AGM 2008

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Haddington Camera Club held in The Granary, Poldrate, Haddington on Tuesday 1 April 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

1. Attendance
The President, Brian Robertson, welcomed 23 members to the meeting.

2. Apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Chris Adie, Frances Hutchinson, Bill Peach and Jack Tully-Jackson.

3. Minutes of the previous AGM
Minutes had been duly displayed on the notice-board and had also been posted on the Club web site. Approval of the Minutes was proposed by Gordon Andrews and seconded by John Gallagher and approved by the members present.

4. President’s Report
Brian Robertson said that the Committee had tried to provide a varied Syllabus with a good blend of speakers. Five nights consisted of Club members giving the talk with three others involving round table discussions, a Photographers’ Question Time and Image Interpretation. These last three were all novel ideas and in their way catalysts to engender photographic discussion. Not all meeting nights can be for pure entertainment from the cost point of view and these nights hopefully allowed time purely to discuss the merits of our and others’ photographic work. Cracking talks had been given by Roger Reynolds, Libby Smith and, of course, by Laurie Campbell. He believed that the standards have remained on the already high level of the previous year or perhaps even surpassed it. This was shown by the closeness of just 6 points separating the first 5 in the Carlyle Cup scores. It was interesting to see some newcomers coming along and challenging some of the regulars and doing extremely well. In external competitions the Club continued from the successes of the previous year by beating Midlothian and Beeslack before being narrowly defeated by Musselburgh. He was mindful that this was a members’ club and although we may not know the names of all the members it is imperative that the club continue to provide a friendly atmosphere where newcomers will be made to feel welcome. It was his intention that the Club should create the post of Outings Organiser within the new Committee with a view to having more outings throughout the year. He concluded by thanking all the Committee members and indeed Club members who have made the Club the success it is.

5. Treasurer’s Report and Accounts for 2007/8
Ann Clark submitted the audited Accounts for the year ended 28th February 2008. In the expenditure the rent had gone up slightly. They showed a surplus but this was not up much compared with the previous year and next year was likely to have an increase in expenditure. In addition there would be some further items of expenditure after the end of the financial year The Club was not richer than the previous year and there was the likelihood that the Club might buy a laptop. Adoption of the Accounts was proposed by Mike Hollingsworth seconded by Michael Thomson and approved by the members present.

6. Subscriptions for 2008-2009
Brian Robertson said that the subscriptions had not been increased since 2005. Financially the Club was treading water which was not satisfactory. The Club depended on the tea money of £1 per night. Suggestions were made to help the finances – a monthly raffle proposed by Gordon Andrews seconded by Ian Henderson and approved unanimously and a charge for entering competitions but this was left open. It was proposed by Michael Thomson seconded by Gordon Andrews and approved by the members present that the subscriptions for 2008/9 be increased to £30.00 and Concessions £20.00.

7. Election of Committee and Office-bearers
The President and Treasurer would continue in Office for the next year and the Secretary and Competition Secretary were standing down from their posts and John Gallagher and Roy Myers were standing down from the Committee. To fill these vacancies the following were elected – Vice-President - Michael Thomson proposed by Brian Robertson seconded by Mike Hollingsworth; Secretary – Liz Wheelans proposed by Mike Hollingsworth seconded by Harry Paton; Competition Secretary – Michael Thomson proposed by Gordon Andrews seconded by Alex Morrice; Committee – Ann Jeffray proposed by John Gallagher seconded by Liz Wheelans; Gary Moffat proposed by Mike Hollingsworth seconded by Alex Morrice; Anita Nutter proposed by Brian Robertson seconded by Alex Morrice; and Delvin Stonehill proposed by John Gallagher seconded by Bill Paterson. The President thanked John Gallagher and Roy Myers for their contribution to the work of the Committee during the past year.

8. Arrangements for next year
Theme Competition subject – following suggestions by the members present it was agreed by popular vote that the Theme subject would be Environmental Impact.

9. Annual Exhibition – the President explained that despite various attempts no suitable venue could be found and in addition no display boards were available from the Council Libraries. Michael Thomson said that he might be able to source display boards. Possible venues suggested were the Trinity Centre (to be investigated by Ann Clark), Tyne Park Adult Resource Centre and the Gallery in the Granary. The new Committee would deal with the matter.

10. AOCB
Members’ Critique – Michael Thomson thanked the three members who assisted with the Critique.

Presentation of Trophies and Certificates – The President presented the annual prizes as follows: -

Certificates of Merit

First Exposure Competition
Prints Bill Peach & Lesley Clarke
Projected Images Gordon Andrews

Theme Competition (open theme)
Prints Lesley Clarke
Projected Images Gordon Andrews

Theme Competition (set theme - Reflections)
Prints Anita Nutter & Liz Wheelans
Projected Images Brian Robertson

Annual Competition
Prints Liz Wheelans
Projected images Andy Bennetts

Trophies
Tyne Cup Bill Peach & Lesley Clarke
League Cup Gordon Andrews
Colour Trophy Brian Robertson
John Apps Trophy Liz Wheelans
Tully-Jackson Trophy David Elder
Lothian Cup Gary Moffat
Carlyle Cup Gordon Andrews

11. Closing remarks
On behalf of the Committee and members Brian Robertson presented the retiring Secretary David Elder with a voucher and a framed Certificate as Honorary Secretary in appreciation of his service to the Club as President, Treasurer and Secretary over the years.








All text and the Haddington Camera Club logo are ©2008 Haddington Camera Club. All photographs are ©2007-2008 the respective photographers.