NCPS News

A prompt start at 8.05 followed Competition secretary, Roger Dye, relating our successes at the recent L&CPU Print and Slide competitions.

Following apologies for absence and the acceptance of the previous AGM minutes, committee members made their reports. They were all up-beat representing another good year for the Society.

Clubman of the year was Gordon Robson; Printworker of the year Geoff Robinson and Slideworker of the year Phil Riley.

Peter Redford was awarded an Honorary life membership in recognition of his work for the Society both as our IT expert at our annual exhibition for many years and as our Webmaster for many years.

In his final address retiring President Richard Scaife noted that the Society more or less runs itself, with most members involved one way or another. Our social events were important to the club and, looking back, we had done well in competitions with other clubs. The Digital evenings had represented perhaps the biggest change on our syllabus, and our move to the Community centre once a month had provided good publicity. Photography had always been driven by improving science, but basic techniques had changed little until the advent of the reliable electronic sensor and the widespread use of the home computer and software. Though this had heralded a step-change in processes the basics from the photographers viewpoint – good composition; use of the available light, and correct exposure – remained the same.

Richard then handed over the Red Bowler- the insignia of Office – to Tony Redford, the incoming president.

Incoming President’s remarks:

On behalf of NCPS. – a special thanks to Richard Scaife for a job well done as President over the past two years. Richard works quietly and efficiently at his own gentle pace – much of it behind the scenes and consequently unsung. I’m sure all the current committee will agree, it’s been a pleasure serving under his leadership.

I’m honoured to take over as President, my second stint in this roll. I believe this is my 30th year at the club, many of which have been spent on the committee, so I think I’m reasonably well qualified for the job. However, I was really hoping to hand over in ONE year to a new President, but in the absence of any volunteers I shall be able to continue for TWO years if I’m asked. (Referring to the Minutes of an Extraordinary General Meeting held on 1st April 2003, I believe this is now officially permitted). But I am fortunate, at least, in being able to announce who will be taking over in 2 years. Your President-Elect is Mr Roger Dye. I believe Roger to be the ideal candidate to tidy up any mess that I may leave behind, and that’s very reassuring!

My objective will simply be to maintain the positive momentum which I believe we now have at NCPS. – brought about by a number of factors:

The Annual Exhibition has enjoyed continued success and gains us positive recognition in photographic circles, thanks to our impressive displays and innovative operation of the inter-club competitions (and remember we came TOP out of 23 leading clubs in the print battle this year. Success breeds success). We shall be looking at ways to involve the local community more.

The healthy influx of keen new members has been very encouraging also. Our Digital Forums and the NCPS Website have both been instrumental, and of course both will be actively maintained in the new season. We need to maintain our attraction to new members by including them in club activities as much as possible. We also need to retain our existing members, not by begging for continued support but by letting them know that they are really missing something if they don’t come along every Tuesday. This is the importance of having a strong and varied syllabus .

The strength and willingness of our committee makes everything possible. I’m delighted and relieved that most who have served us so well over the past few seasons seem keen to extend their services further. As your committee, we are very keen to get your feed-back on what we’re trying to do. We’ll react to any sensible criticism and particularly to positive suggestions on any aspect. Remember we can all keep ourselves bang up to date with what’s going on by logging onto the club’s website – it’s an excellent facility for those with access to a connection – surely the great majority by now. Otherwise “Focus” continues to report regularly on club happenings in its usual transparent style.

There’s no doubt that the next couple of years will see further amazing advancements in the digital technology which is already “firing us up, big time”. I believe that as active members of NCPS we shall all be in a position to take full advantage, learning to polish our own techniques in picture taking and picture making in order to produce the sort of images which delight US. And that’s what it’s all about.

Regarding the Syllabus: I’d like to pay tribute to Richard’s syllabus which we’ve enjoyed over this past two seasons. It’s been varied – a really good mixture – and we’ve had no let-downs by visiting speakers. Long may that continue.

The new syllabus, I hope, will satisfy the great majority of our members. I’ve tried to include a good number of external speakers, with a range of topics and styles – people who can entertain as well as inform. My thanks to members who came up with some of these, as well as suggestions for other evenings – most of which I’ve been able to incorporate. I was also pleasantly surprised by the very ready response to my request for home-grown talent amongst the members – especially our newer members. The new syllabus soon filled up with intriguing-sounding evenings. It barely left room for Quarterlies and Digital Forums and informal nights where everybody has their say – but they are all in there. Should there be a great demand for extra sessions e.g. Pictures from Club Outings, Clubman of the Year, Practical Portrait evenings – we may be able to tag these on at the end of the season after the next AGM. If not, they’ll certainly appear on the syllabus for the following year.

