Minutes of Committee Meeting 21st October 2005
Present: Martin Dance, Ron Perkins,
Paul Joslyn, Dave Belcher, Mick Mace, Jack Bishop, Kevin Mercer Apologies
for absence from: Neil Viney, Andrew Stretton, Tony Roberts.
The final wording of Flying Field rule 5 was agreed.
Following feedback received from members regarding the new
Flying Field rule 13, prohibiting lone flying, was presented to the committee
and debated. Issues discussed included: personal safety, public safety, likely
hood of an incident occurring whilst flying alone and the possible
ramifications and the risks lone flying poses to continued use of the
Dreadnought site.
Following this, a revised rule was proposed by Dave Belcher and voted on. The
revised rule was narrowly defeated. However in light of the narrow defeat and
the sensitive nature of the issue, it was decided to put the revised rule to
the members at the AGM.
A
note regarding the outcome of the committee meeting and that the prohibited
lone flying rule stands until the revised rule is voted on at the AGM is to be
posted on the Web site.
Grass Cutting
Brian
has finally decided to retire from mowing the strip, helipad and pits areas so
alternative means of getting the grass cut need to be found.
David
Gray had offered to cut the grass, but it was felt that the club already takes
a lot of his time.
An
outline agreement has been reached with the contractors already cutting grass
in the Thames Valley Business Park to undertake this work.
Advantages
of using the contactors: the club no longer needs to finance the deprecation or
maintain the grass cutting machinery, club member/s do not need to be
inconvenienced to undertake the task or store the machinery, grass is cut
regularly according to the agreed contract.
Disadvantages:
Contract could increase prices in subsequent years or not perform / cut the
grass as required.
Committee
voted to go with the contractor.
AGM
Committee
members and club officers: Martin, Ron, Dave, Jack, Mick, Kevin and Paul were all prepared to
stand for election again. Under the terms of the clubs constitution Andrew has
volunteered to step down as secretary for 2006. It is not known if he is
prepared to stand for re-election.
Subscriptions:
The
treasurer presented the increased spending incurred this year (postage and St
Barnabus Hall charges etc) and in light of the increased cost of paying a
contractor to cut the grass, proposed the following increases for 2006
subscriptions:
2005 2006 Increase
Full
member £38 £45 £7
Junior
member £8 £10 £2
Senior
member £12 £14 £2
Joining
fee £35 £40 £5
It
was also recommended to e-mail Windsock to members who would like to receive it
electronically to save on the cost and work of posting a copy to every member.
Motions:
Propose and
vote on new club rules, which include the subscription due dates, that state
any member having not paid the membership fee by the 31st December
will not be insured to fly until such time as the treasurer receives the remittance
and are therefore prohibited from using any club flying site. Any member not
having renewed by 31st Jan shall be deemed to have left the club and
as such the joining fee becomes payable should the member wish to re-join.
Propose
and vote on revised ‘Lone flying’ rule.
2006
committee meeting dates and venue
A proposed change of venue for the committee meetings was discussed. Ron and Jack took an action to investigate returning to the John Lloyd Centre, as this venue could potentially be cheaper than the current one.
A
date of 12th January was agreed for the next committee meeting,
venue TBD, at which time the newly elected committee would agree subsequent
dates for 2006.
AOB
75th
Anniversary Celebrations: 2006 sees the 75th anniversary of the Reading and District
Model Aircraft Club and it was felt that some event should be organised to
celebrate this and promote the club.
Initial
ideas were for a Model Show and Flying Display, held at Bulmersh College, which
has been used for similar events in the past.
The
event to consist of:
§
Static
and flying displays (‘B’ cert pilots only)
§
Introductory
flights with the club trainer / buddy box,
§
Static
display of model jets, with an on bench jet engine run up?
§
Local
press / TV invitation
§
Refreshments
A
Marquee would probably be required and cost would need to be investigated.
The
possibility of local council funding / support was mentioned and should be
investigated, however the venue would probably have to be within the borough
for this – Kings Meadow being a possible alternative site.
Further
discussions to take place at January’s committee meeting
Christmas: Linda Bishop is willing to
provide the catering for the Christmas club meeting.
Christmas
raffle, Martin undertook to get the raffle tickets and Ron to get the prizes.
Charity
Donation: This
year’s charity donation of £50 will be made to the Thames Valley Air Ambulance
Club
Competitions: Winner’s
of 2005 club competitions: Concourse & Fly off, Enstone Cup, Pilot of the
Year and Committee’s award were agreed
Safety:
The
practice of standing very close to the strip for landings should be
discouraged.
A
note should be placed on the web site reminding members to be extra careful in
the pits when members of the public are passing close by on the public foot path.
Meeting
closed at 10pm.
Next
committee meeting 12th January, Venue TBD.