Minutes of the Annual General Meeting on 4th September 2024
Held in the meeting room at the Knaresborough Wellbeing Hub, Stockwell Avenue, Knaresborough at 19:45
Present :- Matthew Webber, Lesley Harris, Robert Harris, Sharon Webster, Julie Valentine, Phil Pryor
Apologies :- Wendy and Ian Ferguson, Raelene Goddard, Tim Houghton, Erika Green, Rod Thompson, Heather Laverton
Minutes of the last AGM on 27/09/23 and 11/10/23 :- Unanimously Approved
Matters Arising :- None
Chairman’s Report:-
I would like to start my report by thanking the committee for their service over the past year since the 2nd part of the AGM in October. I would also like to acknowledge the support of all of the club members at our club activities at our regular Wednesday meetings and the Tuesday at 8 meetings throughout the past year.
Following the AGM the committee took the decision to relocate from Gracious Street Centre to the Knaresborough Wellbeing Hub on Stockwell Avenue as for the two rooms at Gracious Street, one was too big and the other too small and I think all members can agree that the room at the wellbeing hub is much more suitable for our needs.
Throughout the year our programme has featured excellent speakers and judges both face-to-face and though zoom that has enabled us to make use of people both locally and further afield. We have also featured a number of enjoyable show and tell and practical sessions.
The previous year the club participated at the YPU stage of the PAGB Inter-club Print Competition and following that the club went forward to the final held in Blackburn in October 2023. Following a discussion after the results with members, they took the collective decision not to participate this year as we felt it did not meet our collective direction. Members did enter images into the YPU Annual Print and DPI Competitions and I would like to congratulate those members who took part.
I would like to thank all those that entered competitions and to congratulate the winners of the individual and the annual dpi and print competitions that took place in March 2024 - more to be said about the annual competition later in the meeting.
Following the discussion about the club’s direction we took part at the Knaresborough Community Festival in April and the Feva Festival most recently in August. Our participation in both events was expertly led Phil Prior with other members providing supporting roles. Feedback that I have received from inside and outside the club on these events including the photowalks has been excellent and I believe we should be proud of what we achieved at our first attempts and that we should be able to use this for future opportunities to promote the work of club members.
Treasurers Report :- A financial update was circulated at the meeting and was approved by those present. Proposed Lesley Harris / Seconded Matthew Webber
Annual Competition Awards :- Certificates were presented to the winners and runners up of the DPI and print competitions.
Election of Officers :- The existing committee agreed to stand again and this was approved unanimously en bloc Proposed Sharon Webster / Seconded Matthew Webber
Chairman - Matthew Webber
Treasurer - Lesley Harris
Secretary - No nomination received
Committee Members :-
Julie Valentine
Sharon Webster
Raelene Goddard
Phil Pryor
Competition Secretary:- Robert Harris (Not serving on the committee)
YPU Rep:- Robert Harris (non-committee role)
As there was no identified secretary the meeting agreed to roll over the previously agreed emergency rule changes to cover the Secretary position until the next AGM.
(i) Rule 3
Responsibility for running the club and looking after its property rests with the committee consisting of a chairman, secretary, treasurer, and a minimum of two members, elected each year. At committee meetings four members form a quorum, and five at the annual meeting.
Proposed temporary rule change
Responsibility for running the club and looking after its property rests with the committee consisting of a Chairperson, Treasurer, and a minimum of ordinary two members. At committee meetings three members form a quorum, and four at the annual meeting.
(ii) Rule 6
The secretary performs the duties expected of the role and keeps members informed of the club’s activities and points of interest throughout the session. A report is given at the annual meeting recording the club’s progress.
Proposed temporary rule change
The committee ensures that the duties expected of the role of the secretary are undertaken and keeps members informed of the club’s activities and points of interest throughout the session.
Proposed: Robert Harris Seconded Matthew Webber Agreed unanimously
Membership Subscriptions:- There was a brief discussion on subscription rates for the 2024-2025 season following a recommendation from the last AGM and it was agreed unanimously that subscription rates would increase to £55 per adult, £95 per couple a and £30 per student. LH reminded all those present that on completion of the AGM subscriptions for the 2024-25 season were now due and that payment instruction would be sent out shortly after the meeting.
Any other Business :-
(a) Monday at 7 :- There was a discussion and Robert announced that he would be undertaking a refresh of the Monday at 7 programme to start in January 2025
(b) Venue :- A proposal was received from Robert Harris to relocate club meetings from the Wellbeing Hub, Stockwell Avenue to the Friendship Centre, Market Place. Following a discussion it was unanimously agreed to run the next face-to-face meeting at the Friendship Centre and subject to there being no concerns identified all face-to-face meetings would take place at the Friendship Centre going forwards. Proposed Robert Harris / Seconded Lesley Harris
(c) Future Event Participation :- In the 2023-24 programme we took part of the Knaresborough Community Festival, Feeva and exhibiting at Knaresborough Library. After a discussion it was agreed due to our limited manpower we would focus our participation on Feeva.