Remember, the next Digital Forums are by no means aimed exclusively at beginners. Initially the emphasis on catering for new intake from the local community was needed to validate the Lottery Grant, but it is now felt that we’ve well justified the need for new equipment. Next season the accent should be on entertaining and informing the membership. Be sure to make it your regular club night. The absence of local inter-club battles on the syllabus has already been mentioned by some. These will take place – but on foreign soil. Details will be announced in good time. Extra social events may also crop up during the season and these too will be announced a.s.a.p. The Summer Programme is a case in point – note this summer’s programme is already on the website and on the back page of the current FOCUS.

A strong feeling was expressed by a good number of members that traditional slides should not be pushed out by digital files. We intend to maintain, for another year at least, the status quo. In other words our Quarterlies and Annual will be contested with prints and traditional slides next season. I’m sure we shall be introducing more digitally projected presentations and competitions in the future as the technology improves - as it surely will.

Finally, on a more practical note, I’m keen that we should maintain our PROMPT 8.00pm start. I’ve seen that clubs that get sloppy in this respect are the ones who complain about dwindling membership. It would be nice if EVERYBODY could be seated and settled by 8.00pm at the latest, particularly for visiting speakers and judges. If THEY can make, and keep, the commitment to be here on time, I find it hard to see why we can’t. They sacrifice their time for our benefit and I do believe that our being on time is a minimum courtesy which they have a right to expect. I shall make every effort to be here early. And if I’m missing for any reason, I’m sure there’ll be no problem in finding an admirable stand-in.

The new President then announced the 2006 – 2007 Committee. There was one nomination for each post, so no elections were required.

Tony noted that Sheila Edwards, who has served on the committee over a number of years, latterly as “member without portfolio” had stated that she would be happy to stand down, due mainly to holiday and other commitments. In her absence at the AGM, the President expressed grateful thanks to Sheila for her valued contributions as committee member.

