RamsfanJim

Yes, I used to write articles for Ramzone, that's how I got involved with the Trust. Thanks. 

Hmm, Sleightholme should have known better - he should have done his research before getting involved with those characters as they used him as a respectable front man. I don't know whether he personally profited from involvement, or just took the kudos from being a club chairman. He was not charged, so cannot be seen as personally corrupt.
Andrew Mackenzie introduced them - and took a cut of the illegal funds, which is why he was jailed along with Keith & Mackay. I was in Northampton court to see it... ?

We are going back 15 years here (!) but it was RamsTrust that first highlighted concerns with the 3 amigos. Literally on the day they did their press conference we had member digging into their backgrounds and financial records - and highlighted multiple concerns (especially around Murdo Mackay). We got press coverage, and a number of members (myself included) printed and handed out flyers outside the ground to increase fans' awareness on a number of occasions.
Over a few years we exposed more and more details (and complied the dossier mentioned above - which was handed over to Peter Gadsby and the police) - there were a number of responses whcih we asked Jeremy Keith et al in meetings which we minuted and were used in the case against them.
Greg Lake and the RPG did a fantastic job raising the protests to the next level - they put some money in to buy banners / foam hands etc. which had much more impact inside and outside the ground. As mentioned above, RamsTrust could not be seen to be leading those protests as we needed to maintain a relationship with the club to continue our aims (And to continue to question the board). Jeremy Keith personally told me we would be cut off if we promoted protests. We all took part in the protests, but could not be seen to be leading them. 
Peter Gadsby will tell you both were vital - the pressure externally, through the media and particularly pressure on the Co-Op Bank, and fans around the ground protesting both contributed massively to forcing the Bank to take action to remove them and install the LOG.

We are going back 15 years here (!) but it was RamsTrust that first highlighted concerns with the 3 amigos. Literally on the day they did their press conference we had member digging into their backgrounds and financial records - and highlighted multiple concerns (especially around Murdo Mackay). We got press coverage, and a number of members (myself included) printed and handed out flyers outside the ground to increase fans' awareness on a number of occasions.
Over a few years we exposed more and more details (and complied the dossier mentioned above - which was handed over to Peter Gadsby and the police) - there were a number of responses whcih we asked Jeremy Keith et al in meetings which we minuted and were used in the case against them.
Greg Lake and the RPG did a fantastic job raising the protests to the next level - they put some money in to buy banners / foam hands etc. which had much more impact inside and outside the ground. As mentioned above, RamsTrust could not be seen to be leading those protests as we needed to maintain a relationship with the club to continue our aims (And to continue to question the board). Jeremy Keith personally told me we would be cut off if we promoted protests. We all took part in the protests, but could not be seen to be leading them. 
Peter Gadsby will tell you both were vital - the pressure externally, through the media and particularly pressure on the Co-Op Bank, and fans around the ground protesting both contributed massively to forcing the Bank to take action to remove them and install the LOG.

Exposing the 3 amigos and helping to bring in the 'League of Gentlemen' to take over the club rather than SISU - in my opinion.

I don't feel many fans are hostile to the Trust - it is apparent that some are, but I feel the majority are supportive of what we are trying to achieve (even if they don't perosnally want to join). The vast majority don't read or post on message boards, they just want to support their team on a Saturday / Tuesday / Wednesday. I would like to think they appreciate what the Trust has done / is doing even if they never contribute. This is certainly the impression I get when I have spoken to other fans - the vast majority seem aware of RamsTust even if they don't know the details (admittedly this is purely based on fans who have spoken to me, which may not be indicative). 
We absolutely have a strategy, which is reviewed - but currently our focus is on the current situation at the club. Until that is resolved and longer term strategy is on hold.
The Trust is NOT a business - we are not trying to make a profit (in fact we are a not-for-profit cooperative), we are a membership organisation with aims as reported by Angie above.

