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Minutes of the Inaugural General Meeting held at The Balmoral Hotel Bournemouth Saturday 1st September 2007
The meeting was opened at 10.00 by Mike Crowe who welcomed all who had travelled to the Balmoral Hotel for the Weekend and those who were either passing through to other destinations or were staying in nearby hotels or lived nearby. A total of 60 members were present.
Mike thanked Alan Edwards (3) in his absence. Alan has ‘contacts’ in the right places and had produced a superb poster commemorating the Inauguration Meeting. This had been framed and covered with Acrylic and a label will be placed on the reverse to commemorate each reunion from now on. A true record over the coming years.
In the role of Membership Secretary, Mike announced that with three enquiries which arrived just before he left home on Friday, the Association now has 403 members but pointed out that anyone who had made an enquiry was made a member, it was to be hoped that when a subscription was introduced these members would establish themselves in the Association. More would be said on subscriptions later.
The members who had volunteered for posts in the Association were introduced. Dennis Coombes Archivist, Robin Allum Slops and ‘Shiner’ Wright Web master.
An apology from the Newsletter Editor Iain Crawford was read out with a request for members to send in contributions. Iain also explained “I have approached my work and asked them to sponsor the newsletter in letting me have the use of a printer and the paper. Haven't got a "yes" yet but they haven't said "no". I will let you know the final outcome”
“UPDATE” An e-mail received from Iain towards the end of the reunion contained the message “My company Emtelle UK LTD has agreed to sponsor the newsletter to the tune of supplying the paper and allowing me to print it on a company printer. This will be a great saving for the association.” An e-mail was returned thanking the company from the Association
A balance sheet was presented to the members and this is attached to these minutes.[Note from web master - not published on web] The members were in agreement that the outstanding amount of £667.21 for paper, envelopes and postage financed by Mike should be refunded to him.
It was explained that all of the records of payments and receipts were available for inspection should any member wish to see where the monies had come from and where spent. A treasurer for the Association is still sought and Mike explained that references would be taken up on any person applying.
It was decided that August 31st would be year end for the Accounts in order that a year’s accounts can be presented at the next AGM. It was also suggested that two members should act as Examiners before the accounts are presented to the Association. (Mike welcomed this)
Mike had proposed earlier in a newsletter that a subscription of £5.00 a year should be introduced, this was repeated and seconded by P. Appleyard (3) and carried by the members. A subscription of £5.00 per member per year will commence on January 1st 2008 and any member not paying their subscription by 31st March of that year will deem to be a lapsed member.
Dennis Coombes Archivist explained that he had made a show of whatever he could lay his hands on and requested the members to contact him with donations of anything R.N. Electrical which can be displayed at future reunions.
Robin Allum Slops announced that all the Ties, Blazer and Beret Badges had been passed to him and asked the members for suggestions for badged clothing and memorabilia. There was a healthy discussion ranging from Caps and Berets to Tee Shirts and pens. Robin took note and will make enquiries and report back to the members.
Mike Wright Web master reported that there was good interest in the web and explained to those who had not seen it, that names and addresses were not displayed. Favourite ships, Service Numbers and the ‘Known as’ names were displayed and the list number those people were on.
He did request more members to send in their Service Numbers and their Favourite ships in order that old mess mates could be identified and found. He explained that the website is a basic one which is free. At a future date we will need to pay a fee for one with more facilities.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Committee Members and length of Service on the committee. At this early stage of the Association where not all places have been filled, the time limit on a post could not really be applied and will be reviewed at a later reunion/AGM. The position of Chairman was discussed and at present, the committee would choose the Chairman for an unspecified period. Mike assumed the position of Chairman for the meeting.
Future reunion locations It was suggested that as the members came from all over the country, a leaf should be taken from other Associations and the location moved about, going North, South, East and West over the following years. A show of hands proved the next reunion to be in Llandudno and Mike would task this and report back to the members with findings. Mini Reunions at the half way stage were suggested and these would be borne in mind as the Association progresses.
Area Groups Following the idea of a much larger Association, area groups were suggested whereby members living in close proximity to each other should have monthly or six weekly ‘get togethers’ for social gatherings.
A vote of thanks to the committee members for the work they had put in to get the Association off the ground was given from the floor and very much appreciated.
The meeting closed at 11.40 and ‘Up Spirits’ was piped
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