Fund-raising

[Rod Gowers]

BU are calling for fans to raise 1 million pounds by September, and, (according to Brian Burgess' predictions and forecasts at the BU meeting), there will be a need for ongoing and sustained fund-raising activity by the club for many years hence.

I therefore believe it is imperative that somebody within BU/BFC is employed full time, and with a proper budget, whose sole responsibilty is to co-ordinate, control and maintain all the various fund-raising activities that could help the club survive. I am not talking about the CEO role, as the day to day running of BFC is a separate issue, nor am I talking about involvement in ground-sourcing.

I am talking about creating an environment where a pro-active approach to fund-raising is undertaken. I am talking about an environment where all the various supporters associations within the club pull together under one banner without obstruction or factionalism. I am talking about the future of BFC being taken out into the community so that a wider audience than the existing BU membership become a part of our future destiny.

And I am talking about a sustainable and viable future for BFC as a football league club.

Despite the plea for one million, astoundingly nobody has even been given the task of co-ordinating this, or responsibilty for raising it!! There is a vague call for fund-raising activities and a great deal of going cap-in-hand to the few lucky fans with a few quid in the bank.

Whilst this might solve our immediate crisis, it is not a sustainable activity, and therefore something needs to be done now to safeguard our future.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

I thought that was the role of the Marketing team. Surely there remit is to maximise revenues?

 

[Gee Bee]

I thought that was the role of the Marketing team. Surely there remit is to maximise revenues?

This is a BU fund raising activity not BFC, whom the marketing team are employed by. Rod I believe is asking for a full time paid position within BU.

 

[tinman]

Rod is probably right. There are people coming up with ideas all the time and these need to be co-ordinated to ensure they receive maximum publicity. Some fund raising ideas appeal more to some section of supporters than others and some run out of steam and need to be stopped before they become a bore. I would not have thought that this can be a paid position.

 

[Les Beeavinu]

This is a BU fund raising activity not BFC, whom the marketing team are employed by. Rod I believe is asking for a full time paid position within BU.

. the fund rasising, of course, being wholly for the benefit of BFC who are owned by Altonwood but are being currently being represented on the board by BU, with some BFC staff having been nominated by BU. If, however, BU raise £1m by September, then BU might own BFC and if it does, will I be a member of BU or BFC? And will the remaining employees work for BFC or BU?

I need a sit down now 'cos I feel a bit dizzy.

 

[Gee Bee]

. the fund rasising, of course, being wholly for the benefit of BFC who are owned by Altonwood but are being currently being represented on the board by BU, with some BFC staff having been nominated by BU. If, however, BU raise £1m by September, then BU might own BFC and if it does, will I be a member of BU or BFC? And will the remaining employees work for BFC or BU?

I need a sit down now 'cos I feel a bit dizzy.

If BU raised £1m by Sept it would be loaned (secured) to BFC to reduce the overdraft and allow BU to take up the option to purchase the club and you will still only be a member of BU, who would employ staff to handle the day to day running of BFC (which effectively what Altonwood currently do).
Altonwood currently have £2m cash guaranteed against the overdraft, £1m would still be in a a secured loan after any option is taken up. When they want that back will no doubt be in the very small print!!

 

[Kay 4 Bee]

Fund-raising needs to be a paid position. Anybody who has ever been involved in a charity will tell you that people get tired of coughing up money, however noble the cause and that it is necessary to keep coming up with new ideas to maintain people's interest

As I have heard it, while there are many good fund-raising ideas there is not a sufficient number of people willing and able to implement them. People with time are needed to carry out any idea.

 

[Brickie Chap]

Why would any non-Brentford fan be interested in helping to raise funds or give money to a racist football club

 

[smudgerbees]

I e-mailed someone at Bees United over a week ago saying that i was going to ride the London to Brighton this month & wanted to raise funds for Bees United. I am still waiting for a response.

 

[ianallon]

I e-mailed someone at Bees United over a week ago saying that i was going to ride the London to Brighton this month & wanted to raise funds for Bees United. I am still waiting for a response.

Just send the cheque!

 

[smudgerbees]

Just send the cheque!

Of course i will !

 

[Rod Gowers]

Why would any non-Brentford fan be interested in helping to raise funds or give money to a racist football club

I don't understand your comment.

Explain.

 

[Rod Gowers]

I e-mailed someone at Bees United over a week ago saying that i was going to ride the London to Brighton this month & wanted to raise funds for Bees United. I am still waiting for a response.

PM me the details, and a contact number.

 

[Boston Bee]

I'll take a stab at it, not presuming to know exactly what the original intent was.

I'm raising sponsor money at work for a bike ride, hypothetically from London to Brighton:

"Could you help sponsor me, the money goes to help my football club Brentford stay alive."

"Hmmm...Brentford...Brentford...aren't they that club with all the racism? Umm...no, don't think I want to help them, sorry. I'm surprised at you, having anything to do a straight-up racist club like that, Smith!"

I don't understand your comment.

Explain.

