**OPEN FORUM FOR FANS TONIGHT**

Please note the original HTSC meeting planned for this evening (now to be rearranged) will now be an open forum to discuss those issues arising out of the content of Saturday's Harrogate Town programme.

Ged, Irving and Garry to be in attendance

Proposed format is a brief comment from Ged, Irving and Garry followed by questions from the floor

The meeting is open to all.

Cheers for posting Kat

Some feedback please.

Open and honest meeting with an apology from the directors specifically related to the programme piece. Background issues discussed and explained around recent decisions such as smoking , dogs and the drum. Acknowledgement that communication needs to and will improve.

Thoughts on improving communication-

* open forum with panel of rotating members from board/playing staff/employees run along last nights lines on a 3 mthly basis

*SG- FB group specifically for SG members seperate to fans FB page. This would create a platform for media interviews with players plus management videos and interviews prior to general release, analysis of matches and goals and also develop a 2 way real time communication forum where the club could gather feedback on issues of their choosing and SG supporters can bring up issues in real time. These could be ideas, feedback and problems noted. This would give fans another reason for joining SG as well as running SG discounts with advertisers and kit announcements.

Critique pls and add your own ideas!

I raised the suggestion of a separate Supporters Group Website to Chips last night.

One thing we have been asking for is a SC section on the website however nothing materializes. Perhaps our own website is the way to go which contains minutes, travel information, supporters club benefits, games for the little ones etc.

TBH, I would be reluctant to have both a Supporters Facebook Group and a separate one for members. Just my own personal opinion on this.

Given Ged's announcement yesterday, I think it's important we really take ownership of this. Rather than relaying on the club/ Ged (who is extremely busy) we can go ahead and do it given it is solely independent.

Jordan

I agree that it would be a good idea for the supporters club to have their own website. If our committee is now independent from the club then it makes sense for us to have our own independent website. This could then be linked in to the social feed. The club's own website is clearly underused and thinking about it now, how many people would think to go on there to get information about the supporters club? Not many I would guess. Having our own website would allow fans to see that we are independent and would give us scope to get all the information out there which no doubt would be limited on the club's website.

I agree with Surplus to the extent that if someone from the supporters club is appointed to feed into Ged/the board then there needs to be a platform for everyone's views to be put forward and/or taken into account otherwise there may only be views from a few people. We all have our own opinions and may not necessarily agree with someone else. The question is to how best to collate everyone's views. A facebook page is a possibility or perhaps some sort of forum on the supporters club website
where people may leave their views.

KatSwinn wrote:I agree that it would be a good idea for the supporters club to have their own website. If our committee is now independent from the club then it makes sense for us to have our own independent website. This could then be linked in to the social feed. The club's own website is clearly underused and thinking about it now, how many people would think to go on there to get information about the supporters club? Not many I would guess. Having our own website would allow fans to see that we are independent and would give us scope to get all the information out there which no doubt would be limited on the club's website.

I agree with Surplus to the extent that if someone from the supporters club is appointed to feed into Ged/the board then there needs to be a platform for everyone's views to be put forward and/or taken into account otherwise there may only be views from a few people. We all have our own opinions and may not necessarily agree with someone else. The question is to how best to collate everyone's views. A facebook page is a possibility or perhaps some sort of forum on the supporters club website
where people may leave their views.

I think it's important that whilst this is fresh in everyone's minds, and given that a new Secretary needs appointing and discussion around who can represent us, a further supporters club meeting needs arranging within the next few weeks.

Shall I liaise with Andy and Hamil?

HTAFC Away Travel wrote:

KatSwinn wrote:I agree that it would be a good idea for the supporters club to have their own website. If our committee is now independent from the club then it makes sense for us to have our own independent website. This could then be linked in to the social feed. The club's own website is clearly underused and thinking about it now, how many people would think to go on there to get information about the supporters club?  Not many I would guess. Having our own website would allow fans to see that we are independent and would give us scope to get all the information out there which no doubt would be limited on the club's website.

