Join Bees United?

[wanderer paul]

Hi. I've been meaning to join BU for years now, but have never got around to it. I've just clicked on the link and it seems to say that the money I would give BU as a member 'only covers the cost of administration'.

I'm a bit confused - is the money spent on things like membership cards and newsletters? How does BFC benefit?

Sorry if there's an obvious answer. I'm not trying to make a point, I just don't understand. Cheers.

BFC benefit through members having set up standing orders to donate money which has been used to offset the interest charged on loans etc. The membership fee is for the card and newsletters, and the drinks at the monthly meetings...............................

 

[rebus]

Hi. I've been meaning to join BU for years now, but have never got around to it. I've just clicked on the link and it seems to say that the money I would give BU as a member 'only covers the cost of administration'.

I'm a bit confused - is the money spent on things like membership cards and newsletters? How does BFC benefit?

Sorry if there's an obvious answer. I'm not trying to make a point, I just don't understand. Cheers.

Your £15 all goes into the pot but running a membership organisation does cost money. What we would love you to do is fill out the attached standing order for an amount of your choice to further help the Trust (and therefore BFC) financially.

 

[PrincessBee]

this is quite interesting. i'm happy to not have a membership card or any letters if that costs £15 a year. a quick email saying you got the cash will do.

not wishing to offend, but has anybody looked at possible efficiency savings?

 

[rebus]

this is quite interesting. i'm happy to not have a membership card or any letters if that costs £15 a year. a quick email saying you got the cash will do.

not wishing to offend, but has anybody looked at possible efficiency savings?

In the likely event we reach the F.A. Cup final next season you might need it.

 

[PrincessBee]

In the likely event we reach the F.A. Cup final next season you might need it.

i'll take the risk.

seriously tho?

 

[Jimbo]

this is quite interesting. i'm happy to not have a membership card or any letters if that costs £15 a year. a quick email saying you got the cash will do.

not wishing to offend, but has anybody looked at possible efficiency savings?

Excellent point.

I also think this would be a good time to ask whether BU has a sustainability policy in place?

 

[Banana]

Excellent point.

I also think this would be a good time to ask whether BU has a sustainability policy in place?

It certainly does - the long-term sustainability of BFC!

 

[rebus]

I also think this would be a good time to ask whether BU has a sustainability policy in place?

Can you expand on this please.

 

[Edmundo]

this is quite interesting. i'm happy to not have a membership card or any letters if that costs £15 a year. a quick email saying you got the cash will do.

not wishing to offend, but has anybody looked at possible efficiency savings?

Problem is that you increase the amount of admin needed to look after separate classes of membership - those who do have cards and those who don't. Those who do get letters and those who don't. Keeping things simple to administer can save more money than a few marginal savings here and there - and volunteer time can be spent on more important things. The letters and card themselves can only be a small fraction of your £15.

 

[PrincessBee]

i thought the point that the guy before made was that the £15 was supposedly put towards admin, and mark's comment implied (and i realise he didn't expressly say) that a large portion of it was.

in response to that, i asked whether there are effieciency savings to be made. you can send my card or not, i won't be offended, it's fine.

 

[Jimbo]

Can you expand on this please.

I'm not sure in what way you want me to expand on this?

If it is an issue around definition, I am talking about sustainability in the context of responsible use of resources , particularly in regard to the long term impact on the environment.

Does this help?

 

[rebus]

I'm not sure in what way you want me to expand on this?

If it is an issue around definition, I am talking about sustainability in the context of responsible use of resources , particularly in regard to the long term impact on the environment.

Does this help?

Yes, thanks. BU don't have a policy as such but I know paper correspondence between board members is done via electronic methods as much as possible and we have our own version of the GPG for such means.

BU are committed to send out at least 4 paper newsletters a year to communicate to those Brentford fans without internet access.

 

[wanderer paul]

i can't believe people find something to argue about over a £15 membership fee! most goes on admin i would have thought with the rest going into a pot for BU's use as they seem fit. Do we ask why the AA/RAC etc etc charge for a membership card? No. If you want to join BU join, if you don't............. it's your choice. Join BIAS or the clubs membership scheme if it bothers people that much.

