ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

26th AUGUST 2006, CLOISTERS BAR, EDINBURGH

Present: Al Broom, Joanne Deponio, Chris Fleming, Steve Fryatt, Richard Lace, Graeme Timms

Apologies: Natalie Adzic, Richard Shelton

The chair noted that the meeting was quorate.

Meeting opened at 16:00.

Previous Minutes: The minutes of the previous AGM were accepted as a correct record.

Matters Arising: England won the ashes.

Chair's report

The chair reported a year of organic growth for FoB. 483 members are now registered on bedlamites.co.uk (up from 329 last AGM). 831 shows are in the show archive with 3445 indviduals identified. It is also now possible to upload images

There were 40 bedlamites at the London gathering in May. Numbers were down due to clashing with Eurovision. The next London party will be on 19 May 2007.

THERE WAS A SHORT SMOKING AND PARKING MEETING BREAK. MEETING RESUMES 16:20

During the break apologies were received from Chris Cooke.

Chair thanks Steve Fryall for updating the archive.

The postcards produced prior the London party were well received. The newsletter was publishe in June with 250 posted to UK addresses and 60 worldwide (with only 20 returned).

Grants approved over the last 12 months:
BSL Play: £135 passed
Tirtha: £250 passed by majority 5:2
Sewing machine: £75 passed

Treasurers Report

The treasurer reported there was £819.30 in the bank account and over £4,000 of donations at Development & Alumni. Treasurer was to email the EUTC Business Manager (and cc: Development & Alumni) to advise they could now request a direct payment of £460 from Dev & Alumni.

The need to send reminders to patrons about their annual donations.

It was agreed there should be a poster in Bedlam advertising the availability of FoB grants.

The need for a proactive secretary for FoB was noted.

It was also agreed to offer a £500 incentive fund to EUTC members for applications to stage something new, unusual and outwith Bedlam.

EUTC report:

No report

Committee

Section 5.2 of the constitution (Single Transferable Vote clause) was suspended for the remaineder of the meeting.

The following patrons were standing down from committee following 2 years' service: Al Broom, Chris Cooke and Chris Fleming. Richard Shelton resigned from the post of secretary earlier in the year. The chair thanked everyone for their efforts.

There were therefore 4 vacant positions within the committee. The following patrons were nominated and re-elected for the vacant positions on the committee: Al Broom, Chris Cooke (in absentia) and Chris Fleming. There post of secretary remains unfilled. The Chair noted his requested to stand down and pass on the chair in the forthcoming year. New committees members are sought.

AOCB

Issues discussed:

The website needs continued maintenence.
There is a need for an Edinburgh presence within the FoB Committee in order to liaise with EUTC and Development & Alumni.
There has been no London Committee gathering for some time.
The association needs a secretary with time to devote to processing donation forms, reminders etc
A newsletter will be produced in early 2007.
It was noted that Development & Alumni had approached the Chair with a request that FoB be presented to other alumni as best practice.
The website has been receiving 6000 visits per month.