AGM minutes 2020-2021

Minutes of annual general meeting, 15 September 2021

(Held by Zoom)

 Present
14 members and 5 committee members.  Apologies from Mike Morley (competition secretary).

 The minutes of the last meeting held 7 October 2020 were approved.

Chairman’s Report
All meetings for the 2020/21 season have been held over Zoom.  Members are missing social interaction and a decision will have to be made soon on how to progress on this. The club has made the best of having to hold virtual meetings – speakers and judges have joined us from all over the country, which had enhanced the programme, giving us a bigger and more varied pool of speakers.  There will also have to be a decision on where we meet as Chain Lane wanted our booking to be for every Wednesday and we are not able to commit to weekly  physical meetings yet. 

The Centre on Gracious Street has been booked for three meetings up to Christmas, though a discussion will need to take place with members on the appetite for physical meetings. Participation in competitions has been very good, though print entries are still on hold.  Zoom also produced some lively discussions, with members happy to join in to contribute to the conversations.

Phil thanked the members and the rest of the committee for all their support during a challenging year.  Mervin Straughan also thanked Phil and the committee for a good choice of judges, who gave good feedback and an interesting programme for the year.

Treasurer’s Report
It is difficult to compare figures with the previous years as the account have now been synchronised (to 1 September) with the dates of the club season and the new date for the AGM.  Although we gained about five to six new members, the club lost a few existing members.  Money earned from Amazon spend via the club link increased this year.  

As a result of the fees from Zoom moving from monthly to annual, some money was refunded. Speakers and judges cost £40 more than last year, but they all gave good quality presentations and feedback. Secretaries’ expenses are solely for the competition entry software.  

YPU insurance has gone up slightly, though YPU subs have reduced.  Rent has reduced as the club is no longer using Chain Lane for meetings or storage of our equipment and hire of equipment.

The subscriptions are to remain at £50 per member as the club is unsure what the membership numbers will be like.  Payment of fees for rooms to hold physical meetings will eat into club funds and the club doesn’t own a projector, so reserves are needed in the event a new one has to be purchased.

The club accounts were approved

Election of Officers

Chairman - Matthew Webber, proposed Phil Robbins, seconded Robert Harris

Secretary - Hazel Graves, proposed Stuart Hartham, seconded Matthew Webber.

Treasurer - Lesley Harris

Competition Secretary - Mike Morley

Committee members – Wendy Ferguson, Mervin Straughan

Robert Harris was thanked for his hard work organising the Monday Club and the summer outings.