1. Previous Minutes of 2006 AGM
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Previous minutes had been sent out to all members on e-mail distribution list to read before meeting and only action points be discussed at this AGM.
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Minutes were checked for accuracy, items noted included spelling and grammar on pages 1, 4 and 5. Excessive use of exclamation marks. An amendment needs to be made to the section on refusal of previous Secretary (Avril Hart) to continue taking minutes after standing down to include reference that incoming Secretary (Mark Bampkin) refused to continue taking the minutes. Once amendment made minutes to be forwarded to Secretary to place on file.
Proposal to adopt minutes: proposed by CH seconded by Sharon Levett.
Minutes adopted.
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MB |
2. Officer's Reports
- Club Captain
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Progress - Club has now settled into new venue. Membership appears stable. Numbers of members joining from beginners' courses are low but interest is high in those who join. High take up of entries to competitions.
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Coaching - There has been an increase in coaching provided in the club this has been due to more qualified coaches. More individual coaching sessions are taking place. Members should be encouraged to increase knowledge of refereeing, there is a course for refereeing in foil, those who are interested should speak to JN who had the details and he will co-ordinate.
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JN |
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Competitions
- Gary Baker Epee - Won by Dave Joyce (Non NFC), PW came sixth and JN won the plate competition.
- Doug Facer Memorial Foil - Won by Jack Beech, LN second. Nine of the 12 entries were from the club. Plate competition introduced for first time this year, which was won by PD.
- County Competition - Members of the club won five of the 6 titles; including JB first in Men's Foil, LN second overall in Foil and first in Ladies Foil, Lloyd Beech won the Juniors.
- Beds County - JB won Foil, GB came sixth and GB also came eighth in Epee.
- Challenge Shields - These competitions were introduced this year for members who have had little or no experience of competitions and those who have not won a competition. Men's Foil won by David Conway, Junior Foil won by Steven Conway, Epee won by Jack Beech and Sabre won by Graham Beech. The Ladies Foil did not run due to lack of entries.
- 60th Anniversary Competition - This was run in a team format, 3 members in a team. The results were first place team Northampton 46, second place team Gang of 4 and third place team Unnamed Team (this was the name of the team).
- Veterans - Veterans results were discussed JN and LN continuing to do well with numerous titles.
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Future Dates for Competitions - Gary Baker Epee will be held 18th March 2007 and Doug Facer Memorial Foil will be held 22nd April 2007.
Proposal to adopt report: proposed by PW seconded by SR.
Report adopted.
- Secretary
- Report was read by PD on behalf of Natalie Turner who was unable to attend.
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The quizzes that were held in both February and December 2006 with the aim of raising money for the club were well attended with much support. The paint-balling event organised by MB was also well attended. Four club members attended the Millfield Summer Fencing Camp.
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The club was represented at the International Women's Day events hoping to generate interest in the club and take up of beginners course. GB and SR represented club at event at Danes Camp Leisure Centre and PW, CH, NT and her father represented the club at event at Moulton College. Some interest was generated at these events. Interest was also generated at the Castle Ashby Country Fayre where the club was represented by SR, Nicholas Partridge, CH, SL, GB, LN and JN.
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Members of the club helped out at the Hollowell Steam Rally, which raised £500 for the club in a donation from the organisers.
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Beginners courses were held throughout 2006 including March with one attendee this course subsequently had to be cancelled, May with 16 attendees, August with 7 attendees and December with 12 attendees. Beginners course planned for January 2007 has one person signed up so far.
Proposal to adopt report: proposed by PW seconded by SR.
Report adopted.
- Treasurer
- Balance sheet of club finances was distributed to the meeting by SR (copy attached).
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The profit made by the club is in the negative. £-885.79 therefore a shortfall in club funds. SR outlined the reasons for this. SR gave a breakdown on other items on the balance sheet.
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Charitable status was briefly discussed, encouraging members to gift aid on membership and competition entry fees, this will help to generate income for the club.
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Recently set up coaching sessions to be run by the Norrie's in a local school will also help to generate income for the club.
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Membership proposed to remain the same and introduction of a summer membership fee for students during school breaks. These are to be discussed in detail and voted on in item 4 of the agenda.
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KE asked SR if the accounts had been audited, as there were no signatures on the balance sheet distributed. SR stated that they had been and the signatures were on the Treasurer's copy of the balance sheet. KE was satisfied with this.
