Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Suffolk Concert Band held on
Wednesday 13th February 2008 at 7.45pm, at Holy Trinity Church Hall, Ipswich
Chair: Mr Barry Salmon (VP)
Members Present: 25
Others: Mr Roger Jones (MD)
1. Apologies for absence
These were received from; Mark Cheadle, Lisa Cheadle, Clare Shemming, Sue Carter, Brian Mitchell, Lucy Lennard, Brian Annis, Kath Sutton, Sarah Scott, Mike Vorndran, Chris Wilson, Ian Blofield, Sally Webb, Julie Troupe, Don Cheesewright, Bronwyn Singleton, Bev Steensma, David Brunning.
2. Adoption of minutes of meeting held on Wednesday 7th February 2007
It was proposed that the minutes be adopted by the meeting:
Proposed: Trevor Daldry
Seconded: Mandy Chinery
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal.
3. Matters arising from meeting held on Wednesday 7th February 2007
There were no matters arising.
4. Adoption of minutes of EGM held on Wednesday 27th June 2007
It was proposed that the minutes be adopted by the meeting:
Proposed: Colin Pettingale
Seconded: Alison Keep
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal.
5. Adoption of minutes of EGM held on Wednesday 25th July 2007
It was proposed that the minutes be adopted by the meeting:
Proposed: Gordon Scopes
Seconded: Alison Keep
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal
6. Adoption of minutes of EGM held on Sunday 21st October 2007
It was proposed that the minutes be adopted by the meeting:
Proposed: Simon Pulham
Seconded: Gordon Scopes
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal
7. Proposals for Vice-Presidents
There were no proposals for Vice-Presidents.
8. Proposals for Honorary Members
The committee proposed that Pat Wood becomes an honorary member.
Proposed: Gordon Scopes
Seconded: Ruth Symington
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal
9. Officer reports
9.1. Chairman – Toby Hope
“Introduction
Welcome to you all, thanks for coming. Thanks to Barry for officiating, this is greatly appreciated.
My thanks go to the committee for all their hard work throughout the year, a lot goes on behind the scenes and it is testament to their enthusiasm and good sense that things always go exactly as planned.
In particular, Angela is due, as always, a tremendous vote of thanks – not only is she the finest Secretary an organisation could wish for, she also unlocks the hall and makes the tea. On top of this, she is a first rate Saxophonist.
Past Year
We’ve once again had a very busy year, with a number of highlights which we should all be proud of.
However, the year has been tinged with sadness. Tony Warren was a loyal and enthusiastic member of the band: he was always the first to arrive for rehearsals and always the last to leave. He will be greatly missed.
We have enjoyed quite a few concerts this year – our out-door events seemed to be plagued by bad weather – It was good to meet up with the Nottingham police band once again and our thanks should go to the hardy Nottingham audience who stuck it out to the end of the performance. We’re all very grateful that Barham Hall had invested in an additional gazebo to keep the worst of the rain off. Our indoor events remained dry and I think my favourite from last year is the Stowmarket Battle of Britain concert – there was a lovely atmosphere in the theatre and I’m sure the audience enjoyed our performance a great deal. Our gratitude should go to Roger who has steered us through the many different programs and venues we’ve played at. It was also nice to see Bernard again for the Spa concert last October - a very enjoyable afternoon.
Following loads of hard work by Raymond, Simon and Barry, the amended constitution is finished and has been sent to the Charities Commission. This has proved an epic task and I’m sure I speak for the whole committee when I say that I’m glad it’s nearly over.”
Adrian Budgen asked if the committee would be considering the policy of stand-in conductors and the number of rehearsals they are given for a concert. Toby responded that this would be an agenda item for the new committee to discuss.
It was proposed that the committee should consider stand-in conductors being given adequate rehearsals.
Proposed: Tom Rumbold
Seconded: Adrian Budgen
16 members were for the proposal
4 members were against the proposal
5 members abstained
It was proposed that the committee should consider offering stand-in conductors a minimum of six rehearsals before a concert.
Proposed: Tom Rumbold
Seconded: Ruth Symington
14 members were for the proposal
7 members were against the proposal
4 members abstained
9.2. Secretary – Angela Bates
Nothing to report.
9.3. Treasurer – Ray Wilson
“1) I have pleasure in presenting the income and expenditure accounts for 2007.
i) Note discrepancy with bank figures requiring technical adjustment
ii) Note excess of income over expenditure of £374
iii) Note profit of £727 from Spa concert in October. However, VAT was wrongly calculated and we remain liable if the VATman uncovers the error
iv) Note £6000 invested in a savings account”
It was proposed that the statement of the accounts be adopted by the meeting:
Proposed: Gordon Scopes
Seconded: Simon Pulham
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal
“2) Subs for 2008 and 2009 – the committee recommends that the subs be set at £48 for both years with a reduction to £20 for those in full-time education. However, in the event that a weekend trip is arranged in 2009, the committee will consult the membership about subs for that year.”
It was proposed that the committee’s recommendations be accepted.
