SOUTH-WESTERN GREAT DANE CLUB

MINUTES OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Held at Hutton Moor Leisure Centre,

Weston-Super-Mare

5pm. Sunday 5th. April 2009

The Chairman, David Cottrell opened the meeting at 5.35pm.

MEMBERS PRESENT:

Those present were:-

Tony Rewston (President), David Cotterell (Chairman), Sally Lewis (Secretary), Tim Lewis (Vice Chairman), Jill Daly (Treasurer), Alan Cutter, Carol Gray, Gwynneth Keehner, David Lockett, Susan Cottrell, David Young, Paula Young, Steve Bell, Ann Bell, Josie Dorricott, Sheila Nicholson, Rosemary Lord & Sue Davies

A total of 18 members, which formed a quorum for the meeting.

David Cottrell pointed out that we were again delayed starting the meeting and it was the same time as last year. He went on to welcome the members which were one up on last year. David then offered the Chair to our President, Tony Rewston. Tony replied that he thought the meeting was in good hands and asked David to carry on.

(01) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE:

A. Schaanning-Ling. H. Cottrell. M. Rippington. C. Brooks. Mr. & Mrs. R. & Miss M. Day. Mrs. R. Steiner. Mrs. J. Wiltshire.

(02) MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING:

David asked if everyone had a copy of the 2008 A.G.M. minutes. David asked if anyone would like any of the minutes read out and as there were no objections they were accepted and approved.

Proposed: David Locket. Seconded: Paula Young. Accepted 16 votes for and two abstentions

(03) MATTERS ARISING:

David asked if there were any matters arising

There were no matters arising.

(04) CHAIRMANS REPORT:

David started by saying that once more the club shows had been very successful and the committee had worked extremely well. It had been a difficult year last year with excessively high fuel costs keeping numbers a little lower than we would expect at the League Finals, although we had a slight increase at the Championship Show. He went on to thank all the committee members for their work and to Sally for her secretarial work and Jill looking after the finances and Tim for his help to the Chairman. David also paid special thanks to our President for producing a magnificent newsletter and he congratulated him for managing to compile it from afar and for the interesting material he manages to include from around the world.

David finish by asking the committee to keep up the good work and that we should shortly be thinking of November for the League Finals. Adding “It doesn’t stop here”.

(05) SECRETARY’S REPORT:

We have had another successful year. After the initial problems with the post, last years Ch Show went off very well and the Leagues weekend was another huge success. Your Officers and Committee work well together as a team and they all give up a lot of time to make the SWGDC the excellent club it is today. I would like to read a letter I received two days ago and I think you will agree that it makes all our efforts worthwhile.

I feel we have such a good team that it is difficult for me to give individual praise but I must pay special thanks to our President, Tony, Chairman, David and also to Sue for always “being there” and ready to give support when necessary.

I’m sure you will all agree that it has been great to have both Tony and Sheila here today and I hope that it may be possible for them to join us and help to make the Brean weekend a fun time for all again this year.

I finish by thanking those members who are not committee members for attending the AGM and would gratefully receive any ideas to encourage more members to do the same.

(06) TREASURERS REPORT:

First I must apologise to you all for not being on top form over the last few months, because of this I was a little late getting the accounts to our Accountant. This has resulted in some of the expenses being listed under the wrong headings.

In the main club accounts you will notice that the amount listed under “KC Maintenance of title” is £334, this figure includes pre-purchased KC licences and other expenses and amounts paid to the KC. Under “Travelling expenses for Breed Council” the £229 includes other expenses that should have been listed separately. As I am able to take advantage of free postage from work I do not need to hold a Petty Cash account so I no longer hold the £50 for that.

On the Rescue account the “Placement income” also include Donations received and under expenses the “Kennelling and Keep” should be reduced by £314 and the same amount added to “Veterinary Care”, this was the cost for the treatment of the dog attacked by one of the two dogs and puppies rescued from Bridgwater and passed on to Dane Care. To get the family into care as quickly as possible we agreed to pay the Vets Bill.

You will also notice that there is no interest added from either Nat. Savings accounts this is because I did not send the books off when I should have and then did not have time before the Accountant needed them. I will send them off as soon as I receive them back from the Accountant and the interest will then form part of the 2009 accounts.

We still hold £380 in the DNA account and we still have the pledges to DNA research and the South Western Show Centre of £1000 each.

I present these accounts for your approval.

(07) ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

Chairman. David said that as there were no other candidates he was pleased to accept the post again. There were no objections so David Cottrell was elected Chairman for a term of Three Years

(08) ELECTION OF COMMITTEE:

Members seeking re-election to the committee were Josie Dorricott, Ann Bell & Steve Bell. David asked if the members wished to deal with each one individually or on block. It was agreed that it should be on block.

Proposed Paula Young, Seconded Alan Cutter

Vote 16 for with 2 abstentions, all three re-elected.

(09) CHANGE TO RULE 10(a)

David read out the proposal as listed on the agenda and explained that the change was to allow us to carry on holding the AGM after the Championship Show if we so desired, allowing extra time to get everything ready without the need to hold extra meetings incurring the committee with extra travelling costs.

Proposed Tim Lewis, Seconded Tony Rewston

Vote 16 for with 2 abstentions motion carried.

(10) APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS:

Jill Daly said that she would propose that we used Roy Smart again next year and all were in agreement.

(11) BREED COUNCIL:

Sally Lewis gave a short report on the progress made by the Breed Council over the previous 12 months.

There followed a brief general discussion and the Chairman closed the meeting at 6.10pm.