The AGM Tuesday 18th May 2010

34 members were present as President Roger Dye opened the meeting. The minutes of the last AGM (on 19th May 2009) were accepted without amendment. Committee members with particular responsibilities then gave their reports.

The treasurer, Geoff Robinson, reported a small surplus for the year, with 67 paid up members, despite an increase in the room hire charge, and noted that with fewer external speakers and judges their costs had reduced by £160 compared with the previous session. He therefore proposed that the subscriptions for the coming session remain unaltered.

The Exhibition co-ordinator noted that reports on this session’s successful Exhibition had already been widely circulated. By reducing the number of prints per member to six we had managed to hang all but two prints. Tony Pioli had been the Exhibition Judge and he and his wife Patricia were our guests for the after-exhibition lunch at the Beijing Restaurant, Poynton. The Redfords had provided the computer screen for the PDI’s to be shown during the exhibition. Tony noted that 23 clubs had taken part in the Interclub digital print competition on the Wednesday (judge John Cartlidge) and 27 clubs entered the PDI knockout competition on the Thursday (judge Tony Dudley). Peter Redford again helped the competitions to run smoothly. The Friday Night Music night had featured the Offerton Choir and the Werneth Swing Band. For the 2011 Exhibition our judge will be Keith Brown from East Midlands Federation, and L&CPU President Christine Widdall has agreed to formally open the Exhibition. Graham has booked David Johnston FRPS to give a Friday evening talk (and claimed this was no relation!)

Frank Hutchinson reported on the Publicity during the year, and thanked Jill Hargreaves and John Garner, who now looked after local Publicity.

Bill Chadband reported that 6 editions of Focus had covered 66 A5 pages. For next session he would again ask members who wished to receive a hard copy to let him know.

Colin Pickles reported on the club’s social activities and particularly the recent club trip to Venice, which, despite the initial rain, had been greatly enjoyed by those 19 members who went. The hotel had proved ideal, and he now asked for suggestions for next year’s weekend away.

Present tradition has it that the President-to-be organizes his own syllabus. Thus Roger was responsible for the syllabus of the current session. Graham, as President elect had organized next session’s syllabus, which he had circulated.

Phil Riley, the Competition secretary, thanked Barry and Roger for their input to the competitions which had gone well; some judges being good, some not so good.

Equipment Officer Jill Hargreaves reported that the.Studio flash had been borrowed twice, the Spyder four times, the Projector five times and the Scanner twice. As Membership Secretary, Jill reported that we had 8 new members this year, making the total of 67, 49 of which were seniors. One person had decided not to join, stating that we were an unfriendly club.

Presentation of Awards:

Ian Bramham was presented with the Rosalind Bramley Trophy. Brian Adams with the Intermediate Club Worker certificate. The Print Worker of the year was Alan Saunders, with Projected Image Worker and the Club Worker of the Year trophies going to Geoff Robinson.

For his Final President’s Address Roger donned the Red Bowler and stated he had enjoyed his 2 year term of office. It had been hard work at times, but rewarding. He thanked Frank and Jon who were retiring from the committee and thanked everyone who had helped to make his 2 years so satisfying. He then presented our new President Graham Johnston with the Red Bowler.

Graham thanked Roger, took over the Chair, and after the tea break considered the resolutions. Resolutions 1 and 2 were to replace Slides with Digitally projected images, in internal club competitions and in the Annual Exhibition. The Slide trophies would continue as PDI trophies. With one abstention the resolutions were carried unanimously

The 3rd Resolution was to appoint only a Selection Committee Chairperson who would then be responsible for choosing members of the Selection Committee. This motion was also carried unanimously.

Election of Officers:

The following were elected to the committee:

President		Graham Johnston
Past President		Roger Dye
Secretary		Joyce Robson
Treasurer		Geoff Robinson
Syllabus Secretary		Graham Johnston
Exhibition Sec.		Bill Chadband
Competition Secretary		Paula Martin
Publicity Sec.		John Garner
Social Secretary		Colin Pickles
Newsletter Ed.		Bill Chadband
Selection Com. Chair		Phil Riley
Members without Portfolio
		Richard Scaife
		Barry Pearson
		Jill Hargreaves
		Alan Saunders
By Co-option
		Tony Redford

AOB

1. As there had been only 1 intermediate worker this year the question arose as to whether we should have only one class for club competitions. After much discussion it was decided not to pursue this for the coming session. The suggestion was made that new members entering competitions could have a mentor.

2. The Keswick weekend, Tony requires deposits immediately.

3. Phil Riley (Chairperson of Selection Committee) asked if he could have a bank of images i.e. prints and PDIs from each member at the beginning of the season for selection for competitions. He remarked that big competitions require our best images, though in general, he would like to use images from a wide spread of members.

4. Ian Bramham, one of our new members, thanked all members for making him so welcome.

Bill Chadband