 

[Nurse Betty]

If Banana was being pedantic in the meeting, can I be pedantic here? Shouldn't it be "a greengrocers' apostrophe" (the apostrophe used by greengrocers) rather than "a greengrocer's apostrophe" (an apostrophe taken from one greengrocer)?

And if that sort of thing was being debated, its no wonder the meeting lasted 4 hours

I was basing it on evidence gathered from my local greengrocer rather than wanting to besmirch the name of greengrocers worldwide.

Did the meeting last 4 hours?! F*ck, I'm pleased I called it quits at 10pm.

 

[jlove]

"Director of Titles (Executive)"

..........and have done with it.

Surely it should be "Director of Titles (Non-Executive)"?

My two observations:

Let's have a whip-round to buy SC a PC and get one our "great and good" to support him - this is plain unacceptable;

There needs to be more structure to the meetings and less of the "PTA" feel about them.

 

[Carri Bee Un]

There needs to be more structure to the meetings and less of the "PTA" feel about them.

I'm still unsure what the point of it is. It may as well be a PTA meeting. It all appears completely hopeless.

 

[Russell]

If members of the public can attend then it is fine for Trevor or anyone to release this information. It's been deemed non-confidential.

We're trying to open up the flow and access to information - not stop it. You seem to be leaning towards "let's only speak about good news".

For Mr Inns to have made his report on the board meeting so promptly is a massive step towards high-lighting the shambolic goings-on of BU. Let's not shoot the messenger. Many thanks Mr Inns, long may it continue.

Now FFS, how many times is Callen going to be allowed to get away with the lame excuse that his "PC isn't working so that's why we can't give you any numbers". This is ridiculous. How does the BU committee expect people to keep donating money when they can't tell them where it's going?

 

[Banana]

For Mr Inns to have made his report on the board meeting so promptly is a massive step towards high-lighting the shambolic goings-on of BU. Let's not shoot the messenger. Many thanks Mr Inns, long may it continue.

Now FFS, how many times is Callen going to be allowed to get away with the lame excuse that his "PC isn't working so that's why we can't give you any numbers". This is ridiculous. How does the BU committee expect people to keep donating money when they can't tell them where it's going?

It's not that shambolic and things seem to be getting better. For example, Chris Gammon has a year long plan to get the Secretariat function into place including a review of the Constitution; the gathering together in one place of all the various policy decisions that have been made over the years; and the timetable and rules under which future elections should be run. He will be ably assisted by yours truly.

Likewise Natascha has taken on responsibility for fundraising and is now the Fundraising Director (or Fundraising Secretary - I can't remember which), as she has posted earlier you should expect some changes in this area too.

The financial section is the major cause of concern for me. Not only has Callen's outgoing mail failed but there also seems to be an unwillingness to help members discover where there contributions have ended-up - with a "standing order payments disappearing are not the fault of BU and that's that" attitude. Also there seems to be no "lessons learnt" from last year with regards to getting the accounts audited more than 2 minutes before the AGM, there was not even any recognition from the Treasurer that it was a problem and a reticence to do anything about it including actually communicating with the Hon Auditors to let them know when we would like the accounts audited. Ho hum.

 

[Russell]

It's not that shambolic...

... but it's is to a degree?!

Seriously, the lack of financial reporting, the ability or even desire to do so is a real concern. Isn't it time Mr Callen was thanked for his past contribution and a new FD / Treasurer* appointed?






* Title to be approved by the BU board as they see fit.

 

[jlove]

... there also seems to be an unwillingness to help members discover where there contributions have ended-up...

Surely this is not a job for the CFO/FD/Accountant, unless he/she specifically wants to do it? It falls between the Finance and the Membership roles. How about canvassing for a volunteer Subscription Secretary (or, if titles are important, an Audit & Resolution Subscription Executive), to cross-check between received payments and current membership arrangements?

I do this for my own little management company, it does not take long if everyone has the correct reference number on their payment (not all banks/building societies seem to be able to do this!).

PS This is not my way of volunteering.

 

[Edmundo]

Surely this is not a job for the CFO/FD/Accountant, unless he/she specifically wants to do it? It falls between the Finance and the Membership roles. How about canvassing for a volunteer Subscription Secretary (or, if titles are important, an Audit & Resolution Subscription Executive), to cross-check between received payments and current membership arrangements?

I do this for my own little management company, it does not take long if everyone has the correct reference number on their payment (not all banks/building societies seem to be able to do this!).

