AGM December 7 2003

A bright Sunday morning greeted us all on the drive to Lings Forum for the NASC AGM, though some accidents on our overcrowded motorways delayed some people, the meeting was only a few minutes late in starting. The turnout was slightly higher than last year, but when you've been to a few you tend to recognise the same faces in the auditorium every year. That's comforting in a way; at least you know that they all have as much commitment to the Association as you do yourself. The minutes of the 2002 AGM were reviewed and agreed, and the chairman and treasurers reports promoted little reaction, though one or two little discussions arose from questions asked from the floor about our events throughout the year.

However things changed when the issue of nominations for committee and representatives for 2003/2004 were tabled. Melvyn Briggs has decided to step down and I, Barry Cornes, was stepping down as vice chairman, but because of various things happening during this last year it was decided that the five key committee posts, chairman, vice chairman, secretary, treasurer and membership secretary, should all be duly elected for the coming year.

There were two nominations for the post of chairman; these were Mark Ashman and Ray Austin. The vote went in favour of Mark; Ray remains as a committee member without portfolio. Similarly there were two nominations for vice chairman, these being Paul Hurley and Martin Paling. The vote for this post was equally split, with thirteen votes being cast for each. In that situation the chairman has the casting vote and his vote went to Paul Hurley. Martin is taking over the post of membership secretary, vacated by Paul and will also continue as merchandising officer. The posts of secretary, John Pryor and treasurer, Dave King remain the same as both were reinstated.

Various issues were thrashed out, the details of which do not really need to be posted here. The upshot of it all is that the minutes from every committee meeting will now be circulated to each club, so that everyone is aware of the issues concerning them and the action being taken on their behalf. It was decided that a change to the Association rules may be required to facilitate a more suitable date for beginning our financial year, and this is being looked into. After considerable further discussion it was also decided that 'in light of recent occurrences elsewhere' the security arrangements at NASC events should be reviewed and undoubtedly increased, possibly with the introduction of volunteer "stewards" or more likely with the hiring of paid professionals.

This decision was soon followed by the closure of the meeting; it had been the longest AGM I have been to, but we had got through a lot of voting and had some worthwhile and lengthy discussions.

Barry Cornes

top of page