Steve Travis, Branch Chairman & Rep opened the meeting at 20:10 hrs. Oliver Rose, Yorkshire Regional Rep in attendance as Region observer.
All members in the branch area had previously been notified via email, the December 2014 mailshot, of the date, time, venue and agenda for the 2014 AGM. The details of the AGM were also publicised in The Road magazine, on the branch website (wakefield.mag-uk.org) and the MAG website (www.mag-uk.org)
Apologies received from Mick Culpan (Wakefield Rideout Coordinator) for non-attendance at the AGM
The minutes of the previous AGM (for the 2013 year), held on Wednesday 15th January 2014 were circulated. These minutes were also published on the branch website before the AGM. The minutes were Proposed (Justine Travis - 97513) and Seconded (Chas Milner - 126291) and voted on by all meeting attendees as being a true and accurate account of that meetings proceedings.
No Matters Arising
Reps Annual Report for 2014
FINANCIAL
Covered in Finance Officers Report
RUNS, RALLIES & OTHER SOCIAL EVENTS
POLITICAL
MEMBERSHIP
OTHER ACTIVITY
ACHIEVEMENTS AGAINST 2014 PLAN
SUMMARY
Another excellent year for the branch. The only real negative is that the Membership trend is downward (although Wakefield MAG are certainly not alone in that trend, MAG membership overall is down, as are the vast majority of Groups nationwide). We have been hugely successful in our fund raising for the MAG fighting fund. Meeting attendance has remained very strong throughout the year and the majority of meetings have around 15-20 members in attendance. We have remained very active, and packed an awful lot of activities into the year and laid on some very successful events (both repeat events and new). We now have Seven annual events in our 'portfolio':
A huge thanks to all our meeting regulars and all those who have supported the branch in all our activities. Hip Hip .. Hooray.
Steve Travis, Branch Rep - 97513
Finance Officer Report - Financial Report & Audited Accounts for 2014
Events - Quiz brought in £150 but only £60 in 2013, Auction was similar to last year at £416. Party made a fraction more at £55. New events raised significant funds in 2014 - Bingo at £190 due to the bingo cards and raffles, Tombola run at the Bike Show brought in £135 and clothes bank collection £20. This has increased our income for the year by approx. £500 and allowed us to donate £1400 to the Yorkshire Region. Current bank balance is £255, petty cash £310. Charity donations from the auction of £150 were made (Hospice, Air Ambulance, NABD). Donation to Yorkshire Region to be agreed after Auction, but anticipate Auction income plus £500 from funds.
Justine Travis, Finance Officer - 97513
Auditors concurred - Ian Whittaker - 115847, Martin Burgess - 126979
Deputy Rep Report
Chas Milner, Deputy Rep - 126291
Clubs Liaison
Hi all,
I have attended club meets and rallies plus fellow MAG branches. Attended or offered help to our poorly friends. Promoted Wakefield MAG and it's core functions. enjoyed the good work MAG does
Eddie Johnson, Clubs Liaison Officer - 97314
Press Officer
Publicised events to Real Radio, Wakefield Express, and advertised upcoming auction. Limited success but we cannot force a paper to run our events.
Sharon Scott, Press Officer - 132886
Political Officer
Over the last 12 months branch members have attended the AGC, regional meetings and various events such as election hustings event hosted by Leeds MAG. I have attempted to contact West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner regarding motorcycle thefts, Wakefield council re access to bus lanes, and West Yorks Passenger Transport Authority (now the Combined Authority)
One theme that has been discussed at meetings and which has caused some debate is, are we being effective in any lobbying of local authorities. In light of this I think it is important to put what we see as important in context with what is happening locally and nationally. We are all aware of current financial pressures on local authorities, and I think we need to be aware of where we are in their priorities.
In WDC latest annual transport monitoring report (Spring 2013) where traffic is counted entering the city, total motorcycles 138, which is 0.38%, cars with 1 occupant 12,694 or 34.93%.
In order to have maximum effect I feel as a branch we should decide what is important and relevant to us locally, and not be driven by the latest issue in the Road which highlights successful outcomes for other MAG branches but not always relevant to us. In order to develop a plan, I would like to propose that at one meeting in the future we allocate most of the time available to set our priorities for the next year.
Ian Whittaker, Political Officer - 115847
Andy Foody fedback that Leeds MAG had been promised favorable consideration for bikes in bus lanes after the Tour de France.
Products Officer
Sales have been slow in 2014 with most being at the Bike Show in May and caps and badges. At last we are down to just 3 flags. Proposal from Martin to sell existing stock at cost and start afresh. P: Martin Burgess 126979, S: Justine Travis 97513 - Carried
Additional idea suggested was that members purchase a sticker which will fit nicely in redundant tax disc holders and promote MAG and the branch.
