The Chairman pointed out that the need for this review was because of some Committee Members' workload, and perhaps a feeling that AUK was possibly stagnating, though you could say the increase in work was due to steady growth
He thought after close study of all the Policy Documents written by the Committee and Delegates that four main areas possibly needed decisions made.

These were:-
1. Current constitutional procedures
2. Administrative difficulties
3. Future strategy, aims and ideas
4. Honorariums

To save further lengthy and possibly acrimonious debate, the Chairman summed-up the main common points in each of the areas.

1) We as a Committee carry out our constitutional remit as per Para 3, 4, 5 & 10 of the AUK Constitution quite well. Perhaps we could do more "to promote the growth of AUK". However we must be careful that any decisions or directions we feel need to be taken do not conflict too drastically with the present Constitution and Regulations as I doubt whether the hardcore, AGM attending, Membership would accept really radical change.

Nobody from the floor seriously disagreed with these assumptions.

2) The administrative difficulties were:
a) The Membership Secretary who is now aided by Ray Smith (see Item 3b/l). We should wait for a report later this year on ways to ease this task. But Ray is sure that with a few changes they can cope with a reasonable increase in membership.
b) The Validation Secretary with his two delegates now feels he can cope, especially as there is no need for the time consuming job of all cards to be checked for correct initial, name and club, etc. He is sure they can cope with a gradual rise in Validations with no problems, and that the computer input is now satisfactory and "applying" for champion-ships etc. is only a back up.
c) The Magazine Editor, with Tim now doing one Arrivee this year and possibly two next, says things are manageable and we are looking forward to Tim's "Arrivee". The inside will be completely his own, but the cover will be on a par with previous issues.
d) The Brevet Card Secretary's job was a lot more labour intensive than some Committee Members realised and no ideas were offered that could ease his task, nor would any realistic expense. This is the main area that still needs to be explored to lighten officials' workload. The Chairman offered to take the job of short run duplication and distribution of documents off his hands, to no avail.

3) Future strateqy, aims and ideas
You all had many ideas and the Chairman pulled out a few major ones for decision making, that several of you have mentioned.
Did we think AUK should be vigorously promoted in an effort to increase membership, bearing in mind that the new AUK would be a totally different club to what we know now.
Raising the issues of paid employees, very large fields of riders with a much more professional organised approach needed to events. With certain police interest and interference and even possible legislation to control road riding. Another club, rivalling the CTC and BCF, making "one voice" for cycling even more remote that at present.
Or should we decrease/restrict membership, after all members who don't ride (70% of ours) cost us money.
Restricting membership to active randonneurs could create an elitism but, providing the members still organise sufficient events, with possible financial assistance to organisers, we would still be satisfying our aims.
Or shall we keep things as they are, not going all out to gain members, with perhaps the increase in membership fee to put a few off. Both the Membership Secretary and Validation Secretary think they can now handle reasonable foreseeable increases.

A vote was taken and the overwhelming result was to keep things as they are for the time being.

It was decided to go out instead to promote the enjoyment side of our rides. Other ideas to be investigated further are:
A possible mini series of several 200K (DC, FM, WD, AE, N.200 etc.).
A lower level "Super Randonneur" series at local locations. An increase in interesting classic style Permanents and some easy shorter Randonneurs in mid season. We must try and get a safe (for the riders and for ourselves as organisers) Juvenile series that is acceptable to the AGM.
The extra committee meeting is to formalise these and other ideas so that at the September meeting we can get the exact wording sorted out for the AGM proposals.

4) Honorarium
The question of an increase in the number of paid Honararia was discussed and the Committee decided that, funds allowing, the Membership Secretary, the Home Events Secretary and the Magazine Editor should be given help. A general all round "out of pocket expenses" allowance of £100 each was also discussed without cominq to a firm decision. Treasurer to provide a summary for each committee member as to claims.

The meeting closed at 17.20