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This year the Committee decided to organise the AGM on a Saturday afternoon at a venue which was more accessible than the normal venue of St Paul's Church. Thus the usual venue for our Ceilidhs was booked - the Triangle Centre at Poulton's Close, St Radigunds, Dover. We also felt that we needed to make it more of a social occasion and so we arranged for refreshments to be served and a variety of entertainment provided. This was in response to feedback from members and the poor attendance at last year's meeting.
The Committee feels that this was a resounding success but please feel free to let us know what you think as we are fully aware that we represent and serve you, the members and any improvements we can make we will endeavour to do so.
Unfortunately, both the President, Neil Farquhar and vice-president, Iain Fairweather could not attend this meeting but stepping in to the breach was Society stalwart, Harry Hutchison who agreed to take the Chair for the duration of the meeting and the event. Harry opened with the brief welcome by the President and his apologies for not being able to attend. Harry explained that after the committee had agreed the date and venue of the AGM and this had been publicised a problem arose which meant that neither President or Vice-President would be in attendance. The Committee considered all options but had to decide (with a vote of 8-2 ) to stay with the original date with Harry taking the helm. Harry then gave a welcome to all 34 members attending this AGM.
We then observed a minutes silence in respect of Dorothy MacFarlane who had recently passed away and had been a great servant to the Society, including being the first Lady President in 1979. Harry also mentioned that Hilda Crombie had also passed away during the year.
The Business of the Society was then presented - The Minutes from the last AGM were discussed and it had been agreed by the Committee that a Summary was all that was required providing all Commitee Meeting Minutes were available for members to see. A file containing all such minutes for the previous two years were available at this meeting. Harry ensured that this was moved in accordance with the rules and was corectlly proposed and seconded. There were no matters arising.
Graham (Secretary) gave a brief summary of activities this past year. He explained that he could not understand the poor attendance at St Andrews night as we had employed a better band and had put so much effort into advertsing and promoting this event in Homecoming Scotland Year 2009. Graham stated that he was proud to be the Secretary of this Society and we should be proud that such a small Society were receiving Global interest - largely through the success of the website which had exceeded 240000 hits ! He had also received good feedback on the quality of the WeeBletherer which he would continue to publish as Editor. Graham spoke of some of the difficulties encountered this last year with the President so often being away on P&O business but fortunately, Neil had access to e-mails and mobile phones - Graham mentioned that he had mistaken Neil's dates and had once phoned Neil whilst he was on holiday in the Carribean - a slightly more costly phone call but just shows the determination of the committee to ensure the Society's business was properly and promptly executed. Graham stated he was happy to continue as Secretary this next year and would strive to look at ways of increasing membership and gaining advertising revenue through the WeeBletherer and the Website. Graham finished in mentioning that membership was currently 108 members - 8 Associates, 57 Life and 43 Full members . He finished in stating that we must all try to get any Scots we know to join the Society so that we can survive and thrive.
A Balance Sheet was discussed as part of the Treasurer's report and copies were available to all attending. The Society suffered a net operating loss of £384 during 2009/1010 largely due to the disappointingly low attendance at St Andrew's Dinner and Dance for which we had engaged Scotch Mist who were, as Internationally Reknowned artistes, undoubtedly more expensive than usual. Veronica explained that we could not entertain charitable donations at this stage but that the Committee would make such donations if income allowed during the forthcoming year. She was pleased that all events had shown an operating profit other than St Andrews Dinner & Dance. There had been exceptional expenditure this year which would not be replicated this next year, so Veronica was confident we would remain a viable concern.
Harry thanked Veronica Farquhar (Treasurer) for keeping the Society's books again this past year and for ensuring we remained solvent and viable. He also thanked his son, Graham, for undertaking a comprehensive audit on behalf of the Society and producing the Financial Statement.
Harry then gave a brief report on the Robert Burns World Federation stating that the main change was that the Chief Executive and Secretary, Shirley Bell had retired in October and the Federation had appointed Sam Judge . Harry then reported that both he and his son Graham had represented this Society at the WBF Annual Conference in Edinburgh during September, 2009. Also in attendance from this Society were John and Joan Paterson. It was a great event with Alex Salmond, First Minister, inviting some 250 guests to a gala buffet reception at the National Galleries. In his welcome speech he said he would address us as fellow members of the Federation and there was not a hint of politics as he moved freely amongst us, speaking to as many of us as possible. This conference has been reported well on the wesbite and weeblether so he did not wish to say too much at this AGM. John Paterson was then invited to say a few words on his recent trip to Russia on behalf of the World Burns Federation. Russian Schools always enter the Schools competitions and winners this year came from St and John had been part of the party visiting and awarding prizes to Russian school children.
A main part of the business side of the AGM was the Rule change proposals which was the result of Graham's painstaking evaluation and review of the Society's rules to ensure they were still fit for purpose. Harry introduced each rule change inviting any questions and comments.
Graham had produced a table containing the existing rules, the revised rules and an explanation as to the need for the change but was able to elucidate further as the need arose. Apart from a slight change in the wording of one rule change, which involved some discussion on clarification or interpretation of "partner" this was thereby amended and voted on, and carried, all changes were carried unanimously. These revised rules are now reproduced later in this website.
Then came the nominations for office bearers of the Committee :- The nominations were all carried and are listed later in this website.
Considering the amount of business we had to get through, our chair Harry kept remarkable time and this concluded at 4.23 pm which then allowed the entertainment and refreshments to begin. There was a feast of snacks and cakes, tea and coffee provided by the hardworking Committee and the entertainment consisted of Margaret Danstead playing the Harp, The Junior Scottish Country Dancers, lead by Norma Nunn giving a grand display of dances, a Poem read by John Paterson, singing by Norma Nunn and of course tunes by our piper Margaret Adamson.
The tables and chairs had been arranged so that there could be plenty of blether and it was good to see all attendees, both young and old, mixing and enjoying the fayre and chat.
The Committee would like to thank all those who helped both set up the hall and in the clearing up afterwards, it was much appreciated.
We feel that this was a great success, but please let us have your views and any suggestions for future AGMs.
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A.G.M. 2010 and Who we are, who we have helped !
