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Future of the Supporters' Club
Options to be considered at AGM
The consultation conducted by the committee has shown there is very little, if any, support from the members for the courses of action known as Option 1 (winding up the Club) or Option 4 (continuing as an unofficial Club). Therefore, the committee has decided to present only options 2 & 3 (now re-named A & B) to the membership at the AGM on Wednesday 20th June. However, any member who wishes to propose an alternative way forward may do so from the floor of the meeting. Further details will be made available nearer the time.
Option A: Merge the Club with Edinburgh Rugby's Membership Scheme.
The Supporters' Club would become in effect the Social Committee of Edinburgh Rugby. It would be responsible for the following on behalf of Edinburgh Rugby:
a) Organising activities in the Members' Bar on match day.
b) Organising Travel to Away matches
c) Organising Social Events for Members
d) Represent the views of supporters to the management of Edinburgh Rugby
e) Some content on the Members-only section of the Edinburgh Rugby website
It would be funded from the proceeds of the activities in the Members' Bar (Edinburgh Rugby guarantee to provide sufficient opportunities for fund-raising).
The Supporters' Club website and chatroom would be closed.
This option will require changes to the constitution of the Club.
The benefit of this approach is that it eliminates confusion and creates a single entity in line with most people's expectation of what a rugby club is. The downsides are a possible real or perceived loss of independence as the voice of the supporters, and the disappearance of a ready-made alternative vehicle should the Edinburgh Rugby Membership Scheme fail or be suspended for any reason (e.g. sale of the club to new owners).
Option B: Continue as an independent Club, providing services to Edinburgh Rugby
The Supporters' Club would continue as it currently stands. It would provide the following services to Edinburgh Rugby:
a) Organising activities in the Members' Bar on match day.
b) Organising Travel to Away matches
c) Organising Social Events for Members
d) Represent the views of supporters to the management of Edinburgh Rugby
Membership of the Supporters' Club would not confer Membership of Edinburgh Rugby, and members of the Supporters' Club would still have to join Edinburgh Rugby in order to enjoy the benefits of said membership. For example, the Members' Bar on match-day will be for Edinburgh Rugby Members and their guests; Supporters' Club members who were not also Edinburgh Rugby Members would have to be signed-in as guests. Also, Supporters' Club members who were not also Edinburgh Rugby Members would not have access to the Members-only parts of the Edinburgh Rugby website,
It would be funded from the proceeds of the activities in the Members' Bar (Edinburgh Rugby guarantee to provide sufficient opportunities for fund-raising).
It is anticipated that income from Associate Membership fees would almost entirely disappear.
The Supporters' Club website and chatroom would continue. This would necessitate additional funds to cover running costs, though it is envisaged that this would be more than covered by the sale of advertising on the site.
This option will not require any constitutional changes, although the constitution will be reviewed during season 2007/8.
The benefits of this approach are that it maintains the independence of the Supporters' Club as a voice of the supporters and provides a ready-made alternative should the Edinburgh Rugby Membership Scheme ever be closed. The problems are that it creates confusion and uncertainty, and that the Supporters' Club will have very little to offer its members.
