Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the
Suffolk Concert Band held on
Wednesday 8th February 2006 at 7.45pm,
at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Ipswich
Chair: Mr Barry Salmon (VP)
Members Present: 31
Others: Mr Brian Annis (VP)
1. Apologies for absence
These were received from; Tony Warren, Adrian Budgen, Mike Vorndran, Brian Mitchell, Ruth Symington, Mark Cheadle, Bev Steensma, Pearl Gibson, Sarah Atkinson, Will Baldry, David Brunning, Ian Blofield and Paul Blofield.
2. Adoption of minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 9th February 2005
The minutes were adopted with the following correction:
7.1) Earlier this year the committee made a unanimous decision that Roger should continue as Musical Director for the next two years.
3. Matters arising from meeting held on Wednesday 9th February 2005
There were no matters arising.
4. Adoption of minutes of EGM held on Wednesday 29th June 2005
The minutes were adopted.
5. Proposals for Vice-Presidents
There were no proposals for Vice-Presidents.
6. Officer reports
6.1. Chairman – Simon Pulham
“As ever, I must thank the hardworking committee. It has been a great privilege to be Chairman and I have always looked on it as a group of friends running something for a bigger group of friends.
We have many established members of the band; it is good to see Colin back after his knee operation. Sex has reared its ugly head and we congratulate the spate of new arrivals and in particular this evening we congratulate Mandy on her news and look forward to the safe arrival late in the year. Special thanks to her as she will not be standing as Librarian and our best wishes to her and Ross.
Thanks to Lisa for the newsletter, it is the responsibility of us all to ensure good communication using the newsletter, email, website etc. Toby has been producing a Member’s handbook for both new members and current members.
Young people are the band of tomorrow but also very much part of the band today. It’s good to have them, many of which have been encouraged by Sarah, thank you.
Last year we were unable to elect a Treasurer. Deidre agreed to carry on until we found someone. Better a volunteer than a pressed man, thanks to Ray, a former Librarian and Chairman, for undertaking this work. Ray has spent several hours getting to grips with the accounts and has demonstrated a highly pragmatic approach to our situation. We must be aware that the money belongs to the charity and not the band, only to be spent on our stated aims and objectives.
Thanks to Roger, we continue to build upon the Holy Trinity connection but remember Holbrook! We could have sold more tickets and benefited (Colin sold 10 tickets). To build up a following we all need to encourage people to come.
It is frustrating to Gordon and Sarah that the band that turns up is different from the one on the list, thanks to them both and also to Trevor for helping with transport.
Thanks to John for helping out in October and to the band for their support. We have asked John for the Spa this year, as it’s his ‘turn’.
Thanks to Barry for his help with the revision of the constitution and of course for being here this evening.
Thanks to our employers for their support, even if they don’t realise.
Highlights of my time as Chairman – there have been many but mainly the first Eastbourne trip; I am pleased that others have fondly remembered this. I have overseen the appointment of a new MD, a new century and a new millennium. The future looks bright, with our combined enthusiasm and love for music making let’s hope that someone will be reporting this meeting and our activities under the title ‘100 years ago’. Many thanks to you all and here’s to the best of futures.”
6.2. Secretary – Angela Bates
Nothing to report.
6.3. Treasurer – Ray Wilson
Ray thanked Jill Blofield for examining the accounts this year, Mandy for all the photocopying and the whole committee for making life easier when he became Treasurer half way through the year.
The band worked hard in 2005 and income was up 83% on 2004. However, he expects less income in 2006, due to the smaller number of concerts that we are doing.
Andrew Farthing commented that the band has rather a lot of money in the bank. Ray replied that he expected that the funds would go down this year because of fewer engagements.
Subs can be given to either Ray or Gordon this year and Ray will be speaking to those people who have not yet signed a gift aid form.
It was proposed that the statement of the accounts be adopted by the meeting:
Proposed: Toby Pratt
Seconded: Angela Bates
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal.
6.4. Membership Secretary – Gordon Scopes
Gordon welcomed all new members and said that it was a great privilege to be playing alongside so many youngsters with such talent. The current membership stands at approximately 54.
Mandy, Angela, Pat, Sally, Simon and Gordon have the best attendance record for rehearsals and concerts. But unfortunately only 20% of the band attends for only 20% of the time.
Gordon made a plea that all members should inform the Membership Secretary of any absences. He thanked the committee for all their support and backup throughout the year. He thanked Russell for towing the trailer and also Russell’s father for storing the trailer.
Gordon reported that he has booked a coach for Eastbourne at a cost of £450. He will be compiling a list of members who want to go on the coach then we need to sell the remaining seats.
6.5. Librarian – Mandy Chinery
“Music that was purchased in 2005 included: The
Best of the Village People, Catskills, Danceries, New York, London Eye,
Congestion Charge, Millennium Bridge, Highlights from Oliver, Molly on the
Shore and Sea Songs.
Similar to my 2004 report, the majority of “new” music played last year was borrowed by Roger. I really can’t thank Roger enough for the opportunity to use this music with no cost to the band. I must also thank Tom for borrowing the Pirates of the Caribbean from the Colchester Institute, a piece that we enjoyed so much that the committee decided that we should purchase our own copy.
It is really encouraging that so many more of you are taking responsibility for the management of your own
pads. Keeping the music is alphabet order is not only helping you but also assisting in not wasting
rehearsal time. Please feel free to share the virtues of this quite easy task if you should happen to notice
any of your fellow musicians not actioning the same!
