It's day two of Dale Trust week, and in today's Trust snapshot, we talk about membership prices and the reasons behind why its important for any Dale supporter to become a member of the Dale Trust.

Dale Supporters Trust are proud to announce its membership window for the forthcoming 2008/09 season officially opens on 1^st July.  There are several ways, which means joining the Trust couldn't be easier.  Here’s the three membership categories, which are on offer for the 2008/09 season:-

1.  Adult Membership: £5.00

2.  Junior Membership: FREE

3.  Exile Membership Package: £10.00

Supporters can simply join the Trust on-line by clicking on the link http://www.daletrust.org.uk/pages/the_trust/join_online.asp?PageID=21 and follow the instructions.

For those who prefer to use the good old fashion snail mail membership forms are available to download http://www.daletrust.org.uk/assets_cm/files/pdf/membefrorm200809.pdf in a PDF format. Simply return the completed form and a cheque to cover the cost of the membership fee to the address shown, or hand it in at one of the Trust desks in Studds Bar/ Dale Bar on matchdays.

Fans wanting to make regular donations by standing order will have to print off and send in the standing order mandate.

Alternatively membership forms are available on request at the club shop or in Studds & Dale Bar on matchdays. The Rochdale Observer has also agreed to print a cut out version of the membership form at regular intervals.

The Trust has consistently achieved the national Supporter Trusts’ membership average (10%), with guidance from Supporters Direct. 

However this year Dale Trust doesn’t wish to sit on its laurels, as we would like to smash our membership record to pieces…. So please help &  join us today. Dale Supporters Trust can only be a success if YOU the supporters join... IT’S YOUR CLUB! HAVE YOUR SAY!

• Why Join Dale Trust - Can I make a Difference?

As Rochdale fans you may ask yourself why the need for a supporters Trust? We have a reasonably sound financial footing. We are in no immediate danger of going into administration. However we believe that this is exactly the reason for fans to create a trust. For a club like Rochdale, every pound counts. Any additional funds raised will take the club that little bit further away from the financial plight that so many other clubs find themselves in.

However the fund raising aspect is only one reason why you should join Dale Supporters Trust. Our aim is to promote Rochdale fans into having a greater say in the running of Rochdale Football Club. Dale Supporters Trust is totally democratic where each member holds a single share, and has one vote. By becoming a member you are entitled to a say in how the Trust is run, and ultimately be part of a body of fans that can improve communication with the football club.

Since the Trust was launched, it has become one of the club’s largest shareholders using funds raised to secure several thousand shares in the club which give Dale fans a voice in the corridors of power. We hold regular meetings with the club’s Board of Directors where fans’ concerns are raised and acted upon. Also, the Trust has raised over £50,000 towards donations to the Club and good causes within the community.

And as the Trust begins its sixth season, as Rochdale fans, it wants to do what it can for the football club, we cannot offer the instant success that a millionaire can offer, however in a time when many clubs are in a desperate state, Rochdale fans have a crucial part to play in helping our club survive and progress in a time when others are failing. As individuals we can do little, but together fans can have a dramatic impact on our club. With that in mind, as well as the membership scheme, the Trust are introducing a system of donations through standing orders where fans can donate to Trust funds on a monthly basis. One fan donating £5 a month can do little, however 100 fans donating £5 a month can generate some £6000 per annum, and this together with funds from other activities will mean that you the fans and the Trust can make a difference.

At other clubs, fans raise thousands of pounds through similar schemes because their club is in crisis due to abuse or mismanagement. At some clubs, donations are used to pay off creditors and tax bills. Thankfully at Rochdale we have so far been able to avoid that situation, and all funds that the Trust raise can be used to benefit the team directly.

We cannot promise you fancy gimmicks (or Promotion!) in return for your donations, but we can guarantee that the money raised will go directly to projects that will be voted on by our members and could play a crucial part in the development of the season and our club at this very unstable time for football in general. We do not want to resort to the begging tactics of bury, but we are aware that the Trust is one of the Guardians for the future and for us to play our role in ensuring as healthy a future as possible for Dale, we as fans all need to do what we can where we can.

In conclusion, I think you'll agree Dale Supporters Trust has achieved a great deal since its formation in 2004, but with your help, support and increased membership we can achieve a lot more. We hope you choose to join. The more members we have the more influential we are.

Trust in us.

Photo: Action Images

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