St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers Club

Minutes of the 88^th Annual General Meeting

 held at St Mary Moorfields, 4-5 Eldon Street, London EC2M 7LS

 at 4.00pm on Saturday, 13th October 2018

15 members were present at the meeting, excluding those on the top table.  Of these, one apologized for arriving late because of transport difficulties.

Apologies for absence were received from, Carol Anley, John Burbage, Maureen Cahalane, Frances Carey, Mary Fuller, Maureen Furlong, Michelle Gangmueller, Pauline Lobo, Kevin MacNamara, Geoff Mallett, Keith Marshall, Norah Marshall, Gillian McLauchlan, Susan Quarrier, Mary Sampson, Ron Scott, Angela Shardlow, Maria Vaz and Anne Walsh.

The meeting was chaired by Fr. Chris Vipers, the parish priest at St Mary Moorfields.  Also on the top table were Antoinette Adkins, Paul Connolly, David Crundall and Maurice Hickman.  [Minutes by David Crundall.]

1. The meeting started at 4.17pm. The Peace Prayer of St Francis was recited.

2. The Minutes of the 87^th AGM (2017).

These were read out and approved, and signed off by Fr. Chris.

3. Matters arising from the Minutes.

It should be a leader's own decision as to whether to announce their mobile phone number in connection with a walk.

4. Secretary’s Report.

Maurice Hickman read out the following:-

A holiday was organised in Cornwall, and also some members went on a walking pilgrimage to Buckfast Abbey from Salisbury.  There was one person who resigned from the Club's committee, meaning that it was down to 6 members.  I hope to retire myself from the Secretary post in the not too distant future.

Maurice added that he would be happy to continue as Secretary until his 80th birthday in 2019.

5. Membership Secretary’s report.

Antoinette Adkins reported that she had received 48 enquiries since the last AGM – a decrease from last year.  The Club was no longer benefiting from a free advertisement in the Westminster Record.  Feedback continues to be positive - that ours is a friendly and welcoming club.  Antoinette tells prospective members that they are welcome to do half a walk (presumably if public transport is available).  Progress is being made with the flyer promoting the Club, which it seems will be a pocket-sized card.  Antoinette Adkins can collect membership subscriptions on behalf of John Burbage.  We have had about 5 new members since the last Annual General Meeting.

6. Treasurer’s Report and Independent Examiner’s Report.

David Crundall read out the report by Roger Yelland entitled "Report of the Examining Accountant to the Committee of the St Francis of Assisi Catholic Ramblers Club", dated 10 October 2018.  This pertained to Roger's audit of the accounts, dated 8 Oct 2018, which he found satisfactory.  David then ensured that everyone present received a copy of John Burbage's document entitled "St Francis Ramblers - Financial Statement", showing (after his report) the figures as at 8 Oct 2018.

There was much discussion about this, especially the options to reduce the costs of printed Programmes.  Ann Brooks suggested increasing the annual subscription, though the reasons why must be explained in the Programme.  Paul Connolly agreed.  Roger Yelland said that only half of the members were actually paying a subscription (the rest presumably being life members).  Antoinette Connolly suggested that we should ask life members to pay if they wanted to receive their Programme in the post.  Father Chris said we could not increase the subscription now because there was no motion.  He proposed to return to the matter under Any Other Business.  Robert Slater said he found the presentation or layout of the Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Account a little unusual and not so easy to understand.  He asked that this be relayed back to John Burbage. 

7. Ramble List Compiler’s Report.

Paul Connolly expressed regret at Paul Brunning's impending retirement from leading. 

8. Election of the new Committee.

The following members of the Committee remain unchanged: Antoinette Adkins, John Burbage, Paul Connolly, David Crundall, Maurice Hickman and Maria Vaz.  Ben Sealy has now finished her much valued stint as an ex officio member of the Committee.  Henriette van Zaelen decided to resign from the Committee earlier in the year.  We are very pleased to welcome Antoinette Connolly onto the Committee - she is happy to be referred to as "Ant" to avoid confusion with Antoinette Adkins.

    Election of Independent Examiners.

Roger Yelland is (presumably) happy to act as one again ??

9. Any other business.

Robert Slater raised the question of injuries, and mentioned a specimen of an Incident Report.  Father Chris asked what the Club's insurance covers, and said that an Accident Report Form would prove that the Club takes safety seriously.  Joe O'Reilly said that leaders should state how many stiles there are on each walk.

Roger Yelland spoke about the Day of Recollection on Sunday 7 Oct at the Poor Clares Convent, Arkley.

    Motion to increase the Club's annual subscription from £7

Father Chris organised a vote for (A) leaving the annual subscription at £7; (B) raising it to £10; (C) raising it to £12.  There were 2 votes for £7, 9 for £10 and 9 for £12.  On a second vote there were 10 for £10, and 10 for £12.  Father Chris used his position as chairman to propose an increase to £12 (at some time in the future??) with immediate effect.

10. Date of next Annual General Meeting.

The date of the next meeting will be on Saturday 19 October 2019 at 4pm.

The meeting finished at 6.05pm.