I used to do this for BIAS when we first set it up. It's quite time consuming as most banks ignore the instructions to provide reference information and just give the account holder's name, which is not always unique to that member. However some, including Nurse Betty's, don't even do that.

 

[Banana]

Surely this is not a job for the CFO/FD/Accountant, unless he/she specifically wants to do it? It falls between the Finance and the Membership roles. How about canvassing for a volunteer Subscription Secretary (or, if titles are important, an Audit & Resolution Subscription Executive), to cross-check between received payments and current membership arrangements?

I do this for my own little management company, it does not take long if everyone has the correct reference number on their payment (not all banks/building societies seem to be able to do this!).

PS This is not my way of volunteering.

What's the procedure when a member (and their bank) has confirmed that payments in the form of standing orders have left their account with the correct reference and the correct sort code and account number, but the Treasurer insists that it's not hitting their account?

 

[Edmundo]

What's the procedure when a member (and their bank) has confirmed that payments in the form of standing orders have left their account with the correct reference and the correct sort code and account number, but the Treasurer insists that it's not hitting their account?

How can the member know what reference, sort code and account number was given? It's all down to the word of their bank. However, I'm sure that the Treasurer should be able to sort it out if they have the time and the willingness to do so.

 

[abee]

It's not that shambolic and things seem to be getting better. For example, Chris Gammon has a year long plan to get the Secretariat function into place including a review of the Constitution; the gathering together in one place of all the various policy decisions that have been made over the years; and the timetable and rules under which future elections should be run. He will be ably assisted by yours truly.

Very good. Do I not like that?

Likewise Natascha has taken on responsibility for fundraising and is now the Fundraising Director (or Fundraising Secretary - I can't remember which), as she has posted earlier you should expect some changes in this area too.

Please refer to the Director of Titles for a decision on this very important matter

The financial section is the major cause of concern for me. Not only has Callen's outgoing mail failed but there also seems to be an unwillingness to help members discover where there contributions have ended-up - with a "standing order payments disappearing are not the fault of BU and that's that" attitude. Also there seems to be no "lessons learnt" from last year with regards to getting the accounts audited more than 2 minutes before the AGM, there was not even any recognition from the Treasurer that it was a problem and a reticence to do anything about it including actually communicating with the Hon Auditors to let them know when we would like the accounts audited. Ho hum

.

If you keep referring to Stephen Callen as the Treasurer when actually he is the Financial Director (altogether rather more grand...see this thread passim).....it is no surprise that he doesn't care whether or not standing order funds have finished up in the Bees United account.

For goodness sake try and address him by his proper title or else........

 

[Banana]

Very good. Do I not like that?



Please refer to the Director of Titles for a decision on this very important matter

.

If you keep referring to Stephen Callen as the Treasurer when actually he is the Financial Director (altogether rather more grand...see this thread passim).....it is no surprise that he doesn't care whether or not standing order funds have finished up in the Bees United account.

For goodness sake try and address him by his proper title or else........

Once again abee you are correct. Having checked the various documentation on this issue I can confirm that he is the Senior Global Financial Director (I think)

 

[abee]

Surely it should be "Director of Titles (Non-Executive)"?

No. I have made this an executive role in order that new titles awarded need not be discussed at future BU board meetings and only announced as a fait accompli. However I have restricted the Director of Titles decision making discretion to ensure that any new title be no longer than twenty words and the word "Supreme" must not appear more than once in the title.

We now move on to the next item and we need to discuss the extremely important issue of the difference between a Treasurer and a Financial Director. As a background to this let me say very briefly that..........(fast forward one hour and ten minutes)........so that's agreed then. We'll not make a final decision tonight on this item but put it on the agenda for the next meeting for a final vote.

And so to the next item........BFC going into administration and the stadium being sold out from under our feet and I.........heck look at the time. Well we'll leave this until the next meeting if there is a next meeting when we need also to discuss who will be the Director of Voluntary Liquidation and furthermore.......

 

[Bee H]

Likewise Natascha has taken on responsibility for fundraising .

I thought Natasha was doing it, who's the Rusky bird moving in on her patch ? :shrug:

 

[jay1310]

I thought Natasha was doing it, who's the Rusky bird moving in on her patch ? :shrug:

lol lol

She must be brave

 

[northantsbee]

I thought Natasha was doing it, who's the Rusky bird moving in on her patch ? :shrug:

Glad someone can spell my name

Tash for short will do!!!

