The Annual General Meeting was held on 7th December 2006 at the Marriott Hotel, PORTSMOUTH

AGENDA

1) Apologies for absence:

Richard Bayley, A J Blackler, David Barnett, George Webb, Patrick Tailyour, Keith Trayner, John Robinson, Peter Roberts, GHeorge Angas, Mike Borrow

2) Minutes from AGM 2005:

An amendment to the above minutes was proposed by Ron Caine in that under item 9 Association Functions, no reference had been made to an agreement that the sum of £299 which was returned from the previous 2005 function as a result of a breach of contract, would be made available to support the proposed 2006 September function and that this had in fact been discussed and sanctioned at the meeting. Subject to this amendment, the Minutes on a proposal by Reg Belcourt, seconded by Alan Ewart-James, were accepted as a true record of the meeting of 29th March 2006.

3) Matters arising:

(i) Item 8 Warsash Association Constitution
This item is now listed to be dealt with as Item 8 in this meetings agenda.

(ii) Item 10 Subscriptions and Financial Strategy and to confirm the allocation of funds to the Marine Society for the support of Students studying at Warsash.
The Hon. Treasurer confirmed the fact that the sum of £10,000 had been withdrawn from Association funds and sent to The Marine Society for this purpose. However further contact by the Hon Treasurer and Hon Secretary with Mr. Ian Smith of the Marine Society indicated that the original outline proposals were likely to be unpractical to set up and administer and in consequence a further proposal had been received from Mr. Smith suggesting that the Association use the sum of money to award a cash prize on a yearly basis to the adjudged Best Deck Cadet and Best Engineering Cadet of the year, studying at the Warsash Maritime Academy. It was thought that the sum of £500 to each of the above Cadets annually would be appropriate. The sum of money thus contemplated would support such yearly prizes for a period of ten years. The Hon Secretary reported that he had spoken to Andrew Hair, Head of Professional Studies at the Warsash Maritime Academy who thought that the proposition would be very acceptable and gratefully received by the Cadet's concerned. The Academy usually is able to select the best Cadets, Deck and Engineering towards the end of May each year and subsequently they are presented with a Trophy which they have to eventually return, at a Prize Giving Function attended by other Cadets and Parents in June. Our cash prize cheques could then by presented at this function. Mr. Hair indicated that subject to the size of the venue being suitable, a representative or two of the Warsash Association would be able to attend. It was therefore proposed by Ron Caine and seconded by Alan Ewart-James that the new proposal outlined above by Ian Smith of the Marine Society for the disposal of the monies be adopted with a rider that there now would appear to be no reason for the Marine Society to be involved and that the new proposal could be managed by the Warsash Association and that a request should be made to Ian Smith for the £10,000 to be returned to the Association funds whence it could be re invested by the Hon Treasurer to fund the awards as above. This proposal was approved without dissention.
Ron Caine proposed that he would contact the Editor of the Nautilus Telegraph to see if the matter could be publicised. Hon Secretary to contact Ian Smith regarding the return of the £10,000

(iii) Item 11 Any other Business- History of the Warsash Association
George Angas who was not able to be present at this meeting had sent word that he was willing to assist anyone who was willing to research our History. Hon Sec reported that he had visited the Warsash Academy Library but as yet had found little to assist. The library had on its shelves copies of "All Hands" dating from April 1949 to 1966 which was first produced by The School of Navigation and as such, gives a very good historical record of the Cadets and activities during that period but there is little on record regarding the setting up of "The Old Cadets Association" which lapsed in the mid 1970's or the setting up of the Warsash Association in 1984 at the request of Captain Phelan by Capt.T.J.Metcalfe and others.

4) Election, Officers and Committee:

The Hon. Secretary reported that he had not received any nominations for any position on the Committee apart from Peter Roberts, who though unable to attend the meeting had offered his service as Membership Secretary and therefore those present at the meeting and currently in office volunteered their services to fill the same posts and were duly elected.

Chairman:- Khan Rashid
Hon. Secretary:- John Downs
Hon. Treasurer and "All Hands" Editor:- Alan Ewart-James.
Membership Secretary:- Peter Roberts
Events Secretary:- Ron Caine
Committee Member - Reg Belcourt

In addition 3 new Committee Members volunteered and were elected,
these were Jeff Pitman, John Reeves and Michael Rose.

The chairman drew attention to the fact that George Angas who had served on the Committee for several years, now wished to stand down due to other commitments and therefore his resignation was accepted and a vote of thanks were expressed in respect of his previous service to the Association.

5) Chairman's report:

The Chairman's report was received. In this report, the Chairman recorded that he had made two attempts to fill the now vacant position of President without success and that the position should now remain vacant to enable an immediate appointment of a suitable person, when found, to be made by the Committee rather than wait until the next A.G.M. This statement was endorsed by the Committee without dissention.

6) Financial report:

The Financial report was received and in this report, the Hon Treasurer reported that it did not include the sum of £10,000 which had since been sent to the Marine Society as in item 3 (ii) of these minutes

7) The Membership Secretary's report:

Hon. Secretary is to request Membership Secretary to write a further letter to those who had not renewed their membership in an attempt to seek them to renew or the reason why they were not renewing.

8) Warsash Association Constitution:

(Please see separate copy documents attached, outlining the proposed amendments and a copy of the New Constitution.) Ron Caine laid out his proposed amendments to the existing Constitution and the reasons as to why there was a need for such amendments.

9) Future Social Activities:

(i) Ron Caine gave full details of the event being planned for 2007, which is to be a weekend cruise on the Oriana sailing from Southampton on 20th October and returning after a day in Zeebrugge, to Southampton on 22nd October. The cost of a 2 berth outside cabin on A deck being £240 per person. It was agreed that initially 10 cabins would be booked immediately because of the high public demand and that the Association would financially support the deposit for these cabins, to retain them and that this money would be returned to the Association by the travel agents when the full amount was paid by those members participating. Several persons have already expressed interest and early booking is advisable. It was agreed that this function would also be open to family or friends and that further Cabins could be possibly booked to cater for this but of course in that case, the Association would not cover the initial cash deposit.
(ii) Ron Caine also drew attention to the fact that 2009 marks the 25th anniversary of the Association and that this should be marked with a special event. Members are invited to contact The Chairman or Hon Secretary with any constructive ideas as to how this event could be best celebrated.

10) Subscriptions and financial strategy:

The Hon Treasurer reported that there was no need to alter or adjust any of the present arrangements.

11) Any other business:

(i) A suggestion from Ron Caine that a list of Members Email addresses be maintained and inserted into future copies of All Hands, was seen as useful, but difficult to maintain, as these addresses were often changed without notification. In fact, information received from the Membership Secretary prior to the meeting, indicated that this had been tried on a previous occasion but had soon become obsolete due to that very fact.
(ii) A suggestion from David Barnett with regard to a list of Association Members names and addresses being circulated, again was seen as useful, however prior information received from the Membership Secretary revealed that this subject had been raised previously in 1998 at an A.G.M and that although the then Committee had agreed to it in principal, it was felt that some Members might object to their details being included and that the matter would have to be circulated in All Hands, to see if there were any such objections prior to any list being prepared also difficulty again would be experienced in keeping such a list up to date.

There being no further business, the meeting then closed at 1225hrs.

Hon Secretary of the Warsash Association, John Downs can be contacted at 32 Bury Hall Lane, Alverstoke, Gosport, Hants or via Email johndowns@buryhalllane.freeserve.co.uk