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Annual General Meeting 2005 Report

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at the RNIB on Saturday 7 May 2005 commencing at 1410 hours

1. CHAIR'S WELCOME AND REMARKS:

The Chair welcomed everybody to the meeting, and especially our Vice-President Mr Brian Collier.

2. CHAIR TO READ AGENDA:

The agenda was read and approved.

3. CHAIR TO BE NOTIFIED OF ANY OTHER BUSINESS NOT COVERED ON THE AGENDA:

Notification of an emergency Committee meeting.

4. ROLL CALL:

Brian Collier - (Vice-President)
Colin Howard - (Chair)
Martyn Wilson - Vice-Chair)
Alec Bridgewood - (Treasurer)
Richard Harrington - (Assistant Secretary)
Charles Peck - (Publicity Officer)
Phil Troll - (Development Officer)
Ghow Ratnarajar
Paul David
Steve Ward

5. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

Colonel Mike Dunning
Alex Shannon
Chris Biles
Jeanne Jackson
Lisa Bhogal
Kulvinder Bhogal
Ian Norris

6. MINUTES FOR THE AGM 2004:

Item 15 - This did not need seconding.
With this correction, the minutes were approved. Proposed Martyn Wilson and seconded Charles Peck.

7. MATTERS ARISING:

It was reported there was no further progress in obtaining a fund-raiser.

It was reported we now have a Patron, David "Kid" Jensen.

8. CHAIR'S REPORT:

This had been circulated to members present, but was read for the benefit of members attending by phone. During the year under review, we have seen the membership receiving their tapes regularly and though our supplementary editor ceased producing his contribution a few months ago, we now have in its place a magazine which covers many aspects of the media.

Although members receiving our material via tape have grown a little due to a recent mailshot, most growth has taken place through listening via our website for which we must give Mary Jamieson a big thank you for all her voluntary work on our behalf maintaining and updating the site.

On a temporary basis, we now have shared premises with Radio South-East, but have been in negotiation for a more permanent arrangement with one of our listeners who has premises shortly to become available.

Although we have applied for several grants, success in this area has been somewhat limited partly due to our lack of knowledge and partly to our desperate need for the use of a person dedicated to this, which has proved to be a somewhat complex function.

Brian Collier thanked Colin for all the dedicated work he had done for NTE over the years as Chair.

9. SECRETARY'S REPORT:

No report available.

10. ASSISTANT SECRETARY'S REPORT:

Richard Harrington thanked the Committee for their support and for correcting the minutes when necessary. Minutes of ordinary and special meetings had been circulated within time limits.

11. TREASURER'S REPORT:

Alec Bridgewood reported that the Annual Treasurer's Report had been circulated. However, the Report was read. Brian Collier recommended that we ask the Civic Ambassador for a donation from her benevolent fund before she leaves office. The report was adopted.

12. PUBLICITY OFFICER'S REPORT:

Charles Peck said he has publicized NTE via the Bluetooth system. He has also placed a collection box in the Black Lion pub in Plaistowe. A social was organized at the same venue attended by NTE members. Our Patron has publicized NTE on Capital Gold radio. We were informed that Jonathan Fisher is still collecting money on our behalf via a collection box at his local butchers. This was appreciated by members present. Brian Collier thanked Charles for his work.

13. DEVELOPMENT OFFICER'S REPORT:

Phil Troll reported that our membership figure is fairly static. However, roughly one thousand people are now listening to our service on line. Access to our audio files is now possible via the telephone. He thanked our colleagues at Radio South-East for the very generous offer of allowing us to have our own studio. This partnership has allowed the production of our Media Roundup magazine. Phil thanked everybody for their support.

14. ASSISTANT DEVELOPMENT OFFICER'S REPORT:

Report not available.

15. AGREE CONSTITUTION AS ON 20 NOVEMBER 2004:/p>

This had been circulated to Committee. A discussion took place as to the quorum figure for an AGM. Brian Collier proposed the core number be reduced from ten to eight. This amendment was seconded by Phil troll and carried by acclamation. The amended Constitution was not read; Paul David, who had not read the document prior to the meeting, accepted it on trust. The amended Constitution was passed with nine votes in favour and one abstention.

16. ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

A) - CHAIR: Martyn Wilson;
B) - Vice-Chair: Charles Peck;
C) - Secretary: Colin Howard;
D) - Assistant Secretary: Richard Harrington;
E) - Treasurer: Alec Bridgewood;
F) - Publicity Officer: Steve Ward;
G) - Appeals/Fund-Raiser: Ghow Ratnarajah;
H) - two ordinary Committee members: Jeanne Jackson, Paul David.

At this point, the Chairman thanked the President for attending the meeting.

17. ANY OTHER NOTIFIED BUSINESS:

The emergency meeting was held following the AGM.

18. DATE, PLACE AND TIME FOR AGM 2006:

It was agreed this would take place in Weston-Super-Mare on 6 May.

Richard Harrington
Assistant Secretary

Read 2004 Minutes

Annual General Meeting 2005 Report

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