Proposed: Ray Wilson
Seconded: Angela Bates
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal
Andrew Farthing asked for a stock count of the regimental CDs.
Mandy Chinery asked if a list of the music purchased by the band could be published to the membership.
Simon Pulham reported that Ray Wilson has given notice that he will not be standing for election as Treasurer next year.
9.4. Membership Secretary – Gordon Scopes
“Welcome to all the new members who have joined the SCB in the last 12 months. Sadly we said farewell to Tony Warren who died on 9th March 2007. The membership currently stands at 60-ish. The top attendance for the last 12 months is Pat, Angela, Sally, Colin and Gordon. Thank you for all your support in completing the engagement lists on the notice board and informing me or Roger of your absence from rehearsals. Thank you coffee team, chair and stand team.”
9.5. Librarian – Sarah Scott
Nothing to report
9.6. Concert Manager – Trevor Daldry
Trevor reported that he has now been Concert Manager for two years and very much enjoyed it. He thanked all those that have helped over the year, all help is very welcome however small.
10. Musical Director’s Report – Roger Jones
“Mr Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen. As in previous AGM’s I will try to make this as short as possible. Once again due to my work commitments I was absent during the first part of the autumn period. I know you enjoyed your time with Bernard and I am very grateful to him for stepping in and directing another successful Felixstowe Spa concert.
We have undertaken a variety of engagements, some regular and one or two new venues, over the course of the past year, sticking by and large to the policy of one engagement per month. It’s not always been possible to have a complete band on some occasions because of your own work and social commitments. This can be frustrating from my perspective when preparing programmes, however, I understand and when there is a gap we will continue to get replacements when necessary.
Publicity is still a concern to me. Despite our best efforts I continue to be disappointed with the numbers we attract to concerts. As I said last year we still need to get to grips with this aspect and we can all help, particularly with the free concerts in Holy Trinity. It’s never too late or too early to put up a poster advertising one of our concerts. The committee do what they can, but it has to be collective task.
The CD recorded in October 2006 finally hit the shelves in time for Christmas. I hope it will reap positive benefits for the band, and not just financially. Incidentally the production costs of the Trafalgar 200 CD have been paid for and this Band and the Royal Hospital School Band are making money from the venture.
Repertoire wise I continue to listen to any suggestions you make, which I have to say are fairly minimal, although Stan is still waiting for a certain overture! I search the catalogues and borrow from known and legitimate sources new, or music I think we might like to perform, but as always, I can not please everybody! Some you win, some you ‘Stanshawe March’.
I am usually absent once a year because of my school commitments; therefore an opportunity for a different MD to come is always there. I always give at least six months notice, so that leaves plenty of time for a replacement to be found. I will only do this job as long as the band wants me. I am totally commited; if that total commitment is not enough then I shall bow out gracefully.
Finally thank you once again for your support and friendship. I do value this very much. My thanks to Toby for his encouragement and patience and the committee for all the hard work they do on your behalf. It’s not an easy task sometimes but what they do is nonetheless much appreciated by me, and hopefully you too. Despite my position I do consider myself a member of the band, if not a paid up one, and whilst I am I will continue to promote the band in a positive manner, using any contacts I have to further our repertoire and concert potential. I will never abuse the privilege of being your musical director, because it is a privilege and a pleasure too. ”
11. Election of Committee
11.1. Election of Officers
11.2. Election of other Committee Members
There were no written proposals or proposals from the floor for new committee members, therefore the new committee was voted for en bloc.
The following members have agreed to stand for re election this year:
|
Chairman |
- |
Toby Hope |
|
Secretary |
- |
Angela Bates |
|
Treasurer |
- |
Ray Wilson |
|
Membership Secretary |
- |
Gordon Scopes |
|
Librarian |
- |
Sarah Scott |
|
Concert Manager |
- |
Trevor Daldry |
|
Committee member |
- |
Mark Cheadle |
|
Committee member |
- |
Simon Pulham |
|
Committee member |
- |
Marion Singleton |
Proposed: Colin Pettingale
Seconded Russell Banyard
23 members were for the proposal
2 members abstained
12. Approval of Independent Examiner for Suffolk Concert Band Accounts
Ian Bickers has agreed to be the independent examiner for the accounts.
Proposed: Ray Wilson
Seconded: Gordon Scopes
The vote was unanimously in favour of the proposal.
13. Uniform
Toby reported that he will be consulting the membership about the long term future of the band’s uniform but at this point did not have any information to pass on.
Andrew Farthing felt that the uniform in its present form could cripple the band financially to maintain and asked if he could circulate some information to members that he had gathered regarding the uniform.
14. Any Other Business
Ruth Symington thanked those members who do the tea and coffee every week.
Andrew Farthing reported that he has set up an online forum for the band to allow members a medium to express their opinions regarding band issues.
Toby Hope reported that the committee have been investigating the possibility of using St. Peter’s Church, currently being renovated by the Hospital Band, as a rehearsal venue in the future. The committee intend to use the venue for a three month trial period during late spring, early summer this year.
Meeting closed at 8.43pm.