It is a mixture of both happiness and sadness that this is my last Librarians report.
The sadness bit first…that after what is only 8 years in the post, I will be passing the “baton” to A.N.
Other. Whilst I have not always spoken too highly of the Librarians job it has been a role that I have
enjoyed. This is due mostly to the realisation I have been so very proud to be an integral part of the
running of this great band.
The happiness bit is due to a forthcoming change in my life, which I alluded to in my “advert” for a
replacement librarian published in the December Newsletter. Thanks for those of you who guessed what
this may have been and respected my wishes not to discuss it …I am very pleased to announce that I am 4
and a half months pregnant!
Thank you all, for all you who sincerely acknowledge my efforts throughout the years, as it is a great pleasure to be surrounded by so many friends and talented musicians.”
6.5. Concert Manager – Sarah Scott
Nothing to report.
7. Musical Director’s Report – Roger Jones
“Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen. This last year has
been very busy for the band. It was inevitable this would be the case what with
the Trafalgar 200 celebrations and all the demands that presented on the music
business in general. Having said that we rose to the challenge and all our
commitments were met with enthusiasm and professionalism.
Every engagement to me is important it doesn’t matter
whether it’s a large or small venue, so I will not single out any particular
concert that we have done this last year. The public will judge what we do at
the time and if it isn’t as good as our last performance then they will not
come again. Which is why it still of some concern to me that we do not attract
the audiences we deserve. I think collectively we could do much more in
promoting the band. Don’t judge one wrong note or tempo error as the overall
picture. The Holbrook concert proved that we can attract a large audience, as I
am sure you agree. That said I know the committee are looking at how we can
improve our publicity for future concerts.
Music wise the repertoire has moved on and I am indebted
for all Mandy’s hard work not just sorting the music but advising me on when a
piece was last played. The librarians task is not an easy one, however, it will
seem like a walk in the park in a few months time, which there will probably be
many of!! I try to pick music we will all find challenging, and ultimately
entertaining to our prospective audiences. Not always easy. I am open to
suggestions, and we shall be urgently choosing music for a recording very
shortly. On that subject it is my opinion we have to be a little bit different
to other wind bands because we will be compared to the pro bands and
particularly the service ones. Many recordings exist in the market place and
much has been recorded many times over so we have to be imaginative as well as
entertaining. Not an easy task, and we will not please everybody.
For my part I still enjoy the challenge of coming to
rehearsals each Wednesday night. I think I know you all now which is
particularly useful when fronting the band at concerts. I am grateful for all
your support and I look forward to the next three years. In that time I hope
the band will continue to evolve. It is therefore very important we keep
encouraging young and experienced players to come and join us. They will bring
their own ideas and will develop the band further for the future.
Finally I should like to take this opportunity to express
my own thanks to our outgoing Chairman. Simon has served the band well in his
tenure as Chairman and I am personally very grateful for all his advice and
guidance since I have been your Musical Director, all tinged with an acute
sense of humour. I look forward to working with our next Chairman and I am sure
he is looking forward to the challenge of being your Chairman. He will have my
support I hope he will have yours.”
8. Election of Committee
8.1. Election of Officers
The following members have agreed to stand for election this year:
|
Chairman |
- |
Toby Pratt |
|
Secretary |
- |
Angela Bates |
|
Treasurer |
- |
Ray Wilson |
|
Membership Secretary |
- |
Gordon Scopes |
|
Librarian |
- |
Sarah Scott |
|
Concert Manager |
- |
Trevor Daldry |
Proposed: Mandy Chinery
Seconded Alison Keep
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal.
8.2. Election of other Committee Members
The following members have agreed to stand for election this year; Mark Cheadle and Simon Pulham.
Proposed: Gordon Scopes
Seconded: Ray Wilson
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal
9. Member Donations for 2007
These will be £60 for full members or at a reduced rate of £48 if paid by 30th June 2007, provided that a gift aid form has been signed, and £20 for members in full time education.
Proposed: Ray Wilson
Seconded: Gordon Scopes
1 member abstained from the vote. The vote was in favour of the proposal.
10. Approval of Independent Examiner for Suffolk Concert Band Accounts
Jill Blofield reported that she would prefer that the committee find a new independent examiner for the accounts this year due to a high demand in her work commitments at this time of year. However, she would be prepared to do the job if no one else could be found. It was proposed that the committee find a new independent examiner.
Proposed: Ray Wilson
Seconded: Terry Harding
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal
11. Amendment to Constitution
In wishing to confirm the formal appointment of a Music Director, the committee have resolved to recommend to the membership, that the Music Director(s) are removed from being Trustees of the Suffolk Concert Band Charity. The following is the proposed revision to the constitution:
MUSIC DIRECTOR
a) The Music Director shall be appointed by the Committee after consultation with the Society’s membership.
b) The Music Director shall not be entitled to hold any post as an officer of the Society nor be a member of the Executive Committee (i.e. a Trustee). The Music Director may be invited to attend Committee and General Meetings to speak but shall not be entitled to vote.
c) The Music Director shall be entitled to receive fees and reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred on the Society’s business at rates determined by the Committee and shall be regarded as an independent contractor.
It was proposed that the changes to the constitution, as approved by the Charity Commission, are adopted by the meeting.
Proposed: Simon Pulham
Seconded: Gordon Scopes
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal
Ray Wilson asked if all members could receive a revised copy of the constitution to which Simon Pulham said yes.
12.
Any Other Business
There was no other business.
Meeting closed at 8.25pm.