AUK Annual General Meeting
Held at the Ringwood Hall Hotel, Brimington, near Chesterfield on 6th January 2007 - the meeting started at 14:07
Chairman Keith Benton welcomed members to the meeting and paid tribute to those members who had passed on since the last AGM: Mick Potts, a long time stalwart of AUK who was in 1991 PBP 'first back with a saddle bag', Steve Coates, a Permanent Organiser in his 30s who had felt unwell and packed on an event, then subsequently collapsed and Frank Mumford, an early W-C-W participant who had latterly given Arrivée annual reports on the Mersey Roads 24. The names of Jim Outtram, Allan Ainslie and David Cleminson were also mentioned. Sec’s note: After the meeting, the name of Jack Harris was mentioned to add to those above. RP
1) Those present were asked to add their names to the list of attenders.
2) Apologies for absence were received from Nev Holgate, Steve Poulton, David Hudson, Rod Dalitz, Rocco Richardson, Liz Creese, Anne Learmonth, Dave Lewis, David Stevens and David Barker.
3) Those present were asked to approve the minutes of the previous AGM which were accepted.
4) There were no matters arising.
5) On behalf of the board, DKB proposed Bernard Mawson as Président d’Honneur and Peter Coulson as Vice-President in view of their work on behalf of AUK over very many years. These appointments were approved by an overwhelming majority of members present.
6) Officers’ Reports: RAP had nothing to add to the report already published in the 2007 Calendar and there were no queries arising. PC had nothing to add to his, but Jim Hopper queried the zero total of 500K events. PC replied that all the 500K had been Arrows. RT added nothing to his report, but explained the rationale behind his proposal (see 7) SS added only that a more streamlined and less costly system had been established with the new printers. IH appealed for more articles and news items which he could use with Cycling Weekly, Cycling Plus and other magazines. JW added that DIY Perms were now being regionalised, with Lucy McTaggart handling Scotland and Northern England, Sheila Simpson dealing with Wales and the Midlands and Andy Uttley covering ones in the South and West. Permanents are also being reorganised, so he urged riders to check with the relevant organiser. He also urged correspondents to be aware of the changes to the postal rates and put adequate postage on all mail. PM mentioned his efforts to keep ACP happy before P-B-P. GG said that membership was increasing, introduced Mike Wigley to the members present and urged those who wanted to change their personal details to access the Members’ Gateway or contact one of the membership team. SG/KH, FC and PP all had nothing to add and there were no queries arising from their written reports. Helen Vecht proposed acceptance of all reports en bloc, seconded by John Curtin. Carried nem con.
7) Acceptance of the Treasurer’s proposal was proposed by Gerry Boswell, seconded by Derek Slann and carried nem con.
8) RT explained the special resolution was a group of minor administrative changes to complete the transfer to a limited liability company making the transition completely transparent, and the members had the opportunity to compare both original and replacement articles with each other.
i) Proposed by Graham Mills; seconded by Roger Philo
ii) Proposed by Gerry Boswell; seconded by Melita Luxton
iii) Proposed by John Curtin; seconded by Roger Philo
iv) Proposed by Peter South; seconded by Graham Mills
v) Chris Wilby queried the procedure in the amended article and Mike Saddler asked about the quorum in article 8.1 RT replied it was normal Company Law and designed to protect the membership against an errant committee. CW suggested on-line voting which was rejected as impractical and undemocratic. After this discussion it was proposed by Lucy McTaggart and seconded by Derek Slann.
The above five articles were all approved by a show of hands comfortably in excess of the 75% majority requirement.
9) Mike Wigley spoke in support of the proposal to delete Regulation 7.1. Roger Philo queried the numbering [now 10.1(i)] Aidan Hedley queried the meaning of the regulation and Annemarie Manley replied as illustration that in one season she had completed the Dorset Coast Permanent twice, but only received one set of points. Steve Underwood queried whether it would in future be possible to gain 100 points if that event had been ridden 50 times in a season. This was confirmed as the case, if the proposal were accepted. Carried, two against.
10) Steve Snook spoke in support of the proposal to amend Regulation 6.5 (now 9.5) RT pointed out that it would not prevent the board discarding the AAA scheme, were it so minded. Roger Philo suggested an amendment to the wording to read: "There shall be Audax Altitude Awards (AAA) the aim of which is to encourage participation in hilly events. For details of the awards see the AAA section of the Handbook or the website." After reference to the Proposer to agree this amendment, Mike Saddler spoke briefly to further support the change. Carried, nem con
11) The re-election of officials from Chairman to Press Secretary en bloc was proposed by Jim Hopper, seconded by Ray Smith and carried nem con.
Sheila Simpson spoke concerning her taking over the vacant position of Events Sec. The job had grown during Peter’s tenure and it was now envisaged that it would be regionalised, with Lucy McTaggart checking rides starting in Scotland and Northern England, Graham Mills overseeing Wales and the West Midlands, Ian Hennessey the South West and Andy Uttley the South East. Sheila herself would look after the remainder. The system would be further automated with pro formas being submitted on-line and Pam Pilbeam would be able to produce the Brevet Cards directly from organisers’ input. SS was hopeful the new system would be available from March with organisers inputting their ride details far into the future. On the basis of CTC experience, any event clashes were normally resolved amicably directly between organisers, and it had worked well there. Appointment carried, FC against!
12) Pam Pilbeam advised she had negotiated a special rate at a hotel similar to the Ringwood Hall in Hoddesdon for the first weekend in 2008. This hotel had the advantage of 60 single bedrooms. Full details will appear elsewhere in Arrivée.
13) AOB. D Slann paid tribute about Simon Doughty who had been injured in a road traffic accident. Melita Luxton who had recently visited SD gave a brief update on progress to date. Pam Pilbeam advised having block booked ten mobile homes in France just over 2½km from the start of P-B-P. Members wishing to use them should contact her, or details will appear in this issue of Arrivée. Peter Coulson advised that due to SS’s commitments, he would be continuing as the Events Secretary till the end of February. DKB advised he had 5 After Dinner Dart Brevet Cards available. Jim Hopper proposed a vote of thanks to the committee for their work over the past year. Peter South enquired what progress had been made on LEL 2009 arrangements. DKB replied that the committee had offered the job of Project Manager for the event to Melita Luxton that morning.
14) The meeting closed at 15:17.
Advance Info Dinner/AGM 2007/8