 

[Rod Gowers]

Well I had my first BU Board Meeting today. Here are the highlights:





and here are some other points of interest:

The (New) BU board members will soon learn that the BU board actually have very little to do in the board meetings as all the matters arising that (may) need their attention have either been already dealt with by BB and JB, and are therefore presented as an already actioned fait accompli, or are not presented at all.

In some respects this is not a criticism so much as a realisation of how things presently work).

There is therefore 4 hours of board-meeting to fill in which such matters as "The Way forward", "How can BU make itself fitter?" and "How can BU communicate better?" can be discussed to death, topped off with a few choice constitutional issues that really don't mean diddly.

The REAL issue that needs to be addressed by the board is BU (not BFC) financing (as presumably BFC are looking after their own financial issues). However, this crucial part of BU's ( and Brentford's future) is passed around to well-meaning but amateur persons such as myself as "fundraising", and titles are given to BU members such as Natasha Judge that have no meaning.


Raising cash is the singularly most important facet of BU's future existence, yet it is continuously ignored or passed around by the BU executive rather than given total and absolute priority.


What Brentford fans want to know more than anything is that the club and BU are digging themselves out of the financial mire they are in, and how they are doing it. That is communication. They do not want to know that Natasha Judge is now Secretary General Fundraising Communicator or that Steven Callen is a Financy Budgetty type person when his computer is working.


Unfortunately, BU do not see this, and therefore wil remain open to criticism and frustration until they do.

 

[Banana]

The (New) BU board members will soon learn that the BU board actually have very little to do in the board meetings as all the matters arising that (may) need their attention have either been already dealt with by BB and JB, and are therefore presented as an already actioned fait accompli, or are not presented at all.

Yes, no-one was asked along to meet various persons of Great Personage. It was just presented that Brian and Co are off to see so and so

 

[northantsbee]

Just to comment on the 'title' scenario. In the instance of fundraising etc I do believe that a title is a good idea when presenting to the outside world. When approaching corporates or community groups it adds credibility and helps get further into conversations.

 

[JTofBFC]

I want BU board members who will sort out BU's dirty laundry before it becomes public knowledge, or make it public if things aren't getting sorted.

I don't want BU board members to just make public all the dirty laundry for the sake of making it public

Absolutely, but that aint what we are going to get from now on is it ?

The Wheatley issue sums up the "mischief-making" attitude that I fully expected if Banana was voted in, and I sincerely hope that turning the gentleman in question into a figure of fun/scrutiny on this Board will not cause him to reconsider his generosity.

If this issue was not deemed confidential to the meeting then it most certainly should have been and I find it surprising (well perhaps not given the source of the information) that it should have been felt necessary to divulge it in such a melodramatic fashion.

Like you, I hope that our new incumbents will understand when they should keep their counsel and when they shouldn't. I somehow doubt it though as they can earn far more brownie points from the in-crowd by belittling most of what BU does on a messageboard. Or call it a blog if you prefer........

As a current member of BU, soon to be an ex-member I would imagine, I would be very interested in the views of other BU Board members who post on here. (Nurse Betty, Eghambee, etc) as to whether it was the right thing to do to raise Wheatleys request in such a sensationalist manner on here.

As Shaggy correctly says, I can see no real advantages but one distinct disadvantage.

 

[abee]

As a current member of BU, soon to be an ex-member I would imagine, I would be very interested in the views of other BU Board members who post on here. (Nurse Betty, Eghambee, etc) as to whether it was the right thing to do to raise Wheatleys request in such a sensationalist manner on here.

As Shaggy correctly says, I can see no real advantages but one distinct disadvantage.

Peter Wheatley wants to have a title in return for the not insubstantial money he donates to BU. The BU Board are discussing one of "Associate Director" for him at the BFC Board.

I'm not in the business of defending Banana but how on earth can you describe his reporting of the Wheatley request as "sensationalist".

Peter Wheatley makes (according to Banana) not insubstantial donations to Bees United and he has requested a title presumably to acknowledge his generosity. That's up to him but my comment is that you are so hacked off with Banana that you and shaggy are visiting the comments that followed his "blog" on to the originator rather than to the subsequent posters who had some fun with it......me for one. Banana promised to report back on the "non-confidential" parts of the BU board meetings that he attends and no doubt you would have been all over him like a rash if he had not lived up to his promise.