MINUTES OF THE 13TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
FRIDAY 22 JULY 2011 IN ROOM U G.1, UNISON CENTRE
There were sufficient people present to make it not worth cancelling.
In the chair: Lisa McGuinness, Senior Vice-President, deputising for Julie Hallam, President, who was on international duties.
1. Apologies
The President ruled that as the persons concerned hadn’t shown up to give their apologies in person it seemed rather too much too expect us to put their names in the minutes.
2. Minutes of 12th AGM held 2 November 2008
(i) Accuracy
A number of people had vague recollections of the event but were unable to verify the accuracy of the minutes, except for Mr.Derrig (a former Assistant Bar Steward). Mr Derrig failed in his challenge as it involved a somewhat convoluted bit of illogicality viz. not that the proposal to immolate him (minute 5, final bullet-point) was never made, but that it was never carried out. The Senior Vice-President patiently explained to him that as a snowy-haired veteran of committee procedure he knew full well that his point was not a matter for accuracy. The assembly fell about laughing. The minutes were accepted as an accurate record.
(ii) Matters arising
There were no matters arising other than that raised by Mr.Derrig who claimed that the immolation proposed (Minute 5, final bullet-point) had not been carried out. It was agreed to rectify this at the earliest opportunity.
3. Secretary’s report
Mr.Williams, the Secretary, moved his report with one amendment, viz. Replacing the sentence “But you’ve got Ben Thomas”, with “But you get what you deserve”. The report was accepted.
4. Treasurer’s report
Mr.Oestreicher, the Treasurer produced two reports: the years 2009/10 and 2010/11. Both needed lengthy explanation as to their veracity, but the Treasurer seemed unable to assist the meeting in this matter in any straightforward way. Mr.Thomas put a question to the Treasurer about money from the cricket activities and was met with some sort of explanation that was far too complicated to go into here.
Mr.Thomas next went on to pursue the matter of the Club’s payment for a CostCo bulk purchase card in the manner of a dog with a bone, demanding to know where said purchase was reported in the accounts. The Treasurer reported with evident satisfaction that no such card had ever been obtained using Club funds. Mr.Thomas looked quite chastened after that.
The Treasurer then went on to report that a Makro bulk-purchase card that had previously been purchased using Club funds had not been purchased this year and, on advice from the Auditor, Mr.Hurynag, that where it had been purchased previously it would have shown up anyway smuggled through in the miscellaneous expenditure. Well, that’s what this minute-taker noted.
The reports were both accepted.
The meeting agreed its deep and sincere thanks to Mr.Hurynag for all Mr.Oestreicher’s hard work.
5. Other officer’s reports
Mr.Thomas, the Chief Bar Steward, reported on the decommissioning of the old bar, and many a tear did fall from the eyes of those assembled.
On conclusion of the reports, Mr.Oestreicher reported that Mr.Thomas had been the recipient of a fine tribute in the shape of a silver tankard from the Committee for all his hard work over the years and that the occasion should not go unmarked by this meeting.
Mr.Williams then advised the meeting that the same tribute had been paid to Mr.Oestreicher for all Mr.Hurynag’s work over many years.
There then followed a bout of back-slapping and mutual admiration which saw the gorge rise in the throats of those not being applauded. Votes of thanks rained down on the officers like some fantastical verbal ticker-tape parade.
6. Proposed new USSSC rules (Attached as appendix 6)
Mr.Williams introduced the proposed new rules, explaining that they needed tidying up after they had become unstable in the new operating conditions, and likely to create problems the like of which the world had never known.
The new rules were accepted with alacrity,
7. Declaration of Club Officers
The following were elected unopposed:
President Lisa McGuinness
Vice President (snr) John Dolan
Vice President (jnr) Mairin Power
Secretary Ben Thomas
Asst Secretary Colin Derrig
Treasurer Sam Oestreicher
Auditor Raj Hurynag
Asst Treasurer Sotirios Loizou
Publicity Officer Gary Williams
Entertainments Officer Jo Whelan
Membership Officer Gary Williams
8. Declaration of UNISON Centre floor reps – two per floor
Ground floor - No nominations
First floor - Chris Townsend and Jo Whelan
Second floor - Colin Derrig and Terry Wickenden*
Third floor - Lisa McGuinness and Mairin Power
Fourth floor - Sian Rabi-Laleh and Julie Hallam
*Subject to Ms Wickenden’s agreement.
9. Regional representatives
No nominations were received, but the newly-elected committee will be considering involvement of regional members at its next meeting. They said.
Continues over..../
10. Motions
The following motion was carried, despite (or possibly because of) the implications for the new Assistant Secretary’s employment prospects.
Bar Bistro Area Ambience
Proposed: Ben Thomas Seconded: Colin Derrig
This AGM notes that the stark lighting and exposed position of the bar/bistro area does not always provide the best ambience for drinking alcohol in the evening.
The AGM also notes the acoustics of the area could be improved to facilitate the playing of music.
Prior to the move to the new UNISON Centre, assurances were given to the USSSC committee that the lighting in the area would be fully adjustable and that ‘marvels’ could be achieved through mood lighting. However, we have now been in the building for three months and no-one has even found a light switch.
This AGM resolves that the Assistant Secretary shall take lead responsibility for improving the ambience of the bar area. The Assistant Secretary will take on responsibility for liaising with UNISON management on this issue and will produce a monthly progress report to the USSSC Committee.
11. Roy Mackerness trophy
The Secretary proudly displayed the Roy Mackerness Trophy and, because of his apparent reluctance to let go of the thing, the Treasurer proposed that the Secretary be awarded it. The Secretary accepted the award and looks forward to spending long evenings engaged in buffing-up.
12. Any Other Business
To the tumultuous applause of the throng, there was no other business.
13. Induction ceremony of new President
The ceremonial chain of office, having finally been extracted from the previous incumbent, was placed around the graceful neck of Ms Lisa McGuinness by Mr.Dolan, the new senior vice-President and one time President himself he wanted everyone to know.
The meeting closed at 4.45pm and a small group of the officers withdrew to their private room at Jerambo’s for refreshments.
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