Club Night Report
Wednesday 15th November 2017
Club Night Report for 15th November 2017 - observations by Harry Rock
Mike Crawshaw opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. Apologies had been received from: David Branscombe, Steve Lloyd, Sam Pearce, John Sawyer and Ian Full
The Minutes from the 2016 AGM, having been circulated prior to the meeting, were accepted as a true record. There were no matters arising.
Chairman's Report: Mike Crawshaw reported that the past year had again been a successful one for the Club, although membership numbers have risen to the point where it needs to be discussed as a separate item on the agenda. He extended a warm welcome to all of the new members who joined this year and gave his thanks for the loyal support of all our existing members. Financially we are in a strong position and have shown a small increase in our bank balance over the year.
The Training Days have been well received by the attendees, he extended thanks to Arthur for his organisation of these sessions and thanks to all the instructors who freely give their time to make the training days a success. He also thanked all of the Committee for the work put in during the year to ensure we have smooth running meetings and good quality demonstrators. He was sure that everyone would join him in thanking Derek for keeping us well supplied with hot drinks and biscuits and for coming in on Training Days just to make sure we all had a hot drink.
Mike stated that we currently have a varied selection of oldish lathes on which we carry out the training. It is intended in the New Year that we apply for matched-funding grants to allow us to update our lathes to the latest midi-sized versions - all of the same type, compatible with the spindle size and Morse Taper of the Wivamac. This will involve expenditure of about £1000 each for 3 lathes, half of which would be supplied from Club funds. It is worth noting that the value of our equipment is not included in the yearly balance sheet so the Club is, in theory, better off than the amount shown in the bank balance.
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The Chairman concluded by thanking Vernon Hughes for his excellent work in reporting on Club Night activities and announced that the Committee had decided to bestow upon him a Lifetime Honorary Membership. A rather surprised Vernon was handed his certificate by the Chairman and this was roundly applauded.
Secretary's Report: Arthur Kingdon reported that this was his fourth year in the job and it continues to be busier than ever. He wore several hats, with probably the most important one, but the most difficult, being Programme Secretary. Identifying and booking presenters, liaising with them prior to a Meeting and, in particular, making sure things run smoothly on the night.
Booking demonstrators is getting more difficult as the pool he can draw from is getting smaller. More of them are opting out of doing evening demos. The pool is also limited somewhat by the distance they have to travel. There is a cost consideration (they charge around 44p per mile) and of course those who are too far away will not want to travel at all. This means that each year we will have repeat visits from some of them. Feedback from members on any particular demonstrator is always welcome.
All the demonstrators are booked for 2018 and the programme will be published in the near future. One item to note is that all the regular Club Meetings will now be on the second Wednesday of the month, not the Wednesday after the second Tuesday(!) as we have historically done.
Three training days had been organized for 2016. The format now used is a one to one rather than the two to one where there were two students per instructor, with one watching while the other was hands-on. This does mean that we are limited to only five or six students per Training Day. All were fully booked and had made a profit for the Club. That profit is due to the instructors giving up their time for free, often materials for free and not charging travel expenses. A big thank you to them. On the programme for 2018 are three Training Days, all on Sundays and Arthur will be the coordinator for these.
A visit to the Axminster Tool Company factory had been organised and sixteen members enjoyed this day out. He did not have any plans to organize one for 2018.
A workshop clearance from a former Club member had resulted in almost 60 items for the auction. The membership had also been asked for items and the response had been very good.
Arthur thanked those non-Committee members, without whose help the Club would not run so efficiently: Club Librarian - John Sawyer who is doing an excellent job and will carry on. And our Catering Manager - Derek Walton who is doing outstanding work and long may he continue to do so!
It can be a bit hectic at the start of the night and he thanked those who have helped with the setting up of the lathe, tables and chairs and clearing up afterwards.
Treasurer's Report: Ellie Thompson reported that the Club is doing very well; although the income from meetings, annual subscriptions and the raffle had not quite covered the running expenses which includes: hall hire, refreshments, demonstrators fees, insurance, training days, and raffle prizes (where not donated) resulting in a small loss.
The Training Days generated a profit and were welcomed by the participants, representing very good value for money. The costs of demonstrators went down slightly this year but will probably go up again next year. However, it was felt that the Club can currently sustain this with the number of members that attend on a regular basis. The hall hire has stayed static this year, but we do now have to pay a monthly fee for storage of our equipment.
The raffle again made a healthy profit this year after prizes had been bought or donated. This is slightly down from last year, but is nevertheless a good boost to funds.
Sizable extra income from the auction held last year was generated, even after we paid commission to the donors of several workshops. The sales commission from the two fairs that the Club attended was also positive.
Club assets/ equipment was extended this year with the purchase of a McNaughton bowl saver. Do remember that Club equipment is available for hire by Members.
Our assets and equipment are very comprehensive and we have an increase in the bank balance, which means that we are in a better financial position than last year.
Agreement of Annual Subscription Fees: The Treasurer proposed that the subscription should stay static at £20. This was agreed. The Treasurer also recommended that the entrance fee of £2 per meeting and raffle price of £1 per ticket should remain unchanged. This was agreed.
Election of Committee: Three members of the Committee are required to stand down this year - having fulfilled their 3 years in office. Standing down were: Dave Newman (Equipment Manager), George Gansbuehler (Raffle Organiser) and Bob Sawyer (Events Organiser). All three were happy to stand for re-election - there being no other nominations they were all elected for a further 3 years.
Show and Tell Format: The Chairman outlined that the format of the Show and Tell was changed at the start of this year to include a Novice category and the initial response had been quite good. However, of late there had been little support for either the Novice or the Open categories and the Committee would like to hear from the members as to whether the format should be changed. After some discussion, it was agreed that the competition aspect should be dropped and it should simply become a display of members' work. The revised format would commence in January 2018 with the only competition being the annual Ian Hooker award each December.
Limit on Membership Numbers: The Chairman advised that, with much regret, the Committee had decided that we could no longer accept new members or visitors. We had become a victim of our own success and, with the recent influx of new members, we had exceeded our original target of limiting membership numbers. The major problem was the capacity of the car park, but the meeting room was also now becoming uncomfortably crowded. The Committee would constantly review this but no change was likely until next year when the Membership renewal numbers could be assessed. There would be some flexibility for existing members' relatives or friends, particularly if travelling in the same car. The Club website has been amended to reflect this policy.
Any Other Business: The Membership Secretary advised of a new, digital renewal system utilizing email, which was intended to simplify the system of membership renewal by not requiring paperwork to be completed. This should ease the congestion at the January and February meetings in particular.
Dave Newman informed the Meeting that items donated by Club members to Prospect Hospice had now reached over £1000 in sales. Further contributions are always welcome.
Vernon Hughes was eloquent and generous with his thanks and praise for the ongoing efforts of the Committee and other members whose work it is easy not to notice - but, our enjoyment is the result of the tremendous efforts of a small number of people.
This received a standing ovation from the Membership.
There being no further business the AGM concluded at 19:55 hrs.
The other main event of the evening was the Auction. There were 134 lots in the catalogue issued to the Club Members prior to the meeting.
Arthur Kingdon was the auctioneer (ably assisted by three 'runners') - and he efficiently worked through all of the lots in just over an hour and a half. All of the lots (except one) were sold. The bidding was brisk and the Membership was generous - generating a sizeable contribution to Club funds! Thank you.
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