 

[smiffy superbee]

I e-mailed someone at Bees United over a week ago saying that i was going to ride the London to Brighton this month & wanted to raise funds for Bees United. I am still waiting for a response.

smudger,

Thanks so much for your efforts, another great example of our fans (& GPG'ers in particular) determination to help.

Personally, now in the twilight of my youth I have many fond memories of the L to B and just wish I could be doing it this time.

Thanks again, have a great day mate and do be careful!
regards
smiffy

(ps. put me down for a 'tenner'............anyone else on GPG?)

 

[Dangerous]

smudger,

Thanks so much for your efforts, another great example of our fans (& GPG'ers in particular) determination to help.

Personally, now in the twilight of my youth I have many fond memories of the L to B and just wish I could be doing it this time.

Thanks again, have a great day mate and do be careful!
regards
smiffy

(ps. put me down for a 'tenner'............anyone else on GPG?)

Should BFC first and foremost be raising the profile of this bike run ????

 

[jlove]

Dear Marge

I think that Rod and others are quite correct in that fund-raising is a full-time activity. The key attributes of the person must be an understanding of realistic and efficient fund-raising and a lot of dedication to the work at hand. I do not think it is necessary to be a BFC fan first and foremost. In fact, this could be a distinct disadvantage, with emotion overtaking realism.

Now we come to the dichotomy between BFC and BU. It is very important to differentiate between the two - especially where money is concerned. In this specific "million pound" case, it is BU that desires to raise the money in order to make a loan to BFC, to release the obligation currently with Altonwood.

It must be absolutely clear when offering to raise/loan/give any money where the money is going.

This really is the communication/confusion problem we have had for a while. A bunch of enthusiastic amateurs and a gaggle of duckers-and-divers (you decide, I'm naming no names) need full-time professionals to interpret and execute their wishes, otherwise it will always descend into whispering groups pulling in different directions. There has been a number of examples recently regarding Marketing and CEO/General Manager/big-cheese-administration positions that highlight this. At times it seems like my local PTA.

Anyway, got that off my chest... enjoy your weekend!

 

[Canadian Bee]

wait ive got an idea!lets charge crazy prices of drink and food and programmes!wait!we already are

 

[WILTSHIREBEE]

Why would any non-Brentford fan be interested in helping to raise funds or give money to a racist football club

Great input as usual.........are you sure you're a bee???????????

 

[Ronan]

He was implying on how we were accused of being racist and now people think we are racist, if I know my Brickie Chap.

 

[Luton Bee]

BU are calling for fans to raise 1 million pounds by September, and, (according to Brian Burgess' predictions and forecasts at the BU meeting), there will be a need for ongoing and sustained fund-raising activity by the club for many years hence.

So to summarise, they want a million off us now and further unspecified funding over many years hence. All to pay for the salaries of the people who brought you:
The Hinckley ticketing arrangements
The Southampton ticket fiasco (and subsequent lies, cover-ups etc)
The A. Hill racism charge
The CEO appointment.
Mrs Linda Wothy (at £400 per day)

No I wonder how much I should contribute?

 

[Nurse Betty]

I e-mailed someone at Bees United over a week ago saying that i was going to ride the London to Brighton this month & wanted to raise funds for Bees United. I am still waiting for a response.

__________________
Smudgerbee, you may want to go and look at the thread in 'General Discussion' entitled 'Communication'. On there (about page 5 - well towards the end as it stands at today's date) Joe Bourke says that the BU fundraising committee are meeting next week and that a fundraising and press campaign will start in August once the new season commences. I can only suggest to you that if this is the sense of urgency that BU are approaching the current funding gap, you may have a very long wait for a response.

 

[Russell]

__________________
Smudgerbee, you may want to go and look at the thread in 'General Discussion' entitled 'Communication'. On there (about page 5 - well towards the end as it stands at today's date) Joe Bourke says that the BU fundraising committee are meeting next week and that a fundraising and press campaign will start in August once the new season commences. I can only suggest to you that if this is the sense of urgency that BU are approaching the current funding gap, you may have a very long wait for a response.

You omit to say which August...

 

[Brickie Chap]

Great input as usual.........are you sure you're a bee???????????

So you've not had a single non-Brentford comment on 'our racists' then

 

[myhomeatgp]

Bees United are after £1,000,000.

I have an idea, but it wont bring in £1,000,000 (it wouldnt even bring in £100,000).

If Bees United done a 'Roadshow' and promoted Brentford FC in surrounding counties (Berkshire, Hampshire... etc) maybe they could have a weekend of football and run a football tournament. They could also try and get youth scouts from Brentford Football Club to watch the tournaments. For instance, Weekend #1, they could come here to Bracknell!

On the Saturday, they have the odd numbered age groups. (under 9's, 11's, 13's and 15's) and the Sunday they have the even numbered age groups (under 8's, 10's, 12's and 14's).

If each age group had 20 teams, and charged £35 per team, BU could raise £5,600 per weekend before expenses. Also they could have a raffle and possibly an auction (IF Brentford FC have anything to donate for a silent auction perhaps). Also a BBQ and minibar. I have helped run Summer tournaments for one of the local sides here in Bracknell before and been chief Referee here, organising referees to officiate in the tournament.

