Minutes of the Annual General Meeting 2009
Annual General Meeting 2009 – Minutes
The 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Red Wyvern Society was held on 17th October 2009 at 2.30pm at New House, Murton, Appleby in Westmor4land, Cumbria, CA16 6ND.
The minutes are as follows:
Present: Adrian Waite, Elaine Waite, Anna Waite, Sheila MacDonald, Newton Bowmer, David Murray, Ginette Murray, Tim Wilson, Kenneth Morrison and Ruth Morrison.
1. Apologies for absence: Ann Bowmer, Daniel Nelson, Jane Nelson, Simon Batchelor, Helen Batchelor.
2. Minutes of the AGM held on13th December 2008: These were agreed as a true record.
3. Matters arising: None reported.
4. Report of the committee on 2009 events: Elaine Waite reported that the group went to Skipton Castle, Muncaster Castle and Thorp Perrow Arboretum and that all events were brilliant as usual and were enjoyed by all.
The trebuchet was a big success at all the events it attended.
Yet again on the Friday evening at Muncaster Castle they invited us to their annual staff BBQ and rounders game, making for a very enjoyable and tasty evening.
Battles attended included Towton, which was a very good event again. The Battlefield Society put on a BBQ which we all enjoyed.
The Blore Heath weekend was unfortunately the last one there and will be missed by all who attended, it was always a great weekend with a good fight even if the battle plan caused a lot of discussion! And the belly dancers were excellent!
Only Mary attended the Tewkesbury Battle weekend and laments the loss of the Clifford bill line on the field. As Mary said, fighting with 1,000 others is always an exceptional experience (I think Mary exaggerates because there is normally 1,500).
5. Financial report 2008/9: Adrian Waite compiled the financial accounts. It was agreed that they are correct and the RWS has a healthy balance.
Have a go archery arrows are on order and paid for, and an additional two bows are to be bought:: action by Adrian Waite.
It was agreed that a rope and stake for a barrier would be purchased: action Elaine Waite.
It was agreed that group subscriptions should remain the same.
The Federation subscriptions may rise after their AGM as there is a proposal to include the cost of their insurance in the fees.
6. Review of the constitution and health and safety policy: It was agreed that no changes are necessary at present.
7. Election of Officers for 2009/10:
Elaine Waite: Chair, Organiser and Secretary.
Adrian Waite: Treasurer, Organiser and Field Captain.
Aaron Robshaw: Archery Captain.
Tim Wilson: Health and Safety Officer and First Aid.
Mary McDonald: Health and Safety Officer.
Ginette Murray: Health and Safety Officer and First Aid.
8. Events for 2010: Unfortunately Thorp Perrow Arboretum has decided not to have us next August Bank Holiday, but it will be missed as it is such a lovely venue. Muncaster Castle has said that they would like us in July and it was agreed to try for earlier in the month. It was agreed that we will continue with Towton, Skipton and Muncaster, plus one other, suggestions were Lanark, Sizergh Castle and Bamburgh Castle and enquiries will be made. Action: Elaine Waite. (Note: Since the meeting it has been agreed to hold our August Bank Holiday event at Muncaster Castle).
It was decided that when ever it is practical other groups would be invited to our events as they have always been. Particularly mentioned were the Neville’s, Stanley’s and Scotch Guard, all having old friends of our group among their members. Action: Elaine Waite
9. Any other business: Daniel Nelson asked that the matter of being authentic when addressing the public be brought up. It was agreed on the importance of this for the reputation of the group as a whole and that we need to keep a watch on this.
Mary MacDonald Proposed that we adopt an Oxford Group tradition of when attending battles giving a chocolate bar or sweets just before dismissal at the camp, this was agreed unanimously. Action: Elaine Waite.
The meeting closed at 4.35pm
The 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Red Wyvern Society was held on 17th October 2009 at 2.30pm at New House, Murton, Appleby in Westmor4land, Cumbria, CA16 6ND.
The minutes are as follows:
Present: Adrian Waite, Elaine Waite, Anna Waite, Sheila MacDonald, Newton Bowmer, David Murray, Ginette Murray, Tim Wilson, Kenneth Morrison and Ruth Morrison.
