Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held at the Lauriston Hotel, Weston-super-Mare on Saturday 6 May 2006 commencing at 2 pm.
1. CHAIR'S WELCOME:
Martyn Wilson cordially welcomed everybody to the meeting.
2. CHAIR TO READ AGENDA:
The Chair read the agenda, and this formed the basis for discussion at the meeting.
3. NOTIFICATION OF ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
Notification was received from Alec Bridgewood.
4. ROLL CALL:
Martyn Wilson (Chair);
Charles Peck (Vice-Chair;
Colin Howard (Secretary);
Richard Harrington (Assistant Secretary);
Alec Bridgewood (Treasurer);
Phil Troll (Development Officer);
Paul David (Committee member);
Jeanne Jackson (Committee member);
Chris Biles;
Tim David;
Chris Hancock;
Brian James;
Irene Knowles;
Bill Shakespeare.
5. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:
Kulvinder Bhogal;
Paul Chinnery;
Ted Herbert;
Ghow Ratnarajah;
Jane Sellers;
David Stephenson;
Steve Ward.
6. MINUTES OF THE AGM 2005:
These are available on the website and were included on the March magazine. However, Alec was requested to read them to the meeting.
Item 16 - The Civic Ambassador joined the meeting towards the end. With this correction, the minutes were approved. Proposed Colin Howard and seconded Charles Peck.
7. MATTERS ARISING:
Phil Troll reported we have now secured the services of a professional fund-raiser. The temporary premises at Radio South-East has now become permanent until further notice. It was considered too expensive to accept the offer from an NTE listener. The Civic Ambassador had not been asked for a donation. The Black Lion pub in Plaistow is still in possession of one of our collecting boxes. Two of our brochures have now been placed with them in the hope of stimulating interest in NTE. We also still have a collecting box at Jonathan Fisher's local butchers. Alec sought permission to get in touch with Jonathan as he had not heard from him recently.
8. REPORTS:
CHAIR:
Martyn Wilson reported that his first year has generally been a successful one. At the beginning, the move to the new office had just been completed. Special thanks were given to Radio South-East.
It has also been another good year for our website, thanks to Mary Jameson. All editions of the magazine have appeared on it throughout the year. Mary has now had to relinquish the job of webmaster; we hope to have a new webmaster soon, Dave Durber.
The biggest step forward this year was the hiring of a professional fund-raiser to help with grant applications. Now for the first time the Charity has a Business Plan which is essential when applying for grants. We have applied for two grants so far, and more applications are being made at the moment.
Martyn enjoyed his first year as Chair, and hoped that he will, if re-elected, be able to continue leading the way forward for another year for the Charity.
VICE-CHAIR:
Charles Peck reiterated the Chair's thanks to Radio South-East for allowing NTE to share its premises. He thanked Paul Chinnery for his work with the Charity. He has brought new and interesting features to the magazine. The Media Roundup feature has been successfully received by members. He thanked Martyn for his Chairmanship.
SECRETARY:
Colin Howard apologized for not inviting the President or Vice-President to the meeting. We have been in contact with our Patron fairly regularly.
ASSISTANT SECRETARY:
Richard Harrington thanked the Committee for their support during the year and for correcting the minutes as and when necessary. We have had five teleconference meetings and one face-to-face meeting during the year. He said he would like to continue in a secretarial role for another year.
The Chair thanked Richard for his prompt delivery of the minutes prior to meetings.
TREASURER:
Alec Bridgewood read the Annual Treasurer's Report for the year ended 31 March 2006. The report shows that we have failed to obtain the necessary financial funding required to keep the organization on a firm financial footing. The accompanying balance sheet shows a deficit of nearly £8000 since this time last year. At the conclusion of this report, the balance sheet was read and agreed. This was signed by the Auditor. Alec then presented the income and expenditure for the year. The Chair thanked Alec for another extremely good year's work. Report adopted.
PUBLICITY OFFICER:
In the absence of the Appeals Officer, Steve Ward, the report was presented by Alec Bridgewood. "As publicity Officer for NTE, I have put fliers into libraries in Newham, designed and printed stickers, taken photos for the fundraiser, designed and printed brochures, getting in touch with the Community Channel and posting off fliers to shops and companies." He is willing to stand for re-election. Charles Peck thanked Steve for his work.
APPEALS:
No report available.
DEVELOPMENT OFFICER:
Firstly, I would like to thank all the volunteers who have been working for the charity over the last year. People have helped with the tape copying and office work, and also regular collections that have helped to keep the money flowing in. However, we could still do with more help in both these areas. We have found it necessary to take on main line collections in addition to the tube station ones. I would like to thank those people on the Committee who have continued to work voluntarily for NTE.
This last year, Martyn Wilson has taken over as Chair, and I would like to congratulate him for being such a good Chairman. Over the past year I have had personal difficulties but would like to thank my friends around me for helping me through this difficult period of my life.
We have managed against all the odds to at least produce one magazine each month, and we have produced two magazines each month wherever possible. Last May, Paul Chinnery joined the team as a volunteer and he received his first contract to work for the charity in August. Paul is now taking part in the magazine reading a lot of invaluable information. He and Phil have been assisting the Fundraiser with the Business Plan which is now complete and looks most impressive. We have also helped Mark with two grant applications which have been submitted. You will know about our new brochure which has been compiled by our Publicity Officer, Steve Ward who has done a grand job this year.
In addition to our dial-up version of our magazine, we now also produce a 96k stereo version of NTE and Media Roundup especially for our broadband listeners.
ASSISTANT DEVELOPMENT OFFICER:
Firstly, I should like to thank the NTE Committee for giving me the chance to return to work after my illness forced me to give up my job. It has given me the chance to work at something that I really enjoy doing. I hope that I have been able to give the charity something in return for this opportunity.
I am sure that Phil will go into more detail about the year's developments at the London office. Two things I do feel are important are that even though we have had several serious problems a magazine has been produced each month. We have also moved into a bigger office which has made working much easier.
I hope that NTE will be able to resolve the financial situation and we will be able to continue to produce monthly magazines." - Paul Chinnery, Assistant Development Officer.
The Chair, on behalf of the Committee and members, thanked both Phil and Paul for an excellent year's work.
9. AMENDMENT TO CLAUSE 10 OF THE CONSTITUTION:
The removal of this clause has been requested by the Charities Commission. The meeting agreed to comply with this request. Proposed Charles Peck and seconded Colin Howard.
10. ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Chair: Martyn Wilson;
Vice-Chair: Charles Peck;
Secretary: Richard Harrington;
Assistant Secretary: Colin Howard;
Treasurer: Alec Bridgewood;
Publicity Officer: Steve Ward;
Appeals Officer: Jeanne Jackson;
Committee members:
Kulvinder Bhogal;
Chris Biles;
Paul David;
Development Officer: Phil Troll;
Assistant Development Officer: Paul Chinnery.
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
(i) - Alec Bridgewood recommended that action point reminders should be circulated as soon as possible after Committee meetings.
(ii) - It was agreed to delete the title "Public Relations Officer" and insert "Publicity Officer". Proposed Charles Peck and seconded Colin Howard.
12. DATE AND PLACE OF AGM 2007
The AGM next year will take place on 12 May in Eastbourne.
Richard Harrington, Secretary
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