Reports Index
The Club recorded a deficit for 2005. [See accounts published in 2006 hardcopy Calendar]. However, an increase in costs in certain areas was anticipated and the £1 increase in membership fees approved at last year’s AGM should correct matters for 2006.
From 2006, we are also introducing a facility to allow membership fees to be paid by standing order. The mechanics for this are in Julian Beach’s expert hands and we hope it will cut down time spent in administering renewals by effectively making the renewals process automatic. I hope you will support this initiative as, having broken the 4,000 members mark, the membership team can be under pressure at renewals time.
On this latter point, there have been an increasing number of instances in recent months of certain members having unreasonable expectations regarding what they expect from AUK’s volunteers. All of our officials are unpaid volunteers who fit in their AUK duties around jobs and similar non-cycling related distractions. Therefore if you know you will be needing something urgently from AUK, don’t leave it to the last minute to contact the person concerned (particularly if you only do it by email) and then expect them to drop everything to correct your poor personal management.
Finally, still with membership renewals, if you do tend to be a bit late in paying your subs, remember that renewals after the 31 January cut off will now incur the new member £5 enrolment fee. So if you are in this category, standing orders are for you.
Treasurer’s recommendations: To operate the club through a Company: members have already voted to incorporate the club. The sole intention in incorporation is that it will assist in providing some protection for the club and its officials should insurance fail in the event of a claim against the club. Incorporation should not affect the way the club is run day to day and this is reflected in the draft articles of association which are included here.
We are therefore asking for your consent to:
i. adopt the articles in the form as set out which will determine how the new company will be run; and
ii. transfer the club in the form of its activities and assets to a company set up for the purpose.
To keep the process as transparent as possible, we have not amended the current regulations other than where necessary to make them consistent with the articles. However, it has become apparent that the current regulations do require some updating as there are areas where clarification would be beneficial. Even after incorporation, changes to the regulations cannot be made other than through the AGM. We will therefore notify members of any proposed changes in the normal way in subsequent years.
Ritchie Tout