MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF BENAVISTA BOWLS CLUB HELD ON 20^TH MARCH 2008 AT 10.30am AT EL PARAISO COUNTRY CLUB.

 

Present: 43 members

Proxy Votes: 10

Apologies: See attached list.

President Tony Farmer welcomed the members and asked for 3 tellers for when votes were held. These were Doreen Musgrove, Jan McManus and Neil Marshall.

1. The minutes of the last meeting were accepted.

2. There were no matters arising from the last minutes.

3. Tony Farmer gave his Presidents report. In which he thanked all the members for their running of the Sunday Competitions. He thanked the Social committee especially Diane Needham who manages to make people part with their money at raffle time! He thanked all the other members of the committee for their roles and contributions to the smooth running of the club. He also congratulated members for all the wins in the many competitions up and down the coast. (A full copy of the report is attached.)

4. The Captain Dennis King started by thanking all the members of the committee for all their hard work during the last year, he also thanked the selection committee saying they were never going to have an easy job, but he thought they had done a good job although there were members who would not agree. He also thank Hughie, the staff of the bowling club for keeping us fed and watered throughout the year and Barry Pemberton for maintaining the green. He said we had had another successful year with members winning many competitions, and he congratulated Malcolm Greenwood for being selected to play for Spain. He said in some ways it had been a stressful year and frustrating at times and he told those members who felt disgruntled with the way things were done, they had the solution in their own hands. They should stand for the election to the committee! Put up or shut up! He then wished the incoming committee good luck in the coming year. He finished by sending the best wishes of the club to Brian Powell, who had been rushed into hospital the previous day with an aneurism in the stomach, and hoping he had a speedy and full recovery. (A full copy of the report is attached.)

5. Russell Roper the treasurer opened by saying that although our bank balance looks healthy it had increased from €5119.48 at the beginning of the financial year to €5907.39 included in that figure was €1380.00 in subscriptions for the year 2008 plus stock of €728 so that once the balance was adjusted to take into account these figures we actually ended the year with a deficit of €150. He listed the various fund raising events we had held and also what stock we had. He said that we must have a fund in the bank in the event a sponsor pulled out of a competition and the club had to fund the prizes. This had almost happened twice in the last year! He had prepared a budget for the coming year which would entail a possible spend of €2914.00 this was offset against the collection of club membership fees of €2090 this left us a shortfall of €824. He concluded that in his opinion the club membership fees from September 2008 would have to be increased.

 

Tony Farmer then took over and put the case for increase in club membership fees. He said that it could be seen that a shortfall of €824 divided between 140 members would amount to an annual increase of €6 but the committee had taken into account the position of the £ to the € and had decided to only ask the members to pay an increase of €2 taking the annual membership fee from €15 to €17. The club would cover the extra €4. He said that we came close to not having a sponsor for the March Classic but Datalink had stepped in at the last minute and had covered the Prize money and much more! He reminded us that we should not rely on the raffles to keep the club solvent. He then asked for questions from the floor for either Russell of himself regarding the financial report. Dorothy Smith asked if it has compulsory for members to join the Federation Tony had said compulsory was not the word he would have used. But, it was required that every member who played at Benavista for more than 4 weeks per year joined the Federation, as voted on at the 2007 AGM and carried by 47 votes to 2. Tony Bluett asked if the Federation fee would be increasing this year. Tony Farmer said he had not been informed about an increase, but if there was one he did not believe it would be more than 1or 2 euros’ . Gordon Adams asked Russell about the expenditure on the balance sheet regarding league teas. On the balance sheet it showed a figure of €720 for league teas, but as far as he knew we had not had any refreshments provided by the club this season. He was told that due to the abuse of the ordering drinks during the first half of the year (on one occasion a bill of €72 was run up after one match) the committee decided to stop providing drinks on the club. Brenda Marshall said that other clubs provided pots of tea would it be possible for us to do the same.

Tony then asked for a proposer and a seconder for the increase in membership fees from €15 to €17.

David Finestone proposed and Bert Campbell seconded. The vote was carried unanimously. Tony the asked for a proposer and seconder for the acceptance of the accounts.

Acceptance of the accounts was proposed by Ian Anthony and seconded by Frances Farmer.

(A full copy of the accounts and the treasurers report are attached).

