Minutes of the committee meeting held at Llandeilo on 22^nd August 2006          

Present:

George Causley                        Ian Hainsworth

Diana Jones                              John Lloyd »chairman)

David Morris                            Wendell Thomas

1. Apologies for absence from Derek Moore, Angela Lovegrove and Nigel Williams.

2. Minutes of the meeting on 22^nd May 2006:

            Accepted as a true record

3. Approval of minutes of 22^nd May for posting on the website:

The complete minutes were approved for posting on the website. Ian to arrange this.

4. Matters arising:

a) County site guide. A circular has been sent to members asking for information on birding sites for the proposed county site guide. Information on one site has been submitted and others are promised.

b) 100^th member. This proved less straightforward than expected due to some memberships lapsing and later being renewed. However, it transpired that Kim Leffingwell is the club’s 100^th new member. It was agreed to present her with a hard-back copy of Collin’s Bird Guide - if possible at the AGM. George will arrange this and contact Kim.

c) Marketing of the Bird Report. This item was postponed as Angela was not able to be at the meeting and also because the bird report is not ready.

5. Club website:

            This item was not dealt with as Mark Newton was unable to join the meeting.

6. Programme of meetings:

Wendell reported that more than 20 people had come to the Nightjar Watch. Everyone had either heard a churring male or seen a nightjar. A successful meeting. John was thanked for organising the meeting.

The barbecue and high tide watch was also successful. Angela’s cooking was superb and was much enjoyed by everyone. Angela was given a vote of thanks for her hard work and catering skills. Ian will write to her to express the club’s appreciation. Thanks also to Wendell for manning the barbecue and to WWT for the use of the reserve centre. 28 people came and the evening made a profit of around £70.

Wendell has organised a programme of meetings up to February. The Gwent OS will join us for our walk to Whitford in January. We will have a speaker from the Gower Bird Hospital and we have agreed to give a donation of £40 to GBH.

7. Newsletter:

Ian said that the September newsletter could be sent out along with the AGM notice about the 25^th September, 2-3 weeks later than usual. This was agreed. John offered to write an article on the two new breeding species in the county.

8. Treasurers’ report:

George had prepared a financial statement. There is a balance of £2220 in the account. He suggested transferring £1000 to a deposit account to earn interest. This was agreed.

9. Report from the BTO Regional Representative:

Colin was unable to make the meeting.

10. County Bird Report:

Some concern was expressed about progress on the report. Derek has already put in much work but there is still a lot to be done. It was thought that a number of people would help if asked. John agreed to discuss this with Derek.

11. Resignation of Neil Lewis:

Neil had sent an e-mail to Ian to say that he is resigning from the committee due to pressure of work and personal commitments. His resignation was accepted with regret. It was noted that Neil is on the committee because he is assistant county recorder and it was felt that whether he intends to continue to assist Derek is a matter for both of them to agree.

12. AGM:

a) Arrangements: The date of the AGM will be Wednesday October 18^th 2006 at 7:30 p.m. at National Wetland Centre Wales.

b) Notification to members: All members will receive notification by post. A request to pay the 2006/07 subscription will be sent at the same time. Payment can be made by post or at the AGM. The accounts will not be sent out beforehand but copies will be available at the meeting.

c) Subscription rate: After discussion, it was agreed that the 2006/07 subscription rate should be unchanged. It was noted that any increase in the subscription from October 2007 should be agreed at the 2006 AGM but it was felt that, at the moment, there is no case for increasing the subscription.

d) Committee positions for election. Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Events Organiser and two ordinary members »Angela and David) will have completed their terms of office at the date of the AGM. All are eligible for re-election for one further term of 3 years.

Chairman - Ian agreed to discuss the chairmanship with Derek after the meeting. »I have done this. Derek prefers not to seek re-election due to the extent of his other commitments, IH). Ian proposed that John should stand for the chairmanship if Derek does not wish to continue and this was endorsed by the committee. John said that he is willing to serve either as chairman or vice-chairman. John will therefore be proposed as chairman »proposed by Ian Hainsworth).

Vice chairman - This position becomes vacant and nominations will be invited.

Secretary - Ian does not wish to stand for re-election. Nominations will be invited.

Events Organiser - Wendell is willing to stand for re-election. He was proposed by the committee.

Ordinary members - David is willing to stand for re-election and was proposed by the committee. Ian said that Angela makes a valued contribution to the club and to the committee and that she should be invited to seek re-election. Ian is to contact her when she returns from holiday.

13. Any other business:

George said that possibility of paying subscriptions by direct debit had been discussed with the club’s bank but no clear benefit had been identified. He did not intend to take the matter further.

14. Date of next meeting:

Although this is a matter for the new committee, Ian will book the room for the afternoon of November 21^st.