GLOUCESTER MODEL FLYING CLUB

MINUTES OF AGM MEETING HELD

TUESDAY 12^TH DECEMBER 2006

Present:                    Chris Bishop (AD)               Chairman

                                    Lawrence Morgan (LM)            Treasurer

                                    Paul Niblett (PN)                Social

In Attendance:            Debbie Magrath - minutes

1.            Apologies

            Received from Mark Sissons, Phil Sumner, Pete Webster and Jason Matthews.

2.            Minutes of Committee/EGM Meeting of 1^st December 2006

            No minutes were recorded at this meeting.

3.            Matters Arising from Committee Meeting of 1^st December 2006

            No matters arising.

4.            Chairman’s Report (summary)   

2006 has been a turbulent year for the club and the aim for 2007 is to keep the club together.

The club has a website www.glos-mfc.co.uk.  Feedback received includes “Well done.  I like the look of the site particularly the clean organized layout and the usability”.  It is appreciated that not all members in the club have internet/computer access and info will be circulated in other ways for these members.

Indoor flying sessions have been taking place at Churchdown. During the winter months fortnightly sessions will be arranged.  £5 per flyer/session, spectators free.

It is envisaged that the club will still look for alternative sites where there is room for larger faster models ideally with a 360 degree flying area for gliders.

5.            Secretary’s Report

            No report.

6.            Membership Report

We have seen a decline in Membership this year, from 87 this time last year, to 63 paid up members.  A few new members have joined.

50 Senior Members

12 Senior Citizens

1 Family Junior Member.

7.            Treasurer’s Report

            See attached.

8.            Setting of Club fees for 2007

            Should committee members get free membership?  Previously only the Secretary and Treasurer received free membership. Everyone else should pay.  If the committee paid for their membership at £35 each this would bring in extra income.

VOTE: Proposal from Chair: All committee members to pay for their membership.   -  Unanimous vote.

            The club fees are presently £35.  Considerations for increasing the fee: (1) membership could go down for 2007 as it has for 2006, (2) the cost of the field could be increased, (3) possibly looking at a new/alternative site.

Proposal from Chair: to increase membership to £40, Senior Citizens £20, Juniors free up to age 18, retain joining fee of £5.

VOTE: Proposal to meet half way and to increase the fee to £38.  Joining fee to remain at £5.    -   Unanimous vote. 

9.            Election of Officers - VOTE: Unanimous vote for all elected.

Chair : Chris Bishop (although CB could be away for long periods of time during 2007 proposed that a Vice Chair be elected)

Vice Chair: Mark Burnham

Secretary : Paul Niblett

Treasurer/Membership: Lawrence Morgan

Chief Examiner: Phil Sumner

Field Manager: Clive Hawkins

Social Secretary: Paul Niblett

The following committee members are elected to (a) boost the committee membership (b) to aid the committee in carrying out jobs on behalf of committee and club members

Committee Members: Paul Gurr.

            Pete Webster would prefer to pay for his membership.  CB would speak to PW in light of the above decision.  PW will remain as a committee member

10.       Safety Officers

            The question was raised “Do we need Safety Officers?”

            Every member is responsible for their own safety.  If you are a beginner, members should look after/train/be mentors for them.  It is common sense!

            Accidents can and do happen.  If you see someone flying unsafely you should speak to them in a polite manner and alert them to their mistake.  It was pointed out by a club member that the BMFA Rules state that “It is not recommended that you appoint ‘all club members’ as their own safety officers…”.  The club should educate and encourage members to conform to club safety requirements and should have no hesitation in disciplining persistent offenders.

            Instructors should instruct properly.  Examiners have to examine to a certain safety standard, once the standard has been met it is down to the individual member to conform to the rules/standard.

            Issue of flying solo with an ‘A’ certificate – if you see someone you don’t know or recognize, introduce yourself, ability ask questions about their model etc this will give you an indication of their knowledge of flying.  New members need to demonstrate they are capable – watch their capability!

‘A’ certificate is examined to a certain standard and students only pass on their ability on the day of their examination.  Make new members feel welcome and encourage them, if they have questions they will ask!

The club needs/wants to prompt a friendly attitude.

VOTE:            Brian Dicks was unanimously voted as a Safety Officer

                        All other committee members also Safety Officers.

11.       AOB

CRB Policy (Criminal Records Bureau) : Minimum age on membership has been implemented, arguments as to whether it applies to a model club, mainly to do with Youth Clubs.  There is 1 family junior member in the club, the club only accepts juniors if they are with a family member.

Adults involved with children under the age of 17 need to be CRB checked.  Two issues arise : (1) afterwards taking the child home to do modeling (2) Instruction/Tuition.

Decided that the club would investigate this issue further and discuss at a meeting in 2007. In the meantime LM will monitor membership ages for non junior family members.

Running of IC engines on Sunday mornings : issue of flying models before 9.00am.  Chair proposes to change time to 10.00am, the reason being CB does not want noise complaints from local residents.  The rules state “dawn to dusk” – Mr Potter is happy with this.  There is a verbal agreement of 9.00am agreed.

VOTE : unanimous  -  for Sundays and Bank Holidays – time proposed 9.00am

CB will speak to Mr Potter and this will be constituted into the Rules.

Indoor Flying Sessions:  The hall costs £26 per hour, £52 per night.  The charge for flying is £5 per person, to break even and for the club not to make a loss we need approximately 11-12 people.  Next flying meeting Saturday 16^th December 6-8pm Chosenhill School. 

            Social Get together: a date to be arranged for the New Year when the club can meet socially for a New Year drink at the Brunswick pub.

Action : PN

            Website : The club has bought the website name, if you have any articles/pictures please submit these to CB.   A newsletter is to be produced for those who do not have internet access.  CB would like to put details of member’s models on the website so technical advice can be given to members with similar models etc.  Email CB on ChrisRBishop@aol.com

            Flyers to advertise the club to be produced and put in local model shops. 

            Article published: It had been noted that an article had been submitted and published in ‘RC Model World’ concerning the club and the sub letting of the field.  CB would speak to the member involved.

The meeting finished at 9.45 pm.

Date of next meeting :                                2007

Signed:……………………………………Dated:…………………………