IPSWICH BUDGERIGAR SOCIETY
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Thursday 24th January 2013

The Constable Memorial Hall, Gandish Road, East Bergholt, Suffolk, CO7 6TP
commencing at 7.45 pm

 Life Members:
Mrs. Janice Al-Nasser, Mr. Doug Austin, Mrs. Muriel Goldsmith, Mr. Derek Lungley,
Mr. George McMillan, Mr. Geoff Murrells, Gren & Pat Norris, Richard & Shirley Risebrow

There were 17 members in attendance this evening, those being: Janice Al-Nasser, Doug Austin, Graham Barton, Mike Catchpole, Avis Dowse, Andy Harvey, Sandra Holden, Miranda Humphries, Richard Mann, Reg Osborne, David Rafis, Bill Squires, Sandra & Peter Stevens and Gary Wincomb. Plus two new members ~ Stephen Callum and Paul Phillips to which Janice gave a warm welcome. Janice then wished us all a belated Happy New Year and welcomed us to the new venue.

1.	President's Opening Remarks – Miranda Humphreys:
              I’d like to say what a successful club this has become, not only with it’s growing membership, but also the amount of success the Ipswich members are having round the shows. Feedback from other clubs has also been positive. I’d also like to thank each and every one of you for helping to make my year in office an enjoyable one. Thank you.
  
2.	Apologies for Absence:
	Ghalib Al-Nasser, Viv Austin, Colin Cole, Jini Jethmalani, Derek Lungley, George McMillan, Geoff
 Murrells, Jeremy Rivers, Simon Roberts, David Sharpe, Steven Squires, Eileen Willis & Daphne Wright, (13)

 3.	Minutes of the last AGM held on 26th January 2012
These have already been circulated. Everyone should have received and read them, thus reducing time and saving Sandra’s vocal chords.
Proposed correct, and seconded by Graham and Sandra Stevens respectfully.

4.	Matters arising from the Minutes: None

5.	Chairman's Report - Janice Al-Nasser:
	
2012 continued to be a good year for the Society generally speaking. We had a good, varied programme with interesting speakers including Dave Vandepeer (Aviary Hygiene), Rick Watts and Robbie Keeber. Our attendance continued to be maintained and we welcomed new members to the Club and I hope made them feel included and valued.

The downside, of course was the choir in the other adjoining hall. As their meetings started earlier than ours, the car park was already fully occupied and it was extremely difficult to be heard above them, even with the PA system kindly donated by Reg Osborne. Although we tried to book both halls for this year this was not to be and consequently, reluctantly, we had to concede and move to these premises where I hope things will be fine.

Unfortunately the monthly bird competitions were still not very well supported last year. I still think it is a good idea to have birds at our meetings and, especially with Graham organising a ‘Show member of the year’  points annual award, more of us need to bring birds to support these monthly events. It is also a good way for newcomers to compare their birds and get help and advice.

The combined barbecue with our Young Stock Show at Peter and Sandra’s was very successful indeed and we are looking forward to repeating this on 9th June. 

Our Open Show was extremely successful and you will hear more about that in the other reports from Graham and Ghalib.

I think we all enjoyed the quiz night in October as did the other clubs that attended, although participation by other clubs was disappointing. This year we have planned it for September in the hope that we have better attendance. The buffet at the end was also appreciated.

A big thank you to Sandra Stevens for all her hard work organising the Christmas meal. In spite of the weather we had a good time and it was lovely to sit in the bar together afterwards chatting.

The programme for 2013 is ready and includes speakers and some interesting “in house” meetings.

Finally may I wish you all a successful breeding season and hope that the club continues to grow 	and prosper. 

6.	General Secretary's Report – Sandra Holden.

I haven’t much to say, which most will say “that’s unusual” 
But I would however like to thank members for their support and helping each other in times of need. Such as, when our open show date arrived, I after preparing and entering my birds, was unable to attend, due to an emergency trip to elderly aunts in Nottingham. 
Miranda jumped to my aid and took the birds for me. Likewise, Graham lifted my birds and took them home to his, for my husband and I to collect on our way home. It’s members like this that make a good club.
Thank you Miranda and Graham, and thank you all.

7.	Treasurer's Report & Approval of Accounts – Avis Dowse.
	As you can see from the accounts we accumulated another £618 in the year 2012. We now have £2416 in the bank. This exceptional income is due to the generosity of the members, who contribute tea, coffee, and biscuits, plus raffle prizes each month, and to the success of our open show.	Now all we have to do is spend it!!!
Approval of the accounts was proposed by Bill Squires, seconded by Richard Mann and agreed unanimously.

