Welcome to the September 2024 Dons Trust newsletter – our monthly collection of news and announcements about ongoing Dons Trust activities. Slightly edited but substantially the same as was emailed on 6 September 2024.
Special General Meeting (SGM) 16th September – update
The Member called Special General Meeting will take place on Monday 16th September 2024 at 7 pm in the 1889 Lounge (formerly the Silver Lounge) at Plough Lane, as well as online, as previously emailed to members.
On Sunday 1st September, members should have received their proxy link. If you did not receive one, please contact secretary@thedonstrust.org.
If a member cannot attend in person, they can then appoint a proxy (a substitute) to attend and vote in their place. The deadline to submit proxy votes (both in person and online) is Friday 13th September.
You can find all of the information for the meeting, including details of the resolutions outlinedin the email that was sent to you, along with the meeting’s agenda. If you did not receive an email, please contact secretary@thedonstrust.org.
An update that was recently sent out confirming that we have managed to secure the 1889 Lounge (formerly the Silver Lounge) to host this meeting and clarifying one of the original papers can be found
Members Called SGM Monday 16th September Update.
We also must thank the originally booking holder Merton Council for being so flexible and accommodating to allow us to secure the room
To join the meeting online you will need to register by noon on Monday 16th September 2024. If you are joining the meeting online you will also be able to vote on the night of the meeting. If you did not receive an email, please contact secretary@thedonstrust.org.
Please note, the meeting will be recorded and made available after the event to Dons Trust members via email.
Dons Trust Members’ Drop In Evening – 23rd September
The Dons Trust will be holding an informal “Drop-In” evening from 7 – 9 pm in the Legends Lounge (formerly the Platinum Lounge) at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, Plough Lane.
This is not a formal meeting and does not have an agenda – it represents an opportunity for members to speak with Dons Trust board members face-to-face on any DT-related issues.
New Dons Trust Members Handbook
The Dons Trust is pleased to share our new members’ handbook with a guide to the governance of AFC Wimbledon, our member’s rights and responsibilities, how to stand for election and much more.
The members’ handbook can be found online
Dons Trust Members Welcome Pack 24-25 (afcwimbledonservices.co.uk)
Recently Asked Questions – August/September 2024
We are continuing our series of answers to questions which The Dons Trust Board which have been asked online or in person recently, that we think would be of benefit to our wider membership.
A round-up of questions and answers for August and the start of September can now be found here
Recently Asked Questions – August Early September 2024
Dons Trust Board Elections 2024
We are proud to be a fan-owned club, and the ultimate decision makers are the people that Dons Trust members elect to serve on the Dons Trust Board.
This year there will be an election to choose a minimum of seven members of the Board.
The seven vacancies are caused by four members reaching the end of their elected term, Michele Little our former chair moving to a role with the Club and the two positions currently vacant, as not enough candidates stood at the last election.
The current plan for the key dates for the 2024 DTB election is as follows:
- Opening of Nominations: Saturday 5th October
- Close of Nominations: Saturday 26th October
- Manifestos sent out: Thursday 31st October
- Ballots sent out: Saturday 9th November
- Ballot deadline: Tuesday 3rd December
Bring a tin to the game for DLAG
Don’t forget to bring your food donations for DLAG to all home games at Plough Lane, including the game on Saturday 14th September and the one against Accrington Stanley on Saturday 28th September. Dons Local Action Group will have stalls outside the ground at the main entrance and South Stand from 90 minutes before kick off, ready to collect your tinned meat, fish, fruit and vegetables.
These donations go into DLAG’s weekly food boxes to support households experiencing hardship in the local community. DLAG will be collecting donations at every Saturday home match this season, so please make sure to support them if you can.
Sponsored Skydive to raise funds for AFC Wimbledon Foundation
Last chance to enjoy 10,000 feet skydive in beautiful Salisbury.
So far we have 8 people taking part in a sponsored tandem skydive on Sunday 6th October and we have 3 places left….