OK - thanks for this, useful input.
I have been in touch with David before with relation to meetings with the club, but not regards membership numbers etc. - similarly I haven't been in touch with any other forum in this respect. I'm not entirely sure it is relevant - message boards / forums are very different to supporter organisations set up to represent their members. David himself told me it is impossible to represent the views of this forum as everyone's views are different.
RamsTrust membership is on a par or higher with most Trusts at similar clubs. Some 'bigger clubs' (Man Utd etc.) obviously have many more members, and some smaller clubs where the Trust is involved in running their clubs have bigger membership (some include Trust membership in buying a season ticket). Obviously we would like membership numbers to be higher, but we have to accept that a number of supporters are never sufficiently motivated to get involved.
Trusts are largely seen as 'protest groups' and only attract interest in times of crisis for their clubs. RamsTrust itself was set up at the end of Lionel Pickering's reign when he ran out of money and the club was in crisis. Although we have continued throughout the following 19 years (doing all the things I have mentioned above), we have only attracted significant interest during times the club has been in trouble. As a result we have had limited interest in joining the Board during much of this time, and it has been left to a few of us to keep the Trust going - knowing that there would be another time we were needed (as now). 
We have never made any particular effort to increase 'followers' - that is up to each individual if they are interested in what we are doing. Obviously the Trust was set up well before Twitter or Facebook so there was never a specific policy. I don't think comparisons with BAWT or any other group is relevant - we are very different organisations with different aims. This is not a competition.
The £2 fee is to buy a share and join the Trust - we have not charged a renewal fee for many years as our costs have reduced considerably now we can communicate electronically rather than physically printing and posting updates / newsletters / AGM invitations to every member. (So it is not £2 every year).
The Trust Board is elected by the members - we have annual elections and each position is for 3 years unless they choose to step down. The 'suitability' of the Directors is therefore up to the members - and dependent on new candidates putting themselves forward to replace existing members if they re-stand. The Officials are then elected each year after the AGM by the new board. I personally have offered to stand down as chair every year - and on 2 occasions over the past 10 years or so I have been replaced, then re-elected the following year. I don't relish this - I want more people to come forward and take on responsibility (it does take a lot of my time for no reward, and generally just criciticism when people disagree).
We also can appoint a limited number of co-optees to the Board for specific skills / experience. We currently have 3 co-optees as shown on the website.

Not true (again) I have heard of, and read occasionally, multiple DCFC forums. Representatives from this forum have also attended some of those meetings. We reported back to our members and publicly, we don't need to post on every forum as well. 
I joined because I was advised this was a well run site where we wouldn't just get abuse but constructive debate. I have to say it has been mixed so far.. 
I would like RamsTrust to be as representative as possible, and haven't yet seen anything to say that isn't the case. I absolutely accept that some people don't want to join, or have any groups representing them, but I still believe having RamsTrust gives fans a voice which the club listens to (even if they don't always act). This should be a standard part of every club, and clubs are already mandated to meet with them - and this is likely to be strengthened soon. 
I am confused that people have complained I didn't join this forum earlier - they could all have approached RamsTrust earlier if they had wanted to engage. I am trying to improve things, and get criticised for it... 
 

Messaged you

We are going back 15 years here (!) but it was RamsTrust that first highlighted concerns with the 3 amigos. Literally on the day they did their press conference we had member digging into their backgrounds and financial records - and highlighted multiple concerns (especially around Murdo Mackay). We got press coverage, and a number of members (myself included) printed and handed out flyers outside the ground to increase fans' awareness on a number of occasions.
Over a few years we exposed more and more details (and complied the dossier mentioned above - which was handed over to Peter Gadsby and the police) - there were a number of responses whcih we asked Jeremy Keith et al in meetings which we minuted and were used in the case against them.
Greg Lake and the RPG did a fantastic job raising the protests to the next level - they put some money in to buy banners / foam hands etc. which had much more impact inside and outside the ground. As mentioned above, RamsTrust could not be seen to be leading those protests as we needed to maintain a relationship with the club to continue our aims (And to continue to question the board). Jeremy Keith personally told me we would be cut off if we promoted protests. We all took part in the protests, but could not be seen to be leading them. 
Peter Gadsby will tell you both were vital - the pressure externally, through the media and particularly pressure on the Co-Op Bank, and fans around the ground protesting both contributed massively to forcing the Bank to take action to remove them and install the LOG.

I know the CPS lawyer who prosecuted them, he says they so deserved prosecution.