Proposal to adopt report: proposed by NP seconded by PD.
Report adopted.
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- Agree Submission to Charity Commission
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SR proposed that officers' reports form the submission to the charity commission. Officers to pass copies to SR to submit.
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JN/NT/SR |
3. Election of Officers
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Due to the recent change of the constitution to enable the club to become a charity some of the officers are also trustees for a 3 year term. Officer/ Trustee positions being voted on this year are Armourer full 3 year term, Club Captain full 3 year term, Secretary 2 year term only due to resignation of incumbent and Ordinary Member 1 year term also due to resignation of incumbent. Other posts of officers of the committee also due for election are Chairman, Vice Captain, Ladies Captain and Honorary Auditor.
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Nominations were read out by CH and votes taken results are as follows:
- Armourer - 1 nomination, Paul Drake. Vote was unanimous. PD elected.
- Club Captain - 1 nomination, John Norrie. Vote unanimous. JN elected.
- Secretary - 1 nomination, Sharon Levett. Vote unanimous. SL elected.
- Ordinary Member - 1 nomination, Steve Scoles. Vote unanimous.
- Chairman - 1 nomination, Paul Willmott. Vote unanimous. PW elected.
- Vice Captain - 1 nomination, Graham Beech. Vote unanimous. GB elected.
- Ladies Captain - 1 nomination, Lynda Norrie. Vote unanimous. LN elected.
- Honorary Auditor - 1 nomination, Brian Cheney (PD brother-in-law who is an accountant). Vote unanimous. BC elected.
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4. Subscription Rate for Members for 2007
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Current rates (2006) are £120 for Adult member, £70 for Junior/ Student/ OAP members, £190 for Family membership (family membership is for 1 Adult and 2 Juniors) and Visitor fee £5.
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Proposal by SR to add membership rate for students who attend only during the summer when the schools and colleges have their break. This would be £20.
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Proposal by SR to keep membership rates as currently stand and include Student Summer Vacation rate.
Vote was held and this was unanimous in favour of proposal.
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5. Any Other Business
- Proxy voting by parent for issues relating to personal finance - proposal by SR to change constitution:
Current rider in the constitution, relating to general meetings:
14.2 Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
Proposal is to change this to:
14.2 There shall be no proxy voting, except under the following circumstances:
- Where the item under consideration has a direct impact on the personal finances of the member (e. g. agreeing the level of membership fees), and
- The member is a junior, who's fees are paid by a parent or guardian, then
- That junior member's vote shall transfer to a proxy vote by the parent or guardian, even if they are not themselves a member of the club.
- Any requirement for proxy voting will be identified on the agenda for the general meeting - where there is doubt, a simple majority of the committee will decide whether it is appropriate.
This was discussed and proposition to adopt amendment, proposed by SR seconded by PD. It was agreed to adopt the amendment.
- Reduction of notice period for a general meeting - proposal by PD to change constitution
Currently the constitution reads:
10.1 The minimum period of notice required to hold any general meeting of the club is twenty-eight clear days from the date on which the notice is deemed to have been given.
This must be confirmed in writing no less than ten clear days before the meeting date.
The proposal is to change this to:
10.1 The minimum period of notice required to hold any general meeting of the club is fourteen clear days from the date on which the notice is deemed to have been given.
This must be confirmed in writing no less than seven clear days before the meeting date.
It should be noted that this is a minimum, so the current practice of giving 28 days notice can be continued. This change simply gives us flexibility in case we need to call a meeting quickly.
A vote was taken to accept this proposal the vote was unanimous. Proposal adopted.
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- NP raised issue of the website, is there any progress on the improvement and maintenance of the website? Matt Robbins is currently the website author it will need to be discussed with him what action he is taking. Also there is a need to consider the possibility of someone else taking on this responsibility. To be discussed further in committee.
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Committee |
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Excelsior Ropes Trophy - CH stated that due to changes in how the beginners courses were run during 2006 the awarding of this trophy will be held in abeyance as there are no results of the end of course competitions when they were held as the format changed. It will be awarded next year.
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RM |
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Rochfort Trophy - The trophy needs to be returned by Richard Moriarty. This year the trophy will be awarded to Martin Rayner. As Martin was not at the AGM and the trophy not available the actual presentation will take place at a later date.
There was no other business.
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