Minutes of AGM 2009 - in draft form only.
1. Apologies: were received from Eddie Quinlan (Pett), Robert Day
(Pett) Dot Servante (Hamstreet) and the Chairman. Representatives
from Beckley, Fairlight, Iden, Northiam, Peasmarsh, Pett, Rye,
Staplecross and St. Leonards were present – a total of 17. No
representative from Hamstreet or Tenterden was present.
2. Minutes of AGM 2008: were taken as read. Acceptance was proposed
by Pett, seconded by Fairlight and unanimously accepted as a correct
record.
3. Matters arising: there were none.
4. Chairman’s Address: Colin Goldsack had written:
a. I am sorry that I am unable to be with you tonight but my
thoughts are here. I have asked John to kindly read my report out to
you.
b. I am pleased to say that that season has gone very well with no
major problems and a keen participation from all of the clubs.
Thanks to the hard work of our secretary, John, and our treasurer,
Nigel, it has been an almost seamless period.
c. The League was well fought again and my congratulations go to
Iden who have managed to secure the title from Staplecross who this
year only managed third behind Northiam.
d. The Fling this year was at Beckley where I had the pleasure of
playing. It was a magnificent day, exceedingly well run by the club
who provided a number of stalls and a free scrumptious lunch for
competitors. Congratulations, Beckley, on your great efforts and my
thanks to all the clubs who took part for their generous support.
e. The Sellings cup was played at Fairlight this year, an event I
could not attend. I am told it was a great, well organised evening
and my thanks and congratulations to Fairlight for their hard work
and effort. The event was made even more pleasurable because the
Mermaid League beat the Rother League.
f. I must now move on to the administration of the League. As you
all know John Bennett has been secretary for a number of years and
has moved "up north" from where he has conducted operations. For the
last two years John has understandably intimated very firmly that he
would not stand for another year. Nigel and I have tried to persuade
a volunteer or volunteers to come forward but without success. It is
quite simple - if the League has no secretary there will be no
League. I do not believe that any of our clubs want that but it is
up to the member clubs to come up with a solution if the League is
to survive. Fortunately John has been persuaded to stay for another
year so the League will continue for next season. However we cannot
expect to persuade John year on and year on and I fear that this
coming season will be our last - unless a new secretary can be
found. I implore all of you to go back to your clubs with the news
that 2010 will be the last of the Mermaid League unless a workable
solution can be found.
g. After that note I would finally like to say a big thank you to
John and Nigel for their strong behind the scenes work, to all the
clubs for their participation in the League and to all the players
for creating such a friendly and comradely atmosphere in all the
games.
5. Treasurer’s Report: Nigel Pearson reported:
a. The income was up by just under £100 on the previous year and I
can see no reason to increase the Affiliation fee.
b. As agreed last year, the first three places in the League were
awarded cash prizes.
c. Nigel moved acceptance of this report seconded by St. Leonards
and carried unanimously.
6. Secretary’s Report: John Bennett reported:
a. I am pleased to be able to report that this year has seen far
fewer problems and I thank the Nominated Club Contacts for their
vigilance monitoring their emails.
b. I have been told by many people that the Fling at Beckley was a
great success and everyone enjoyed a thoroughly good day out. So,
well done to all at Beckley.
c. In 2010 – purely as an experiment – the Fling will not be at the
usual date of 1st Sunday in July, but on September 26th at
Fairlight.
d. In 2011, the date will revert to 1st Sunday in July and will be
at Hamstreet – unless there is a proposal to alter this at AGM next
year.
e. The Sellings Cup saw a good result for the Mermaid League and the
situation is that the score is even. It is the turn of the Rother
League to host this next year and I will send out details as soon as
they are to hand.
f. It was a very good year for Iden Bowls Club! Having threatened
for several years, the hard work and dedication of the members (and
there are not very many of them) has seen the fruits of their labour
justifiably rewarded. Congratulations!
As you have already heard, I had intended to relinquish the position
of Secretary as it is at the end of next season – on 30th September.
I really cannot afford the expense entailed in travelling down for
AGM and Dinner because it costs me around £100 for the journey and
expenses - I have done this for the last 5 years since moving north.
However, I would be happy to continue doing all that I do at present
– but with the proviso that I was not expected to attend AGM or
Dinner; I would organise, but not travel south! This would mean that
someone – an Assistant Secretary? – would be needed to take the
minutes at AGM and then send them on to me and also set out the
table place names as arranged. I would urge your members to look for
such a person or even two who would be prepared to do these two
tasks – taking, in total, no more than an hour a year! Surely this
is not too difficult?
7. Sellings Cup: Fairlight had hosted and this was generally thought
to be a good evening – Pett proposed a vote of thanks to Fairlight.
It was Rother’s turn to host in 2010 and no details were available
at this time – but would be circulated as soon as possible.
8. The Fling: Nigel thanked everyone who had taken the time and
trouble to send teams and said that they were blessed with good
weather. Beckley Ladies had produced a wonderful spread of food.
Funds had been made for the club from the various sideshows. He
wished Fairlight every success for 2010. This was agreed to be on
September 26th as an experiment for one year only. Details from
Fairlight in due course.
9. Presentation Dinner: the date for 2010 was confirmed as Thursday
18th November 2010.
10. Election of Officers:
a. Chairman: There being no other nomination, Colin Goldsack is
elected nem con.
b. Treasurer: There being no other nomination, Nigel Pearson is
elected nem con.
c. Secretary: There being no other nomination, John Bennett is
elected nem con.
11. A.O.B. There were none.
12. The date of the next A.G.M.: was agreed to be Wednesday 17th
November 2010 – the day before the Presentation Dinner.
There being no further business, the Meeting closed at 19.48