MINUTES OF THE 230 SQUADRON
ASSOCIATION ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) HELD AT THE PETWOOD HOTEL, WOODALL SPA
AT 1530 HRS ON SATURDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2008
1.
Chairman’s Opening Remarks. The Chairman welcomed
every body to the 2008 AGM and thanked them for being here.
2. Approval
of the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 1st September
2007 at 230 Squadron’s headquarters. The minutes were approved by Mr John Leeks and
seconded by Mr John Sayers.
3. Matters
Arising from the Minutes. Action from the Membership Registrar: Spouses of ‘late’ members will receive the
Association newsletter. The Chairman
was pleased that all were receiving and had been informed very positively. Action
was still ongoing to increase membership across current squadron members. It was generally accepted the Squadron was
very busy and it was still hoped that more interest could be fostered. All members were encouraged to inform the
committee of any known address changes.
No reply had been heard from either Mr George Blackie, he had paid his
dues and little information had been forthcoming re information for the
Squadron Association web site. Mr John
Leeks did say that he had forwarded a DVD, which had been received by the
Chairman and was in the process of being put onto the web site. The web site is in the process of being
updated.
4. The
Membership Registrar’s report for the Year.
Mr Brian Collins informed the
meeting that the association had 168 Full Members and 35 Associate
Members. This represented an increase
in Full Membership over the year.
However, a few still had to pay their dues. Some discussion took place with regard to wider membership and
the future organisation. There was no
appetite at present for a merger with another Sqn association and it was thought
that we should continue as we are for now.
Numbers had been fairly steady over the last few years. Discussion took place with regard to other
‘ideas’, Mr David Bailey mentioned 202 Sqn, who used a reunion function for an
award presentation. Options were
discussed for formats when the Sqn moves back to the mainland. The Chairman will write to the Squadron
Commander to inform him of the ‘Airman of the Year Award’ and the timing of
next year’s Association Reunion date.
Debate ranged over several issues and contact mechanisms were
discussed. Should we use e-mail
listings, hard post et al? The
newsletter was being sent electronically and hard copy to those still requiring
it. It was agreed that the newsletter
should be sent to crew rooms across the SH Force in an attempt to reach more
people. The Chairman summed up by
saying that whilst numbers were slightly up we should upgrade the ‘Airman of
the Year’ award and make an effort to widen publicity.
5. The
Treasurer’s Report for the Year. Whilst the Treasurer was absent, due to work
commitments, he had provided a balance sheet as requested. Membership dues continued to cover
‘outgoings’, however, he had suggested that we should discuss increasing the
membership dues. Costs are rising fast
and there will be a point in the near future where membership dues will not
cover the Association costs.
The Chairman suggested a
rise of £1 per annum to the meeting for discussion. Discussion followed and Mr Bob Turner suggested that the
Association should send out an amended Standing Order to all members. Was there likely to be a further large
expenditure, Squadron History, next year?
Mr John Leeks suggested that we should wait until next year to see how
the balance was looking before making an increase to the Membership fees. Discussion centred on how the Association
could move the outstanding copies of the Squadron history. Wide ranging discussion resulting in the
consensus that e-mail should be the preferred means of sending out information
amongst association members.
It was proposed by Mr John
leeks that we should leave the Membership fees as they are for this year and
reassess next year. Mr Rod Goodier
suggested that we may want to increase fees and be more proactive in ‘marketing’
the Association. Mr David Bailey
suggested that the Committee should put plans to Association members ahead of
next year’s AGM.
Association dues will stay
the same. AGM in full agreement.
6. The
Election of Members to the Association Committee. The proposal was that
the current committee will stay as is for the next year. Mr Bob Turner proposed a vote of thanks to
the Committee for all their efforts.
The AGM fully agreed that the Committee members were all re-elected to
serve another year.
7. The
Approval of the Annual Subscription Rate.
See above. No change this year.
8. The
Location and Format of the Association’s 2009 and 2010 Reunion. Wide
discussion took place with regard to the 2009 reunion. It was generally agreed that a reunion
hosted by the Squadron, either at Aldergrove or Benson was not realistic. Various options were discussed centred on a
‘Midlands’ option and an ‘Odiham’ option.
Should we ask the current Squadron Commander if he would be happy to
host the Association? The AGM was happy
for the Committee to make a decision on venue.
The dates to be considered for the 2009 reunion were the weekend 26/27
September or 3/4 October 2008.
During the evening Sqn Ldr
Palmer informed the Chairman and secretary that the Sqn Cdr was very keen to
host the Association, at Aldergrove, for what would be the last time before the
Sqn relocates to RAF Benson. The
Chairman would write to the Sqn Cdr and confirm the best weekend for the
reunion. This will most likely be the
weekend of the 3&4 October 2009.
Once this has been confirmed members will be informed accordingly. The Committee are very grateful for the
continued support of the Sqn.
9. Any
Other Business. There was no advance notification of Any Other
Business. Mr Eddie Bardgett presented 2
DVDs, which he had been loaned from the Imperial War Museum. These proved excellent and were thoroughly
enjoyed by the AGM.
The Chairman raised the
issue of Christmas cards. Should we
have a special card? It was generally
agreed that the Chairman would send some special cards to the Squadron, both at
home base and deployed locations.
The AGM discussed the wish
to have some professional photo’s taken during the Reunion. This is something that should be considered
at Aldergrove in 2009, given that it will mark the end of the Sqn’s current
commitment to the Province.
There been no further issues
the meeting was closed at 1710 hrs
Ian K Bell
I K BELL. Secretary No 230 Squadron Association Secretary/
ian.bell@caeats.co.uk