Minutes of AGM - 2010/11

29/05/11

St Leonards Camera Club

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 10 May 2011



1 Apologies for absence: Tony Winfield, Radu Handoca, Alan Preston

2 Confirmation of the minutes of the last meeting.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2011 were approved as a correct record

Matters arising

3 CHAIRMANS REPORT – Andy Bridge

At the point of ending my eighth year in office Chairman, I am pleased to report on a successful year for the club, having attracted more new members and importantly retained those that have joined in recent seasons.

Graham has again put together an excellent programme with some new speakers who are not normally on the circuit; Wayne Brittle, Noel Bennett and Phil Barrett were all great photographers, who we had not seen before and hopefully I can get them back in future years. Thanks again Graham for your hard work, and making my job following in your footsteps so difficult in putting together next years programme.

I am also pleased that our own members have put on some great evenings. Thanks to, Dave (twice), Roy and Tony for taking the time to put together their presentations that were enjoyed by everyone. Again we had a joint meeting with Acton Trussell and Penkridge, this time a battle that proved to be well attended by both sets of members here at St Leonards and an excellent night on India given by Howard Bagshaw.

Thank you again to Alan Preston for arranging the exhibitions that took place last summer and are again underway this year. This showcases our clubs work in several libraries around the town, adding to the publicity that is always necessary to keep the club thriving.

This year we have arranged a couple of trips, one to Hartlebury Castle and more recently a trip led by Derek Doar to the Millstones in the Peak district. In September we will see the outcome of these trips as several members will show the variety of work produced in the same location. Hopefully this will encourage even more of the members to join us on these trips which I intend to arrange next season.

I am sure the Awards & skittles evening a week on Friday will be as competitive as our club competitions have been, the event also being the presentation night to celebrate the successful members.

Finally, can I thank the remaining committee members who have made my job as chairman so easy. In particular thank you to Radu for managing the finances and helping Graham with the competitions. Thanks to Tony Winfield for being the Secretary yet again and for collecting the money on the club nights. Finally to Dave Batho, Francis Colella and Geoff Catley for their help on the committee. Without a strong committee the club would not be as good a Club as I believe it is.


4 COMPETITION SECRETARY’S REPORT – Graham Argent

I am pleased to report on another year of competitive and enjoyable photograph; but it is of note that there has been a dip in the number of competition entries overall


Intermediate Advanced
COLOUR
Authors Entries Authors Entries
2008/09 10 58 5 41
2009 /10 8 56 7 51
2010/11 7 23 6 43


Intermediate Advanced
MONO
Authors Entries Authors Entries
2008/09 3 5 4 28
2009 /10 4 10 5 45
2010/11 0 0 3 20


Intermediate Advanced
DPI
Authors Entries Authors Entries
2008/09 4 21 6 46
2009 /10 5 44 6 64
2010/11 8 34 6 74

Colour Print Challenge

The number of entries at 66 was lower than in recent years, with a reduction in entries in both the Intermediate and Advanced Class

Monochrome Challenge

There was distinct drop in the number of Mono entries with just 20 entries and none at all in the Intermediate Class

Digital Image Challenge

The DPI class has been the most popular with 107 entries
Particular thanks were extended to Radu Handoca for arranging these competitions

Themed Competitions and 3 of a Kind Competitions

Each competition also includes a theme competition and a 3 of a kind competition. The themes have been Coastal, Reflections and transport. I have been pleased to see a good standard of entry to these competitions, adding to the interest on Competition Nights – we will continue with this theme competition next Season

Annual Competition
This years Annual Competition was well supported with 97 pieces of work for Roger Hague to judge.

Graham Argent was particularly successful this year winning the Colour Print and Digital Image categories. Tony secured the prestigious Print of Year Accolade, with his mono print “Walking the Boards”

The competitions were closely fought, but members will find out the results at the presentation and skittles night. Let’s hope next years competitions will be as competitive.

Rowland Mottershead Competition

This year was a Print Competition attracting 33 entries, down on the 63 entries the previous year. The Judge was Peter Clarke. This years winner was Ray Briggs with his landscape image “Beautiful morning in Chitwan”

The enprint competition from Areva employees was also judged with a bumper entry of work, thereby ensuring that the support of the company was possible.

