On 27th November 2025, our AGM approved a new set of Trust Rules. These changes were made to simplify and streamline the rules, making them clearer, more meaningful, and accessible to all members.
- 2025 Rules (updating from original 2002 rules with 2009 amendment)
A comprehensive set of supporting policies were also approved, covering key areas such as Board Membership & Conduct, Disciplinary Procedures, Elections, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, and Social Media use:
- Board Membership and Conduct Policy
- Disciplinary Policy
- Election Policy
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
- Social Media Use Policy
Procedures for holding meetings were also introduced that reflect best practices recommended by Supporters Direct Scotland, ensuring strong and transparent governance:
These changes will modernise and future-proof the governance of the Raith Supporters Trust; improve transparency, accountability, and inclusivity in how the Raith Supporters Trust operates; and ensure our rules and policies align with current best practices in supporter-led organisations.
A Simple Guide to Society Rules
Our rules are based on the 2022 version of Supporters Direct Scotland‘s model rules. These are used by supporters trusts across Scotland, most of which are incorporated as Community Benefit Societies (formerly known as Industrial & Provident Societies prior to 2014). These societies are registered with the Financial Conduct Authority, and are required to publish annual returns each year to maintain their registration. Read more about Societies here, and more about the FCA’s role here.
A Society’s rules document can be confusing at first, so we encourage you to familiarise yourself with it, and with the side policies it refers to.
Community Benefit Purpose, Objects and Powers (rules 3 to 6):
- These sections are perhaps the most important – defining what the Society was set up to do, and how it can do it.
Application of Surplus, Interest on Share Capital, Asset Lock, and Investment and Borrowing (rules 7 to 9 and 99 to 101):
- These sections ensure that the Society’s assets are only used to promote the Society’s purpose.
Membership (rules 10 to 16, and 23 to 27):
- These sections define who can join the Society, their rights within the Society, and the circumstances under which they can be removed from the Society.
Shares (rules 17 to 22):
- These rules describe the Ordinary Shares issued to each member of the Society, and the arrangements under which the Society can raise funds through issuing Community Shares.
Directors and Board (rule 28, rules 57 to 84, and rules 104 to 106):
- The members of the Society elect a board of directors to act on their behalf.
- These rules describe how the board is elected and operates, and how the directors are protected personally by the Society when carrying out their roles.
General Meetings (rules 29 to 56):
- These rules describe the procedures for holding Annual General Meetings and Special General Meetings, under the powers of the board or at the request of the members, and how decisions are made during these meetings.
Financial Audit and Annual Return (rules 85 to 95):
- These sections describe how the Society should report on its activities each year, to its members and publicly via the Financial Conduct Authority.
Amendment of the Rules and Constitution, and Dissolution (rules 96 to 98, and 102 to 103):
- The Society’s rules can only be amended by following correct processes, defined in this section.
- The Society can only be converted into another type of company, amalgamate with or transfer its activities to another organisation, or cease its activities, by following the procedures described here.
Miscellaneous Administrative Provisions (rules 107 to 122):
- These sections describe a range of administrative matters not covered elsewhere in the rules.
Disputes (rules 123 to 124):
- The final section of the rules describes how disputes about interpretations of these rules are handled, and about Supporters Direct Scotland’s role in this process.