Hmm, Sleightholme should have known better - he should have done his research before getting involved with those characters as they used him as a respectable front man. I don't know whether he personally profited from involvement, or just took the kudos from being a club chairman. He was not charged, so cannot be seen as personally corrupt.
Andrew Mackenzie introduced them - and took a cut of the illegal funds, which is why he was jailed along with Keith & Mackay. I was in Northampton court to see it... ?

Criteria is people who hold a share in the Trust (which they bought on joining). If they have never renounced that share, we have to assume they are still members (not sure legally we can just remove them). 

Hmm, Sleightholme should have known better - he should have done his research before getting involved with those characters as they used him as a respectable front man. I don't know whether he personally profited from involvement, or just took the kudos from being a club chairman. He was not charged, so cannot be seen as personally corrupt.
Andrew Mackenzie introduced them - and took a cut of the illegal funds, which is why he was jailed along with Keith & Mackay. I was in Northampton court to see it... ?

We are going back 15 years here (!) but it was RamsTrust that first highlighted concerns with the 3 amigos. Literally on the day they did their press conference we had member digging into their backgrounds and financial records - and highlighted multiple concerns (especially around Murdo Mackay). We got press coverage, and a number of members (myself included) printed and handed out flyers outside the ground to increase fans' awareness on a number of occasions.
Over a few years we exposed more and more details (and complied the dossier mentioned above - which was handed over to Peter Gadsby and the police) - there were a number of responses whcih we asked Jeremy Keith et al in meetings which we minuted and were used in the case against them.
Greg Lake and the RPG did a fantastic job raising the protests to the next level - they put some money in to buy banners / foam hands etc. which had much more impact inside and outside the ground. As mentioned above, RamsTrust could not be seen to be leading those protests as we needed to maintain a relationship with the club to continue our aims (And to continue to question the board). Jeremy Keith personally told me we would be cut off if we promoted protests. We all took part in the protests, but could not be seen to be leading them. 
Peter Gadsby will tell you both were vital - the pressure externally, through the media and particularly pressure on the Co-Op Bank, and fans around the ground protesting both contributed massively to forcing the Bank to take action to remove them and install the LOG.

Not true - I was personally involved in the protests and put a 'Board Out' banner by the Director's box at most games at the time. We also coordinated media campaigns which put pressure on the board and led to the protests. 

We are going back 15 years here (!) but it was RamsTrust that first highlighted concerns with the 3 amigos. Literally on the day they did their press conference we had member digging into their backgrounds and financial records - and highlighted multiple concerns (especially around Murdo Mackay). We got press coverage, and a number of members (myself included) printed and handed out flyers outside the ground to increase fans' awareness on a number of occasions.
Over a few years we exposed more and more details (and complied the dossier mentioned above - which was handed over to Peter Gadsby and the police) - there were a number of responses whcih we asked Jeremy Keith et al in meetings which we minuted and were used in the case against them.
Greg Lake and the RPG did a fantastic job raising the protests to the next level - they put some money in to buy banners / foam hands etc. which had much more impact inside and outside the ground. As mentioned above, RamsTrust could not be seen to be leading those protests as we needed to maintain a relationship with the club to continue our aims (And to continue to question the board). Jeremy Keith personally told me we would be cut off if we promoted protests. We all took part in the protests, but could not be seen to be leading them. 
Peter Gadsby will tell you both were vital - the pressure externally, through the media and particularly pressure on the Co-Op Bank, and fans around the ground protesting both contributed massively to forcing the Bank to take action to remove them and install the LOG.

@RamsfanJim Hi Jim, thanks for the considered replies. I will respond later tonight or before wo tomorrow. Apologies, but work is brutal right now, so in this regard you very much have my sympathy!

I don't think it is a 'tiny fraction' as we have had over 300 new members over the past few months, and there are many more who have remained active throughout - but I absolutely accept all 1200 are not 'active'. They don't need to be - if they are supportive of what the Trust is doing and joined to show that support, then it is up to them how involved they want to be.