BEA Fire Safety Prize
This was the first year of the BEA Fire safety Prize; despite it having generous Cash Prizes the event only attracted 7 entries. The Winner being Tony Winfield, with his entry titled Sparkle.
The Committee has selected the Theme “Stafford Borough” for 2011-12 competition which should which should attract a wider entry

8 Way Competitions
We entered both of the Stafford and District Inter Club Competitions held at Lea Hall, Rugeley
Inter Club Battle with Acton Trussell & Penkridge Photographic Society
In the recent annual battle hosted this year by Acton Trussell, but held at STCC we won both prints and digital images sections with a handsome overall win by 69 points, a considerably wider margin than the previous year

Circulating Portfolio - Theme – Animals

The outcome of the Circulating Portfolio will follow at the end of the AGM.

External Exhibitions – MidPhot

Finally the club again had entries to Midphot, with Tony, Andy and Dave having acceptances
I recommend everyone to enter MidPhot or at least going along to Smethwick PS to see some of the best photography in the West Midlands

Summary
It has been another year of very enjoyable competitions. Our competitions are seen as a valuable part of the Clubs Programme and an opportunity for Members to show their work and receive constructive observations from Judges




4 TREASURERS REPORT - presented on behalf of Radu Hadoca by Andy Bridge

The Financial Report for 2010 -11 is given below

INCOME £1,132.34
EXPENDITURE £743.22
BALANCE £ 389.12 in credit

The Chairman reported that the Club had achieved a positive financial position for the 2nd year running and this reflected the careful stewardship of Club Funds. Particular care had been taken to ensure the Speaker and Lecture fees were affordable in relation to the membership of the Club.

It was noted that the Club had a number of overheads, MCPF membership Fee, Lea Hall entry fees, stationery costs and web site costs

The Chairman proposed the following Fees for the 201/12 Season

Club Membership Fee - £10 + £1 Door Fee.

Members also pays the Areva Social Club membership fee, currently £12

Guest Attendance £2 on the door

U18 £1 on the door

The Fee Proposal for 2011/12 was carried


NOTE FROM 2010 /11 Minutes
It was agreed that if Members bring a new Member along to the Club, they will be entitled to exemption on the Door Fee that Evening



The Chairman reported on the proposal to acquire colour calibration software to assist in resolving issues with the image quality of the digital projector

The Finance Report was noted and approved
5 ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following nominations to the COMMITTEE were supported :

Chairman and Programme Secretary – Andy Bridge
Vice Chairman and Treasurer – Radu Handoca
Secretary and Assistant Treasurer – Tony Winfield
Joint Competition Secretaries – Graham Argent/Radu Handoca
Events Secretary – Graham Argent
Committee Member and Publicity Officer – Dave Batho
Exhibition Secretary – Alan Preston
Portfolio Secretary / Equipment Monitor / Website Manager - Geoff Cattley
Committee Member – Francis Colella.
Theme Competitions

Following proposals from members the following Themes were agreed for the 2011/1

1st Competition WATER

2nd Competition MOVEMENT

3rd Competition MECHANICAL

Circulating Portfolio – DAWN or DUSK

6 SOCIAL GET TOGETHER

The Member discussed a suggestion that a Social get Together be arranged around Christmas time. After discussion kit was agreed that the event be arranged for early in the New Year. The Chairman agreed to discuss this further with the Club Secretary – Tony Winfield, who it was hoped would be agreeable to arranging the Social Evening


7 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

7.1 Members discussed a suggestion of a Weekend Club Trip and the Lake District. The proposal was carried and the Club Vice Chairman would be approached to investigate options and costs

7.2 Practical Nights / Workshops - members supported a proposal to hold occasional Practical Nights / Workshops on non Club Nights

7.3 Next Seasons Programme – The Programme Secretary reported that the new Season would commence on Tuesday 6 September, when he was hoping to secure a prestigious Speaker to open the new Season. Details of the new Season will be placed n the Club website and posted to members in August

7.4 Presentation of work from Club Trips – The Programme Secretary reported that on 27 September 2011 there will be an Evening when Club members can show their work from recent Club Trips to Hartlebury Castle and the Peak District Millstones




The meeting was closed

Graham Argent, CPAGB
Acting Club Secretary 27 May 2011