Home News News Index Report About us Syllabus Exhibition Results Service Newsletter Galleries Links		The AGM May 2006
		A prompt start at 8.05 followed Competition secretary, Roger Dye, relating our successes at the recent L&CPU Print and Slide competitions. Following apologies for absence and the acceptance of the previous AGM minutes, committee members made their reports. They were all up-beat representing another good year for the Society. Clubman of the year was Gordon Robson; Printworker of the year Geoff Robinson and Slideworker of the year Phil Riley. Peter Redford was awarded an Honorary life membership in recognition of his work for the Society both as our IT expert at our annual exhibition for many years and as our Webmaster for many years. In his final address retiring President Richard Scaife noted that the Society more or less runs itself, with most members involved one way or another. Our social events were important to the club and, looking back, we had done well in competitions with other clubs. The Digital evenings had represented perhaps the biggest change on our syllabus, and our move to the Community centre once a month had provided good publicity. Photography had always been driven by improving science, but basic techniques had changed little until the advent of the reliable electronic sensor and the widespread use of the home computer and software. Though this had heralded a step-change in processes the basics from the photographers viewpoint – good composition; use of the available light, and correct exposure – remained the same. Richard then handed over the Red Bowler- the insignia of Office – to Tony Redford, the incoming president. Incoming President’s remarks: On behalf of NCPS. – a special thanks to Richard Scaife for a job well done as President over the past two years. Richard works quietly and efficiently at his own gentle pace – much of it behind the scenes and consequently unsung. I’m sure all the current committee will agree, it’s been a pleasure serving under his leadership. I’m honoured to take over as President, my second stint in this roll. I believe this is my 30th year at the club, many of which have been spent on the committee, so I think I’m reasonably well qualified for the job. However, I was really hoping to hand over in ONE year to a new President, but in the absence of any volunteers I shall be able to continue for TWO years if I’m asked. (Referring to the Minutes of an Extraordinary General Meeting held on 1st April 2003, I believe this is now officially permitted). But I am fortunate, at least, in being able to announce who will be taking over in 2 years. Your President-Elect is Mr Roger Dye. I believe Roger to be the ideal candidate to tidy up any mess that I may leave behind, and that’s very reassuring! My objective will simply be to maintain the positive momentum which I believe we now have at NCPS. – brought about by a number of factors: The Annual Exhibition has enjoyed continued success and gains us positive recognition in photographic circles, thanks to our impressive displays and innovative operation of the inter-club competitions (and remember we came TOP out of 23 leading clubs in the print battle this year. Success breeds success). We shall be looking at ways to involve the local community more. The healthy influx of keen new members has been very encouraging also. Our Digital Forums and the NCPS Website have both been instrumental, and of course both will be actively maintained in the new season. We need to maintain our attraction to new members by including them in club activities as much as possible. We also need to retain our existing members, not by begging for continued support but by letting them know that they are really missing something if they don’t come along every Tuesday. This is the importance of having a strong and varied syllabus . The strength and willingness of our committee makes everything possible. I’m delighted and relieved that most who have served us so well over the past few seasons seem keen to extend their services further. As your committee, we are very keen to get your feed-back on what we’re trying to do. We’ll react to any sensible criticism and particularly to positive suggestions on any aspect. Remember we can all keep ourselves bang up to date with what’s going on by logging onto the club’s website – it’s an excellent facility for those with access to a connection – surely the great majority by now. Otherwise “Focus” continues to report regularly on club happenings in its usual transparent style. There’s no doubt that the next couple of years will see further amazing advancements in the digital technology which is already “firing us up, big time”. I believe that as active members of NCPS we shall all be in a position to take full advantage, learning to polish our own techniques in picture taking and picture making in order to produce the sort of images which delight US. And that’s what it’s all about. Regarding the Syllabus: I’d like to pay tribute to Richard’s syllabus which we’ve enjoyed over this past two seasons. It’s been varied – a really good mixture – and we’ve had no let-downs by visiting speakers. Long may that continue. The new syllabus, I hope, will satisfy the great majority of our members. I’ve tried to include a good number of external speakers, with a range of topics and styles – people who can entertain as well as inform. My thanks to members who came up with some of these, as well as suggestions for other evenings – most of which I’ve been able to incorporate. I was also pleasantly surprised by the very ready response to my request for home-grown talent amongst the members – especially our newer members. The new syllabus soon filled up with intriguing-sounding evenings. It barely left room for Quarterlies and Digital Forums and informal nights where everybody has their say – but they are all in there. Should there be a great demand for extra sessions e.g. Pictures from Club Outings, Clubman of the Year, Practical Portrait evenings – we may be able to tag these on at the end of the season after the next AGM. If not, they’ll certainly appear on the syllabus for the following year. Remember, the next Digital Forums are by no means aimed exclusively at beginners. Initially the emphasis on catering for new intake from the local community was needed to validate the Lottery Grant, but it is now felt that we’ve well justified the need for new equipment. Next season the accent should be on entertaining and informing the membership. Be sure to make it your regular club night. The absence of local inter-club battles on the syllabus has already been mentioned by some. These will take place – but on foreign soil. Details will be announced in good time. Extra social events may also crop up during the season and these too will be announced a.s.a.p. The Summer Programme is a case in point – note this summer’s programme is already on the website and on the back page of the current FOCUS. A strong feeling was expressed by a good number of members that traditional slides should not be pushed out by digital files. We intend to maintain, for another year at least, the status quo. In other words our Quarterlies and Annual will be contested with prints and traditional slides next season. I’m sure we shall be introducing more digitally projected presentations and competitions in the future as the technology improves - as it surely will. Finally, on a more practical note, I’m keen that we should maintain our PROMPT 8.00pm start. I’ve seen that clubs that get sloppy in this respect are the ones who complain about dwindling membership. It would be nice if EVERYBODY could be seated and settled by 8.00pm at the latest, particularly for visiting speakers and judges. If THEY can make, and keep, the commitment to be here on time, I find it hard to see why we can’t. They sacrifice their time for our benefit and I do believe that our being on time is a minimum courtesy which they have a right to expect. I shall make every effort to be here early. And if I’m missing for any reason, I’m sure there’ll be no problem in finding an admirable stand-in. The new President then announced the 2006 – 2007 Committee. There was one nomination for each post, so no elections were required. Tony noted that Sheila Edwards, who has served on the committee over a number of years, latterly as “member without portfolio” had stated that she would be happy to stand down, due mainly to holiday and other commitments. In her absence at the AGM, the President expressed grateful thanks to Sheila for her valued contributions as committee member.
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