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Council meeting report
The Council meets twice a year to hear reports from the Club's Executive
Committee (Directors) and to decide on matters of future direction
and policy. Every Regional Centre, Register and (Racing) Branch
(together "CRBs") may send two representatives, only one
of whom may vote. This means there can be as many as 80 people present.
On 20th October there were around 70 attendees with Mike Russell,
our Register Committee Regalia member, annd myself representing
the V8 Register. Mike and I had an enjoyable, hood down, run up
the M40 in my RV8, enjoying some Autumn sunshine on the way.
Council meetings over the past two years have been tense, frustrating
and often bad tempered affairs as members struggled with difficult
decisions on two particularly important and controversial matters.
Firstly there was the proposal to build a new and expensive Club
headquarters and secondly there was the question of the future of
the Club magazine, 'Safety Fast!". Both projects had the potential
to bankrupt the Club, the first quickly and the second more slowly.
Our Register's campaign led by Victor Smith was crucial in persuading
Council members that the building project was unaffordable and should
not go ahead. After a major change in membership of the Executive
Committee and a study into the future of our Club magazine, a decision
was taken in March 2007 to terminate the arrangements with Octane
Media, the publishers of MG Enthusiast, and revert to a standalone
Club magazine.
With the two difficult decisions behind us the latest meeting was
a much more pleasant affair with a calmer and more co-operative
atmosphere very evident. I will set out below the major points from
the day but I do not claim it is a completely comprehensive picture
of the seven hour meeting. I apologise for any format errors but
I am working with an unfamiliar French keyboard in the internet
cafe local to our house in France.
Tragic death of Ton Maathuis
Before the main business of the day Brian Woodhams, the director
with responsibilities for overseas matters, spoke of the recent
tragic death of Ton Maathuis in a car accident in Italy when a lorry
overturned onto Ton's MG. Ton had been President of the Luxembourg
MG club since 1974, owned more than a dozen MGs, all of them red
and was a wonderful friendly character. The Council members observed
a minute's silence for the loss of this popular ambassador for the
marque.
Club Chairman's
report
After dealing with the minutes of the previous meeting held on 7th
March 2007, retiring Club Chairman Peter Best gave his report:
2007 had been a year of recovery for the Club, both organisationally
and financially.
Richard Jones had been appointed General Manager and started
work just three weeks before the Silverstone International meeting.
He had done well and had been commended by the Board.
SIAC and Nanjing would merge at the end of the year meaning
that once again TF and Rover 75 derivative production would come
from a single manufacturer.
New TFs should be in showrooms ready for March 2008 registration.
Some 41 MG agencies had been agreed.
Most car clubs, including ours, face slowly declining membership
numbers. We should encourage more female members and introduce
a junior section.
Closer co-operation with other one make clubs, particularly perhaps
BMC makes such as Austin Healey could be of mutual benefit.
As an Abingdon based club we should support and work with the local
authorities to expand the town MG museum.
Club Treasurer's Report
The Club Treasurer, John Dutton, is, in my opinion, the best sort
of club treasurer. He is financially well qualified and competent
but also able to explain matters clearly and simply to those who
do not have an accounting background. His very useful report included
the following points:
The treasurer's manual used by CRBs is being rewritten, updated
and simplified.. A new spreadsheet should make life easier for CRB
treasurers.
Regional seminars. John will hold three regional seminars
for CRB treasurers before the end of January 2008.
CRBs should not hold too large reserves as funds should benefit
current members.
Financial year 2006 had been a bad year for the Club and
we had lost £110,000. In 2007 the accounts should be back
in balance and in 2008 we should return to a surplus. At the end
of this year our assets will still be healthy at around £350,000.
Safety
Fast! report
Peter Best, introducing John Day as Chairman of the Editorial Subcommittee,
said he hoped that all present could agree that the new Safety Fast!
had been a great success. All Council members agreed and praised
the three man editorial team of
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John Day, John
James and Andy Knott for their work. The magazine was now a high
quality publication which reflected well on the Club. John Day then
presented his report:
The Club magazine is now produced by Hine Marketing of Cheltenham
who also produce the Porsche and Mercedes club magazines.
Editorial. The Club editorial team provide Hine with the
editorial and article content.
Production. Hine produce the Club magazine, free of charge,
but sell advertising and this provides their income.
Post and packaging is paid by the Club.
Editorial material. There will always be a need for good features
but so far there has been no shortage of material submitted and
indeed some has had to be held over for the future. Do please keep
putting items forward, the continuing success of the magazine will
depend on the quality of the content.
Race reports. Martin Price has provided interesting, well
illustrated and up to date race reports.
New features include the Memorable MG Route series, initiated
by Victor Smith.
Copy dates. A revised set of deadlines for CRB inputs will
be published soon.
John stated that
the editorial tream were very happy working with Hine who have proved
to be both innovative and responsive.
General Mannager's report
Richard Jones reported that:
He was enjoying his new job and looking forward to meeting more
members at CRB meetings. He had already attended some and intended
to attend more. The Club had disposed of redundant stock of regalia
and models via its Ebay shop. The Online Club Shop now lists 80
items. There is an MG area on U Tube where one can see MGs in action.
There are plans to improve the Club library and display capabilities.
Club staff are fully committed and volunteers will always be needed
to help with major events.
Competition report
Ron Gammonns gave a very encouraging report on the progress of the
competition season:
The Club ran 5 race meetings this year and covered costs. All meetings
proved popular with competitors. Grid numbers were up for almost
all championships. The hospitality and prize giving arrangements
organised by David annd Nikki Saunders had helped a lot in making
the events successful.
Race meeting dates for 2008 would be:
Donington 29 March
Oulton Park 17 May
Silverstone 13,14 & 15 June (Provisional date)
Brands Hatch 7 Sep
Snetterton 4 & 5 Oct
Steve Carr had been employed on contract as Competitions Secretary
and had enjoyed a verey successful season. He had coped well with
over 600 entries for Silverstone. The inauguural 4 hour relay race
at Snetterton this had been a great success and would be repeated
in 2008. The Registers and Centres were once again requested to
support race meetings, perhaps with a road run or social gathering.
Development report
John Dutton, Chairman of the Building Subcommittee, reported on
the need for essential building repairs and plans for combining
these with modifications to Kimber House. The aim would be to provide
meeting facilities for use by CRBs and the Executive Committee and
also improvements to staff working arrangements. With his treasurer's
hat on John assured the meeting that Club reserves would allow the
proposed work and still leave us with at least £250,000 providing
adequate and stable reserves. Detailed drawings were displayed for
study by Council members. Basically the essential repairs will cost
£40,000 but by using the surplus from the previous garage
work we could, for a spend of £100,000, end up with a much
improved building. I realise that this is a rather inadequate description
but I will put the detailed proposals on the V8 Website when they
become available. There was wide support for the proposals, particularly
as they fall within the existing planning permission.
Club Regalia
report
Chris Hunt-Cooke reported that:
Supply of clothing had been outsourced to Performannce Clothing.
They were helpful but seemed very busy. They had not yet produced
a promised paper catalogue, although an online one was available.
Performance Clothing did not wish to deal with individual CRBs,
preferring to work through Main Club.
Motions for Debate
Council agreed a proposal to combine the Scottish and Caledonian
Centres as the Scottish Centre had lost support and was virtually
inactive. Council agreed that members of the Scottish Centre would
be transferred to the Caledonian Centre. There were certain caveats
concerning trophies and funds.
The Council meeting concluded at 16.00 and was followed by the Club
AGM.
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