1. Apologies for absence: Ann Bowmer, Daniel Nelson, Jane Nelson, Simon Batchelor, Helen Batchelor.
2. Minutes of the AGM held on13th December 2008: These were agreed as a true record.
3. Matters arising: None reported.
4. Report of the committee on 2009 events: Elaine Waite reported that the group went to Skipton Castle, Muncaster Castle and Thorp Perrow Arboretum and that all events were brilliant as usual and were enjoyed by all.
The trebuchet was a big success at all the events it attended.
Yet again on the Friday evening at Muncaster Castle they invited us to their annual staff BBQ and rounders game, making for a very enjoyable and tasty evening.
Battles attended included Towton, which was a very good event again. The Battlefield Society put on a BBQ which we all enjoyed.
The Blore Heath weekend was unfortunately the last one there and will be missed by all who attended, it was always a great weekend with a good fight even if the battle plan caused a lot of discussion! And the belly dancers were excellent!
Only Mary attended the Tewkesbury Battle weekend and laments the loss of the Clifford bill line on the field. As Mary said, fighting with 1,000 others is always an exceptional experience (I think Mary exaggerates because there is normally 1,500).
5. Financial report 2008/9: Adrian Waite compiled the financial accounts. It was agreed that they are correct and the RWS has a healthy balance.
Have a go archery arrows are on order and paid for, and an additional two bows are to be bought:: action by Adrian Waite.
It was agreed that a rope and stake for a barrier would be purchased: action Elaine Waite.
It was agreed that group subscriptions should remain the same.
The Federation subscriptions may rise after their AGM as there is a proposal to include the cost of their insurance in the fees.
6. Review of the constitution and health and safety policy: It was agreed that no changes are necessary at present.
7. Election of Officers for 2009/10:
Elaine Waite: Chair, Organiser and Secretary.
Adrian Waite: Treasurer, Organiser and Field Captain.
Aaron Robshaw: Archery Captain.
Tim Wilson: Health and Safety Officer and First Aid.
Mary McDonald: Health and Safety Officer.
Ginette Murray: Health and Safety Officer and First Aid.
8. Events for 2010: Unfortunately Thorp Perrow Arboretum has decided not to have us next August Bank Holiday, but it will be missed as it is such a lovely venue. Muncaster Castle has said that they would like us in July and it was agreed to try for earlier in the month. It was agreed that we will continue with Towton, Skipton and Muncaster, plus one other, suggestions were Lanark, Sizergh Castle and Bamburgh Castle and enquiries will be made. Action: Elaine Waite. (Note: Since the meeting it has been agreed to hold our August Bank Holiday event at Muncaster Castle).
It was decided that when ever it is practical other groups would be invited to our events as they have always been. Particularly mentioned were the Neville’s, Stanley’s and Scotch Guard, all having old friends of our group among their members. Action: Elaine Waite
9. Any other business: Daniel Nelson asked that the matter of being authentic when addressing the public be brought up. It was agreed on the importance of this for the reputation of the group as a whole and that we need to keep a watch on this.
Mary MacDonald Proposed that we adopt an Oxford Group tradition of when attending battles giving a chocolate bar or sweets just before dismissal at the camp, this was agreed unanimously. Action: Elaine Waite.
The meeting closed at 4.35pm
National Association of Re-Enactment Societies (NARES) - Annual General Meeting 2009 - Minutes
The Annual General Meeting of NARES was held on Sunday 22nd November 2009 at 10.30 am at the National Motor bike Museum in Birmingham. We were represented by Mary McDonald. What follows is her report on matters of interest to the Red Wyvern Society.
3:1 – Criminal Records (C.R.U s)
Changes are being phased in over a 1-2 year period. This will mainly affect any members doing school visits. This is due to the fact that children attending events are usually accompanied by an adult, although of course care must still be taken. NAReS strongly advise groups to have a child protection policy, a draft of which is available in NAReS guidelines. NAReS are to compile a draft C.R.U policy.
3:2 – Becoming a Limited company.
Groups should seriously consider this as a safeguard for members, especially committee members, as a safeguard against litigation and court cases. It was decided that NAReS should become a limited company.
