Is OUSP Fit For Purpose?

Is OUSP Fit For Purpose

  • Yes

  • No

  • Unsure/Undecided

Results are only viewable after voting.
I think OUSP do a decent job raising supporters concerns and issues with OUFC management representatives.

The fact that the people OUSP have to deal with, who appear to not listen or take seriously subjects raised, and also seem to take great pleasure in blocking and saying no to OUSP on it appears almost everything isn't the fault of OUSP. The people they deal with have been installed by TW & GF , and very likely instructed to deal with OUSP and the issues they raise in the way that the have done so far. It is not the fault of OUSP that the people they deal with are, it seems, working to an agenda that blocks off any positive progress.

Fans Forum, the sooner the better, so those who have installed and instructed ( TW & GF) can be robustly questioned as to why their lackys dismiss supporters issues raised by OUSP out of hand.
 
Sarge said:
The fact that the people OUSP have to deal with, who appear to not listen or take seriously subjects raised, and also seem to take great pleasure in blocking and saying no to OUSP on it appears almost everything isn't the fault of OUSP. The people they deal with have been installed by TW & GF , and very likely instructed to deal with OUSP and the issues they raise in the way that the have done so far.
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Playing devils advocate, are the people most likely to volunteer for something like the supporters panel the most likely to push OUFC management into providing answers etc
 
Quote from latest @OxVox update (via email)

We are in ongoing discussions with Adam Benson about the overdue Fans Forum, but ensuring the right people are there to answer your questions is as important as getting a date booked in. We are pleased to say that we now have agreement and a date and venue are being arranged. We are working closely with OUSP on this.

It would appear that OxVox consider it worth their while working with OUSP.
 
Manorlounger said:
Quote from latest @OxVox update (via email)

We are in ongoing discussions with Adam Benson about the overdue Fans Forum, but ensuring the right people are there to answer your questions is as important as getting a date booked in. We are pleased to say that we now have agreement and a date and venue are being arranged. We are working closely with OUSP on this.

It would appear that OxVox consider it worth their while working with OUSP.
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But should they?
 
Carpy said:
Playing devils advocate, are the people most likely to volunteer for something like the supporters panel the most likely to push OUFC management into providing answers etc
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Getting anyone to volunteer has always been the problem. Some of the most vocal at the outset declined to stand for the panel. Some of us who did stand had to face some very unpleasant attention via social media up to and including abuse.

If just a few of those who are among the more prolific posters on here were to offer their time then, firstly, there would be need for a vote to elect them and, secondly, there might actually be more active participation. So many are ready to criticise and yet show no inclination to do more than hammer away on their keyboards.
 
If you expect them to be the miracle pill that creates a smooth and brilliant club/fan balance then they're obviously going to fail. If we think of them as one method among many of getting points through to the club then I can't see what they're doing wrong. The club not taking much in is another matter entirely
 
The fact I'm not sure what the acronym stands for means I'm not really in a good place to vote either way!
 
Manorlounger said:
Quote from latest @OxVox update (via email)

We are in ongoing discussions with Adam Benson about the overdue Fans Forum, but ensuring the right people are there to answer your questions is as important as getting a date booked in. We are pleased to say that we now have agreement and a date and venue are being arranged. We are working closely with OUSP on this.

It would appear that OxVox consider it worth their while working with OUSP.
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That’s evidenced by the presence of OxVox chair Paul Peros at the meeting .
 
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Manorlounger said:
It would appear that OxVox consider it worth their while working with OUSP.
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At the moment I'm sure it is worth their while, but should they need to?

OUSP is a hand picked, very small group of supporters invited to work very closely with the club. I haven't seen or heard any feedback from meetings or seen anything achieved thus far, other than the club lauding how brilliant communication with supporters is based on communication with this select group.

Have OUSP scrutinised the club where needed? I think the club have these select few in the palm of their hands, it's an honour to meet and be close to those at the club and be privvy to information before others. I can't see any constructive criticism being passed on to help them improve...

I think it would be more transparent and productive for the club to simply hold the same meetings with OxVox representatives who can publish the minutes for members. That would be genuine communication and even act as a mini fans forum, it would allow OxVox members questions to be passed onto the club at each meeting and see the answers published in the minutes.

So why the need for OUSP? For me, it seems like an unnecessary middle man which is more convenient for the club than it is for the majority of fans. Do the club want to communicate to the few (OUSP) or the thousands (OxVox)?
 
