GANDIA AREA SOCIAL CLUB (International)

Minutes of Annual General Meeting 31st January 2006

10.30 am Hotel Miramar Playa

 

 

FIRST MEETING 10.30 A.M – Commenced 10.40 a.m.

 

APOLOGIES: George Bell, Jean Bell, Carole Weston, Ron Perkins, Jean Perkins, Bill Little, Marit Little, Mr & Mrs Hutchins, Carolyn Simpson, Connie Martinez, Joan Goodwin, Val Mash, Annette Boswell, Robert Boswell, John Boswell, Cilla and Terry Ewers and others.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT – ESTABLISH A QUORUM – This was done with in excess of 80 members present.

 

MINUTES OF LAST ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – These were read out by David Kitching – Proposed acceptance by Bill Rowlands, seconded by David Robinson – Members voted in favour of accepting these minutes.

 

MINUTES OF MYGM – These were read by David Kitching – Proposed acceptance by Bill Rowlands, seconded by Maurice Hamlin – Members voted in favour of accepting these minutes.

 

MATTERS ARISING NOT ON THE FOLLOWING AGENDA - None

 

Meeting Closed 11.15 a.m.

 

SECOND MEETING 11.00 A.M – Commenced 11.30 a.m.

 

 

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

 

David Kitching reported that during the year the Club had organised numerous events. The election of Jeff Venton as President was done out of respect and compassion as it was his wish to be President of the Club even though he was very ill. David mentioned how members had rallied around for Jeff and Joe Venton and it was a great support for them both during his illness. Unfortunately he passed away in April. The current President/Vice President and Secretary were appointed at the MYGM.

Following the proposal that the Club should move from La Garotta if the food did not improve, to establish whether or not this was the case questionnaires had been given out on dinner evenings for members comments. However, the decision to move was taken from the Club when Mr Geddes decided not to continue at La Garotta after October. Alternative venues had been suggested – Moli Canyar, Viva Espana and Hotel Miramar Playa.

Attendances to dinner nights had suffered with members having flu and the bad weather keeping members away.  In February the lowest turn out was 20 members in contrast to the May Birthday Dance when 110 members attended.

More money had been spent on the membership in line with the vote by members at the last AGM, in the form of subsidies for coaches, music nights, occasional free meals, better prizes for bingo and quiz nights, brand name spirits for the free members draw. During the year there had been six varied coach trips. The trip to Benidorm was subsidised more than normal due to lack of numbers and a breakdown in communications, however, David took responsibility for this. Over the whole year there had been twelve events – Burns Night, Valentine’s Dance, Easter Dance, Car Rally are just a few.  Over the next month David hopes to compile a provisional programme for the coming year which may include trips away to possibly Granada and Teruel as well as day trips.

 

 

SECRETARY’S REPORT

 

Sally Symington stated that she had only taken over as secretary in July but Clive had given her a lot of help. He had continued to deal with the new Statutes issue as required by the Ministry of the Interior in Valencia and that he would be talking about this later. The membership for the end of the year was 222, however, had more walkers and petanca players joined there would have been more. The reason for those persons not joining was due to the fact that most did not want to pay a full year’s membership when joining part the way through the year. This matter was to be addressed in a proposition later in the meeting.

 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT

 

The cost of coaches had risen considerably over the past few years – expenditure was 1130 euros for trips in 2004 and 2180 euros in 2005. The Club was in fact losing 1700 euros a year. However, this was in line with the membership wanting more funds to go back to the membership. Everything else in the expenditure was much the same. The accounts had been audited by a qualified member of the Club. It was proposed by Maurice Hamlin and seconded by Sid Hardwidge that the membership accept the accounts. They were accepted by the membership.

David Kitching stated that the cash in hand had decreased by 1000 euros and that it should be maintained at about that level in future. Martin Philipson suggested that figures for the previous year be included on the balance sheet, this was agreed.

Peter Illingworth suggested that every member should have a copy of accounts and minutes prior to the AGM for perusal. It was agreed that this was not really practical but copies could be made available at dinners prior to the AGM or by request.