 

[PrincessBee]

i can't believe people find something to argue about over a £15 membership fee! most goes on admin i would have thought with the rest going into a pot for BU's use as they seem fit. Do we ask why the AA/RAC etc etc charge for a membership card? No. If you want to join BU join, if you don't............. it's your choice. Join BIAS or the clubs membership scheme if it bothers people that much.

i wasn't aware anyone was arguing.

i'm a paid up member. i have no problem in paying for a card or otherwise.

i was concerned that if the admin costs to issue them were as high as was commented then there could be waste happening, which if stopped would benefit the organisation financially.

if there's something to in that then i don't see it.

 

[Banana]

The organisation at the moment is very efficient. That efficiency is predicate on relying on volunteers - not least Bruce Powell who still contributes several days a week in the office.

Matt Dolman (as part of his internal admin remit) is investigating a web-based solution provided by Supporters' Direct that (subject to some concerns of BU) will enable volunteers to aid the admin effort without visiting Griffin Park.

There is a tremendous effort that happens within BU from the stadium; through fundraising; organising club financing and the day to day administration of the club. It is no secret that I wasn't the number 1 fan of how BU operated in the past (or, indeed, how it "ran" the club with "significant risks" in its budget). I still believe that we have a long road to tred in terms of communications - but most of what BU does is "boring" and not of the more "sexy" stuff that (say) TITS have helped the club with recently.

Sometimes it needs fresh blood and ideas of the BU Board because one soon gets "institutionalised", on this point the ideas and passion that Donald Kerr has done since joining the board has been invaluable.

Make no mistake - serving on the BU Board can be a thankless task and one needs to make unpopular decisions and stand by them. However we are entering into the election part of the year and I would encourage anyone that wants to make a difference to stand in the coming elections. There will be (from my recollection) at least 3 vacancies that will not be contested by existing board members.

If anyone is thinking of standing then I am sure that any board member will be able to give them an insight into the time and effort required.

 

[Carri Bee Un]

I got 4 letters a year in Oz which made me feel a bit tight as I was essentially taking money off BU. Am so brassic at the moment it's ridiculous, but will probably join up again when the missus takes her eye off the cc bill.

 

[TW3Bee]

I know that it is everyones right to choose whether to join Bees United or not, but can anyone who is not a member explain to me why they aren't?

 

[Luton Bee]

I know that it is everyones right to choose whether to join Bees United or not, but can anyone who is not a member explain to me why they aren't?

The direction the club has been headed in since BU took over the majority shareholding in the club from Ron Noades in Jan 2006 was the final straw for me.

 

[Carri Bee Un]

The direction the club has been headed in since BU took over the majority shareholding in the club from Ron Noades in Jan 2006 was the final straw for me.

so absolutely everything since they took over?

 

[jlove]

Sometimes it needs fresh blood and ideas of the BU Board...

The direction the club has been headed in since BU took over the majority shareholding in the club from Ron Noades in Jan 2006 was the final straw for me.

Does this meant that you will be standing in the next election?

 

[PrincessBee]

Thanks Banana, that was a lot more the answer i was looking for. I'm not out to criticise here.

If anyone is thinking of standing then I am sure that any board member will be able to give them an insight into the time and effort required.

Without wishing to pile the work on, might it be a thing to get all (or as many that can/wish to) the BU guys to write a day in the life thing, or a summary of the time they put in say, and whack them up here to give potential nominees a flavour?

Also in the way of volunteers, maybe if people had say, 1 hour a week, 2 hours a week, etc, to spare, what they could help out with, a bit like oxfam and stuff do on their websites?

 

[Nurse Betty]

The organisation at the moment is very efficient. That efficiency is predicate on relying on volunteers - not least Bruce Powell who still contributes several days a week in the office.

Matt Dolman (as part of his internal admin remit) is investigating a web-based solution provided by Supporters' Direct that (subject to some concerns of BU) will enable volunteers to aid the admin effort without visiting Griffin Park.

There is a tremendous effort that happens within BU from the stadium; through fundraising; organising club financing and the day to day administration of the club. It is no secret that I wasn't the number 1 fan of how BU operated in the past (or, indeed, how it "ran" the club with "significant risks" in its budget). I still believe that we have a long road to tred in terms of communications - but most of what BU does is "boring" and not of the more "sexy" stuff that (say) TITS have helped the club with recently.

Sometimes it needs fresh blood and ideas of the BU Board because one soon gets "institutionalised", on this point the ideas and passion that Donald Kerr has done since joining the board has been invaluable.

