Throughout these Terms of Reference:
“Everton” is defined as referring to Everton Football Club Company Limited (EFC).
An “Evertonian” is defined as referring to a supporter who has a ‘live’ Supporter Number registered with Everton.
The Fan Advisory Board (FAB) is an independent body for in-depth consultation with the Club’s hierarchy, including members of the Club’s Board. Discussions will focus on long-term strategic issues.
Under this Terms of Reference, the FAB will operate independently to be consulted about:
It is recognised that to fulfil the above, the FAB will also have to work within Everton’s Articles of Association.
The FAB will comprise of 11 members, each over the age of 18, who represent the diversity of the fanbase; none of whom may receive any payment, benefit or preferential treatment from EFC.
The positions on the FAB will be a combination of seven reserved places for organisations, as well as four positions for elected Evertonians, who may apply through meeting specific criteria. The initial composition will be:
The FAB may create sub-committees to deal with specific areas, but these will be directly responsible to the FAB, who will have the final approval on any matter discussed by a sub-committee.
Additionally, the FAB may also co-opt temporary advisors/consultants as deemed necessary to provide expert advice on any topic that may arise. Advisors/consultants will have no voting rights within the FAB.
Reserved positions
Each member organisation holding a reserved position on the FAB will be responsible for identifying their chosen representative by means of a transparent and democratic process, which will be managed by the organisation itself. Each organisation will select a representative and a vice representative to ensure continuity of presence at meetings. These representatives are to be elected/re-elected on an annual basis.
Non-reserved positions
Evertonians are able to apply providing they meet the eligibility criteria for the role. Applications will be followed by a shortlisting process carried out by a panel; after which an independently (from Everton Stakeholder Steering Group and EFC)-verified election will be held to identify the elected members.
Officers
The officers of the FAB will be Chairperson, Vice-Chair and Secretary. They will be elected at a FAB meeting on an annual/seasonal basis and the management of this process will be adjudicated by a member of the FAB who is not seeking election as an officer.
FAB meetings without Club attendance
The FAB will meet independently, initially on a monthly basis; extending to quarterly once the FAB is fully established. All meeting minutes will be made available to the wider fanbase once approved at the subsequent FAB meeting.
Club attendance at FAB meetings
Additionally, the FAB will meet with EFC, including at least one Board member, on at least a quarterly basis. For each meeting, a minimum of 20 working days’ notice will be given to all members. The FAB will provide the agenda to Everton at least five working days prior to the meeting, with AOB no later than 24 hours prior. A jointly-agreed record of discussions, ratified by the FAB and Everton, will be made available within 20 working days of each meeting.
All FAB members will be required to comply with a Code of Conduct to ensure behaviour is respectful at all meetings. The FAB may suspend or expel any member whose conduct renders them unfit for membership in the opinion of the FAB, following the process determined within the Constitution, including a majority vote and a right of appeal.
All FAB members have the right to vote at all meetings on a ‘one member, one vote’ basis. In the event of a split vote, the Chairperson will have the casting vote.
To ensure the FAB runs effectively, members are required to attend a minimum of 75% of meetings annually, unless there are extenuating circumstances. Failure to do so could result in the removal of the member from the FAB.
In order to recognise the commitment from the FAB and Everton, all parties will sign a Memorandum of Understanding to ensure the frequency of meetings, EFC’s attendance and the sensitivities of confidential information can be maintained.
FAB members representing organisations with reserved positions are required to ensure regular dialogue is maintained with that organisation’s membership so that any issues, successes or areas for improvement can be raised in advance of FAB meetings. Furthermore, representatives are required to disseminate information from the FAB’s monthly meetings.
FAB members who are elected by Everton members liaise with fans directly and may represent those views or questions at FAB meetings, with a view to having them discussed to take forward to the club, provided they are strategically-based, or passed on through the appropriate FAB members representing the relevant organisations.
Additionally, the FAB will hold an annual conference to engage with the fanbase.
The FAB will manage its own website and social media accounts independently as a means of communicating with the fanbase.
The FAB will has established a complaints procedure published separately from this Terms of Reference.
The FAB will carry out a formal review of the Terms of Reference on an annual basis and any amendments must be ratified at a FAB meeting.
Welcome to the home of the recently established Everton Football Club Fan Advisory Board (FAB). We are an independent body established with the goal of ensuring that Evertonians’ voices are heard at the highest levels in Everton Football Club.