 

 

ACCEPT NEW CLUB ESTATUTES: It is proposed that the membership accept the new club Statutes.  That the Members adopt the revised ‘Statutes’ as accepted by the Ministry of the Interior in accordance with the ‘Ley Organica 1/2002, de 22 de Marzo 2002, reguladora del Derecho de Asociacion.

 

Clive Thompson outlined the problems encountered with the Ministry of Interior but stated that subject to the membership adopting the new Statutes at this meeting the Ministry would pass the new Statutes. The adoption of the above was proposed by Nancy Prior and seconded by Marina Newport.  The motion was carried unanimously.

 

 

NEW CLUB VENUE:  Do the membership feel they are in a position to vote now for their choice of venue or do they wish to postpone the vote to a later date?  Pending this decision members will be asked to vote for one of the three following venues – Moli Canyar, Viva Espana or Hotel Miramar Playa.

 

Three members of the committee put forward views on each venue and the members were asked by a show of hands whether they wished to vote today for a new venue or defer their decision. The membership voted a majority in favour of defering their decisions. There was a discussion amongst the membership and it was decided that the Club should hold two more ‘Away Nights’ at both Moli Canyar and Hotel Miramar Playa. These would be during the next six weeks with an EGM being called possibly at the end of March for the membership to make their choice of new venue.

 

 

CHANGE MEMBERSHIP  METHOD FOR NEW MEMBERS:  It is proposed that those persons joining in any particular month after 1st March should pay a subscription on a pro rata basis of one euro per month from the first of the month in which they join until 31st January, plus a joining fee of six euros.

 

This motion was proposed to be accepted by David Robinson and seconded by Peter Carter, the membership voted unanimously in favour of accepting the proposal.

 

 

CHANGE NUMBER OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS: It is proposed that the number of committee members should be reduced from 14 to 12

 

David Kitching explained the reasons for reducing the number of committee members.  The membership was asked to vote and the vote was in favour of the proposal.

 

 

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE  MEMBER

 

Ed Kendall was the only member proposed for election. There was a unanimous vote in his favour.

 

 

RE-INTRODUCE MID YEAR GENERAL MEETING:  It is proposed that the Mid Year General Meeting should be re-introduced

 

Clive Thompson explained why he had proposed the discontinuation of the MYGM at the last MYGM and Sylvia Vanner explained the reasons for re-introducing the MYGM. The above was proposed by Sylvia Vanner and seconded by Peter Illingworth. The membership voted against re-introducing the MYGM. After a discussion it was agreed that there would be an informal meeting in July for members to voice opinions but it was stressed that no decisions can be made.

 

 

CHANGE WORDING IN CLUB RULES RE COMMERCIAL ADVERTISING TO:

The Club permits no ’touting’ for business, i.e. commercially motivated advances by members towards other members, or by outside enterprises towards members.  Members may advertise second-hand items for sale or services offered on the designated Club notice board.  Exceptionally, outside enterprises may, at the discretion of the Committee, be invited into the Club, but only on the understanding that their activity provides a service or entertainment to the broad membership.

 

David Kitching explained reasons for the proposed change of wording. This was followed by a discussion.  Members vote was 67 in favour of new wording and 15 against.

 

 

CHARITY DONATIONS

 

David Kitching explained that there was 241 euros from the horse racing night and the auction available for charity donations, which would be rounded up to 250 euros. It was decided by a majority of the membership to donate half to the Franciscan Monks and half to MABS. Alan Slater had emptied the money jar from La Garotta containing 25 euros, it was agreed that this should be doubled and given to the Dog Charity – S.P.A.M.A.

 

 

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

 

David Kitching expressed thanks on behalf of the members for the work that Clive Thompson had carried out on behalf of the Club. Bill Rowlands expressed formal thanks to Ron and Jean Perkins for leading the strollers on their walks. The new joint leaders were David Patterson and Alan Slater. Gerald Pogson expressed his thanks to the Committee for all their work during the year.

 

Meeting Closed  12.50 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 President                     Secretary