Minutes of the Society's Annual General Meeting - 2004
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the British Masonry Society held on Thursday July 1st 2004 at the RAF Club, Piccadilly, London
PRESENT:
24 members of the Society were in attendance:
Dr J.F.A. Moore (President) C.A. Fudge
N.E. Beningfield (President-Elect) B.A. Haseltine
Dr K. Fisher (Secretary) J.C. Haynes
P.E. Wood (Treasurer) W. Holt
Dr A. Bell T.L. Knight
Dr P.R. BingelC.R. Marshall
Professor N.J. Bright MBE Dr J.B. Menzies
P. East A. Pearson
Professor G.J. Edgell Professor J.J. Roberts
W.A. Ferguson P. Rogatzki
G. FordyceM.P. Ruben
Dr A.N. Fried P. Watt
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
B. Clamp G. Thompson
G. Engledow A. Trueman
G.C. Mills
1. REPORT OF COUNCIL FOR 2003.
Dr J.F.A. Moore, President, welcomed members to the meeting with a particular welcome to Mr Holt and Mr Pearson, as overseas members from Australia. The Annual Report had been previously circulated to all members. In his comments, the President referred to development of the Society strategy initiatives, and to the website developments, which would discussed later in the meeting.
Proposed by Mr W.A. Ferguson, seconded by Professor N.J. Bright, the Annual Report was accepted unanimously.
2. ACCOUNTS.
The Treasurer presented the accounts for 2003, as detailed in the Annual Report. There were no questions from members. Adoption of the Accounts was proposed by Mr C.A. Fudge, seconded by Mr J.C. Haynes, and unanimously agreed. The audited Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet for the year ended 31st December 2003 were adopted accordingly.
3. APPOINTMENT OF THE PRESIDENT.
Dr Moore confirmed the appointment of Mr N.E. Beningfield as President. Dr Moore thanked members and Council for their support, with particular thanks to the Secretary and Treasurer, and passed the meeting over to Mr Beningfield.
Responding, Mr Beningfield thanked Dr Moore on behalf of the Society for his work during the year, mentioning in particular his work in developing the strategy documents, directed to progressing society activity, benefits and membership. His aim was to further develop and activate these initiatives during his presidential year.
4. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT-ELECT.
Professor G.J. Edgell had been nominated. Proposed by My Mr B.A. Haseltine, seconded by Professor J.J. Roberts, his appointment was unanimously agreed.
5. ELECTION OF SECRETARY.
Dr K. Fisher had been nominated for re-election. Proposed by Mr P. Watt, seconded by Professor N.J. Bright, his appointment was unanimously confirmed.
6. ELECTION OF TREASURER.
Mr P.E. Wood was nominated for re-election. Proposed by Dr J.F.A. Moore, seconded by Mr J.C. Haynes, his appointment was unanimously confirmed.
7. ELECTION OF EDITOR.
Mr G. Engledow had been nominated for re-election. Proposed by Mr M.P. Ruben, seconded by Mr C.A. Fudge, his election was unanimously agreed.
8. ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE EDITOR.
Mr G. Thompson had been nominated for re-election. Proposed by Professor J.J. Roberts, seconded by Mr W.A. Ferguson his appointment was unanimously agreed.
9. ELECTION OF ORDINARY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL.
Six nominations had been received for the six vacancies on Council, and are recorded as follows:
Mr B. Clamp Dr J.R. Riddington
Mr I. Harrison Mr P. Rogatzki
Professor C. Melbourne Mr P. Watt
Proposed by Mr B.A. Haseltine, seconded by Mr J.C. Haynes they were elected to serve for three years.
10. RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION FOR 2005.
(i) Council recommended subscriptions for 2005 should remain unchanged. At its last meeting, Council had discussed provision of some financial incentives to encourage and expand membership. Mr Watt suggested introduction of lower entry rates. Dr Menzies supported this, suggesting say £30, for younger members. Mr Pearson suggested introduction of a student category, and Mr Fudge suggested this could be quite low, say £10.
Professor Roberts proposed consideration should be given to providing research and other group subscription benefits.
After discussion, Council were authorised to set up and implement rates for younger members/students and for appropriate groups.
Other subscription rates were approved as:
Founder & Personal Members £53
Retired Members £18
Retired Life Members £150
Corporate Founder Members £315
Corporate Members A £315
Corporate Members B £200
(ii) Council recommended subscriptions to Masonry International should remain unchanged. The meeting unanimously agreed this should remain at £55 plus £9 post and packing.
11. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS.
Proposed by Mr B.A. Haseltine, seconded by Dr J.B. Menzies, it was agreed that Richard F. Hawkins be appointed as Auditor for the coming year.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS.
Dr Moore addressed the strategy aims of the Society as discussed by Council. Four strategic aims were identified, covering in order of priority the Website, production of a Newsletter, Seminars and the introduction of Roadshows.
Mr Thompson, Executive Editor, had agreed to carry out the role of manager of the website. He would oversee improvements to the website, introduction of MI abstracts and incorporation of the outcome of the Kingston ‘One Stop Shop’ PiI, into the Society’s thinking. Together with a consultant, he will initially tidy the existing material and include MI abstracts. It has still to be decided how far back such abstracts will extend.
The Secretary/Mr Thompson would take the Newsletter forward.
In discussing seminars, it was reported the Spring meeting had been successful. Mr Fudge had agreed to organise an Autumn meeting, possibly in conjunction with the RICS, on the Building Regulations and Approved Documents.
The Society required other members to organise future meetings.
The International Masonry Conference, 7 IMC, was scheduled for 2006 in London.
The final strategic item concerned Roadshows, which would be developed as a lower priority.
In the ensuing discussion on these activities, Dr Menzies asked whether the website should also aim at obtaining feedback, for example on its content – is this providing the information required.
Mr Haseltine considered that although the Newsletter should be placed on the website, it also needed to be promulgated elsewhere in a manner which referred people to the website. Members could be emailed in order to inform them it was on the website.
Dr Menzies suggested the roadshow could be in the form of an advisory service, although liability would need to be considered, bearing in mind, the Society acts as a learned body and not in an advisory capacity.
Dr Bingel felt students were not aware of the existence of the Society, but did know about the Civil and Structural Engineering Institution. A Society flyer could be sent to University departments.
Mr Rogatzki indicated the Society needed to consider the clientele it targets. This should include designers.
In closing the meeting, the President indicated Council would welcome suggestions for possible speakers at the Annual Luncheon.
The meeting closed at 12.20p.m.
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