Minutes of Western Region Annual Group Meeting

29TH January 2006 - The Mayors Arms, Bristol

1. Bill Pugsley, as Regional Chairman, opened the meeting welcoming everyone. He introduced Jane Chisholm, National vice-Chairman, as the NC Observer to the meeting.

2. Apologies

Gill & Wally Dyer. Andy Watton. Clare. Brian and Phil Weeks.

3. Minutes of 2006 Regional AGM

No matters arising

4. Regional Report was given by Bill.

5. Regional Accounts for 2005

These were presented by Kath Aldom Regional Treasurer.
It was questioned and noted by the meeting that Group donations were down on previous years. Two Groups (Swindon and Weston & NE Somerset) had sent direct to Central and one (Bristol) had an amount ready to send through to Region.

6. Auditors for 2006

It was decided to keep the same auditor - Sue Lawrence

7. Officers Reports

Reports of various lengths were given. Some factors worth noting:

Regional NC Liaison Officer: Derwen Hinds

Western Region (WR) took a proposal to AGC in 2005 to get constitutional change for allowing Regions to elect NC Liaison officer to maintain link between NC & Region if no one person prepared to take on entire R Reps role. S.E. Region now operate in the same way as WR.

Bill proposed a vote of thanks to Derwen for his sterling efforts as NC Liaison - often in the face of adversity.

Regional webmaster: Stuart Duckworth (Spider)

6500 visitors to WR website - 40% up on last year.

Regional Communications Officer: Andy Meredith

Proposed change of server upon which to hold the relevant Regional mailing lists.

A discussion ensued over the fact that Joint members received a letter each informing them of the meeting. It was pointed out that due to the present database held at Central labels were generated as per their holdings. It was decided to bring this to the attention of Central office.
It was suggested that we save money on the mailout by using email addresses. The logistics of this would be looked into. However, much depended upon the creation of a new membership database at Central.

Derwen thanked Andy M for the role he had also taken on for MAG Central IT systems.

Regional Products Officer: Val Squire (co-opted mid 2005)

Val had taken over the post mid year after Sheila left the area. Donation from Products funds handed over to Regional Treasurer. No accounts were available but Val, if elected into post, would ensure accounts were kept.

Year Bars - available from Angie (Image) - advertised in The Road.
It was agreed to have 'workwear' specific either to various Shows or for MAG stand workers in general. Good contact in Glos for products.
Possible Products page for website.
Long stickers suggestion for bottom of number plates. Concerns were raised as to the legalities of this and George to investigate.
ACTION = George

Political Officer: George Legg (The Troll)

European Driving Licence Directive; leg protectors; air bags; noise limits - all back on the Agenda.
When lobbying - letters are scored upon how they are written with hand written holding the highest 'score' - so it is worth taking the time to hand write your letters to MPs etc.

Regional Events/Membership: Paul Syson

Events - going well. Major events Duk Dik & GWR.
Membership - chasing up lapsed members is impossible with the present information received from MAG Central. This has to be improved to assist Membership Secretary's in their role.
Its 'that' Database again!

Admin Officer: Anne Gale

Main concern here was whether the Constitution was being adhered to in relation to the Board's Role in MAG and that of the National Committee.
Jane - NC Observer has taken on board all our concerns and will report back to NC.

8. Election of Officers

Regional Committee Chairman: Bill Pugsley (re-standing)
Proposed: George Legg
Seconder: Derwen Hinds
Unanimous

NC Liaison Officer (representing Region at National Level & feeding back to the Regional Committee. In the absence of anyone coming forward to take on the role of Regional Rep., Derwen has decided to continue in this role which he has done for the past 3 years)

Derwen Hinds (re-standing)
Proposed: Andy Meredith
Seconder: Alan Jones
Unanimous

Treasurer: Kath Aldom
Proposed: Maurice Green Seconder: Bill Pugsley
,p1 Against!

Webmaster: Stuart Duckworth (re-standing)
Proposed: Anne Gale Seconder: Andy Meredith
Unanimous

Communications Officer Andy Meredith (re-standing)
Proposed: Robbie (FOD Rep) Seconder: Trace (Swindon Rep)
Unanimous

Products Officer: Val Squire (Val volunteered and has been seconded to the post since Sheila stepped down due to relocation)
Proposed: Bev Williams Seconder: Denny Powell
Unanimous

Political Officer/Regional Newsletter Ed. George Legg (re-standing)
Proposed: Anne Gale Seconder: Derwen Hinds
Unanimous

Regional Events Officer: Paul Syson (re-standing)
Proposed: Eddie Garnier Seconder: George Legg
Unanimous

Regional Administrator: Anne Gale (re-standing)
Proposed: George Legg Seconder: Geoff Mills
Unanimous

Officer without Portfolio: Di Williams (re-standing)
Proposed: Anne Gale Seconder: Michaela Shingleton
Unanimous

For the Region to function 100%, we need to fill the following post:

Clubs Liaison Officer (a role which has been held by Brian Weeks but who, due to pressure of work, feels he can no longer do the post justice. This post involves going round to Clubs, telling them about MAG in the hope they will become affiliated. Support is given from NC level by the National Clubs Liaison Officer.)

This post was unfilled and it was decided to go back to Groups to see if we could find a volunteer to take over the role.

Guest Speaker was Rich Stiling

Rich gave a talk on how the non slip manhole cover campaign he spearheaded was progressing. Progressing extremely well with British Standards Institute Committee and new standards to be incorporated into Bristol City's new Broadmead development.
Rich also gave a talk on his involvement with the Bristol Bike Show which is in its 11th year in 2006. Rich will be moving on to do other things in 2007 and it was suggested a committee including members of all Bristol's clubs take on the organisation of this & that it should remain a 'stand alone' event rather than tagged as belonging to any specific club/organisation.

The Region presented Rich with their Regional Award for 2006 in recognition of his dedicated work on The Bristol Bike Show and non-slip Manhole Cover Campaign.

9. Proposal from the Regional Committee:

“That Western Region committee be allowed to purchase a high quality stand for use at the many shows and events that we as a region and local groups are invited to attend. Amount of expenditure to be agreed at the 2006 Regional AGM”
Proposed: 2005 Regional Committee. Seconded: Les Jevins.

The AGM supported the fact that the Region must have its own suitably logo’d and designed easily transportable stand. However, a discussion ensued on the maximum amount AGM should set to be spent on the item. Though quotes had been obtained for the structure, details of costs for lettering/logo, weights for stability etc. were unknown.

A proposal of a maximum £2k expenditure: Snowy
VOTE: Motion: carried 1: Against

10. Proposal from our Web-master (seconded Andy Meredith)

Stuart put forward a proposal regarding a link from our Regional website to Amazon.co.uk, which could bring in some income dependent upon purchases following the hits made via that link. The item was discussed in detail.

VOTE: Motion: denied. 2: for. 5 Abstentions

11. DUK-DIK (Western Region's Rally) 2005

Attendance was down. 230 people attended. £2k profit was made from the event. As ever it was stressed, this is extremely hard work for a very few people.
A request for Marshalls was made and a list of names/details of those willing to marshall was set up by Bill. Bill will contact willing helpers closer to Easter to set up a rota.

12. THE ROAD

Paul Syson began the discussion by voicing his concerns:-
a) are MAG getting value for money with our present set-up for the production of this publication?
b) would we be better off going through a publishing house?

This began a lengthy discussion during which people voiced their many concerns: