Bill (Committee Chairman); George (MP/MEP Liaison) - the Troll; Sheila (Products); Ian Moore – part (MAG National Chairman); Marion, (Glos MAG); Donna (Glos MAG Liaison); Eddie (NotAvon Rep); Trace (Swindon Rep); Stuart (Webmaster) – Spider; Andy M (IT & Comms); Paul (Regional Events); Derwen (Regional Liaison); Robbie (Forest of Dean Rep); Andy (W&NS Rep); Anne (Admin).

Kath Aldom (Treasurer)

8 Chippenham/Mid-Wilts Group: Andy M reported that reaction to the Regional Committees decision to close the Group had been met with anger at first until Andy explained the reasons for doing this (as explained in the letter to Paul M) and that the Group was to be re-launched.

Pending Pet Food Run.

Regular bike meet – The Lysley Arms, Chippenham from 7 (anyone know which night?).

3 Life Memberships(LM): There was an emotive discussion regarding the recent increase in the cost of LM and which the meeting wished to pursue with the National Chairman (Ian M). Ian explained the concern was that LMs were costing MAG money after a membership of around 10 years; that ideally this should be phased out; that LM should be something special.

A heated debate ensued, where some LMs felt their efforts, commitment & loyalty was being trivialised. Points raised were:

Several LMs in the Region had become LMs to help MAG out in the past when it needed finances;

Had costings actually been done?

What about those LMs who also made donations or had standing orders set up making a regular payment to MAG?

Had comparisons/costings been done taking into account the investment of LMs funds instead of the whole amount going into the general coffers at the time of joining? Andy M suggests this is done.

[To explain: RAMs is the morning part of the National Committee Meeting given over to Regional Reps]

1. Duk Dik – RAMs would like some feedback as to how we manage to make such a tidy profit from a relatively small event;
2. One Bike Club wishing to become a MAG Group are experiencing a few local problems;
3. Welsh Motorcycle Shows – Contract with MAG had now expired. It was decided not to bring forward item 10 (Welsh Show) on the Agenda but to take advantage of the presence of the National Chairman to discuss some concerns.

A meeting has been arranged between Steve Bennet (Director of WMS), Ian Moore & Derwen Hinds (MAG Officers.

Paul Sysun pointed out that the subject of WMS/MAG events had been the subject of discussion for some years & that the problem really should have been sorted.

None because of loss on Magna Carta.

No.

Welsh Show seen as a good stage for MAG to be seen.

Aine gave historical background into the Welsh Show & why there might now be some misconception that this remained a MAG Event.

Concern was expressed:

9. by Donna et al that most attending the Show thought it was a MAG event, run by MAG & that it was to MAG that profits went.

ii) By Andy M who had marshalled because he definitely thought it was a MAG event.

iii) By Aine who felt that the biking public were deliberately being misled into thinking this were still a MAG event, with no attempt by either party to address this.

No.

1. Southern Region – had stepped in to negotiate with residents and the police when there had been problems with a regular local bike meet (Salisbury area) attended by circa 5k riders. A local farmer had now donated a field for bike parking which SR were organising. This had proved extremely successful providing some income & with regular caterers at the venue.
2. West Midlands Heart of England Rally – 2-4 July incorporating the Brum Demo.
3. Essex police targeting motorcyclists with hidden cameras etc.
4. Standing Order Memberships – the problem with reduced term memberships, as a result of standing orders not being increased to accommodate the increased MAG subscription of some years ago was to be passed down to Regional Reps to be sorted out locally.
5. Staff replacement for Dawn’s job at MAG Central imminent.
6. MAG Regalia required for MAG Stalls to be co-ordinated through the Regional Rep.

4) Board Report

a) Ian Moore (National Chairman) reported that when Henry left MAG, he was offered the job to take over that role albeit on a much reduced remit. However, Ian had found this was not viable and he did not feel he had the expertise nor the time.

Trevor Baird’s workload did not allow him to take this on.

NFL had made the suggestion that he take on this role. The Board decided that he would be a paid contractor given a list of jobs, which he would be paid for on satisfactory completion.

Upon this decision, it had been pointed out by Ian Moore that, as a paid Contractor, it would be improper for NFL to retain his respective Directorships with both MAG UK and MAG Foundation. NFL resigned his Directorships as did Ian Mutch who held 3 Directorships – MAG UK, MAG Media and MAG Foundation.