SteMerritt said:
There were minutes posted earlier this month, and has been on a regular basis. I get email notifications when they are released. There is a page on the official website at...

Supporters Panel Minutes | Oxford United Football Club

www.oufc.co.uk www.oufc.co.uk
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I've seen the minutes but still can't see the need for "OUSP" when OxVox already existed and was there before OUSP to provide the exact same thing... I haven't seen or heard any feedback from these meetings or anything achieved by OUSP that couldn't have been done by OxVox, which was the point in my post you quoted.

Forgive me if I'm missing something, what does OUSP achieve that OxVox can't? Why the need for a "middle man" group?

I would prefer the club to post minutes from meetings held with the Supporters Trust that's been in place for 22 years with thousands of members and an elected chair, instead of 6 or 7 randomly picked fans who threw their hands up, but maybe I'm old school?
 
WuTang said:
At the moment I'm sure it is worth their while, but should they need to?

OUSP is a hand picked, very small group of supporters invited to work very closely with the club. I haven't seen or heard any feedback from meetings or seen anything achieved thus far, other than the club lauding how brilliant communication with supporters is based on communication with this select group.

Have OUSP scrutinised the club where needed? I think the club have these select few in the palm of their hands, it's an honour to meet and be close to those at the club and be privvy to information before others. I can't see any constructive criticism being passed on to help them improve...

I think it would be more transparent and productive for the club to simply hold the same meetings with OxVox representatives who can publish the minutes for members. That would be genuine communication and even act as a mini fans forum, it would allow OxVox members questions to be passed onto the club at each meeting and see the answers published in the minutes.

So why the need for OUSP? For me, it seems like an unnecessary middle man which is more convenient for the club than it is for the majority of fans. Do the club want to communicate to the few (OUSP) or the thousands (OxVox)?
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None of the panel are "hand picked". All have volunteered and, at the time of applying to join, must provide a resume and thoughts as to why they would be suitable for election. All fans/supporters have the option to vote. In the exact same manner as OxVox, an election is held if there are more candidates then spaces on the panel/committee.

As regards scrutinising the club, the panel is there to facilitate communication with and from the club. It was seen as a way of collating views and opinions of all the fan base and being able to direct those views directly to the club via meetings with club officials. Janine Bailey is often a guest on Rad Ox on the "Wasn't at the game" slot post match. Anyone who has listened to her will know that she is just as able to criticise the club as any on here.
I can assure you, the panel functions independently of the club, it was set up that way. I know, I was there from the outset. All of us involved were adamant that the panel be independent.

OxVox hold meetings with the club in much the same manner except, they have a remit to challenge in other areas as well as representing the fanbase. The panel do not deal with the financial affairs of the club. They stick to matchday arrangements, safeguarding and the like. It is all laid out in the articles which were drawn up by the initial group of volunteers and can be found on the club website - https://www.oufc.co.uk/club/supporters-panel/
I would recommend anyone who wants to know more to visit and read the documents. You will also find all the minutes of meetings and a list of the panel members listed here.

This idea that one is there to undermine the other is simply not true. The last OUSP meeting had Paul Peros in attendance as the OxVox representative on the panel - also enshrined in the initial set up of the panel.

The simple truth is that, right now, both OxVox and OUSP are struggling to get any real communication flowing between club and supporter. Both have stated as much and both have complained. Both are adamant that a Fans Forum is long overdue and both have underscored the need to improve relationships between club and fanbase. It is certainly not the case that one is working to the detriment of the other.
 
Manorlounger said:
None of the panel are "hand picked". All have volunteered and, at the time of applying to join, must provide a resume and thoughts as to why they would be suitable for election. All fans/supporters have the option to vote. In the exact same manner as OxVox, an election is held if there are more candidates then spaces on the panel/committee.

As regards scrutinising the club, the panel is there to facilitate communication with and from the club. It was seen as a way of collating views and opinions of all the fan base and being able to direct those views directly to the club via meetings with club officials. Janine Bailey is often a guest on Rad Ox on the "Wasn't at the game" slot post match. Anyone who has listened to her will know that she is just as able to criticise the club as any on here.
I can assure you, the panel functions independently of the club, it was set up that way. I know, I was there from the outset. All of us involved were adamant that the panel be independent.

