MINUTES OF THE 37TH AGM
held at ‘Roller Bowl’, Culduthel Road
Inverness
Wednesday 5th May 2011
The following is a transcription of the proceedings at the AGM held on Thursday 5th May 2011 chaired by President Douglas Grant –
Present – Sandy Calder, Ian Smith, Douglas Grant, David Hamilton, Sandy Ross and Gavin Clark.
SECRETARY'S REPORT
Resignation – Maggie Carr has resigned her Torness membership.
Apologies received –The Secretary read the following list of apologies –
Alex Barnet
Mike Afek
Alan McKay
Gordon Eddie
Alastair and Elizabeth Soppitt
Neil Crawford
Ian Barke
Douglas Somerville
Iona Somerville
Christian and Lesley Michels
The Secretary intimated that Iona Somerville’s absence (above) was due to the fact she had an important new priority - a baby boy born the previous week . . . Everyone present extends their best wishes and trusts the new arrival will continue the family tradition and take up curling in due course.
Sandy requested to minute his sincere personal thanks to those who ‘covered’ and ‘subbed’ for him throughout the year following his accident – a further complication in what proved a difficult year for all concerned. Particular thanks to Douglas Grant for his efforts. Further thanks are due to those members who visited in hospital, called at 22 Culloden Road or telephoned often on more than one occasion . . . Many thanks.
The Minutes of the 36th AGM (copies circulated previously to all members) were passed with Ian Smith proposing and Gavin Clark seconding.
Traditional Reports – The President, Match Secretary and Treasurer each gave their annual reports.
President Douglas Grant outlined what he accurately described as a difficult season for Torness, what with accidents, illnesses, absences, holidays and even pregnancies. He went on to thank the Club’s ‘hard-core stalwarts’ for their commitment and unflagging enthusiasm. Notwithstanding the difficulties he went on to describe a relatively successful season where Torness continued to ‘pack a punch’ considerably above it’s weight - highlighting the Grand Match victory against Crossmyloof at Braehead. Finally, the need for new members was highlighted and whether or not they appeared, it was unanimously agreed that the Club’s Province commitment for the coming season would have to be reduced from four to three teams. At this point a spreadsheet (produced by the Secretary) showing playing preferences was referred to and confirmed the problem. The reduced Province commitment be notified ASAP to Michael Jack by the Secretary.
Match Secretary Sandy Calder – The serious complications of illness/absence etc. already referred to by the President coloured the whole of the Match Secretary’s Report. Torness 1 was 4th in Province Division 2; but unfortunately Torness 2 and Torness 3 were relegated in their respective leagues with Torness 4 remaining in Division 4 at ?th place. Throughout the season the Club League was continuously cobbled together due to the problems already mentioned but Douglas Somerville’s Team C was deemed to have won. In the Seniors’ League, Torness (skipped by Alex Barnet) came a very creditable second equal while the team skipped by Gavin Clark won the Dalcross League.
The Match Secretary finished his report with a plea for match cards/results to be forwarded religiously to him and that this was the duty of winning skips. In a brief discussion Sandy Calder agreed that an e-mail of results would suffice if it proved inconvenient to physically forward or hand in the card and this would ensure all results were recorded.
Presentation of Prizes
Club League - Team ‘C’ - skipped by Douglas Somerville
Club Knockout - Team 6 - skipped by Sandy Calder
Pairs Competition - Gavin Clark and Lesley Michels
Points competition - Won by David Hamilton and Alex Barnet
Closing Bonspeil - Won by Sandy Ross and Alan McKay
Treasurer’s Report – A copy of the receipts and payments account up to 31st March 2011 was distributed which shows receipts having decreased by £443. This decrease was caused by both subscriptions and ice fees being reduced. A similar pattern occurs in the outgoings with ice rink charges and entry fees for the Grand Match both showing a reduction. David went on to conclude that the result of the receipts and payments the club is in the black to the tune of £74. Finally, because of the stable situation of the Club’s finances there will be no change in the annual subscription in the coming season.
Matters arising
Since all three reports from office bearers expressed concerns over the problems generated by the lack of active members (for whatever reason) and that the burden was borne by the ‘club stalwarts’. It was obvious to the meeting (as noted by the President) that our commitment to the Province should be curtailed from four to three competing teams. It was agreed that Michael Jack be informed officially as soon as possible although it was pointed out that he had already been forewarned.
Election of Office Bearers
All four office bearers, President Douglas Grant, Treasurer David Hamilton, Match Secretary Sandy Calder and Secretary Sandy Ross expressed a willingness to continue in post. The motion that Torness Curling Club Office Bearers remain the same was proposed by Gavin Clark and seconded by Iain Smith.
Election of skips
The following were elected –
Torness One – Sandy Calder
Torness Two - David Hamilton
Torness Three - Ian Smith
Dalcross League
Torness A - Gavin Clark
Torness B - Alan McKay
Saturday bonspiels
Skips to be appointed at a later date.
AOCB – A paragraph in an e-mail from Lesley Michels highlighted what she determined a problem encountered during the ‘difficulties’ of the past season namely – that too many nominated players were not, or had not, organised subs for their absence resulting in - ‘Too many games were to be played with 3 in a team last year not because of emergencies but it seemed just because someone didn’t sort out a sub and didn’t inform anyone either.
In discussion the obvious frustrations felt were recognised but those present emphasised that it has always been the case that it is incumbent on every player to organise their own substitute in the first instance (see note at the head of Fixture List) and if successful or otherwise inform the nominated skip in advance of start-time thereby allowing him/her time to find a substitute if still required. The short discussion which followed endorsed the current position.
There being no other business the meeting closed.