Martin Burgess, Products Officer - 126979
Rideout Coordinator's Report
Hi Folks,
First may I apologies for not being with you tonight, I am on tour at the moment and will be on stage whilst you are listening to these ramblings ably orated for me by the big booby fetishist bloke.
I am happy to report another successful year for our monthly ride outs although they weren't entirely without incident. All the reports are on our website and extremely witty and entertaining they are too even if I do say so myself.
Some lessons learned were to program my sat nav correctly and not to arrange a ride out on a bank holiday unless I want to go all by myself ! May I thank and express my appreciation to all those noble riders and associated pillions that got themselves out of bed at an entirely unsociable hour who accompanied me and made the many hours of planning, testing and organising so worthwhile. From the feedback I have received it would seem my ethos of the ride is more important than the destination was appreciated and enjoyed by most although I accept this may not be everyone's cup of tea.
I would also like to thank all those who assisted their fellow riders who had the misfortune to breakdown for whatever reason. Their compassion and selfless good humour transformed what could have been difficult circumstance into just an interesting and entertaining diversion. I would like to say a special thank you to Chas who took it up the rear err I mean was backmarker and kept everyone together and prevented anyone from getting lost, well everyone except me of course ! and also for administering the ride out raffle.
Finally I wish to thank everyone for having the unwavering confidence in my leadership and ability it has been a pleasure serving you. However all things come to an end eventually, thus I submit my resignation and wish every success to whoever takes up the challenge of ride-out coordinator. I offer my support and look forward to just going along for the ride.
Ride safe
Mick aka Slash.
Mick Culpan, Rideout Coordinator - 123530
Social Committee
Did a cracking job in 2014 - organised the annual party, tombola at the bike show, Blackpool trip for AGC and the annual Treasure Hunt. They have been asked to organise another bingo night and are agreeing a date for a trip to the dogs.
Cath Parker - 131300, Lorna Jaques - 120474 & Sharon Scott - 132886, Social Committee
MAP Consultative Committee Representative
One meeting attended and one to attend this coming weekend.
Ian Whittaker - 115847, MAP Consultative Committee Representative
Fund Raising Officer
Acting as one of the Auctioneers for the 6th year, to raise funds for MAG. Organise the weekly raffle. Suggested running a raffle at the region and MAP meetings which should bring in some funds in addition to Yorkshire. Chas thanked Lorna, Sharon, Malc, Mick and Cath for the help over the year with Bingo, Tombola etc and allowed us to increase our donation to £1400. Chas Milner, Fund Raising Officer
Chas Milner, Fund Raising Officer - 126291
Membership Secretary
Covered in Reps Report
Webmaster
Covered in Reps Report
Two motions received from Mick Culpan - 123530 who was not in attendance. As such, these were put to the floor to see if an attendee would propose and second.
1) Rideout Meeting Point
That we change our ride out meeting point from the Redbeck Cafe on Doncaster Road to Thornes Lane Cafe Wakefield. I believe this to be a more central location with easier access for most people. Also it would be much less busy than the Red beck and therefore quicker to be served and seated. I have made preliminary enquiries with the owner who would be more than happy to receive us and I will confirm this before taking any other action.
No Proposer other than the motion originator, Mick Culpan (not in attendance); No Seconder. No one present was prepared to propose and second this motion therefore it was withdrawn.
2) Multiple Rideout Co-ordinators
That the role of Ride Out Coordinator be split into three and the title be changed to Ride Out Leader. That each Ride Out Leader be responsible for organising and leading two ride out's each commencing in May and ending in October. I believe this will give greater diversity and opportunity for alternative ideas on destinations and routes etc.
Proposer: Martin Burgess - 126979
Seconder: Terry Scott - 132886
Carried
The following officers were elected / re-elected onto the 2015 branch committee, unanimously in all cases:
Awards were presented for the branch heroes of 2014, based on points accumulated by members for attendance/participation in MAG/Branch events over the course of the year.
Our branch heroes for 2014 were:
Andy Foody thanked Wakefield for all of our marshalling at MAG events over 2014 and reminded us how much MAG needs everyone for 2015. Martin Burgess suggested one of our annual rideouts be a Memorial Run for all of our sadly missed Wakefield MAG members. An engraved memorial tankard would also be purchased, so they can be with us on rallies and other social events. A Wakefield MAG weekend away is being planned for September - limited to 12 places at £8pn
The date of the next AGM was set for Wednesday 13 January 2016.
The meeting closed at 21:45 hrs.
Observer confirmed it had been run in a democratic manner.
Steve Travis
Wakefield MAG Rep
97513