OxVox hold meetings with the club in much the same manner except, they have a remit to challenge in other areas as well as representing the fanbase. The panel do not deal with the financial affairs of the club. They stick to matchday arrangements, safeguarding and the like. It is all laid out in the articles which were drawn up by the initial group of volunteers and can be found on the club website - https://www.oufc.co.uk/club/supporters-panel/
I would recommend anyone who wants to know more to visit and read the documents. You will also find all the minutes of meetings and a list of the panel members listed here.

This idea that one is there to undermine the other is simply not true. The last OUSP meeting had Paul Peros in attendance as the OxVox representative on the panel - also enshrined in the initial set up of the panel.

The simple truth is that, right now, both OxVox and OUSP are struggling to get any real communication flowing between club and supporter. Both have stated as much and both have complained. Both are adamant that a Fans Forum is long overdue and both have underscored the need to improve relationships between club and fanbase. It is certainly not the case that one is working to the detriment of the other.
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These highlight my point, why do we need OUSP when we have a 22 year old established supporters trust in OxVox available to offer the same thing?

I know you're probably going to be supportive of it as a member from the start, but as someone with an OxVox life membership I just don't see what you offer, and that's after reading the meeting minutes from the last few months.

It's not detrimental as such I just don't see why you can't take on that work as an OxVox member? The fanbase is stronger in numbers, not divided into separate groups.
 
WuTang said:
These highlight my point, why do we need OUSP when we have a 22 year old established supporters trust in OxVox available to offer the same thing?

I know you're probably going to be supportive of it as a member from the start, but as someone with an OxVox life membership I just don't see what you offer, and that's after reading the meeting minutes from the last few months.

It's not detrimental as such I just don't see why you can't take on that work as an OxVox member? The fanbase is stronger in numbers, not divided into separate groups.
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I am also a life member of OxVox. I no longer serve on the panel.
If that is your opinion, fine.
 
I don't think the problem is OUSP they are doing what they were set up to do be the go between between customers and the people at the top . The problem is now the people at the top don't actually give a s**t what OUSP or the customer's actually say or think it's not important to the people at the top so on that note I think OUSP's race is done

Everybody has their own opinions no right or wrong
 
WuTang said:
I've seen the minutes but still can't see the need for "OUSP" when OxVox already existed and was there before OUSP to provide the exact same thing... I haven't seen or heard any feedback from these meetings or anything achieved by OUSP that couldn't have been done by OxVox, which was the point in my post you quoted.

Forgive me if I'm missing something, what does OUSP achieve that OxVox can't? Why the need for a "middle man" group?

I would prefer the club to post minutes from meetings held with the Supporters Trust that's been in place for 22 years with thousands of members and an elected chair, instead of 6 or 7 randomly picked fans who threw their hands up, but maybe I'm old school?
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^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ this.

As posted by others its another obstacle/filter between us and the senior bods.

When the "Customer Advisory Board" is set up then it will be either OxVox or OUSP as a minority vote on a club dominated board.

If either are to take the supporters representative post then it MUST be OxVox who are democratic and representative of us purely by numbers so have far more leverage than 6 or 7 willing volunteers that get nothing but platitudes from the Club.

If said volunteers want to do something constructive for supporters then volunteer for OxVox.

Please respond via Pumble.
 
Manorlounger said:
Cue @Essexyellows
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Save the ink, I`ve turned that off on the basis I can read.

The whole premise of the OUSP was to be the thin end of the wedge towards the creation of the Customer Advisory Board spawned from the Crouch Report.

And plenty of people fell for it without having the vision of how they were being steered and, to a large degree, taken advantage of, so the Club can tick a box on the "engagement" list.

We already had a long standing, democratic and independent supporters body who hold a degree of leverage with the Club based purely on numbers.

If we have to have someone on the CAB then it MUST be them.

As for "fit for purpose" the senior bods at the Club palm everything off to OUSP and/or OxVox and fan engagement has actually got worse since the creation of OUSP so make of that what you will.....


PS: Having served on the Board of a national organisation with circa 55k members I might just know what it is like to be the volunteer in the chair, but part of the "job" is to listen to criticism (and there is plenty!) and understand where that opinion is coming from or on what it is based.

The same organisation also had to deal with Parliamentary Committee`s and various legislative proposals and were successful in putting forward strong cases that made the voice of their members heard.
 
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