Let's start with the board

Quoted from barralad

I think this is an excellent post which articulates very well the stand point of those who believe the Trust are better off outside of the Board. As someone who is committed to the opposite view I would simply ask-If the situation is really that bad then what "clout" would a Trust completely alienated have to get answers to those questions? There is a decent proportion of the fanbase that would agree with you but I speak to lots of fans who think maintaining (after having obtained) a place on the Board of GTFC is after Operation Promotion the Trust's biggest achievement.

I totally agree with you regarding Operation Promotion - sadly, someone who matters said that 'it's the worst thing that happened to the club'

Quoted from barralad

I think this is an excellent post which articulates very well the stand point of those who believe the Trust are better off outside of the Board. As someone who is committed to the opposite view I would simply ask-If the situation is really that bad then what "clout" would a Trust completely alienated have to get answers to those questions? There is a decent proportion of the fanbase that would agree with you but I speak to lots of fans who think maintaining (after having obtained) a place on the Board of GTFC is after Operation Promotion the Trust's biggest achievement.

I would argue Barra, that a completely alienated Trust would not be under any pressure to ‘Toe the party line’ in any way shape or form.  My feeling at the moment is that the membership of the board is nothing more than a token gesture, but as a board member they have to observe certain protocol.  Thus ruling out direct action as such toward the current ownership.
The difference between JF and the Oystens etc is that JF is a local man and an egotist.  He doesn’t like being shown up. The likes of you and me have seen far more grief given to boards in the past than JF has even come close to. If concerted action was lead by the trust and organised with the efficiency they have certainly shown they are capable of, then I do believe JF would be forced to somehow react.  At the moment though, he still gets to do whatever he wants virtually unopposed and without much fuss.
I realise views differ. But on a personal level, I would be far more supportive of a trust on the outside banging loudly on the window. Than on the inside whispering their objections pretty much unheard.

Fair comment. Thank you for the detailed response

Quoted from barralad

I think this is an excellent post which articulates very well the stand point of those who believe the Trust are better off outside of the Board. As someone who is committed to the opposite view I would simply ask-If the situation is really that bad then what "clout" would a Trust completely alienated have to get answers to those questions? There is a decent proportion of the fanbase that would agree with you but I speak to lots of fans who think maintaining (after having obtained) a place on the Board of GTFC is after Operation Promotion the Trust's biggest achievement.

You must know that with this current board, there is next to no chance of anything been done that does not reflect the view of the "board." If it was me I would stop flogging a dead horse and change tactic.

The board owe you nothing; you have tried hard with limited resources but you are, and will continue to bang your head against a brick wall.

Harness the power of the fans in general, say you are quitting the board and use your time to orchestrate fans boycotts of games (yes I would go that far) and other direct action  as only hurting the current board in the pocket will make them reconsider their position.

Evolution has not worked and never will with the current incumbent. We need a strong united voice against the board and let them know the current situation (I am talking about many seasons in the doldrums and in non league not Michael Jolley who I am sure is doing his best) is not good enough by a long shot.

Quoted from lew chaterleys lover

You must know that with this current board, there is next to no chance of anything been done that does not reflect the view of the "board." If it was me I would stop flogging a dead horse and change tactic.

The board owe you nothing; you have tried hard with limited resources but you are, and will continue to bang your head against a brick wall.

Harness the power of the fans in general, say you are quitting the board and use your time to orchestrate fans boycotts of games (yes I would go that far) and other direct action  as only hurting the current board in the pocket will make them reconsider their position.

Evolution has not worked and never will with the current incumbent. We need a strong united voice against the board and let them know the current situation (I am talking about many seasons in the doldrums and in non league not Michael Jolley who I am sure is doing his best) is not good enough by a long shot.

As Barralad pointed out there are as many fans who value the seat on the board as those who think leaving and organising boycotts of games is the way forward.
How on earth they represent such varied opinions is beyond me. It has to be impossible doesnt it?

I do understand about 'harnessing the power of the fans' but in which direction?

Quoted from Cloudy

As Barralad pointed out there are as many fans who value the seat on the board as those who think leaving and organising boycotts of games is the way forward.
How on earth they represent such varied opinions is beyond me. It has to be impossible doesnt it?

I do understand about 'harnessing the power of the fans' but in which direction?

That's the same for all democracies though isn't it? People get elected on "tickets" or policies and then hopefully act roughly along the lines of what they promised until they get kicked out. The Trust don't need to keep everyone happy, just the majority.

Quoted from Civvy at last

I would argue Barra, that a completely alienated Trust would not be under any pressure to ‘Toe the party line’ in any way shape or form.  My feeling at the moment is that the membership of the board is nothing more than a token gesture, but as a board member they have to observe certain protocol.  Thus ruling out direct action as such toward the current ownership.
The difference between JF and the Oystens etc is that JF is a local man and an egotist.  He doesn’t like being shown up. The likes of you and me have seen far more grief given to boards in the past than JF has even come close to. If concerted action was lead by the trust and organised with the efficiency they have certainly shown they are capable of, then I do believe JF would be forced to somehow react.  At the moment though, he still gets to do whatever he wants virtually unopposed and without much fuss.
I realise views differ. But on a personal level, I would be far more supportive of a trust on the outside banging loudly on the window. Than on the inside whispering their objections pretty much unheard.

Whilst I totally agree with this, it's surely up to the Trust Board and their Club director as to whether or not they are having an impact significant enough to justify their efforts.

For what it's worth, I am totally against boycotts but if it takes one for people to air their disenchantment with umpteen years of malaise then so be it.

If I chose not to go I wouldn't but I definitely wouldn't boycott

Whilst not denigrating all the hard work the individual members of the Trust do ,I do feel their admittance to the Board is tokenistic and cynically used as an example of supporter participation,when in reality their influence is non existent

I think the Trust need to step back and reflect on just what they are achieving other than legitimising a regime that is failing.

I'd say keep your distance but remain on the board be independent  Lincolns Trust started off well then was used as a vehicle to promote peoples self interests its dying out now torn apart by in fighting and fans mistrust of it.

Instead of raising funds they sat back on past glories lesson to be learned there, my opinion is you  need to raise the money buy shares and then increase your input on how the club is run.
Also have safe guards in place so its always fan led not just people wanting the social status of a place on the board.