4:1 – Chair’s report.
Please check that NAReS has a correct group email contact address.
4:2 – Secretary’s report.
Five new groups joined, the total now in membership is thirty.
4:3 – Treasurer’s report
A slight profit was made and fees may be increased. It was suggested a possible sliding scale of fees which the two largest groups attending thought was a good idea, The committee will meet to discuss the issue. For this year they are asking for donations.
6:4 – Health and Safety
There is new legislation regarding the posting of five safety guidelines on site.
1- If the group applies for a grant you usually ask for an equality policy (grants for all websites) Please provide contact details of health and safety officers.
2 - Water sharing was discussed as several members of a group and a council worker (!) contracted a serious stomach bug. Hepatitis A, B and C and Meningitis can be passed on in this way. Possible solutions suggested were using an ‘A line’ hygiene bottle, a pressure bottle or carrying a personal supply of water or your own cup.
Any other business:
1- A market trader has been convicted of a ‘sex act against a minor’. It is suggested that group rules should state that ‘no one who has a criminal record or is on a sex offenders’ register will be accepted as a member. NAReS recommend putting on the application form the question “are you on a sex offenders’ register?”
2- Standards and levels of training need to be in writing and recorded for safety, equipment, drill and fighting. It can help with insurance, but more importantly in case of problems it shows a group has done all that is possible. As someone said “proof is all” Having listened to all the arguments Mary’s personal opinion is that unfortunately in this day and age the group and its members need to be protected should the worst happen and there is a court or litigation action. This especially applies to committee members.
Therefore Mary is putting forward the following proposals to the committee meeting on the 16th January 2010:
3:1 – Criminal Records (C.R.U s)
Changes are being phased in over a 1-2 year period. This will mainly affect any members doing school visits. This is due to the fact that children attending events are usually accompanied by an adult, although of course care must still be taken. NAReS strongly advise groups to have a child protection policy, a draft of which is available in NAReS guidelines. NAReS are to compile a draft C.R.U policy.
3:2 – Becoming a Limited company.
Groups should seriously consider this as a safeguard for members, especially committee members, as a safeguard against litigation and court cases. It was decided that NAReS should become a limited company.
4:1 – Chair’s report.
Please check that NAReS has a correct group email contact address.
4:2 – Secretary’s report.
Five new groups joined, the total now in membership is thirty.
4:3 – Treasurer’s report
A slight profit was made and fees may be increased. It was suggested a possible sliding scale of fees which the two largest groups attending thought was a good idea, The committee will meet to discuss the issue. For this year they are asking for donations.
6:4 – Health and Safety
There is new legislation regarding the posting of five safety guidelines on site.
1- If the group applies for a grant you usually ask for an equality policy (grants for all websites) Please provide contact details of health and safety officers.
2 - Water sharing was discussed as several members of a group and a council worker (!) contracted a serious stomach bug. Hepatitis A, B and C and Meningitis can be passed on in this way. Possible solutions suggested were using an ‘A line’ hygiene bottle, a pressure bottle or carrying a personal supply of water or your own cup.
Any other business:
1- A market trader has been convicted of a ‘sex act against a minor’. It is suggested that group rules should state that ‘no one who has a criminal record or is on a sex offenders’ register will be accepted as a member. NAReS recommend putting on the application form the question “are you on a sex offenders’ register?”
2- Standards and levels of training need to be in writing and recorded for safety, equipment, drill and fighting. It can help with insurance, but more importantly in case of problems it shows a group has done all that is possible. As someone said “proof is all” Having listened to all the arguments Mary’s personal opinion is that unfortunately in this day and age the group and its members need to be protected should the worst happen and there is a court or litigation action. This especially applies to committee members.
Therefore Mary is putting forward the following proposals to the committee meeting on the 16th January 2010:
- To implement a child protection policy.
- To implement a CRU policy.
- To implement training records.
- To implement risk assessments.
- To implement fire safety guidelines.
- To implement the addition of rules regarding sex offenders and people with criminal records.
- To implement an additional question to the membership form regarding the sex offenders’ register.
- To consider becoming a Limited Company.
