Trust Chair resigns (Merged)

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What's happened?

The trust site says Paul Savage has resigned with immediate effect due to a fundamental disagreement about the future direction of the trust.

My guess is that the outcome of the survey was leaning towards fan ownership, which Paul has stated previously that he is not the man to lead them in this scenario.

Oh dear. That's worrying.

Does this mean the Trust are toeing the party line along with everyone else?

Even more need for the disaffected to join and make sure the Trust steers in the right direction.

Sad day. Rutter has been there at every forum to talk about how good a job Fenty has done. What has gone on Bax?

Quoted from mariner91

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Is it too early to ask which way the future direction of the Trust is pointing?

I would assume some members wanted them to resign from board but Savage wanted to remain on the board?

As said above it is a shame because Rutter is for the checkatrade trophy and he is a staunch Fenty and possibly Slade fan.

Oh Christ, this is one of the last things the trust and we as fans need. Reading on Facebook Alan Rutter refuses to reveal the reasons why Paul Savage stepped down, but it’s this caginess which will only lead to more speculation.

I do hope Paul does take time out to explain his reasons for stepping down, this just makes me think more and more the trust be best off stepping down from the board, at least then they can fully represent the fans without any censorship from certain board members.

Can we have details, at least at a high level, what the disagreement was about and what is the future direction of the Trust?

Quoted from headingly_mariner

Sad day. Rutter has been there at every forum to talk about how good a job Fenty has done. What has gone on Bax?

Even sadder that Rutter is a Leeds fan

More infighting i suspect. There will be a fight for the chairmanship now  

Quoted from The Grim Reaper

More infighting i suspect. There will be a fight for the chairmanship now  

Hopefully there will be because we should actually get an election with a debate about different policies.

Time for people to join and get involved and swing this in the right direction before it's too late.

I appreciate not everything can be released into the public domain.

However, I think it's important there's some communication/clarity here. If Mr Savage has resigned because of the direction the trust wants to go in, then us members should know what direction those in control are trying to go in.

Also think it's strange to have this disagreement now as surely there direction will be, to some level, dictated by the results of the current survey???

First of all, may I thank Paul for his work, particularly in relation to the Stevenage affair. However, given the announcement this evening, there is an urgent need for clarity about what the issues are, not just for those of us who are Trust members but the broader fan base.

Quoted from Davec

I would assume some members wanted them to resign from board but Savage wanted to remain on the board?

As said above it is a shame because Rutter is for the checkatrade trophy and he is a staunch Fenty and possibly Slade fan.

You talk some flipping excrement.

I think there is a need to communicate what the bone of contention was/is. It's of critical interest to members (and other fans).

What a mess

Surely if you want change it better to be on the inside than the outside

Quoted from ska face

You talk some flipping excrement.

Well perhaps you could share the reasons to us, I'm assuming you know if you think I'm chatting excrement.

Nobody on the trust seems to last five minutes. Do we really trust them to run the club if it comes to it? Fenty gets a lot of stick but at least he hangs around.

Quoted from BraStrap

Nobody on the trust seems to last five minutes. Do we really trust them to run the club if it comes to it? Fenty gets a lot of stick but at least he hangs around.

This is a very valid point and the latest change at the top of the Trust surely shows that they could never run the club even if given the opportunity. Stick to the bars lads it is clearly your limit. When the going gets tough the Trust gets going while Fenty digs in - we'll need that in the Conference

Quoted from Davec

Well perhaps you could share the reasons to us, I'm assuming you know if you think I'm chatting excrement.

Please don’t be under the impression that I just to justify myself to a jug-eared, bedroom-dwelling oddball like you Aaron.

In your post you’ve made a number of assumptions and statements about individuals and the Trust board collectively based on nothing but the internal workings of your mind. Far be it from me speak on behalf of others, but how have you come to the conclusion the new Trust Chair is “staunch Fenty and probably a Slade fan”?

And let’s for a minute say there were - so what? The point of the Trust is to represent the views of its members, not work according to the allegiances of board members.

Someone in the thread suggested it’s better to try and “influence from the inside” regarding the board seat. Correct - but that works for the Trust itself as an organisation. All I can see is hundreds and hundreds of people lining up to have a dig at volunteers, the majority of whom are in their current positions as a result of others dropping out, without having the stones to put themselves forward.

Clearly the survey results cannot come quickly enough. Once they are in a majority view is formed then and only then can the Trust go forward with whatever mandate they are given.

In the recordings of Fenty he claimed the Trust support of the Checkatrade boycott was totally wrong. Not for me but that statement tells me JF has a complete misunderstanding of the Trusts role.