 

6. The Owner of the Club Hughie Holgate was then invited to address the members. He said he was pleased to be here this year, especially after last year when he was given the wrong date! He said he had been in discussion with San Miguel who were keen to sponsor a competition at Benavista and he said he would keep the new committee informed as to the progress of the talks. He said he had been in touch with his partner in England Trevor Price and they were very happy the way things were shaping up at the club. He had attended meeting of the Owners Committee with Tony and had noticed that most of the clubs were having some sort of trouble with finances. He said that he would be pulling his horns in a little as, as we had reported the £ was very weak against the €, but he would he would still go ahead with the planned improvements. He announced that as from September 1^st the playing fees would be increased. The yearly fee would be €380, the 9 monthly fee €350 and the pay as you play fee would increase to €7. He said he had not been able to take over the club until last June but had agreed with Peter that the new green could be laid. He was shocked at the state the club had been allowed to get in, There was no food, the stock was always running out, and half the time the club house only opened on club days. Peter had totally lost interest and it had taken a lot of effort by Hughie and the staff to get the club up and running again, which it now is! He has now solved most of the problems and very happy he has managed to have such a relationship with the President Tony Farmer. He did not realise how much hard work went into the running of the bowling club and the organisation of the CDSL. He said he hoped to get more social events going during the warmer weather, maybe Bar-B-Q’s, or just social evenings. He is also trying to organise a storage area for bowls kit. Hughie said he was very happy the way things were going. He then said he would take questions. Ken McBride asked if Hughie had thought how the increase in fees could effect the majority of members who were pensioners on a fixed income in light of the weak pound. He thought less members may pay the annual & 9 monthly fees. Ian Anthony asked if there was a possibility of a 6 month membership for a set period say October-March. Hughie said it was a definite possibility and he would look into the costings. Doreen Land said she and Geoff would both like to register their support for Hughie and the way he was now running the club house, and she hoped that all the members felt the same way.

Bert Campbell asked why we did not have more competitions yet. He said he asked the same question last year and said that members would much prefer to play at home rather than travel up and down the coast. Tony said we now have the structure to run more competitions and the sponsors to do it. It was thought as our facilities get better we could pick up more members. It was thought the majority wanted to stay at home and bowl, with some wanting structured events and otherS enjoying fun competitions. Most did not want competitions to interfere with club days and Tony said how he had had his ear bent by 1 member complaining that during the Andalucian Championships we had not made arrangements for club days. Doreen Musgrove said she agreed with idea of 6 monthly membership.

Sandy Guthrie said the Club Triples Championships notice had been taken down because it had clashed with the Champion of Champions competition and he also said he would put up an entry form for a Sunday Easter Competition.

Sandy then asked Hughie about the prices of food and drink in the club as most members actual incomes were going down due to the exchange rate. Hughie said he was conscious of this and had decided not raise the prices in the club house or Los Arcos this year. It was also asked if Hughie held Bar-B-Q’s would they be open to the public, he said yes.

Frances Bluett asked if there were competitions could the organisers ensure they did not cut into club days as she and many other members did not play in competitions. Tony said there would have to be compromise but they would try their best.

 

7. Under the By-Laws governing Sports Clubs in Spain we were being asked to sign to say we would abide by them. The main point being we have to get the permission of the AGM to sign but as the regulations we are required to sign run to a 44 pages document which we could not ask every member to read, and the majority of those who had read it could not understand it. It was thought unfair to ask the AGM for it’s approval. One of the problems was it treated all sports clubs the same whether there were 50 members or 50,000. We would have to have an electoral college to decide which of the candidates who had put their names down for election would be invited for interview! Once they were approved they would then be invited to stand for office and then would be appointed for 4 years. Gordon said that we he was not happy with this document and we had no idea what would the implications if he refused to sign on the clubs behalf, and wanted to defer the decision.

Steve McManus proposed that we authorise Tony Farmer, Gordon Adams and Tony Winterton to thoroughly investigate the document and if necessary call an EGM so it can be put to the members. Ken McBride seconded the proposal.