I agree with Surplus to the extent that if someone from the supporters club is appointed to feed into Ged/the board then there needs to be a platform for everyone's views to be put forward and/or taken into account otherwise there may only be views from a few people. We all have our own opinions and may not necessarily agree with someone else. The question is to how best to collate everyone's views. A facebook page is a possibility or perhaps some sort of forum on the supporters club website
where people may leave their views.

I think it's important that whilst this is fresh in everyone's minds, and given that a new Secretary needs appointing and discussion around who can represent us, a further supporters club meeting needs arranging within the next few weeks.

Shall I liaise with Andy and Hamil?

Yes if you don't mind doing that thanks. I agree the meeting needs to be rearranged asap given that last night's was cancelled. I appreciate Ged is not on the committee, but I think it would be a good idea to liaise with him as well (or at least copy him in) about a date so he knows what's happening with the representation and/or so he may provide a further update at the meeting.

KatSwinn wrote:

HTAFC Away Travel wrote:

KatSwinn wrote:I agree that it would be a good idea for the supporters club to have their own website. If our committee is now independent from the club then it makes sense for us to have our own independent website. This could then be linked in to the social feed. The club's own website is clearly underused and thinking about it now, how many people would think to go on there to get information about the supporters club?  Not many I would guess. Having our own website would allow fans to see that we are independent and would give us scope to get all the information out there which no doubt would be limited on the club's website.

I agree with Surplus to the extent that if someone from the supporters club is appointed to feed into Ged/the board then there needs to be a platform for everyone's views to be put forward and/or taken into account otherwise there may only be views from a few people. We all have our own opinions and may not necessarily agree with someone else. The question is to how best to collate everyone's views. A facebook page is a possibility or perhaps some sort of forum on the supporters club website
where people may leave their views.

I think it's important that whilst this is fresh in everyone's minds, and given that a new Secretary needs appointing and discussion around who can represent us, a further supporters club meeting needs arranging within the next few weeks.

Shall I liaise with Andy and Hamil?

Yes if you don't mind doing that thanks. I agree the meeting needs to be rearranged asap given that last night's was cancelled. I appreciate Ged is not on the committee, but I think it would be a good idea to liaise with him as well (or at least copy him in) about a date so he knows what's happening with the representation and/or so he may provide a further update at the meeting.

Absolutely agree - Ged still has an important part to play and is of course a member too. Hopefully it will open up the communication channels and think it's great if an individual can work with Ged and the board about our thoughts.

Leave that with me....

Spoken with Andy and Trish and arranged for a meeting in the 1919 on Tuesday 29th November 2016 at 19:15.

This is subject to our FA Trophy game with Salford not resulting in a replay which I would expect to take place this evening.

I will arrange for this to be communicated out.

Hope all can make it.

Jordan

HTAFC Away Travel wrote:Spoken with Andy and Trish and arranged for a meeting in the 1919 on Tuesday 29th November 2016 at 19:15.

This is subject to our FA Trophy game with Salford not resulting in a replay which I would expect to take place this evening.

I will arrange for this to be communicated out.

Hope all can make it.

Jordan

Thanks for sorting Jordan

Top effort. Can anyone with links to other clubs feedback the structures within those clubs and how supporters group run and interact with their respective clubs to see if we can pinch/adapt/ignore ideas. Could be done in person or fed back here as well as other ideas.

Surplus wrote:Top effort. Can anyone with links to other clubs feedback the structures within those clubs and how supporters group run and interact with their respective clubs to see if we can pinch/adapt/ignore ideas. Could be done in person or fed back here as well as other ideas.

I suspect that it depends upon individual clubs. Supporters groups usually always have a degree of independence from clubs because the supporters want that independence. However, I think it is important as we have already established, to ensure that the supporters have that link with the club and/or avenue into the club so their views may be heard. This may be done through open forums,
q & a's, someone such as Ged, and as has importantly been agreed, by also having supporter representation through one or two individuals. We also have this forum and the facebook group so hopefully if all those are put together and we then receive the necessary communication from the club then the relationship/feedback between club and supporters should work better.