BOARD ELECTIONS: What are the responsibilities of Trust directors?
The 2019 elections to the Board of the Supporters' Trust (and therefore the Board of Newport County AFC) were launched on June 27.
A reminder of the launch can be found here: https://www.ncafctrust.org/news/trust-board-elections-2019-launched/
All queries regarding the elections should be emailed to: elections@ncafctrust.org
As an aid to Trust members considering standing for election, we've put together the following guide to what it means to be a member of the Board...
- Key Responsibilities
- Represent the club in the board room at home games by hosting visiting directors.
- Represent the club at away games in directors’ board room.
- Attend Trust Board meetings.
- Attend Operational Board meetings.
- Attend meetings with stakeholders and supporters’ groups.
- Represent the club at events as part of community commitment.
- Lead the area allocated as part of the Trust board.
- Undertake activity with the media to promote the club in a positive manner.
- Act in the best interests of the club at all times.
- Support the club officials to allow the discharging of their duties.
- Qualifications
- You must pass the EFL proper persons test.
- You must be accepted to be registered as a director by Companies House.
- You must meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the election launch.
- You will have to undertake a DBS application given the likely interaction with minors.
- Confidentiality
- The Board will communicate with its Trust Members and Owners through a controlled and agreed channel to meet its transparency commitment at each Board level. This is via the publication of redacted notes from Trust Board meetings, the club’s official communications channels, and the Trust’s official communications channels. This recognises that at times certain information is unable to be released due to legal restrictions or commercial sensitivities.
- Board members are required to recognise and abide by this approach to ensure the club meets its obligations.
- A breach of confidentially in this area could lead to dismissal from the Board.
- Liabilities / Restrictions
- As a director of the company you will by default carry a number of liabilities that you must satisfy yourself you understand and are willing to accept – these can be found on the Companies House website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/being-a-company-director
- The EFL has a set of rules that need to be adhered too. You must again satisfy yourself that these rules are understood and you are happy to abide by them – these can be found on the EFL website here: https://www.efl.com/-more/governance/efl-rules--regulations/appendix-3---owners-and-directors-test/
- Other Useful Information
Listed are a number of points that may well be of use when considering whether to stand for election:
- Daily – As a director you will engage with your fellow board members by email and telephone pretty much each day.
- Weekly – You are likely to attend regular meetings during the week, including visits to the club offices and/or training ground.
- Monthly – There are two levels of board meeting each month.
- Documents – There are a number of documents that you will be expected to review on a regular basis.
- Geography – Given the need to meet regularly in Newport, consideration needs to be given on location in order to ensure duties and responsibilities are met.
- Remuneration – There is none. Everything undertaken by the directors is on a voluntary basis and any costs incurred are at the expense of the directors. This includes all travel to away games.
- Commitment – The term of office is for 3 seasons and in line with the constitution.
