It can as a shareholder with a voice.

Let me start by saying I applaud virtually everything LISA has done for our club since its inception - without its funds there is little doubt the club would not exist as it does today and in many ways it has provided greater stability than even Arthur who bankrolled us for as long as he did.

Let us not however confuse the issue at hand here of the proposed seat on the board for a LISA representative. For me there are a number of fundamental issues surrounding this which require further clarification.
- is there a conflict of interest as LISA is by its very nature an Independent organisation with its own terms of reference & can the opinion of 1 representative be seen to be in the direction of the club as opposed to LISA?
- of far greater importance is the fact that if a LISA representative is given a place on the board, then that individual must be able to add value at that level, ie have experience of running a business, an understanding of accounts, budgets, marketing, strategy etc etc etc. Anybody with a broad knowledge of such things can only add to the existing board, otherwise their presence is worthless to all parties.
- the seat cannot be given as lip service to LISA. As an organisation it doesn't need a place on the Board, nor does the Board necessarily need a LISA presence as all stakeholders fully understand the reason for the existence of LISA.

The very fact the Board has made the offer they have in many ways reflects the esteem in which LISA is held by the club. In the circumstances taking up the offer could create a poisoned chalice which could drive a wedge between the club and LISA - perhaps to turn down the opportunity could be a better decision in many ways for both LISA and the club?

I run my own business and have done for many years. Im a managing director and Accounts manager.

Neither of which means you can add any value at Board level at the club, nor does it necessarily mean any strategic ability to push a business forward - make no mistake the club needs to be run as a business from here on in. That said does your response mean you are throwing your hat in the ring?

I am considering applying and have been asked to by members

Good luck. I would rather pluck my eye out with a rusty nail...

In which case I hope you are not easily offended if you are not considered to be the right person with the required strategic know how to contribute at that level.

If however you believe you are, then good luck. I would however refer you back to my original post when I suggested it may be more beneficial for LISA to turn down the opportunity of taking a seat on the Board. Should you be turned down at selection by the existing Board, what impact will that have on the relationship between the club & LISA?? In my opinion it would be damaged at best & would compromise all parties concerned.

This process cannot be about ego's - LISA do a fantastic job by nature of their being independent. To potentially compromise that independence could be a huge, irreparable mistake.

Well I HAVE I feel over the years contributed enough to warrant being given the chance to apply , anyone who knows me well knows I only Have the clubs best interest at heart and if it wasn't working I would be the first to say so.
However for me to apply, I would have to have the backing of the LISA chairman and the rest of the committee, which is something I will discuss before we submit to the board a list of the people who have applied.
So far no one has come forward so lets wait and see who applies and what happens from then on in.
I am going to write to all members asking for a postal vote too for those that cant make the meeting and so the vote WILL be 100 % fair.

Then we would have no directors at all, as all of the exsisting ones are part time and run their own business, this is Leigh in the Championship not SL, none of our directors, get paid for their time and commitment.

Well I do not want LISA money being wasted on a postal vote.

I want to know what the chosen LISA member will bring to the table to improve matters in the Boardroom and feel that any potential applicant should explain that at a LISA meeting and then the members at that meeting will decide what name if any goes for an interview with the Board.

This imo is a distraction from what LISA should be about and we could lose some members should arguments about wether one or other LISA members are chosen.

that what I think too but the club have asked us to do it this way, so do you think I should cover the postage?

No of course not Lynda I just think the expense of posting voting forms to all members is a total waste of funds which I happen to think would be better spent on players contracts.

No need for a postal vote, the members who are at the meeting can decide.

I have to say that this club and board have never been more transparent as long as I have watching this club. No should I say as long as I have been taking an interest in the running of a club. The way things are going with the NSFG (is that right?) and the fans forum I can only see it getting better. I don't want anything whatsoever jeopardising the wave of good feeling that is filling every inch of the north and west stand. I am in the same stable as the bloke from Salford. I don't want any of the money that I am giving to LISA going to anything other than a players contract. There is an old saying that if it's not broken don't try and fix it and the other is don't run before you can walk. If a LISA member has been asked to sit in board meetings already whats got to change? We should be seperate from the everyday running of this club and personally I think the way we are going at the moment is the way to carry on. After saying all this. Are the current board inviting a LISA board member to be a go between them and the fans or are they in need of real help with the running of the club. I am with the fellow from Salford also when he talks about a split and people canceling their LISA payments. It is most definitely not what LISA or the club needs.

Really, thats very democratic and a perfect way to upset people who contribute.