Minutes of the 68th
Annual General Meeting of the National Begonia Society
held at the Manningford Community Hall, Bells Lane, Birmingham, B14 5TJ
on Saturday 18th February 2017 commencing 13-00 hrs
1.
Compilation of Minutes
These minutes were compiled by Robert Bryce, NBS
Secretary. The former NBS President Jeff Rhodes was present at the
meeting and the chair was taken by the NBS Chairman Ian Rhys Williams.
2.
Attendance
A total of 39 members were in attendance plus some
family members. Only current paid up members were allowed to vote at the
AGM.
Meeting Agenda and Running Order 2017
1.
Notice of Convening Meeting
The Secretary confirmed that the notice for convening
the meeting had appeared in the bulletin and on the website.
2.
Apologies for Absence and Bereavements
Apologies for absence had been received from John
Winfield, Terry Tasker, Derek Telford, Dave Coates, Brian Simmons and
Derek Owen.
The Secretary explained that Margaret the wife of
Derek Owen had died recently.
3.
Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the previous meeting had been
displayed on the NBS Members Section of the website for many months. The
Secretary reported that no one had come forward with any amendments.
They were accepted and approved unanimously at the meeting.
4.
Matters arising from the minutes
There were no matters arising from the previous
minutes.
5.
Election of President
The Secretary explained that Jeff Rhodes the
President had resigned late in 2016 and stood down. Jeff was thanked for
all his outstanding efforts and the Secretary talked about and praised
his achievements and loyalty to the NBS. It was reported that the
committee of NBS had approached a number of candidates some who had
declined the offer. Terry Tasker a long time prominent member and
currently Membership Representative had accepted and the committee were
putting him forward for ratification. This was unanimously accepted by
all members present at the AGM. Terry Tasker was confirmed as the new
President.
6.
Election of Chairman
A nomination had been received for Ian Rhys Williams
proposed R Bryce and seconded Derek Bonner no other nominations
received. This was unanimously approved by all present.
7.
Secretary’s Report
The Secretary Mr Robert Bryce stated that the current
NBS committee had worked hard over the last year and had been successful
on all objectives. These were the National Show, Bulletin and Website.
The Secretary stated that there were concerns that we had a falling
membership and that this was in common with all other gardening
societies. He explained that having talked to members that he thought
that the average age was in excess of over 65 years old. It was reported
that the NBS had lost around one third of its members over the last 4
years and there were a number of factors around this but that he thought
that age and death were the main factors. A question from the floor
asked if this was area related and the Secretary stated that members
leaving were distributed around all the area of the membership with no
one area being prominent.
The Secretary reported that there were a good number
of entries at the shows and the quality of exhibits were improving as
membership was falling.
The Secretary had been asked as a result of a
conversation with George Rushforth immediately prior to the meeting that
he had presented some perceived evidence of his acceptance of a Life
Membership. He also stated that he had been asked to talk about what
George had done for the society in the past. The Secretary explained
that the committee thought that George had not accepted the offer of a
Life Membership and that Terry Carr had been appointed Central Area
Representative at the committee meeting prior to the AGM. Terry Carr
stated he would stand down if George as a member wanted to carry on. (The
decision for this will be decided at Committee with all members
informed). It was stated George had also asked that the Secretary
talk about his work and achievements as a committee member in the past.
The Secretary explained his past service and thanked him for it.
The Secretary thanked all members for their efforts
in 2016 and discussed the efforts of the Website Editor, Bulletin Editor
and the Show Manager and explained that without their efforts the NBS
would struggle to exist. The secretary thanked them.
The Secretary talked about the raffle and its success
and stated that he hoped that it would continue. He thanked all the
donators and stated that he hoped all members receiving prizes would
thank them. He pointed out that again most of the tubers were donated by
the same people as in previous years and more members needed to
participate if it was to continue.
The Secretary asked members to support both the
National and Area Shows and asked for more goodwill and enterprise in
2017.
The Chairman asked that the Secretary’s Report be
accepted. This was unanimously accepted by all members present.
8.
Treasurers Report
The Treasurer Mr Derek Bonner addressed the meeting
and provided balance sheets for 2016 (these had previously been
displayed in the Members Only Section on the website). He explained that
the society had again made a profit through its prudence.
The Secretary stated that this year a copy of the end
of year bank statement was available and an explanation of all cheques
paid out were available to members.
The Treasurer stated that the committee at the
meeting earlier in the day had agreed to ask their recommendation of a
membership of £17 for 2018. This was a decrease from £20 in 2017. This
was presented to the members for ratification and was accepted.
