The Annual General Meeting was held on 27th September 2003 at the Novotel, SOUTHAMPTON

The meeting was attended by the following members:-

AGENDA

1) Apologies for absence

2) Minutes from AGM 2002 were received and accepted

3) Matters arising: It was noted with some regret the 'distancing' of the Association from the Warsash Maritime Centre. It was discussed whether a hosted evening for students would increase interest in the Association and it was AGREED that the Chairman would write to the Head of WMC with a view to raising discussions on a hosted evening and the possibility of holding the AGM at the Centre.
Ron Caine reported on coverage of the 2002 dinner in the Southern Echo and the NUMAST TELEGRAPH and the DAILY TELEGRAPH. After some discussion it was AGREED to retain the initiatives including the submission to the Daily Telegraph on the basis any of these could have lead to the subsequent on-line enquiries.

4) Election, Officers and committee: It was proposed and AGREED without opposition that the current members of the Committee and Officers of the Association retain their positions. In addition it was proposed by Iain Craik that Reg Belcourt be elected to the Committee and it was proposed by the Chairman that George Angas be elected to the Committee. Both proposals were AGREED without opposition.

5) Chairman's report: The Chairman's report was received and discussed. It was AGREED that only expenses associated with contacting the membership or recruiting new members would be re-imbursed. It was AGREED that we would continue to support the annual gathering of members but noted that we had a duty of care respect the membership contributions made by members over many years.

6) Financial report: The Financial report was received and accepted. Thanks were recorded to Alan Ewart-James for his excellent presentation of the finances.

7) The Membership Secretary's report: The Membership Secretary's report was received and thanks recorded to Peter Roberts for his compilation of this information.

8) Association Function 2004: Prior to discussing the function for 2004 it was noted that the International Festival of the Sea would return again to the South Coast in 2005.

It was AGREED that we should seek to hold and event that combined the opportunity for members to attend the Festival and to meet an the Annual Dinner.

It was AGREED that the Chairman investigate a potential solution with the MARRIOTT Hotel Portsmouth, with a view to providing an 'all-in' package of accommodation, Association dinner and entrance to the Festival of the Sea.

It was AGREED that the 2004 function should provide a 'dry run' for the 2005 event by seeking to combine an activity in the local area with the Association dinner.

It was AGREED that George Angas would report back to the Committee by the end of November so that a decision could be made and notice put in the winter edition of ALL HANDS. Ron Caine agreed to assist in this project.

9) Any other business: It was AGREED that the Honorary Secretary would write to Peter and Jacqueline Roberts to record thanks to them both for their huge efforts in organising the Association dinners over the past few years.

It was noted with regret that Peter felt unable to continue with this work in the future.

It was AGREED that the next ALL HANDS would include a call for additional articles and information.

It was AGREED to continue the promotion of the Association through publications such as:-
Ø NUMAST Telegraph
Ø Seaways
Ø The Seafarer
Ø Sea Breezes
Ø Company House Magazines
Actionee for this to be Ron Caine

It was AGREED to continue to support Warsash Maritime Centre 'Cadet of the Year' awards for each discipline and that the prize value should be increased to around £125 for each winner.

It was AGREED to record a special note of thanks to Alan Ewart-James for his running of the Web-Site and acting as Editor of the ALL HANDS alongside his already onerous duties as Treasurer.