Post by Marky on May 30, 2005 17:18:07 GMT
Minutes from WESTA monthly meeting – April 2005
Attendance: Jim Brown, Gerry Brady, Mark Adams, Hamish Husband, Tommy Madden, Greg Fisher, Glenn Hays and 36 others.
Apologies: Tam Coyle, Dot Wilson.
Chairman JB welcomed all in attendance and went through agenda of April meeting. JB also discussed the WESTA Update Email that had been sent out, apologising to those who hadn’t received it. JB then explained to everyone that MA would be wandering amongst us all taking photographs for the websites ‘who’s who’! Finally, JB confirmed that the Italy home game would now be a 5.30pm kick off to accommodate television, highlighting possible travel problems for those living further away.
No Secretaries report. GH went through minutes from March meeting.
GB went through the Treasurers report for the last month
Travel Convenor GF went through all travel details and updates on future arrangements being made. Firstly, GF discussed the arrangements for Riga to Minsk stating that he will be talking with Passport Travel through the coming week. With the need for visas to get into Belarus, GF stated that he would happily go down to London to pick them up from the embassy. TM enquired again regarding the Ljubljana to Celje trip for Slovenia. JB stated that things were still the same at the moment although asked those present who would be interested if there was a bus organised. Around 15 hands were raised, JB said to inform GF of interest on list that was being passed round. Neil Harper mentioned possible problem with bus due to ‘ticket allocation’ for the game but JB said that bus would fill up once ‘wind of it’ gets around and that cost wouldn’t dent WESTA finances if not filled up.
JB went through the minutes from the last ATAC meeting due to TC stuck on a Virgin train somewhere in Lanark (is there virgins in Lanark?!). JB then asked the members if there were any questions in relation to the points mentioned in the minutes, these included: Andrew Gibson asked about friendly dates for early 2006. Nancy Dowie asked for feedback on ‘Italy Guides’ that the SSC supplied the fans for Milan fixture as friends of hers made them up and would do similar guides in the future if response was positive. TM raised the points regarding the state of the San Siro stadium as well as the continual standing problem at Hampden as he felt quite strongly about this. Andrew Gibson went on to agree with Tommy as well as raising the subject on the safety aspect on a lot of spectators standing. TM stated that ATAC should take things on further with all safety inside Hampden as he feels there are constant problems with Rock Steady and their attitude towards the fans. MA said that TC would gladly take this point to the next ATAC meeting. On the same subject HH felt that safety and stewarding had improved. JB suggested we use the game against Moldova as an ‘experience’ with regard to these points raised and welcomed members to share their thoughts at the June meeting. A final point was mentioned by Nancy Dowie who felt the sale of alcohol at the San Siro was wrong particularly as fans were told before leaving for Milan NOT to take in any drink into the ground. TM agreed whole heartedly with this. JB concluded things by telling the amusing story of the two boys he saw being given no problems with the crates of beer on their shoulders as they walked through the turn-styles however they still got their sporrans checked for the loose change, cigarette lighters etc
MA discussed the Website and stated that last months minutes were now posted on there as well as the details relating to the Football Aid. MA again encouraged all the members to use the forum as much as possible and mentioned that the photographs of everyone will appear shortly and anyone not yet posed for theirs to see him at the end of the meeting.
MA also went on to mention the details for this years trip to St Galmier with flights now standing at £110 from Prestwick to St Galmier. Anyone interested was again to see MA at the end of the nights meeting.
JB then moved on to the subject of Merchandising, asking for any suggestions from the floor as to what the members would like us to start producing. JB stated that MA and GB would be co-ordinating from the committees view point.
Suggestions that were thrown back included pin badges and glasses/mugs. Nancy Dowie said that we need to consider what’s being bought prior to the game and what’s being sold i.e. easy to carry and/or wear. At this point Billy the Chef introduced the biggest tangent ever by asking everyone their thoughts on the Italy game?! Getting back to the subject of merchandising it was also suggested that future help is needed for selling merchandising as well for selling raffle tickets at games. Nancy Dowie asked that we buy a bulk supply of Loony Alba t-shirts for WESTA. JB said that he had spoken with Kevin Donnelly and he would be happy to supply us with more. JB also went on to say that he felt that WESTA should put our ‘own house first’ then look at other avenues to bring in money to the WESTA funds.
JB started going through what Future Business WESTA has planned. Details included a quiz night for the May meeting, a race night which has been booked in for August 26th and also the annual Player of the Year night will be hosted at the Albany Hotel on Bothwell Street. GB has been in discussion with the general manager and there could also be a discount on room rates that night for WESTA members.
On A.O.B. JB asked everyone on their thoughts after the recent Italy game and how they felt the team preformed. There were mixed views but majority said the saw encouraging signs, passion but still not good enough to win.
Jennifer Blackwood went on discuss her representing WESTA at the Tartan Army Sunshine Appeal meeting regarding a charitable donation in Belarus to coincide with the next away game. Representatives from the Chernobyl Children's Lifeline Charity (CCLL) provided some background information on the situation.
Jennifer went to say that Belarus is the second poorest country in Europe but has to also deal with the aftermath of the Chernobyl disaster in April 1986. Thousands died at the time but it is the children of today and tomorrow that are/will bear the brunt. Only 15-20% of the babies born in Belarus today are healthy. Most of those are suffering from conditions which are easily treatable but because of the numbers and the cost are left untreated to live their lives with horrendous physical and mental disabilities. Cancer is also rife with throat cancer in particular now 4,000 times more common than before the nuclear plant exploded.
CCLL help in two ways - they enable children from Belarus to visit the UK with host families for one month to enable their immune systems to rest and provide some respite to the strains of living in Belarus. They also fund summer camps which enable full classes of children and their teachers to spend one month in uncontaminated areas in Belarus whilst continuing their treatment and schooling.
The Sunshine Appeal has agreed to give a cash donation towards the summer camps. In addition, a party is being arranged on the day of the game in a children's hospital in central Minsk.
An appeal has been issued to all foot soldiers to consider taking something across - toothpaste, toothbrushes, face clothes, soaps, toys and clothes (new or good quality second hand) to donate to the hospitals. Central drop-off points are being arranged in Belarus at hotels/bars in Minsk. Jennifer stated that full details of how and where donations can be made will be given at the next WESTA meeting. Passport Travel have also offered to help and will be issuing information to their mailing list.
TM mentioned that there would a marathon as part of the Special Olympics taking place in Glasgow from July 1st to July 8th and asked the committee to consider possible sponsorship from WESTA. JB said that it would raised at next meeting.
JB thanked everyone for attending and closed meeting.
Next meeting is arranged for Sunday 29th May at 7.30pm.