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AGM MINUTES
The AGM of the Dubai Loyal was held on Friday 1 September in the St Andrews Snug Bar at Rydges Plaza Hotel at 5pm.
In attendance were the committee:
Norman MacDonald – President
Mike Smith - Treasurer.
Grant Douglas – Social
George Wilson – Communications.
Members attending:
Gordon Gibson
John MacDonald
David Dickie
Derek Gemmell
Jim McCloy
Grace McCloy
Don Sinclair
Gordon Ferguson
Ian Burgoyne
This was more than enough to hold a good and lively meeting but was a disappointing turnout given our membership and the numbers at the Last Friday meeting in the previous two months. The meeting was well advertised at a good location and held back to September to allow most to be back from vacation.
- Committee – Norrie to stand down as President at the end of this year when he plans to return to the UK, nominations for a new President will be sought in November to have a new President in place for January 2007. A farewell bash will be held for Norrie in November, just to make sure he is going as he can’t stay after his farewell do, surely ??? , there were three volunteers to join the committee with immediate effect, Gordon Gibson, Ian Burgoyne and Derek Gemmell.
- Year Summary – Norrie spoke of successful year with increased revenue and merchandise sales, visits by Davie Wilson/Bobby Tait, Alex McLeish were both good events, support for the Hateley/Goram visit was disappointing especially from members who confirmed their attendance and just failed to turn up. When members confirm attendance they need to realize we book catering etc based on their attendance, in future we will consider payment in advance or at least a deposit for events if member’s word cannot be taken at face value. The club continues to attract new standing and is well thought of at Ibrox, we need to look to expand membership and awareness as well as fix permanent venue for matches being the priority for season 2006/07. The club was well represented at away European matches last year and we are all hoping for an extended run this year. The club has become a fixture at the North American Convention NARSA through George Wilson & Grant Douglas. Rangers have issued a Code of Conduct booklet which we will distribute to all members. An email on membership renewals to be sent out this week.
- Finance – Mike Smith reported more than 185 items of merchandise sold in 2005/06, no outstanding debt and bank balance of 11,532 AED as of August 2006. Mike has done an excellent job as Treasurer and on the accounts and merchandise. Lively discussion on pricing of items but overall it was felt best to retain current pricing for another twelve months..
- Last Friday Meeting/Match Venue – George Wilson has done as excellent job on communication, website and maintaining the Last Friday Meeting tradition, George said a vote of thanks and a mention to Davie Robertson was required as he was the man behind the design of the website. There was a proposal from Jim Henderson to continue the Last Friday Meeting at Biggles as it was ok to get there on a Friday and we were comfortable and well looked after there, match days were a different matter unless you live where Grant does and even then he is still late and to be discussed later. Proposal for Biggles as Last Friday venue was passed. Option being considered for matches is the St. Andrews Snug and Grant and Gordon will meet the GM this week regarding adopting the venue permanently. The bar has said in initial discussions that they will dedicate a screen to us and give us happy hour prices during matches as long as the match is on ART 1,2,3 or 4. We will still look to have a meeting with ART management to voice our protest at how Rangers matches are scheduled for us and Bears throughout the Gulf but we believe the answer is to find a permanent location and then purchase the live internet feed so we can tell all members and visitors from Scotland that every game is on and we also feel this will help the club function better and increase membership and merchandise sales as a side benefit. We hope that Grant and Gordon can get us an answer shortly so we don’t miss too many more matches. The Last Friday in September is during Ramadan but to keep things going there are two options, the match against Celtic is scheduled for 23 September at 3.30pm kick off, this should be on at Biggles so come down, watch the match, PAY YOUR FEES, and help keep the club running. The Last Friday is the 29th the bars don’t open until 7pm and it is understood that a lot of people can’t make it at this time but for those who can lets have the meeting at 7pm on the 29th.
- Fees – Maintained at 100 AED but paid up members to get discounts and preference over non members and members not current.
- Social Report – Grant ran through the following items:
Dubai Loyal Social Update
1) use of st Andrew’s snug for watching games
- the bar has art 1, 2, 3 and 4 and will show rangers game if screened by Art
- confirmed verbally to give happy hour prices for duration of games
- has 160 capacity function suite available for our dos
- confirmed verbally that we’ll get discounted rate for players staying etc
2) golf day v scum- 2 options
option 1
Friday 26 January at creek with 8am shotgun for dhs495
including range balls and cart
option 2
Friday 19 January at al badia with 1st/10th tee offs from
12noon-1.30pm for dhs600 including range balls and cart
however anyone else who has a contact at one of the clubs and can put another option on the table, please do.
3) dubai loyal takes to the high seas(bigotry on a boat)
el mundo catamaran with a capacity of 50 operates out of DIMC at meridian hotel, jumeirah.
Considering chartering the boat for a Friday afternoon sailing from 3.30 to 7pm.
Cost is dhs140 per head
-has a/c and a bar
-4 drinks
-1 burger/hot dog from bbq
- have a go on the inflatable sausage towed behind the speed boat
- swimming/diving etc
-and one drink at barasti bar after back on dry land.
4) dubai loyal pool/darts night
can organise this if any lads interested?
The general feeling was that Grant should firm up Al Badia and we can then start to confirm two visiting former players/guests to defend the trophy against a dejected Celtic mob who have not won for the past two years despite handicap irregularities.
However at 600 AED per head (no more cheap golf in Dubai as we all know) the club cannot meet the cost of no shows or the usual call offs 24 hours prior to the match.
Names/cash to Grant 050 625 1646 or George 050 624 3507 and money prior to 1 December.
The following rules will be strictly applied:
If you have not paid by 1 December then you place is not confirmed.
If you pay then call off you will receive a refund only if you place is filled by a paying player.
Paid up members will receive priority over non members/members not current.
George to put out a weekly mail from late September showing who has paid until all 22 spaces are filled.
Names indicated without cash will not get you on this list.
If you have paid but are not current on your membership your place may go to a paid up member.
- We with Davie Robertson’s help look into further improvements this year including paypal so you can buy online plus links to other Rangers sites and supporters clubs worldwide.
- Gulf Convention – George and John Kerr from Bahrain are looking into setting up a NARSA type event for the region for 2007, with the proposed format a dinner, guest speaker, inter club golf match, more details when they become available in October when the first planning meeting is scheduled.
- Celtic have the Lisbon Lions over in November, some Bears may wish to attend the dinner 250 AED a head, meal only, smart/casual, Meriden Airport Hotel Great Room, Thursday 30 November. Dubai Loyal will probably take two tables as the event is for charity, interested call Norrie on 050 553 8051.
- There was a request to have another quiz night and to invite other supporters clubs like Chelsea etc. Look into this for November/December, anyone who has contacts at other clubs call Norrie on 050 553 8051.
George Wilson
Communications
Dubai Loyal.
Regards,
George
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