Make no mistake - serving on the BU Board can be a thankless task and one needs to make unpopular decisions and stand by them. However we are entering into the election part of the year and I would encourage anyone that wants to make a difference to stand in the coming elections. There will be (from my recollection) at least 3 vacancies that will not be contested by existing board members.

If anyone is thinking of standing then I am sure that any board member will be able to give them an insight into the time and effort required.

I'm thinking of standing. Can you give me an idea of how much time per month being on the BU Board takes up?

 

[abee]

I'm thinking of standing. Can you give me an idea of how much time per month being on the BU Board takes up?

lol

First set Nurse Bettty.

New balls please and Banana to serve.

Quiet please.......no not you Banana..........I meant the crowd.

 

[DavidgRushden]

i can't believe people find something to argue about over a £15 membership fee! most goes on admin i would have thought with the rest going into a pot for BU's use as they seem fit. Do we ask why the AA/RAC etc etc charge for a membership card? No. If you want to join BU join, if you don't............. it's your choice. Join BIAS or the clubs membership scheme if it bothers people that much.

Totally agree with this posting and also Princess Bee has made another good point about a BU member, if they could, letting us know what it actually means to be involved at a senior level with the club. By that, I don't mean to then have a "bashing" at a member who might be good enough to give us some information, but more as a matter of interest, and also like Nurse Betty says that it might prompt them to stand for that sort of position.Thanks for what you do anyway.

 

[PrincessBee]

By that, I don't mean to then have a "bashing" at a member who might be good enough to give us some information, but more as a matter of interest.

was that what it sounded like i was suggesting? i bloody hope not.

 

[DavidgRushden]

was that what it sounded like i was suggesting? i bloody hope not.

No, what I meant Princess Bee was I thought your idea of a BU Member who is at a senior level giving us an insight into a typical day when dealing with BFC matters, was one worth having and hopefully one of those members will be good enough to expand on their role. The additional comment was meant that if one of them does, then I hope he or she isn't then involved in lengthy arguments about their role on this web site. As we all know, they give up a lot of their time for BU, and I would hope that if they were to explain the "in's and outs", that we could all appreciate what they do from the knowledge they would be able to give us.

 

[PrincessBee]

No, what I meant Princess Bee was I thought your idea of a BU Member who is at a senior level giving us an insight into a typical day when dealing with BFC matters, was one worth having and hopefully one of those members will be good enough to expand on their role. The additional comment was meant that if one of them does, then I hope he or she isn't then involved in lengthy arguments about their role on this web site. As we all know, they give up a lot of their time for BU, and I would hope that if they were to explain the "in's and outs", that we could all appreciate what they do from the knowledge they would be able to give us.

oh good. you're right tho they probably would, which is a bit of a shame.

 

[Mads Bee]

The direction the club has been headed in since BU took over the majority shareholding in the club from Ron Noades in Jan 2006 was the final straw for me.

I think you should stay LB.

You are very vocal about certain topics and the BU board and if you feel that the current board aren't doing a good job and you can do a better job or equal job to our recently nominated BU board members, then step forward.

You can then have your say and vote and have your voice heard

 

[Mads Bee]

The organisation at the moment is very efficient. That efficiency is predicate on relying on volunteers - not least Bruce Powell who still contributes several days a week in the office.

Matt Dolman (as part of his internal admin remit) is investigating a web-based solution provided by Supporters' Direct that (subject to some concerns of BU) will enable volunteers to aid the admin effort without visiting Griffin Park.

There is a tremendous effort that happens within BU from the stadium; through fundraising; organising club financing and the day to day administration of the club. It is no secret that I wasn't the number 1 fan of how BU operated in the past (or, indeed, how it "ran" the club with "significant risks" in its budget). I still believe that we have a long road to tred in terms of communications - but most of what BU does is "boring" and not of the more "sexy" stuff that (say) TITS have helped the club with recently.

Sometimes it needs fresh blood and ideas of the BU Board because one soon gets "institutionalised", on this point the ideas and passion that Donald Kerr has done since joining the board has been invaluable.

Make no mistake - serving on the BU Board can be a thankless task and one needs to make unpopular decisions and stand by them. However we are entering into the election part of the year and I would encourage anyone that wants to make a difference to stand in the coming elections. There will be (from my recollection) at least 3 vacancies that will not be contested by existing board members.

If anyone is thinking of standing then I am sure that any board member will be able to give them an insight into the time and effort required.