We are going back 15 years here (!) but it was RamsTrust that first highlighted concerns with the 3 amigos. Literally on the day they did their press conference we had member digging into their backgrounds and financial records - and highlighted multiple concerns (especially around Murdo Mackay). We got press coverage, and a number of members (myself included) printed and handed out flyers outside the ground to increase fans' awareness on a number of occasions.
Over a few years we exposed more and more details (and complied the dossier mentioned above - which was handed over to Peter Gadsby and the police) - there were a number of responses whcih we asked Jeremy Keith et al in meetings which we minuted and were used in the case against them.
Greg Lake and the RPG did a fantastic job raising the protests to the next level - they put some money in to buy banners / foam hands etc. which had much more impact inside and outside the ground. As mentioned above, RamsTrust could not be seen to be leading those protests as we needed to maintain a relationship with the club to continue our aims (And to continue to question the board). Jeremy Keith personally told me we would be cut off if we promoted protests. We all took part in the protests, but could not be seen to be leading them. 
Peter Gadsby will tell you both were vital - the pressure externally, through the media and particularly pressure on the Co-Op Bank, and fans around the ground protesting both contributed massively to forcing the Bank to take action to remove them and install the LOG.

We are going back 15 years here (!) but it was RamsTrust that first highlighted concerns with the 3 amigos. Literally on the day they did their press conference we had member digging into their backgrounds and financial records - and highlighted multiple concerns (especially around Murdo Mackay). We got press coverage, and a number of members (myself included) printed and handed out flyers outside the ground to increase fans' awareness on a number of occasions.
Over a few years we exposed more and more details (and complied the dossier mentioned above - which was handed over to Peter Gadsby and the police) - there were a number of responses whcih we asked Jeremy Keith et al in meetings which we minuted and were used in the case against them.
Greg Lake and the RPG did a fantastic job raising the protests to the next level - they put some money in to buy banners / foam hands etc. which had much more impact inside and outside the ground. As mentioned above, RamsTrust could not be seen to be leading those protests as we needed to maintain a relationship with the club to continue our aims (And to continue to question the board). Jeremy Keith personally told me we would be cut off if we promoted protests. We all took part in the protests, but could not be seen to be leading them. 
Peter Gadsby will tell you both were vital - the pressure externally, through the media and particularly pressure on the Co-Op Bank, and fans around the ground protesting both contributed massively to forcing the Bank to take action to remove them and install the LOG.

We are going back 15 years here (!) but it was RamsTrust that first highlighted concerns with the 3 amigos. Literally on the day they did their press conference we had member digging into their backgrounds and financial records - and highlighted multiple concerns (especially around Murdo Mackay). We got press coverage, and a number of members (myself included) printed and handed out flyers outside the ground to increase fans' awareness on a number of occasions.
Over a few years we exposed more and more details (and complied the dossier mentioned above - which was handed over to Peter Gadsby and the police) - there were a number of responses whcih we asked Jeremy Keith et al in meetings which we minuted and were used in the case against them.
Greg Lake and the RPG did a fantastic job raising the protests to the next level - they put some money in to buy banners / foam hands etc. which had much more impact inside and outside the ground. As mentioned above, RamsTrust could not be seen to be leading those protests as we needed to maintain a relationship with the club to continue our aims (And to continue to question the board). Jeremy Keith personally told me we would be cut off if we promoted protests. We all took part in the protests, but could not be seen to be leading them. 
Peter Gadsby will tell you both were vital - the pressure externally, through the media and particularly pressure on the Co-Op Bank, and fans around the ground protesting both contributed massively to forcing the Bank to take action to remove them and install the LOG.

Hmm - I was afraid of this. I have been  in a meeting for the past 45 mins, and it will take a while to respond to all of these (especially as I am out this evening). All valid points (apart from 1..) and I will try to respond, but give me a bit of time.
By all means DM me on here - or if you email RamsTrust@RamsTrust.org.uk then it will reach me.
Cheers,
Jim.

It has been suggested to me that I should use this forum to receive views on the Trust and things we can do better. Over the last 20 years I have seen plenty of negative comments about the Trust, but few constructive suggestions on how we can improve and gain more members.
We are the only recognised Supporters Trust for Derby County, so it is important that we are as representative as possible. We will never all agree, but we do seek to represent supporters the best we can.
I promise I will read all responses, but cannot guarantee always being able to respond as I already get 100s of messages / emails every day.
Jim Wheeler.

Valid point - and we are trying to address this. It is often difficult to use the correct wording during a live interview - apologies.