The Society's Annual General Meeting was held at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, London on June 30th 2005
BRITISH MASONRY SOCIETY
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
THURSDAY 30TH JUNE 2005
PRESENT:
25 MEMBERS OF THE society were in attendance:
N.E. Beningfield (President) B.A. Haseltine
Professor G.E. Edgell (President-Elect) J.C. Haynes
Dr K. Fisher (Secretary) J.R.A. Holland
P.E. Wood (Treasurer) T.L. Knight
Dr P.R. Bingel Dr J.B. Menzies
G.K. Bowler G.C. Mills
A.R. Bown Professor J.J. Roberts
Professor N.J. Bright MBE M.J. Robinson
B. Clamp P. Rogatzki
Dr R.C. de Vekey M.P. Ruben
W.A. Ferguson A.L. Taylor
Dr A.N. Fried P. Watt
C.A. Fudge
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Dr A. Arasteh Dr J.F.A. Moore
M. Driver Dr J. Morton
G. Engledow MBE G. Thompson
B. James
1. REPORT OF COUNCIL FOR 2004
Mr Beningfield, President, welcomed members to the meeting. The Annual Report had previously been circulated to all members and placed on the Society website. He commented on reduced membership numbers and referred to the formation of a Marketing group to address this issue among others. This group would assess other organisations, - what they do and how they operate. A gap analysis would be carried out to ensure the Society provided what its members needed.
Proposed by Professor J.J. Roberts, seconded by Mr C.A. Fudge, the Annual Report was unanimously accepted.
2. ACCOUNTS
The Treasurer presented the Accounts for 2004, as detailed in the Annual Report. There were no questions from members. Adoption of the Accounts was proposed byDr R.C. de Vekey, seconded by Mr W.A. Ferguson and unanimously agreed by the meeting. The audited Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet for the year ended 31st December 2004 were adopted accordingly.
3. APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT
Mr Beningfield confirmed the appointment of Professor G.J. Edgell as President, being proposed by Mr G.K. Bowler and seconded by Mr B. Clamp. Professor Edgell thanked members for their unanimous support, and hoped their confidence was not misplaced. When accepting the position, his thoughts had turned to Dr West and the past history in setting up the Society, having worked with him at Ceram. It was an honour to take over the Presidency several years after Dr West. His aim in the coming year was to take forward the strategy initiated under Past President, Dr Moore and to develop the Marketing group initiatives begun by Mr Beningfield.
4. ELECTION OF PRESIDENT-ELECT
Mr C.A. Fudge had been nominated. In proposing his election, Professor Bright mentioned his long contacts with Mr Fudge, supported by Professor Roberts who seconded his appointment, which was unanimously agreed.
5. ELECTION OF SECRETARY
Dr K Fisher was nominated for re-election. Proposed by Professor Edgell, seconded by Mr Rogatzki, his appointment was unanimously agreed.
6. ELECTION OF TREASURER
Mr P.E. Wood was nominated for re-election. Proposed by Mr Haynes, seconded by Dr Fried, his election was unanimously confirmed.
7. ELECTION OF EDITOR
Mr G. Engledow had been nominated for re-election. Proposed by Professor Bright, seconded by Professor Roberts, his election was unanimously agreed.
8. ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Mr G. Thompson had been nominated for re-election. Proposed by Mr Haseltine, seconded by Mr Fudge, the meeting unanimously confirmed his appointment.
9. ELECTION OF ORDINARY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL
Six nominations had been received for the six vacancies on Council, and are recorded as:
Mr A.R. Bown Dr A.N. Fried
Mr M. Driver Dr J. Morton
Mr W.A. Ferguson Dr A.J. Soane
Proposed by Professor Roberts, seconded by Dr de Vekey, they were elected to serve for three years.
10. RATES OF SUBSCRIPTION FOR 2006
(i) Council recommended subscriptions for 2006 should remain unchanged. Introduction of a reduced rate for younger members, as agreed at the last Annual meeting was noted. Proposed by Mr Haseltine, seconded by Mr Taylor, the subscription rates unanimously approved are:
Present rates are:
Founder and personal members £53
Members under 25 £20
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. Proposed by Mr Fudge, seconded by Dr Fried, the meeting unanimously agreed this should remain at £55 plus postage and packing £9.
11. APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
Proposed by Mr Bowler, seconded by Dr de Vekey, it was agreed that Richard F. Hawkins be appointed as Auditor for the coming year.
12. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Mr Haseltine reported on discussions at the recent Canadian Masonry Conference regarding the previous discussion topic of a joint BMS/TMS journal. Mr Porter had expressed interest in re-opening these discussions. The meeting was generally reluctant to pursue a joint Journal further. After considerable discussion, it was agreed to leave the proposal on the table, but, possibly examine the previous BMS proposal sent to TMS, and consider whether this should be pursued. Professor Bright suggested writing to Mr Porter enquiring whether he had a proposal to take forward. Professor Edgell would prepare a draft letter for consideration. Professor Roberts emphasised the value of the title Masonry International to the Society.
Mr Taylor congratulated Mr Fudge on the successful joint meetings with RICS. It was pleasing to see the contact with practitioners
Mr Beningfield commented to the meeting on the Government views on construction methods, which did not favour on site building. The appointment of Mr Holland to the Traditional Housing Bureau was noted with interest.
In concluding the meeting, the President emphasised that the role of the Marketing group will not bypass Council discussion and decision making.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 12.15pm.
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