BIAS in particular are also crying out for new blood.

Banana, can you or any current serving board members restand when your "sentence" is up ? If so, would you want to?

 

[Banana]

Who are "our recently nominated BU board members"? Are you sure this is what you mean?

 

[Banana]

BIAS in particular are also crying out for new blood.

Banana, can you or any current serving board members restand? If so, would you want to?

Restand for BIAS? Is that what you mean?

 

[Mads Bee]

Who are "our recently nominated BU board members"? Are you sure this is what you mean?

Our most recently elected board members are the ones who were elected last time round ie Donald Kerr, Stephen Callen and Dave Merritt

 

[Banana]

"most recently" is entirely different from "recently". No need to be confused.

 

[Mads Bee]

Restand for BIAS? Is that what you mean?

Nooooooo..when yours, Natashas and Marks time is up, are you able to restand?

 

[Mads Bee]

Our last elections were the recent ones or the most recent.........I know what I mean and I am sure millions of others would too(if that many posted on here) but what does it matter anyways.........I love you whooohooo

 

[Banana]

Our last elections were the recent ones.........whooohooo

I disagree. They were the MOST recent ones, I don't consider them to be "recent" considering we are on the verge of another election.

[edit] You have since re-edited your post. Again I will let you know that there is a difference between "most recent" and "recent". e.g. The most recent King Henry of the United Kingdom died in the 16th century. There have been no recent King called Henry. Hope that helps[/edit]

 

[Banana]

Nooooooo..when yours, Natashas and Marks time is up, are you able to restand?

Yes - All directors are able to restand

 

[Mads Bee]

I disagree. They were the MOST recent ones, I don't consider them to be "recent" considering we are on the verge of another election.

Hahahahaha...jeez I lurve it when you are pedantic

 

[rebus]

Nooooooo..when yours, Natashas and Marks time is up, are you able to restand?

Yes. There is no restriction on time served until around the 12th year. I am delighted to confirm I won't be doing twelve years.

 

[Mads Bee]

Yes - All directors are able to restand

Thanks, just wondered...and wondered whether anyone would, as you say its a thankless task and board members who give up their time should get a medal in my book

 

[rebus]

It's not about getting medals Mads. I'm not in it for recognition, and I don't think Trevor is either.

 

[Mads Bee]

It's not about getting medals Mads. I'm not in it for recognition, and I don't think Trevor is either.

I know that but for what you all do, people are quick to criticise and complain but are not quick to want to step up to the plate. It is a thankless task for which you dont get much recognition of the "voulntary" work you put in and anyone who goes on the BU board such as yourselves should get a medal in my book :yes:

 

[Banana]

Listen Mads, medals are for wimps

 

[Mads Bee]

Listen Mads, medals are for wimps

Ok guv'nor

 

[wanderer paul]

Listen Mads, medals are for wimps

i bet you have loads then................................

 

[Banana]

i bet you have loads then................................

You're right

But none for BFC or BU

 

[Mr Cynical]

Dyke and unnamed other directors.

http://www.brentfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/SeasonTickets/0,,10421~1312835,00.html

I thought it was BU policy not to increase BFC debt?

 

[shaggy]

I thought it was BU policy not to increase BFC debt?

That's certainly our ambition - we want to run at a sustainable level, and needing to identify sources of external funding every year is clearly not sustainable.

Unfortunately there is a way to go to get there, as the cuts at Brentford that would be required to achieve this in the short term would be so dramatic as to have a more negative effect overall.

I refered to this in my end of season statement (here http://www.beesunited.org.uk/content/view/349/) - bullet number 2.

 

[Luton Bee]

I think you should stay LB.

I can't "stay" Mads as I am no longer a member and haven't been for about 18 months now.

I suspect that having our ownership and direction in the hands of amateurs will ultimately leave us with an amateur club, however well meaning they are. This is the direction I feel we have been headed under BU and as yet I see no grounds to change my opinion.

 

[rebus]

I can't "stay" Mads as I am no longer a member and haven't been for about 18 months now.

I suspect that having our ownership and direction in the hands of amateurs will ultimately leave us with an amateur club, however well meaning they are. This is the direction I feel we have been headed under BU and as yet I see no grounds to change my opinion.

The problem is that you are unable to put forward a viable alternative and one that won't look to asset strip the football club. If you can state on here an alternative proposal then I would seriously consider it.