The chairman, Diz Dexter, welcomed everyone to the AGM, which was held in the Friends Meeting House, Great Ayton. She asked all present to share a short silence to remember those Old Scholars who had died during the preceding year and also to send thoughts to those members who, for whatever reason, are experiencing difficult times. |
The President, Tessa Snowdon (Greenwell), gave her address, which was quite different from previous addresses, as Tessa attended Ayton School more recently than most of the previous Presidents. The chairman thanked her for sharing her very interesting and often humorous experiences which will, as usual, be printed in full in 2008 Magazine.
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1. |
Greetings and apologies for absence have been received from: Dick Dennis; Biddy Stainsby; Lil Pearson; Mike & Barbara Adam; Linda Hewison; Sam Mather; George & Sheila Howd (Dent); Dorothy Newby (Danby) Margaret Eden; Adelaide Lavender (Johnson); Sylvia Carter (Beard); Chris Vodden; June Dunn (Rhodes); James Slater. |
2. |
The Minutes of the 118th A.G.M. were taken as read from the Magazine and approval was proposed and seconded by Jenny Summerfield (Smith) and Dorothy Dawson (Easton). |
| 3. |
There were no matters arising. |
| 4. |
Jill Wheeler (Rhodes) as Secretary reported that the Committee had fulfilled its role in keeping the Association running as always. Jill also told the Members how, because of the torrential rain, plans had to be changed and new arrangements made for the Reunion. |
| 5. |
The Records Secretary’s report was read by Lou Trotter in the absence of Dick Dennis, who was unable to attend because of ill health. Lou started by saying that he, along with everyone else, wished that Dick had been able to give the report himself. The ever popular and very professional AOSA Website, received an average of ‘756 hits’ per day. Membership is slightly down but this is to be expected as the membership gets ever older with no new members from the School leavers. However a small number of new members are joining each year |
| 6. |
Treasurer’s report was presented by William Pine. William had produced copies of the figures which he distributed to the members at the meeting, which was very helpful. He reported that Dick Bye had agreed to audit the accounts William reported that the Association has £20,686.61 in various accounts. |
| 7. |
Editor’s report. Diz read James Slater’s report as he was not able to be present. His report began by thanking Gill Jackson, Suzie Scaife and Dick Dennis for the help in preparing the Magazine. He went on to say that the past 7 months had been quite a roller coaster for his family, and, with Dick not being able to help as much as usual, there had been some challenges to be overcome. However Dick and James have agreed a future strategy so next year should be somewhat easier. Diz thanked James profusely for producing another interesting magazine against and overcoming all the challenges thrown at him. |
| 8. |
Acceptance of the above reports was proposed by Tessa Snowdon (Greenwell) and seconded by Jenny Summerfield (Smith). |
| 9. |
There were no questions regarding the 4 reports, which are recorded in full in the 2008 Magazine. |
| 10. |
Retirement of Officers. Lou Trotter Executive and Nominations Member;
Dick Dennis Records Secretary and
Sonia Wade (Dunn) Nominations Committee Convenor
are all due to retire but are willing to serve on an annual basis. |
| 11. |
Diz Dexter is willing to serve for another term on the Nominations Committee. (2007 - 2011)
.Re-election of Officers willing and able to remain in Office:
Chairman Diz Dexter(2006-10);
Secretary Jill Wheeler(2006-10);
Treasurer William Pine(2005-09);
Editor James Slater (2005-09);
Committee Member and Reunion Coordinator - Jenny Summerfield (2004-08);
Nominations Committee & Executive Committee Member:
Suzanne Potter (2004-08);
School committee Representatives
William Pine(2007-11);
Jill Wheeler(2007-11);
Sonia Wade(2007-2011)
The above are all within their years of office. Gill Jackson (Hinds) proposed the acceptance of these posts, and this was seconded by Margaret Carnegie (Wilkinson), and all were in favour. |
| 12. |
The Chairman, Diz, said she was pleased to be able to report that The Evelyn Nicholson fund had finally been distributed. The money had been passed to The Ayton Friends Meeting and they had put it towards the new wooden bookcase in the library. Martyn Gaudie thanked the AOSA on behalf of the Members of the Meeting telling us that it was a very welcome addition to the library. |
| 13. |
Nomination of President Elect.
Lou Trotter was pleased to introduce Harry Snalam as the President Elect. Harry came to Ayton in 1947. He has been a regular visitor to Reunions over the years, travelling from his home in Richmond - not Yorkshire or even Surrey but British Columbia, Canada and Lou gave him a warm welcome as the President Elect. |
| 14. |
Future Reunions. As decreed in the Constitution the next reunion will be the last full weekend in June - 28th and 29th June 2008 and will, as usual, be at Whinstones View, Great Ayton. |
| 15. |
A.O.B. Douglas Horne asked whether anything had been decided about the venue for future Reunions. Diz replied that the Executive Committee had chosen to stay at Whinstones for the next 5 years as no other venue had been found that had as many facilities as the present venue.
Margaret Carnegie (Wilkinson) asked that a vote of thanks be sent to the Management of Whinstones View, as without their considerable help in relocating the meals when the Marquee was flooded, the 2007 Reunion would have been washed out. The Staff and Management had helped over and above any expectations and had helped to turn a possible disaster into a splendid success. Diz said she would write and thank them.
Douglas Horne asked how the 2007 Chairman’s Appeal had gone. Diz said that she along with all the Committee was overjoyed at the response. Old Scholars everywhere had been exceptionally generous and she wished to thank everyone who had kindly donated. |
| 16. |
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 3.50 pm. |