 

8. We then came to proposal received from 2 members to alter the structure of the selection committee. Tony Farmer asked Peter Fry to explain his suggestion of a 3 member committee to be elected at the AGM. Peter said he and other members were not happy with some of the decisions made by the selection committee, he said there was a lot of unrest. He thought the members of the committee had a lot on their plates and that an independent selection committee would be better. Doreen Musgrove asked why we needed to change, Barry Pemberton thought it was an insult not to include the Captain or Vice Captain. Malcolm thought Committee members should be asked if they wanted to serve on the selection committee. Bert Campbell said he thought the selection policy was wrong, you should have the best players in the 1^st team and so on. Roger Fabron said he thought that a 3 person selection committee was open to abuse. Audrey Miles asked what criteria would be used to pick the best players. Tony asked who would the 3 person committee be responsible to . Gordon Adams said they should responsible to the Captain and the Vice Captain who organise club day and see the form of most players. It was suggested that we keep the selection committee as is and co-opt other members as necessary.

Tony Wright was then asked to explain his suggestion for the selection committee. He said he would have the President as Chairman of the committee and he thought this would be a more flexible way to pick the teams. When asked how they would be chosen he also said by election at the AGM. Neil Marshall asked if it was possible to know who had put their name down for election to the committee. Tony Farmer read out the list and asked if we could have a vote on the proposals to change the format of the selection committee.

Tony asked the membership to vote yes if they wanted to keep the status quo, against the 3 member committee.

Status Quo 32 votes

3 Member committee 11 votes.

We then voted for the status quo against the 4 man plus President committee, this vote was very close with some members still uncertain and wanting more clarification. Ken asked if the present selection committee, wanted, could they co-opt someone else from outside the committee. The answer was the committee have the power to co-opt any body they want to help in any way they want.

The second vote was held.

The Status Quo 29 votes

The 4 member committee + the President 21 votes.

 

The AGM voted to keep the Status Quo regarding the selection committee.

 

9. The AGM agreed to the registration of the AGM minutes and the committee with the Junta at Estepona.

10. Election of the new committee.

A vote was needed for the selection of the Vice Captain between Ken McBride and Margaret Watson. Ken McBride was duly elected.

A vote was needed for the selection committee member between Peter Fry and Phil Coates. Peter Fry was duly elected.

All other committee members were elected unopposed.

President:- Gordon Adams

Vice President:- Bert Campbell

Captain:- Dennis King

Vice Captain:- Ken McBride

Competition Secretary:- Alan Bates

Treasurer:- Russell Roper

Secretary:- Doreen Fabron

Ordinary Member:- Roy Wilkins

Ordinary Member

Selection Committee:- Peter Fry

The adoption of the new committee was proposed by Roger Fabron

Seconded by Frances Farmer.

11. 3 Members volunteered to sign the minutes of the AGM as a true record. Doreen Musgrove, Neil Marshall and Roy Wilkins.

 

12. Frances Bluett proposed a vote of thanks to Tony Farmer and all the retiring committee for their hard work over the last year. At this point Doreen Fabron took over and presented Tony Farmer, Bill Ogden and Geoff Land with tokens of appreciation from the members. She also presented Frances Farmer who was resigning as chair of the Social Committee with a small token in appreciation of the hard work she had done over the last 2 years.

 

Gordon Adams the new President then took over the chair and said he was pleased and proud to be elected and hoped he would be able to say at the end that he was pleased and proud to have served as President. He said that he knew the new committee would do its best to serve the club and hopefully make it better still over the next year. He thanked the previous committee and especially Geoff Land who had proved himself a splendid member of the club. He promised to try and keep his speeches short and he wished Brian Powell a speedy recovery and sent the clubs best wishes to Brenda Powell.

 

The Main part of the AGM Closed at 12.45pm.

A.O.B

1. A letter was read out by Doreen Musgrove from Ros Wright saying that she hoped that the club would return to the way it was without all the backbiting and infighting (Copy attached)

2. Gordon hoped that he would be able to have a good relationship with Hughie just as Tony had had.

3. Frances Farmer asked if it was possible for the members of the committee to have badges with their positions on. It was agreed to look into the purchase of badges.

4. It was asked if the web site could have more information regarding results of League etc. Doreen Fabron to investigate.

5. Hughie said he had asked Jo to attend the meeting so as she could see what went on and what concerned the members. He asked if we could have liaison meeting say once a month with himself, Jo and a member of the committee to establish what was going on in the next month. He also said he saw no reason why he could not put on tea after league matches. He would buy some teapots and cups and provide tea and biscuits at a reasonable cost.

The meeting closed at 1.05pm.

Due to the fact Doreen Musgrove has returned to England David Finestone agreed to sign the minutes as a true record.

Signed as true record.

 

 

 

David Finestone Neil Marshall Roy Wilkins