If you raise over £395 you’ll get to jump for FREE as well as help AFC Wimbledon Foundation…
Inspire active lifestyles in local children
Improve the lives of older people
Champion sustainable sports participation for women and girls
By participating, you’ll be directly supporting our Summer Appeal by raising much needed funds to inspire positive change in our local community.
Registration closes when all places are filled
Sign up now or email us for more information
Read all about Chiharu’s experience at our holiday camp and her first AFC Wimbledon Women’s game: https://afcwimbledonfoundation.com/news/chiharu-inspired-by-the-champions
Join the 100 people who have downloaded the Goal for Good App and make giving part of your match day ritual.
Dons – Goals For Good is a completely new way of donating, linking the club’s action on the field with the impact of its charity, AFC Wimbledon Foundation.
Supporters can make a pledge for every time the team scores a goal or wins a game – enabling AFC Wimbledon Foundation to continue building a community where no dream is off limits.
Goals For Good is a fun and interactive app – supporters will get notifications each time The Dons score and win, bringing the satisfaction of the team performing on the pitch whilst supporting the Foundation to deliver impactful programmes to more than 3,500 participants each week across Merton, Wandsworth and Kingston. You can set a limit to cap how much you donate each month – then it’s just up to Wimbledon to try and hit it!
Engaging with Dons Trust Board representatives
Dons Trust members can stay in touch on email any time at contact@thedonstrust.org or tweet @TheDonsTrust, if you have any comments or questions about the Dons Trust.
Thanks to Reece Wheeler Kelly, who is our new moderator on Pro Boards, one of our member communications channels where members can also ask questions to Dons Trust Board members online.
This is a members-only forum, so all members will need to register and to use their name to post messages.
Reece’s role will be to facilitate and moderate the lively discussions that are something of a hallmark of Wimbledon fans in general, and this place specifically, to ensure rules are clear to and followed by all members, and generally try to encourage and support an effective use of this channel. The DTB will remain available to respond to questions.
We would like to thank Reece for stepping forward as he has done. Volunteers in the end are frequently what make us tick as a club across the board, and he made this approach under his own steam, and without being asked. He’s experienced in moderation of a Discord channel, so has plenty of relevant experience in facilitating often passionate conversation and engagement online.
Angus Fox from the DTB will be available to chat with supporters at the Dons Trust Kiosk (behind the South stand) ahead of our home game on Saturday 14th September, which is a 12.30 pm kick off.
An update from WOWSA
A quick reminder that WOWSA are planning a variety of events and socials throughout the season.
To kick off, we have two WOWSA away games scheduled to see our men’s team play. On Saturday 19th October we’ll be heading to Notts County vs AFC Wimbledon, then on Saturday 12th April we will be making the trip to Doncaster Rovers vs AFC Wimbledon.
We will also be having a social gathering at AFC Wimbledon Women vs Hashtag United on Sunday 6th October. This will be an open social for everyone, not just WOWSA members. We’d love as many people as possible to join us for a few drinks and to cheer on our championship winning women’s team!
We will be planning another event around International Women’s Day 2025, and much more!
If you would like to find out more about WOWSA and how to become a member, head over to wowsa.uk
AFC Wimbledon Women
AFC Wimbledon Women’s season in the FA Women’s National League Southern Premier Division has to date yielded one draw, one narrow defeat and an excellent 3-0 away win at Cheltenham last weekend.
Their next home game – one of 7 more games scheduled this coming season to be played at the Cherry Red Records Stadium, takes place this Sunday 8th September – 2 pm kick off v Oxford United Women.
Get your tickets for the Oxford clash online here.
Follow AFC Wimbledon Women on @afcw_women on X (formerly Twitter) or @afcwwomen on Instagram/Threads or subscribe to their newsletter.
For any enquiries or issues about club events, season tickets, the stadium, merchandise etc. – email the club on enquiries@afcwimbledon.ltd.uk
Thank you for reading and Come On You Dons!
The Dons Trust Board