Ian was asked if NFL would still have access to the NC email list. Ian’s reply was that this would be for information only with him feeding in whenever his job as Contractor necessitated it.

b) 3 new Trustees were now required for the Foundation. Only one suggestion so far = Jane Chisholm.

c) The Foundation has founds its first Project which is to research helmets and look at the results to see if it is viable to pursue Helmet law repeal.

d) Pete Walker is Events Manager for the Foundation.

e) There are reports of a ‘cultural’ split within FEMA regarding some content of The European Road Safety Charter wherein it states: "5. To develop and implement technologies for reducing the consequences of Road Traffic Accidents". Those representing MAG UK at the FEMA Meeting feel this clause conflicts with MAG’s objectives. A discussion ensued on the viability of MAG leaving FEMA and any repercussions for GB not having a voice in Europe. Aine provided historical background into the formation of what is now FEMA but what was, originally, FEM.

7. Officers Reports

Webmaster: Stuart is setting Bristol website up to enable officers to post direct to the site and hopes to do the same with the Regional site to enable Agenda’s, Minutes etc., to be posted by the Author once ratified.

After some discussion with Andy M & Stuart, Sheila is willing to maintain the Glos (.org) website.

IT/Comms Officer: Andy M = machine maintenance and file retrieval.

Swindon: Trace = Local MAG mailing lists.

Bristol: Stuart Mc =

i) Ongoing campaign with Suspension Bridge negotiator

ii) Andy Derrett set up meeting with the Management of Sovereign Centre and Bristol Bridge.

iii) Transport Forum has been split into 4/6 groups. It was commented that these meetings are held during the day whilst most volunteers are doing their ‘day job’, which made it impossible for MAG to have representation and with the result that these Groups are comprised 99% of Council Members. It was generally felt the formation of the TF was a ‘token gesture’ given the timing of the meetings etc.

iv) Bristol Motorcycle Forum: seems to be a little inactive at present. Andy Derrett is to set up a meeting with Geoff Mills to decide how to take this forward. It is hoped that Bristol MAG would be the ‘core’ of this Forum. Anne suggested if this becomes Bristol MAG’s "baby" that we invite other motorcycle clubs in the area to attend and hopefully get the Forum onto a really ‘active’ biking level.

v) Bristol Dealers – list being produced of those allowing us discount.

vi) New Group products on the way with new Products Officer

vii) 24 June – Run to Crop Circle Café

NoshAvon (NotAvon) Eddie, Rep = Great meetings, still nomadic with runs to various ‘hostelries’ partaking of beer and food.

Glos MAG

i) 28^th June run to bike meet at Cassington. Meet 24hour café at Cirencester at 6 for leave at 7.

ii) Derwen has done a lot of work promoting PTWs at GCHQ

iii) Trial a Bike Scheme

iv)Glos CC about to appoint a motorcycle safety person.

v) Bike Forum

vi) Festival of Biking

Products: Sheila thanked Clare (Bristol MAG) who had passed on substantial monies for products sold. Plan to buy fleeces to add to our ‘product’ line.

MP/MEP: George still doing marvellous work (whilst still trying to expand his ‘Trolling’ activities!!)

Weston & North Somerset: Andy (new Rep):

1. BIKEFEST – BBQ afterwards at Ian’s House for Marshalls

ii) AGM = Bill Harding now Treasurer

Brian Weekes now Clubs Officer and ‘considering’ Regional Clubs Liaison Officers post

iii)

Swindon: Trace organised AGM for 7^th July

Turnout to meetings improving with an influx of Chippenham members

MAG stand at local show – Abbey Rider

Regional stock held at Derwen’s House

Forest of Dean: Robbie has held 3 meeting so far

8-10 regulars

MAG Stand @ Throttle & Bottle – may be ‘ongoing’ with Robbie, Sheila, Donna, Marion.

5. Blackwood Bike Show – 10 July

Possibility of Bill & Di putting on MAG stand. Form tobe sent back to Debbie Jones.

[Addendum to meeting: Bill & Di not able to organise]

9. DUK Dik 2005 – is on. Donation from DUK DIK 2004 of £2,183. Discussion on regional monies – hang on to £2k for expenditure for future events.

Derwen has been offered 4 ‘Walkie Talkies’ – Region to discuss on email with possibility to purchase.

10. Welsh Show

i) Committee formally asked Derwen to pursue & report back:

"Why has MAG’s National Finance Officer not audited WMS books as was agreed by both parties (WMS Directors & MAG’s National Committee) at the August 2003 NC Meeting"?

ii) Swindon report back on Welsh Show from dissatisfied members who attended:

11. WESTON BIKEFEST Date 31 July

13. Any Other Business

Security Tags – required for Regional Events throughout the Season. Aine to obtain quotes/samples etc.