LOWDOWN Summer 2010 page 11
THE BRANCH AGM
21st March 2010 Old School Hall, Cuckfield.
Along with Crufts,
another fixed point on the calendar at this time of the year is the Branch
AGM. As with the dog championship show, this annual event seems to come
around at an alarming speed.
It was good to see the
familiar faces present, plus a few members attending the AGM for the first
time. It was especially good to see Chris Cooper, though not wearing his
trademark look of shorts and wellies.
Also, special mention
should be made of Kim Culyer-Dawson, who had travelled from distant North London delayed only by her
Sat-Nav and problems experienced feeding her African Snail (no, please don’t
ask!).
Chairman Brian opened
the meeting and warmly greeted everyone.
After the formalities of
approving last years Minutes and Matters Arising, Brian read out his up-beat report.
The Secretarys report
followed. In it Rosemary formally announced her retirement from office and
thanked the committee. Brian praised Rosemarys part in saving the Branch
from near demise, some years ago.
Michael’s report as Treasurer highlighted the healthy state of Branch finances.
After a quick trawl through the audited accounts, Brian praised Michael’s forty four years of dedicated
service in this office.
Frankie mentioned in her Branch Representatives
report the new Kennel Club Breed Standard and the various personnel
changes affecting the BHC committee. She said that proposed changes to the
Rule Book will directly affect the Branch especially the requirement for
postal voting for officers and committee members. Brian thanked Frankie for her forceful defence of
the Branch at recent BHC committee meetings.
Your Editor praised the
contributions that he had received from members and outlined the results
of the recent Branch survey.
Webmaster Derek gave a
virtual tour of his thoughts about the club web site
announcing South East
Branch Facebook links and blogs etc. and explained some technical matters
to an enthralled audience.
I awoke to Jean’s Walk
Co-ordinator’s report. She spoke of the new members who had suddenly turned up at our recent
meets. She also invited suggestions for new walk venues, possibly away from Ashdown Forest.
Brian and Michael we
re-elected as Chairman and Hon Treasurer; and Frankie was elected,
unopposed, as Hon Secretary.
Any Other Business did
not detain the meeting for long, and the meeting was closed.
We then hurried to the
back of the lovely Tudor Hall for refreshments served with quiet
proficiency by Jill, Jean and Sue.
(Ed. Frankie has asked me to state that she regards it as a tremendous
privilege to serve the Branch in the position of Hon Secretary. She wants
it to be known that she will be as accessible to members as possible.
Please contact Frankie by email at secretary@bassethoundowners.org.uk
Can you help serve the South East Branch?
Brian made an appeal
at the Branch AGM for a suitable member who would like to join us on the
Branch committee. He rightly thought that the ideal candidate should
compliment and balance the strengths of the existing committee members.
With this in mind, and
with an eye to the future, he said that the new member should be from
younger generation so as to give
us a new slant.
Is this you? And if
so, what would serving on the committee involve?
Well, we have about four meetings each year normally held on a mid-week evening. We plan
the walks, Fun Day and other events; and generally deal with matters
affecting the Branch. All you need is to have a love of the breed, and an
enthusiasm to help fellow owners enjoy and celebrate these wonderful
hounds.
If you would like to be considered to be co-opted onto the committee, or just get more
information, please contact any officer or committee member.
Another thing
Also at the AGM, one of the matters raised from the floor was that the committee considers a
use for some of its fairly substantial cash reserves.
Brian pointed out that we were custodians of this money, and that the committee would only
consider worthy and serious uses. That stated, if you have a good idea
that would benefit the breed or the Branch, please let any committee
member know.
And finally
Our very hard working Basset Hound Welfare representative, Sue Sampson is appealing for anyone
who feels that they can provide either long or short term foster homes for needy hounds.
Along with Crufts,
another fixed point on the calendar at this time of the year is the Branch
AGM. As with the dog championship show, this annual event seems to come
around at an alarming speed.
It was good to see the
familiar faces present, plus a few members attending the AGM for the first
time. It was especially good to see Chris Cooper, though not wearing his
trademark look of shorts and wellies.
Also, special mention
should be made of Kim Culyer-Dawson, who had travelled from distant North London delayed only by her
Sat-Nav and problems experienced feeding her African Snail (no, please don’t
ask!).
Chairman Brian opened
the meeting and warmly greeted everyone.
After the formalities of
approving last years Minutes and Matters Arising, Brian read out his up-beat report.
The Secretarys report
followed. In it Rosemary formally announced her retirement from office and
thanked the committee. Brian praised Rosemarys part in saving the Branch
from near demise, some years ago.
Michael’s report as Treasurer highlighted the healthy state of Branch finances.
After a quick trawl through the audited accounts, Brian praised Michael’s forty four years of dedicated
service in this office.
Frankie mentioned in her Branch Representatives
report the new Kennel Club Breed Standard and the various personnel
changes affecting the BHC committee. She said that proposed changes to the
Rule Book will directly affect the Branch especially the requirement for
postal voting for officers and committee members. Brian thanked Frankie for her forceful defence of
the Branch at recent BHC committee meetings.
Your Editor praised the
contributions that he had received from members and outlined the results
of the recent Branch survey.
Webmaster Derek gave a
virtual tour of his thoughts about the club web site
announcing South East
Branch Facebook links and blogs etc. and explained some technical matters
to an enthralled audience.
I awoke to Jean’s Walk
Co-ordinator’s report. She spoke of the new members who had suddenly turned up at our recent
meets. She also invited suggestions for new walk venues, possibly away from Ashdown Forest.
Brian and Michael we
re-elected as Chairman and Hon Treasurer; and Frankie was elected,
unopposed, as Hon Secretary.
Any Other Business did
not detain the meeting for long, and the meeting was closed.
We then hurried to the
back of the lovely Tudor Hall for refreshments served with quiet
proficiency by Jill, Jean and Sue.
(Ed. Frankie has asked me to state that she regards it as a tremendous
privilege to serve the Branch in the position of Hon Secretary. She wants
it to be known that she will be as accessible to members as possible.
Please contact Frankie by email at secretary@bassethoundowners.org.uk
Can you help serve the South East Branch?
Brian made an appeal
at the Branch AGM for a suitable member who would like to join us on the
Branch committee. He rightly thought that the ideal candidate should
compliment and balance the strengths of the existing committee members.
With this in mind, and
with an eye to the future, he said that the new member should be from
younger generation so as to give
us a new slant.
Is this you? And if
so, what would serving on the committee involve?
Well, we have about four meetings each year normally held on a mid-week evening. We plan
the walks, Fun Day and other events; and generally deal with matters
affecting the Branch. All you need is to have a love of the breed, and an
enthusiasm to help fellow owners enjoy and celebrate these wonderful
hounds.
If you would like to be considered to be co-opted onto the committee, or just get more
information, please contact any officer or committee member.
Another thing
Also at the AGM, one of the matters raised from the floor was that the committee considers a
use for some of its fairly substantial cash reserves.
Brian pointed out that we were custodians of this money, and that the committee would only
consider worthy and serious uses. That stated, if you have a good idea
that would benefit the breed or the Branch, please let any committee
member know.
And finally
Our very hard working Basset Hound Welfare representative, Sue Sampson is appealing for anyone
who feels that they can provide either long or short term foster homes for needy hounds.