Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on
Saturday 26 October 2002
at Le Strange Arms Hotel, Old Hunstanton.
 

The meeting was brought to order by the Chairman (Michael Catterick) in order to remember Isabel Pott, Mary Bone and Anna Godfrey all of whom have died since the last AGM.

1. Apologies were received from the following members,

John Barrett, Rachel Gunter, Louise Taylor. Geraldine Ellison (Moorhouse) Rachel Golby (Gunter), Geoffrey Haysmore, Bill Kelly (Staff), Judith Polson (Boggis), Les Roberts, Mike Shellock, Mike Smith, John Worboys, Marcus Wortley.

2. Minutes of the 2001 Annual General Meeting.
        The Chairman presented the minutes of the 2001 AGM and asked the membership to accept the contents as a true record of proceedings.
        This was accepted.

3. Matters arising - None.

4. Chairman’s Report.
        Michael welcomed Martin Graville back after his serious illness and said how delighted the members of the committee were that he was able to continue with his work as editor of the Mitre and Membership Secretary.
        Thanks also went to Bill Cullin who had immediately taken over Martin’s duties when the seriousness of his condition was known, and had produced the Mitre single-handedly, and had also maintained the membership records, no mean achievement.
        Michael said that there had been two committee meetings during the year in March and July to confirm the arrangements for the October reunion and to discuss other committee responsibilities.
        Discussing the committee structure Michael suggested that the present Quorum of five should be reduced to four and that those who did not regularly attend meetings should stand down from the committee.
        Michael thanked the hardworking members of the committee and especially Ian Dupont who had served for eleven years as Treasurer and who now feels that he has done his stint. Geoff Kimberley has kindly agreed to replace Ian as treasurer.

5. Treasurer’s Report.

        Ian Dupont said that there would be 58 for Dinner this year.
        He thanked Bill Cullin for producing the Mitre at minimal cost as he does the work himself instead of sending it out for printing.
        There was a donation of £50 to the British Heart Foundation.


6. Membership Secretary’s Report -

        I beg to report the membership of the Old Michaelian Association as at the above date is as follows
        The Association succeeded in renewing all but 9 (out of 38) of the 2001 subscriptions and expects to increase this by one. Only 10 subscriptions are still outstanding for 2002.
        The success of the Website www.oma.org.uk cannot be over-emphasised as we have increased the known whereabouts of Old Michaelian’s by no fewer than 21 and the membership by 12 since the last AGM. Unfortunately the membership figure has to be set against the fact that 9 OM’s chose not to renew their subscription in 2001, we also lost 2 honorary members in Anna Godfrey and Mary Bone.
        The Mitre by e-mail has proved to be a tremendous success and will be continued into 2003, saving the Association the cost of the overseas postage which was becoming excessive.
        My thanks must go to Bill Cullin for keeping the ship afloat during my enforced absence he has proved that no one is indispensable as he took on the mantle of Membership Secretary and Mitre Editor with great panache. His input into the Old Michaelian Association in 2002 cannot be overstated.
        Details of membership are as follows:-

        I would say that this has been a very productive and successful year for the Association and I would commend this report to the Meeting

7. Proposed re-introduction of President.
        Michael proposed that after a ten year gap without a President and with the Associations 50th year in 2003, enough time had elapsed since the death of Roger Pott to think again about filling this position. It was agreed to remove the name of the President from the Standing Orders.
        Simon Pott attends almost all reunions and regularly makes relevant and amusing speeches. He in effect has carried on the duties of his father as President. There was some discussion about the legality of whether the position should remain vacant or not. Simon had been sounded out and had written a delightful letter agreeing to fill the post subject to AGM approval. The motion was put to the membership and passed by an overwhelming show of hands.

8. Election of Chairman.
        The Secretary asked those present for any nominations for Chairman. There were none and Michael agreed to continue for a further year.

9. Election of Secretary.
        The Chairman nominated the present secretary and there being no other nominations, John King agreed to stand for a further year.

10. Election of Treasurer.
        The replacement of Ian Dupont by Geoff Kimberley due to his previous banking experience had been agreed at the last committee meeting and was confirmed unanimously at the AGM.

11. Election of Committee members.
        Mukhlis Oweis proposed that the remaining members of the committee be re-elected ‘en bloc’ and this was agreed. They are John Barrett, Ruth Chilvers, Bill Cullin, Martin Graville, Robert Hill, Rachel Gunter, and Louise Taylor, with Michael Chilvers as a co-opted member .

12. Suggestions for special events for 50th Anniversary weekend (2003)

        Nigel Packer had suggested a Golf tournament.
Martin to inquire who would be interested via the Mitre.
Bob Hill suggested music for the dinner.
Michael suggested a medal or tie for the 50th or
Paintings of Ingoldisthorpe of either school or Church, by Barbara Graville.
All suggestions will be considered by the Chairman for discussion by the Committee at a future meeting.

13. Any other business.
        Ian Dupont said that the seating plan for the dinner had as far as possible been arranged in age groups in the hope that members who attended the school at the same time would be seated together. This is apart from those who had already arranged to sit with friends.
        Ian said that the account book had been audited.
        Tom Healey raised the problem of access to the upstairs bar of the Mariners for the disabled. It was decided that an area of the ground floor bar would in future be used.
        David (Chris) Winter who had come from Tasmania for the occasion to meet up with his former school colleagues, and proposes to return next year, wished to make a vote of thanks on behalf of all those outside the UK, for keeping them informed of the activities of the OMA. He had been overwhelmed by the warmth of his reception and was looking forward to meeting more Om’s at the dinner.

        There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 4.40 p.m. The attendance was 23.