AGM 2010
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Haddington Camera Club held in The Granary, Poldrate, Haddington on Tuesday 6 April 20101. Attendance
The President, Brian Robertson, welcomed 38 members to the meeting.
2. Apologies for absence had been received from Ann Jeffray, Richard Wells and Sheena McDougall.
3. Minutes of the previous AGM
Minutes had been posted on the club website and circulated to members present. Approval of the Minutes was proposed by Michael Thomson, seconded by Gordon Andrews and also approved by the members present.
4. Presidents Report
The President reported that the year had got off to an excellent start with record numbers of members joining on the first evening and membership eventually reaching 73 by the end of the year: an all time record.
He hoped that the Committee had provided a varied syllabus and that the two evenings of basic camera handling at the beginning of the syllabus had been well received.
This year our external speakers had been Mike McFarlane, Leo Palmer, Dimitri Vasiliou and the double act of Rod Wheelans and Anne Greiner. These talks were all excellent and helped to stimulate minds.
Brian then thanked the following club members who had all given illustrated talks this year, namely Andy Bennetts, Graham Stewart, Liz Wheelans, Graham Stirling, Dave Lyon, Liz Cole and Michael and Brenda Thomson. Mike Hollingsworth was also responsible for running a very successful quiz night. The President also wished to thank Harry Paton for all the time he spent within the darkroom helping others.
Brian also wished to place on record the club’s appreciation of all the time and effort invested by the various judges to make our competitions both successful and meaningful.
The club has continued to enter both SPF and PAGB competitions and once again we came second in the Newtongrange ten-way competition with one of our members, Graham Stirling, winning a trophy for the best image in the Competition.
The biggest challenge of the year, in relation to the syllabus, had been the need to juggle various evenings about as the winter weather showed no respect for all our planning.
Due to the increased membership it was found necessary to purchase a PA system to help members hear all speakers whilst seated at the rear of the room. The club had gone on several outings over the summer period and Liz was thanked for organising them.
Brian asked members to recall the various changes that had been made at the previous AGM in relation to competitions and reported that they all appeared to be working well.
Brian reported that whilst the competitions were an important part of the syllabus it was also important for members to realise that there is more to the Camera Club, and indeed photography, than competition.
Brian then read out an e-mail from one of the youngest members of the club stating how she had been offered a place on a photography course at university and that she thanked all Haddington Camera Club members for helping her advance her photography and to achieve her goal. Brian stated that he had thanked her for her kind comments and stated to all at the AGM such an achievement was as equally important as winning any club competition.
At this juncture Andy Bennets, on behalf of the membership, wished to have recorded the appreciation that was felt towards the Committee and what they had achieved for the Club over the past year.
5. Vice President's report
Michael Thomson stated that he wished to thank all members who had submitted entries into the various competitions throughout the year. He further stated that he had enjoyed being a back-up to the President and looked forward to continuing on the Committee.
6. Treasurer’s Report
The treasurer, Avril Lyon, submitted audited accounts for the past year duly signed by the club Auditor. Avril added some detail to the accounts by explaining major purchases of the year, for example the PA system, metal security cabinet, laptop, and software for same. She also pointed out that under the sundries category were items such as stationery and ink. She also noted that expenditure had exceeded income by £406.07 (due to purchases of equipment) but this had been offset by the balance bought forward from the previous year. Acceptance of this report was proposed by David Elder and seconded by Frances Hutchinson.
7. Subscriptions
The President reported that the committee had considered this matter and was recommending to the membership that subscriptions should remain the same for the forthcoming year. Acceptance of this recommendation was proposed by Graham Stirling and seconded by Mike Shakspeare.
8. Competition Rules
The President proposed two minor changes to club rules:
Monochrome competition - In keeping with all other competitions the Committee were recommending that the following sentence should be added, 'Images must have been taken within twelve months of the date of the competition.' This change was formally proposed by Ian McLean and seconded by Harry Paton.
Definition of Beginner (rule 4) - The Committee recommended to change the phraseology but not the meaning of this definition by adopting the following wordage, 'members with limited experience of photography and a maximum of two years membership...'
Gordon Andrews proposed the insertion of the word 'previous' before the word 'experience'. The acceptance of the above changes was proposed by Ann Clarke and seconded by Dave Lyon.
9. Annual Exhibition
The Annual Exhibition again took place in St Mary's Parish Church using the club's display boards which greatly enhanced the presentation of our images. The Exhibition was well received by both the public and members of St Mary's Church. These premises have already been booked for this years Annual Exhibition.
We have also organised Exhibitions at the following venues, John Muir House, Haddington and Gullane, Haddington, Dunbar and North Berwick Libraries.
10. Election of Office Bearers and Committee
President - Michael Thomson (proposed Jane Hinde, seconded Mike Shakspeare)
Treasurer - Mike Shakspeare (proposed Michael Thomson, seconded Jimmy Ross)
Committee - Graham Stirling (proposed Brenda Thomson, seconded Jean Inglis), Chris Fowler (proposed Graham Stirling, seconded Andy Bennetts), Calum Swinton (proposed Brian Robertson, seconded Harry Paton).
In addition to the above, previous committee members Dave Lyon, Ann Clarke, Lesley Clarke, Jean Inglis and Gary Moffat all remain on the committee.
The posts of Vice President, Secretary, and Competition Secretary remained unfilled.
11. A.O.C.B. Nothing to report.
12. Presentation of Trophies and Certificates
The President and Secretary presented the Trophies and Certificates of Merit to this season’s winners.
Certificates of merit
First Exposure Competition:
Overall Winner, Graham Stirling
Prints, Graham Stirling
Projected, Brian Robertson
Best Beginner, Graham Stirling
Theme Competition:
Overall Winner, Lesley Clarke
Prints, Lesley Clarke
Projected, Brian Robertson and Richard Wells
Best Beginner, Graham Stirling
Monochrome Competition:
Overall Winner, Gordon Andrews
Prints, Gordon Andrew
Projected, Dawn Melville and Christopher Fowler
Best Beginner, Dawn Melville
Tully-Jackson Cup:
Winner, Bill Patterson
Annual Competition:
Overall Winner, Brian Robertson
Best Print, Graham Stirling
Best Projected, Brian Robertson
Best Beginner, Graham Stirling
Trophies
Tyne Cup, Graham Stirling
League Cup, Lesley Clarke
Monochrome Cup, Gordon Andrews
Tully-Jackson Cup, Bill Patterson
Annual Trophy, Brian Robertson
John Apps Trophy, Graham Stirling
Colour Trophy, Brian Robertson
Lothian Cup, Graham Stirling
Carlyle Cup, Ann Jeffray
The President congratulated all of the above for their achievements and in particular Ann Jeffray for winning the Carlyle Cup, the most prestigious trophy of all.
13. Closing Remarks
The President then showed all present the new Haddington Camera Club Cup which the Club had purchased in order to sponsor the Photographic Section of the East Lothian Agricultural Show and encouraged all to enter the event later that year.
Brian offered his sincere thanks to all of the committee for giving of their time to ensure that things were “all right on the night”. Whilst Brian was reluctant to single out one member of the committee for extra praise, he felt that he must in relation to Liz who, despite her past health problems, has remained an active member of the committee and indeed has maintained a “can do” attitude throughout her tenure of the Secretary’s post. He further stated that there had been very little that the club had achieved over the past 2 years (and before) where she had not played a major part.
Brian then closed the meeting.