He sees it as an extension of the club when imo it has to be representing the fans

Well done Ska face on returning 5 years into the past and taking pointless digs at Aaron. If you think that most the posts on this forum stem from anywhere other than the internal workings of the posters mind then you're deluded.

For me they need to -

• State how long the current chair is expected to be in post - I imagine this is only a temporary situation brought about by Paul Savage resigning, people need know this.
  
• Pull the survey closing date forward to 7 days from now. If people want to contribute they more-than-likely have already done so, and if they haven’t then have a coordinated, short term push on promoting it. Fans are currently very engaged in the workings of the club and this is a great opportunity to see what people really want, the Trust shouldn’t let this opportunity peter out.
  
• Give a date for the publication of the survey results. It doesn’t need to be all-singing, all-dancing, at this stage a series of small statements detailing the broad messages coming out from the survey will suffice.
  
• Use the results as a way to demonstrate ways for people to be actively involved in Trust activities. This doesn’t need to be joining the board, it could be done in a one-off volunteering capacity supported by the Trust, but it’s clear that there are a lot of passionate town fans with a broad range of skills and interests that will benefit the club, the fan base and the community. This, for me, should be the future of the Trust rather than flogging the dead horse that is banging on Fenty’s door and getting ignored.
  

Quoted from ska face

Please don’t be under the impression that I just to justify myself to a jug-eared, bedroom-dwelling oddball.

As someone with prominent ears myself. Could you enlighten me as to how pointing that out this helps your argument?  Does somebody’s physical appearance detract from their mental ability ?
Perhaps you should have a chat with Steven Hawkins regarding that point of view !!

Disgusting individual

Well just for the record Ska Face I'm not jug eared and I'm not bedroom dwelling. Even if I was so what?

Quoted from Civvy at last

As someone with prominent ears myself. Could you enlighten me as to how pointing that out this helps your argument?  Does somebody’s physical appearance detract from their mental ability ?
Perhaps you should have a chat with Steven Hawkins regarding that point of view !!

Disgusting individual

Who ? Steven Hawkins? That's a bit harsh just cos he looks a bit odd and talks funny  

Lighten up for felicitations sake!

haha oh fuckinell.

Aaron I apologise for saying you’ve got big ears, I’m sure they’re lovely.

For all who are cursed with having big ears, may I take this opportunity to apologise to you also for my insensitive comments, I do not believe that your intelligence is inversely proportional to the size of your ear lobes. My comments were crass and uncalled for, and I can do no more than say that I am sorry.

Quoted from ska face

haha oh fuckinell.

Aaron I apologise for saying you’ve got big ears, I’m sure they’re lovely.

For all who are cursed with having big ears, may I take this opportunity to apologise to you also for my insensitive comments, I do not believe that your intelligence is inversely proportional to the size of your ear lobes. My comments were crass and uncalled for, and I can do no more than say that I am sorry.

Quite right Ska well put. To all the jug-eared ones out there just don't sit in front of me at Cambridge thats all!

For John Wood's role as Trust rep on the Board to have anything more than a symbolic presence there has to be a mechanism for gauging fans views. The survey will be just one pointer to this end.
Regular meetings, twitter updates, guest articles on the website, sponsored events etc. which are independent of the club but supportive of it.
My reasons for joining recently was to feel that I had a greater connection with other fans as a lone exile and to make a small contribution to improving the 'fan experience'. I do not want to run the club and I sense that The Trust Board don't either.
We can still build on the successes of the Trust if membership increases based on a broad agenda. Membership is unlikely to grow in the current climate if the Trust is perceived to be a mere extension of the Club.
Perhaps a temporary withdrawal from Club Board meetings is in order until  issues of mandate are settled.

Quoted from Croxton

For John Wood's role as Trust rep on the Board to have anything more than a symbolic presence there has to be a mechanism for gauging fans views. The survey will be just one pointer to this end.
Regular meetings, twitter updates, guest articles on the website, sponsored events etc. which are independent of the club but supportive of it.
My reasons for joining recently was to feel that I had a greater connection with other fans as a lone exile and to make a small contribution to improving the 'fan experience'. I do not want to run the club and I sense that The Trust Board don't either.
We can still build on the successes of the Trust if membership increases based on a broad agenda. Membership is unlikely to grow in the current climate if the Trust is perceived to be a mere extension of the Club.
Perhaps a temporary withdrawal from Club Board meetings is in order until  issues of mandate are settled.

A sensible post.

However, I fear that if the board position is given up now we'll never get it back. You heard Fenty's views of the Trust in those recordings?