The Treasurer stated that the accounts had been
audited and signed off by Jeremy Thomas an accountant who was currently
very ill. Details of the auditor in future were discussed and it was
decided that Mr Bonner would manage this.
The accounts can be viewed by any member on the
website.
The Chairman asked that the Treasurer’s Report and
Balance Sheet be accepted. The accounts were unanimously accepted.
9.
Resolutions
One resolution was
received prior to meeting and within the required time scales. This had
been discussed at the committee meeting prior to the AGM. The committee
through the Chairman put this forward to the members attending.
Only fully paid up members can enjoy the full benefits society. This
would include attendance at the National and Area meetings, exhibiting
at the National and Area shows and being a speaker at any meeting. Any
member whose membership has lapsed loses those rights.
The only exceptions being:
A.
Shows where the organisers’ insist that classes be open.
B. Area
Shows where a class is included for to encourage non members’ to place
exhibits in a ‘Special Class’ (SPC)
Potential new members’ (excluding lapsed members) can
attend Area Meetings on 2 occasions before deciding if they wish to join
the NBS.
This proposal was accepted with no one against.
10.
Appointment of Vice President
A nomination had been received for an additional Vice
President. Nomination from R Bryce seconded I R Williams for Derek Owen.
R Bryce discussed Derek’s achievements as a top begonia grower. This
appointment was approved unanimously by the members at the meeting.
This appointment will in addition to Mr Nick Langdon
of Blackmore and Langdon VP.
11.
Election of Vice-Chairman
The Chairman explained that a nomination had been
received for present incumbent Peter Sourbutts proposed by R Bryce and
secondment by D Bonner. This appointment was approved unanimously by the
members at the meeting. Peter Sourbutts appointed VC.
12.
Election of Treasurer
The Chairman explained that a nomination had been
received for present incumbent Derek Bonner proposal by R Bryce and
seconded by P Sourbutts. This appointment was approved unanimously by
the members at the meeting. Derek Bonner appointed Treasurer.
13.
Election of Secretary
The Chairman explained that nomination had been
received for the present interim incumbent Robert Bryce proposed IR
Williams and seconded by D Bonner. This appointment was approved
unanimously by the members at the meeting. Bob Bryce appointed
Secretary.
14.
Election of Committee
All committee members had decided to retire under the
constitution with all offering themselves for re-election. There was a
question from the floor regarding duration. It was explained that the
committee stood as a whole and not separate. In the event of a vote of
no confidence the whole committee could be replaced at an AGM. Mrs
Marion Sycamore proposed that the whole committee be re-elected and this
was seconded by John Chiswell. The members voted to elect the current
committee en block.
15.
Life Members
No life members proposed.
16.
Auditors
Mr Derek Bonner Treasurer stated that the accounts
had been audited by a retired accountant. Mr Jeremy Thomas. It was
agreed that the accounts would be audited again next year. Mr Bonner to
arrange.
17.
Any Other Business
a.
Vote of thanks - A vote of thanks for Mike Avis who had organised
the National Show at Shrewsbury for the last 3 year was asked for. The
members thanked him unanimously.
b.
Loss of East Anglia Area – The Secretary explained that no NBS
member would take up the position and so there could not an NBS Area.
The Secretary thanked John Taylor for all efforts as Area Rep and an
outstanding committee member over many years. A vote of thanks was asked
for, the members thanked him unanimously. The secretary stated that
position as Area Rep in East Anglia was open should any member want to
take it on.
c.
Proposed Retirement of Yorkshire Area Representative – The
secretary reported that Jeff Rhodes had advised him that he hoped to
stand down at the end of 2017. Jeff stated that he was now struggling to
organise and arrange the Area Show and if the Area was to continue more
effort was required. The Secretary asked for a vote of thanks for Jeff
for all his efforts over many years as an Area Rep and all the posts he
had occupied in committee. The members thanked him unanimously.
d.
New Area Rep for the Central Area – Terry Carr had been
aproposed and approved at the meeting prior to the AGM. However due
to Mr Rushforth claiming that he was a Life Member and the Area Rep this
was not discussed. This claim is referred back to the NBS Committee for
investigation.
e.
New Area Rep for the North West Area – The secretary reported
that Vincent Potts had resigned and had left the society. Dave Weatherby
had been proposed by the NW Area Members and the committee had agreed
his appointment at the committee meeting prior to the AGM.
The Chairman prior to closure of the meeting asked
if all members were happy and if there were any complaints. There were
no concerns raised by any member.
MEETING CLOSED AT 14-15 HOURS.
These minutes are an honest account written by the
secretary of the meeting as seen in his eyes. Any errors or
inaccuracies are not binding on the Secretary or NBS.
R.Bryce