8.	Show Manager's Report – Graham Barton
	“Probably the Best Show in the Area”  & “ Always made to feel so welcome”
These two comments, some of the great endorsements bestowed upon our 2012 Open Show by fellow fanciers, I believe sums up the show and our club. The show is always regarded as a pinnacle in the Ipswich year and last year was no exception. 
With increased entries and a flawless performance by us, as members, our families and friends, we delivered a show we should all be proud of.
My thanks go out to all that contributed and supported our show and made it such a success, thank you for all your hard work and generosity.
But after all that praise I must conclude that I was a little relieved when we finally switched off the lights and locked the door of the show hall and I could finally relax a little.
My Sincere Thanks

9.	Show Secretary's Report – Ghalib Al-Nasser.  
	The show was a great success from comments that I heard on the day and afterwards and of course it was great for Janice and me as well!!! The atmosphere was very good and on the day the show office ran well and smoothly with support from Miranda, Avis, David and Janice for which I thank them most sincerely. The trophy display unit and the attendance of the Mayor all added to the enhancement of the show.
The show statistics were higher in comparison with the 2011 show, having received a total entry of 544 (439 in 2011) and benching 423 (346) from 42 exhibitors (43). Our benched figure made our show the second highest after Cambridge in the LEA, South Midlands and London & Southern Counties areas and this is a great achievement indeed and something to be proud of, having benched more birds than each of the three area society shows.
It was good to see our members doing so well at the show winning all the major awards apart from Best Young Bird and it was GIRL POWER on this occasion where our senior officials Janice, Miranda & Sandra captured the major awards between them. Also five of the sections were won by our members, as well as 11 out of the 19 challenge certificates. Well done to all.
The rosette sponsorship scheme went well generating more funds for the open show and again all those sponsors need to be thanked for their kind generosity.
We hope to build on all of this for the future with allocating better specials and other incentives to exhibitors.

10.	Patronage Secretary's Report – Janice Al-Nasser
	 “Doug did the initial part of the work applying for patronage, but for health reasons had to resign before the show. At the show the job was covered by office staff. After the show Ghalib and I dealt with all the patronage returns.”

11.	Publicity Officer’s Report – Dave Rafis.
	Cage Birds still give 100% of our reports and follow up on any special events and personal stories.
Budgerigar World - Non- existent now.
BS do not favour club reports.
Suffolk Radio and East Anglian Daily Times - can not get them interested in attending, even though I advised that The Mayor of Ipswich was presenting the awards in 2012.

12.	Election of Officers for 2013.

	President:             David Rafis
	President Elect:	       Avis Dowse, Proposed by – David Seconded by Peter Stevens 
Chairman:	       Janice Al-Nasser, Proposed by Peter - Seconded by - Bill
Vice Chairman:        George McMillan, Proposed en bloc
General Secretary:     Sandra Holden, Proposed en bloc
Membership Secretary/Treasurer: Avis Dowse, Proposed en bloc
Show Manager:        Graham, Proposed en bloc
Show Secretary:       Ghalib Al-Nasser, Proposed en bloc
Patronage Secretary:   Miranda Proposed by – Graham - Seconded by Bill
Publicity Officer:      David Rafis, Proposed en bloc
	Social Secretary:       Sandra Stevens, Proposed en bloc
	Auditor:               Steven Squires, Proposed en bloc

Subscription Rates:	Single £6, Same Address Partnership £9, Different Address Partnership £12, 
OAP, Disabled & Juniors £3
Show Member of the Year: – Graham Barton to announce.
	Ghalib & Janice Al-Nasser won the top award followed jointly in second place by Peter & Sandra 	Stevens and Sandra Holden. Graham presented them with bottles of wine.
Open Show Date: 28th July 2013   Judges for 2013: Geoff Murrells, Andy Thorpe, Mick Freeborn & Steve Cox

13.	Miranda then presented David Rafis with the chain of office to complete his inauguration.	
	David’s Inauguration Speech

It is the custom when taking  Presidency of a club to thank members for bestowing this honour, and I am no exception --- thank you.
In my capacity as President I promise to promote our club as I have always done. I would like to see one day in the future 50 members. Since I joined when moving to Suffolk, things have progressed from what was just a handful of members with three and sixpence in the bank, to what it is today ~ well run, well organised and because of the efforts of the members, a successful annual show.
When I look at the existing members, I think if my memory serves me right, I played a small part in recruiting new members namely Bill & Steven Squires, Peter & Sandra Stevens and encouraging Miranda Humphreys to rejoin --- and look what they do for the club! So please look, seek and encourage new members whenever the opportunity arises. 
For instance James Folly --- who knows him well? He would be a great asset to the club. Whilst in his company, I get the feeling that with a bit of encouragement, he would join us.
Before we proceed with the meeting could I mention that when we come to the election of officers, and in particular “Publicity Officer” whilst I am serving as President, if there is any member who would like to have a go, and feel that they would wish to put themselves forward, then don’t sit on your hands, make it known, I can assure you that I will not be offended in any way. 
If however I am re-elected I must point out that: 
1.	It isn’t possible to be on both sides of the camera when the occasion arises. But fortunately with help from Janice and Ghalib, pictures will be taken with a more sophisticated camera and the technology of a PC they can be sent to the appropriate magazines for publishing.
2.	At the annual show, I can’t do both the sales birds and present the trophies, someone else would need to help out. Maybe this could be discussed when the show tasks are arranged.
3.	I have decided that although I can do the show report for the press on the day, in the lead up I cannot do the adverts in the show catalogue, as in the past. I don’t have the modern facilities to do so. It just makes a triangle out of a straight line, and can cause many errors. It has in the past caused me a great deal of stress. I have spoken to Ghalib, as he is unable to attend this AGM who has said that if no one is willing to take this task on, he himself will do the job. But only on the basis that adverts are passed his way in the correct artwork format.

