The Old Elizabethans (Barnet) Association
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE ASSOCIATION
HELD ON THE 21st APRIL 2010 AT 8.00 P.M.
AT THE O.E. MEMORIAL GROUND, GYPSY CORNER
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Present: The following Committee members: K R Cooper (In the Chair), M G Slough (Secretary & Treasurer), A F King (Membership Secretary), D Norris (EditorialSecretary), J Marincowitz, J Smith, A Solomon, H Vekeria
and 10 other full members: T G R Smith, R Claridge, P Mackay, G Barnes, D Christie, J Hobson, G Brisbin, J Chapman, M Bradish, N Watling
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1.00 APOLOGIES:
52 apologies were received - incorporated in Proxy Forms or by e-mail/phone
2.00 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING: The minutes of the meeting held on the 15th April 2009 were signed as a correct record.
3.00 MATTERS ARISING: There were none.
4.00 THE WAY AHEAD: The Chairman reported as follows (a brief résumé):-
The Association is in good health and he demonstrated this by 5 bullet points:-
· Membership growing by dint of the 10 year scheme offered to sixth formers. The challenge is to develop the Association to encourage the new younger members to remain when their ten years expire
· Re-launch of the Business Club under Michael Gallucci with a new Web-site
· Investigation of ways to improve our existing web-site in conjunction with the new school web-site. This matter remains in hand
· Refresh the membership of an aging committee
· Relieve Officers of some responsibility – proposals have been put to the School in this connection but at this point in time it is not possible for any of the suggested tasks to be undertaken. So the current situation remains unaltered.
5.00 REPORTS:
.01 SECRETARY: Mr Slough presented his report which had previously been circulated and a copy of which is attached to these Minutes in the Minute Book. This was a statement of facts and brought forth no comments. It was duly adopted nem con.
.02 TREASURER: Mr Slough presented the final examined accounts for the year ended 31st December 2009: these were discussed in conjunction with his separate report a copy of which was also circulated and is also attached with the Balance Sheet & Accounts to these Minutes in the Minute Book. On a proposal by Mr T Smith seconded by Mr D Norris the accounts and the report were duly adopted nem con. The Chairman thanked Mr Slough for his administration and financial work throughout the year.
.03 MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Mr King presented his report a copy of which was circulated and is also attached to these Minutes In the Minute Book. The report was duly adopted with the Chairman's thanks to Mr King for his work throughout the year.
.04 OLD ELIZABETHANS (BARNET) PLAYING FIELDS LTD: Dr D Christie, Chairman of the OE(B)PFC Ltd presented his report, a copy of which is attached to these Minutes in the Minute book, as follows:-
Main endeavours have been essentially commercial as we accept that financial stability is a must if a successful sporting facility is to be provided for the local community:
1) Financial back-up:-
· Cost/Benefit basis is the main modus operandi – depends on grants and sometimes some self –indulgence does occur, but only momentarily.
· Rental of pitches to sporting groups – not profitable as charges just about cover overheads. The Social Club makes a valuable contribution and is profitable. However there are no long-term agreements with tenants and this could be an issue as it is considered that short-term agreements do not meet with Grant providers’ criteria.
2) Maximise Return on Assets:-
· Volunteers: Many unsung heroes make their mark with a small cohort who keeps the place afloat. This has always been the case. Peter Goring of the Cricket Club (a non-OE) is the main driving force behind recent developments. If loss of man power is experienced it may be necessary to increase rental charges to those clubs who do not show support.
· Clubhouse: Vastly improved facility which ought to attract additional income. An attempt to get one such new tenant failed because a planning application for occasional change of use by a Montessori Nursery School being turned down. Being now wiser a further attempt might be luckier.
· Playing surfaces: To avoid over-use in the winter is the main issue. Improved drainage would help but this is a cost/benefit issue. For the summer a second cricket table is needed and cricket nets and training pitch are on the cards grants permitting. The matter of levelling and ground-fill is a major issue.
· Live–in grounds-man: Ground work is the major outlay and consideration is being given to installing a professional in a tied house, which should improve finances but this is again a grants issue.
He finished his report by stating that all these proposals are not promises. Some will succeed others fail, all will take time and effort. The board thought members would like to know what it hoped for.
The Chairman thanked Dr Christie for his very encouraging report and the gratitude of the Association members for all that the PFC is achieving at Gypsy Corner, The O E Memorial Playing Field. It represented a vast improvement on what had gone on before
6.00 OPEN FORUM: Mr Watling congratulated the Honorary Editor for the Spring issue of the Elizabethan which he thought was extremely well-done. (Mr Norris took a metaphorical bow.)
7.00 ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE:
.01 OFFICERS:
SECRETARY: present incumbent Mr Slough
TREASURER: -do- Mr Slough
MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: -do- Mr King
EDITORIAL SECRETARY: -do- Mr Norris
SOCIAL SECRETARY: -do- Mr Lincoln
As there were no other nominations all were all duly re-elected en bloc nem con. Mr Slough informed the meeting that Daren Norris had agreed to take over as Secretary and he will be appointed as Assistant Secretary at the next committee meeting, to allow time for the take-over to proceed.
.02 COMMITTEE: Mr J Wickes had resigned. As there were no other nominations, Messrs K R Cooper, K Jackson, J Smith and the three members co-opted during the year, viz., Messrs Solomon, Gallucci and Vekeria who were all prepared to stand, were all duly elected en bloc nem con. Mr Cooper wished to co-opt Mr Bradish to bring the complement up to 7 in all. This was also agreed nem con.
8.00 NOMINATIONS FOR HONORARY MEMBERSHIP, AND VICE PRESIDENCIES:
Mr Slough proposed Mr D G Norris as a Vice-President for his outstanding editorial work. This was approved with acclaim. There were no other nominations
9.00 DATE OF NEXT AGM: To perpetuate the third Wednesday in April = 20th April 2011.
There being no further business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting at 9.50 p.m. approx
M G Slough
Honorary Secretary & Treasurer
28th April 2010