Quoted from Croxton

For John Wood's role as Trust rep on the Board to have anything more than a symbolic presence there has to be a mechanism for gauging fans views. The survey will be just one pointer to this end.
Regular meetings, twitter updates, guest articles on the website, sponsored events etc. which are independent of the club but supportive of it.
My reasons for joining recently was to feel that I had a greater connection with other fans as a lone exile and to make a small contribution to improving the 'fan experience'. I do not want to run the club and I sense that The Trust Board don't either.
We can still build on the successes of the Trust if membership increases based on a broad agenda. Membership is unlikely to grow in the current climate if the Trust is perceived to be a mere extension of the Club.
Perhaps a temporary withdrawal from Club Board meetings is in order until  issues of mandate are settled.

I find it hard to believe the Trust is still finding it difficult to even decide what it should do other than appoint committee members with impressive sounding titles. Why does it need a survey of members to say what its purpose is, shouldn't it be the other way round? Most organisations state their intended purpose and then try and attract members who agree with them. How can you send out updates when you don't even know why you are here? It's all quite surreal.

Surely a explanation will be given as to why he resigned.

He was the first Chairman of the Trust that actually seemed credible since Chris Parker. The others have been too closely linked to those that run the club.

Quoted from ska face

haha oh fuckinell.

Aaron I apologise for saying you’ve got big ears, I’m sure they’re lovely.

For all who are cursed with having big ears, may I take this opportunity to apologise to you also for my insensitive comments, I do not believe that your intelligence is inversely proportional to the size of your ear lobes. My comments were crass and uncalled for, and I can do no more than say that I am sorry.

It takes a big man to say sorry Grant, I'm not calling you fat by the way, big man as in stature.

Let’s hope we don’t get into a debate about people going bald or having small willies too as then I definitely will be in trouble!

Quoted from KingstonMariner

A sensible post.

However, I fear that if the board position is given up now we'll never get it back. You heard Fenty's views of the Trust in those recordings?

How much is it truly worth now though? All decisions put before the board have been decided well before the trust rep is involved and outnumbered in any case with yes men.
Would the Trust have more credibility representing the fans away from the current regime where its stance is barely recognised and some would say affecting its members negatively.
Just asking the questions, not stating my opinion btw.

Quoted from ska face

Let’s hope we don’t get into a debate about people going bald or having small willies too as then I definitely will be in trouble!

Why bring me into it ?

I have not said anything.

Quoted from ska face

Let’s hope we don’t get into a debate about people going bald or having small willies too as then I definitely will be in trouble!

I didn't know you were bald Ska

I’m clinging on for dear life mate, probably got another 12 months before I have to bic it. Process is accelerated by stress, so that’s another thing I’m blaming Fenty for.

Seems a sorry state of affairs. IMO everyone needs to unite and the most feasible way to do that is behind the Trust.

If you dont agree with the direction you perceive it is going towards, then ensure you complete the survey and tell them!

The Trust can only act upon what the majority choose for them to do.

Reading this thread and social media in general it seems the fans are split about the value of the having someone on the board. Will everyone accept the decision of the majority? I hope they do because otherwise it becomes very fractious

Quoted from kevikov

Clearly the Trust is getting outvoted in some key decisions, but, it is privy to information not more widely available (obvious limitations on what it can do with it), the rep on the club board does get to put forward the Trust's viewpoint in discussions, and, for me, should the balloon go up, we (the fans) have a voice at the heart of discussions. Worth hanging on I say.

Quoted from BraStrap

I find it hard to believe the Trust is still finding it difficult to even decide what it should do other than appoint committee members with impressive sounding titles. Why does it need a survey of members to say what its purpose is, shouldn't it be the other way round? Most organisations state their intended purpose and then try and attract members who agree with them. How can you send out updates when you don't even know why you are here? It's all quite surreal.

The Trust is a democratic organisation. It does have declared aims - in fact they're embedded in its constitution and articles of association. They were set several years ago when the Trust was first formed. The question is, are these still what members want, and how should it go about furthering its aims.

All pretty reasonable if you ask me.

Have you had a nose around the Trust's website?

I'm dieing here, ska face you've obviously aged since  I see you last! You old git... When I say old I mean like, older than me.. Not like old as in OAP.. Oh and when I say OAP I don't mean to be rude I mean like the age where you get a bus pass and things.. But when I say that I mean..

Quoted from lukeo

I'm dieing here, ska face you've obviously aged since  I see you last! You old git... When I say old I mean like, older than me.. Not like old as in OAP.. Oh and when I say OAP I don't mean to be rude I mean like the age where you get a bus pass and things.. But when I say that I mean..

It’s been a while mate. Not played 11-a-side for about 2 years now an’all, fuckin piled it on kid. I’m still devastatingly good looking though, so swings and roundabouts...