To finalise, our newest member Eileen Willis has been in hospital for an operation. Could you please sign the card to be passed round and I will get it posted to her - thank you. 
In conclusion, could I ask all members to put their views on any club decisions in a polite and proper manner, have your say, but if the majority of member vote against your suggestion, accept it with good grace and put your point across another day. I wish you all a successful 2013 breeding and show season.

14.	Programme for 2013 / Monthly Bird Competition / Ideas for the Future / Aviary Visit. Barbecue & Young Stock Show at Peter & Sandra’s on June 9th.

15.	Any Other Business. 
	The programme for the year was handed out and mulled over, with talk about whether to have a meeting in December in addition to the Christmas meal, the majority agreed to a social evening on the 19th if the hall was available to us. 

At the March meeting when we have Phil Reaney, it would be nice to ask a few other clubs to join us if they’d like to. This would be Cambridge and the clubs that attend our annual quiz night. Sandra is to invite them along.

A few things were brought to light this evening. It was noted in the minutes at the last AGM that our general secretary ~ Sandra, be brought a digital voice recorder for the meetings. But nothing has been done to date. Bill proposed this to be a very useful thing to have and all members agreed that Sandra herself goes ahead and buy’s one out of club funds. This is to remain the clubs property and for the use by the general secretary ~ whoever may hold that position at the time.

Graham suggested the club also pays for a large long broom for the show hall, as at the 2012 show it took absolutely ages to sweep the hall with a standard broom. This was also approved. 

Next the subject of an urn at a cost of approximately £50 for our meetings and also the annul BBQ was discussed ~ which also was approved by all members.

Bill proposed that as we have all built our bank account up to a good figure, we should be able to have the summer BBQ free instead of the £5.00 fee usually charged. This sounded wonderful until Doug joked, was it for family and friends also because he has 18 grandchildren. But joking aside, it was agreed by all that the BBQ be free, but members show entries be charged an entry fee to add a bit of revenue. This was seconded by Graham. A unanimous vote for, won the day.
By now Avis our treasurer’s face was turning a ghastly white. For which Avis had to be reminded that it was club funds ~ not her own account. But as Avis does an excellent job as Treasurer, she gets a little protective, bless her.

Bill had suggested at an earlier meeting that a committee be formed of club officers to arrange things outside the monthly meeting, so members had more time to socialise and do other things. Janice had asked that this be raised at the AGM. After a lengthy debate a vote was held. Two of the 17 member present abstained and 15 were for. Therefore the vote was passed. This is for officials of the club meeting up late summer/early autumn to sort out judges, aviary visits, the next years' programme, rosettes and similar things. But members WILL have their voice prior for ideas. This was proposed by Bill and seconded by Miranda.

We have been issued with hall keys, and have been given the go ahead to have a spare set cut ~ to be kept at Sandra’s in case David and Bill get held up along the way at anytime.

Graham proposed that for one year only we, as a financially sound club, who remember times of hardship, sponsor small and up and coming clubs, such as Bury and South Essex with rosettes. Just as a gesture of good will for their support to our open show. This again was approved by all members. This would be about £20 - £40.

Graham stood to congratulate Ghalib and Janice on their recent wins at the World Show. They took a gold medal with a light green, gold with a Lutino and silver with a Crest. 

Miranda congratulated Ghalib and Janice on being awarded the trophy for Show Administrator of the Year at the Budgerigar Society Club Show in November, which brought on a round of applause from all.

Peter mentioned getting seed by the ton, so it worked out cheaper for members, but this was put aside until another meeting, as it would mean a long discussion.

South East Ipswich have invited us to another quiz night on June 12th for which Sandra is to reply with a thank you ~ we will send a team on the night.

The business closed at 9.35

We then mingled to chat amongst ourselves, to discuss breeding etc. before the end of the evening. 

The meeting closed at 10.15 pm.