If the roadshow could last, lets say 6 weeks, then BU could raise anything between £30,000 and quite possibly £35,000. Its not a lot, but it does help. By also running these tournaments, Brentford COULD spot some future talent, and at the same time, promote Brentford Football Club!

I would gladly offer my services for nothing in helping Brentford FC!

 

[smiffy superbee]

__________________
Smudgerbee, I can only suggest to you that if this is the sense of urgency that BU are approaching the current funding gap, you may have a very long wait for a response.

Morning Nurse Betty,
Smudger has been replied to, if only to ask if he needs any help (apart from all of us GPG'ers sponsoring him!) and his pro-active approach is hugely appreciated and a good example of how we can all do our bit to help.

I am sure that the BU board share your sense of urgency, I certainly do!

A lot of ideas are at present being thought through and I hope that after tomorrow's Fundraising Meeting things will start to happen a lot more quickly.

I would like to see a 'thermometer' appear very soon on the BU Website (also on the GPG?), even if there's not too much show immediately, we have to start somewhere!!!
A 'days to go' has appeared on there and again perhaps we could put one on here?

Nurse, I know (from the Fans Forum) how interested you are and seriously hope that you (and loads more GPG'ers) will attend the Meeting and offer their services in order that we can have a real good go at this £1M target.

I know just how positive and innovative the GPG can be..... the success of the Great Escape T-shirts and the walk (by some GPG'ers!) to Hartlepool to name but a couple of real achievements.

....and personally I reflect on strong ongoing badge sales and of course the amazing response to the Roll of Honour (names listed in the book) in which GPG'ers helped to raise no less than £9K, at only £10 a pop!

So, I would now ask that we all put aside any 'personal agendas' and rise to our greatest challenge yet......trying to raise the £1M!!!

Like most of us on here I am not blessed with great wealth but one way I thought we might collectively make an impact is to see just how many 'loan notes' the GPG can raise!

I know its a big ask, but if we can somehow pledge say £100 each, then for every TEN that list, we can take out a loan note........and then see that thermometer rise!

....and when you consider that a few GPG'ers might even be able to purchase a loan note of their own, then the total could be quite surprising!

(OK, we'll have to think up a method of allocating the loan note amongst each ten, as only one name can appear on it, but that's a minor problem.)

Judging by the GPG's previous performance I am sure this initiative could be REALLY BIG!

Please let me know if you're behind it in order that I may run it past the Fundraising Committee tomorrow night, and then we (the GPG) can really get cracking ....... eh Nurse!

regards all
SSB

 

[abee]

So, I would now ask that we all put aside any 'personal agendas' and rise to our greatest challenge yet......trying to raise the £1M!!!

Well we all want to rise to the challenge smiffy superbee and just so that I don't put a foot wrong can you give some examples please of the "personal agendas" that you are asking us to put aside.

I will then let you know whether I agree or not and you can then tell me if you wish me to withdraw.

 

[smiffy superbee]

Well we all want to rise to the challenge smiffy superbee and just so that I don't put a foot wrong can you give some examples please of the "personal agendas" that you are asking us to put aside.
I will then let you know whether I agree or not and you can then tell me if you wish me to withdraw.

I hope we do abee!
I think you know me well enough that I don't want to, nor do I have the time to get drawn into protracted debate about the whys and wherefores of, for instance, particular personnel employed by the Club.

All I'm saying is that a few have their own reasons for not being as pro-active as perhaps they might be or once were..........that is their perogative.

What I'm asking for is that we put anything like that on one side for NOW and all get behind the £1M appeal because judging by the response to previous GPG initiatives I think we (the GPG'ers) can show a lead to the fanbase in general and encourage them to be as equally pro-active.

As I said, I will discuss the 'shared loan note' idea at tomorrow night's meeting, and if agreeable to everyone on here I would hope to be able to get it under way on Thursday..........I just feel that the number of loan notes that the GPG alone could raise could be quite staggering and as Nurse Betty indicates (and I share her urgency!) together we can really make a start to make a dent in that £1M!

Hope to see as many GPG'ers as poss at the meeting!

best regards
Smiffy

 

[Luton Bee]

Not one penny from me whilst the present regime remain in power.

 

[Boston Bee]

As soon as administrative changes are made to the BFC Board, count me in!

 

[Brickie Chap]

Whilst JM, at the very least remains, I wont provide a single penny

 

[Simon T]

As soon as administrative changes are made to the BFC Board, count me in!

I believe that any administrative changes will be discussed at the BU AGM which is only a couple of months after the deadline

 

[Bigbee]

Not one penny from me whilst the present regime remain in power.

Whats dat Reggea song by Dennis Brown ? I got money in my pocket but I just cant find no love ? Well thats where mines staying ! Until........

 

[Canadian Bee]

yeah but when you think about it they should do a funday because it raises at least some money!

 

[joeboyland]

and they should make some more home friendles to bring more in

 

[Canadian Bee]

Charlton athletic will bring in quite a lot of money wont it!

 

[joeboyland]

ye but dag and red wont!!!