One direction? Our direction!

Would you like to play an active role in setting the strategic direction for our club? Could you hold the club’s executives to account on behalf of Dons Trust members? John Dolan, chair of the Election Steering Group, invites you to stand for election to the Dons Trust Board.

As we all know, AFC Wimbledon is owned by its supporters, through the Dons Trust. The Dons Trust Board sets the strategic direction of the club, appoints the staff who deliver that strategy and ensures that they deliver it. It is now your opportunity to join the board.

The board has nine elected members, each of whom serves for two years. The terms of five members end next year; those continuing in office until then are David Growns, Mark Davis, Jane Lonsdale, Colin Dipple and Roger Evans. So there are now four positions to fill.

While various skills may be an advantage in helping the board deal with its activities, no specific ability is required for board membership. The only attributes that a member must have are commitment, effort and the ability to work as part of a team. To assist new board members, a joining pack will be available and training opportunities will be provided.

If you are considering standing for election to the board, you will find it invaluable to discuss the role with an existing board member: visit the kiosk in Jack Goodchild Way on a match day or email the Dons Trust Secretary.

All full members of the Dons Trust are entitled to vote in the election, and all full members (with the exception of the club’s executive officers) are entitled to stand for election.

The election process has now started with the election documentation available on this website. Members should also have received direct communication notifying them that nominations are invited. Nominations should be submitted by 2.30 pm on 15 October – half an hour before the home match against Swindon kicks off. Campaigning will then start immediately, and voting forms will be distributed on 7 November. Voting closes on 28 November; the result will be announced at the Trust’s Annual General Meeting on 8 December.

Throughout the election process, candidates will be able to campaign, should they wish, via the Trust Webjam and other social media sites. The Election Steering Group, which administers the election process on behalf of the Board, will be hosting a formalised Twitter debate between candidates; those who are standing will also have the opportunity to be interviewed for The 9yrs Podcast.

If you wish to contribute to the club as a member of the Board, you must nominate yourself as a candidate for election, and:

  • familiarise yourself with the Dons Trust rules for the 2016 election
  • have been a paid-up full member of the Trust on 30 September 2016
  • have two proposers, each of whom was also a paid-up full member on 30 September 2016
  • in your own interest, provide a manifesto of not more than 800 words
  • provide, if you wish, a summary manifesto of not more than 120 words and a photograph of yourself for use in a forthcoming matchday programme.

You cannot propose yourself, but if you are standing for election you may propose another candidate.

Supporters are reminded that, to be entitled to vote in the election, they must have been a paid-up full member of the Trust on 30 September 2016. If you are not a member of the Trust but would like to take part in next year’s elections, then please join the Trust.

 

This article originally appeared in the matchday programme for the game against Gillingham, played on October 1, 2016.