RNPS

MINUTES OF THE RNPS AGM HELD IN FORT BLOCKHOUSE 02 JULY 2010

Click on this link to see Membership and Website Report in PDF format

Click on this link to see Treasurers Report in PDF format

1.
Intro/Welcome
The Secretary opened the meeting at 20.15 and welcomed everyone to the AGM.  Apologies for absence had been received from Campbell de Burgh and Ian Kempsell
 
2.
Previous Minutes
The Minutes of the last AGM, held on 3 Jul 09  were reviewed and accepted. The minutes were proposed as correct by Bob Eves, and seconded by Alan Foggie.
 
3.
Secretary’s Report
The Hon Sec gave a short report. He opened by stating that Admiral Slater, the RNPS President, would not be present for the RN VBF the following day, but had passed on his best wishes to all.
The Hon Sec then thanked all his fellow Committee Members for all their hard work and support in the past year. He thanked Campbell de Burgh for all his work as Membership Secretary and for running website, Ian Kempsell for his work as Treasurer, Bill Gass for his work as Musical Director, and Paddy Grayell for all that he has done as Quartermaster and  as the Area Rep in the key Portsmouth area.  He also thanked a number of key Members who were not formally part of the Committee but whose valued contribution enabled the RNPS to continue to function.   
The Hon Sec reported another year very much in RNPS tradition. A major review of stock holdings had been conducted to ensure that we were holding the right amount of the right sort of kit. A number of important events had been held, ranging from small scale to the South Coast Proms the previous week. John Macdonald was working towards introduction of a ‘sea set’ of pipe tunes and we had received our bi-annual invitation to the Royal Garden Party, and Irene Robinson and Mac Sabiston would be attending on 20 Jul.
Finally, the Hon Sec said that although re-election of Committee members was a standing agenda item later on, he intended to stand down from the post. This was because of a range of other commitments which he felt, along with his inexperience in piping matters,  had limited his ability to commit fully in the role, and contribute best to the interests and advancement of the Society.  He would not stand down until a suitable relief was in place.
 
4.
Treasurer’s Report
Copies of the Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statement were passed around for members to note. The books had been audited by Cdr Charles Crichton, and no comments were raised at the meeting. The Hon Sec re-iterated his thanks to Ian Kempsell for all his hard work as Treasurer. A copy of the financial  statement is attached.

5.
Membership
Copies of the Membership Secretary’s report were circulated, and a copy is attached. Submission of articles and pictures for the website is encouraged, and the Hon Sec re-stated thanks to Campbell de Burgh for all his hard work as both Membership Secretary and website supremo.
 
6.
Election of Officers
As previously stated, the Hon Sec announced his intention to stand down; there were a few potential options for his relief, and he would pursue these. Ian Kempsell is very happy to continue in the role of Treasurer, but equally happy to stand down if there is a volunteer, particularly if a serving Member. Campbell de Burgh has stated that he would wish to stand down as Membership Secretary before the next AGM, and volunteers for this Committee position are encouraged. The Hon Sec undertook, on behalf of the Committee, to ensure a smooth transition in Committee member changes.
 
Action: 6.1: Committee

7.
Society Equipment – Pipes and Drums
Paddy Grayell gave an update on Society kit, including Drummer’s Plaid badges, Belt Buckles and new Hackles.. A full audit of kit had been conducted earlier in the year, to review stock holdings and levels, and the Hon Sec thanked Paddy Grayell and Campbell de Burgh for all their work in completing this.  
 The question of obtaining a D/M’s sash was raised. Although the general view was that this would not represent good value for money given the amount of likely use, there was interest and it was possible that the RM SO2 Music might have an old RM one that could be adapted for purpose.  Members agreed that Bob Eves and Mark Snell could investigate options along these lines, and report back to the Committee.  A cost of up to £150 for a sash was felt to be acceptable.

Action: 7.1: Bob Eves/Mark Snell/QM
  
8.
Society Uniform
There was renewed debate about standardisation of kit. The idea of using an RN tartan was raised again, although  the Hon Sec did not believe that this existed and,  if it did, the cost of buying/controlling and issuing would be prohibitive. The Hon Sec reminded Members that the Society had adopted the Government tartan (Black Watch version as worn by the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders), with uniformity being provided by headgear and dark blue hose. Several Members noted that the ‘splash of colour’ provided by different kilts had been favourably commented on by spectators at RNPS events.

9.
Events
Paddy Grayell gave a short update on plans for the RN VBF on 3 Jul 10,  and a short report on the successful 2010 Cologne visit, which had strong Rose and Thistle support, and stated that there were already some signed up for Cologne 11.   He believed that the recent South Coast Proms might be repeated next year, and that there was a planned event in Oct for the RN/RM Children’s fund with HMS COLLLINGWOOD band. Members were also reminded about the Pipefest event in Edinburgh 7 – 9 Aug 10, in aid of  Marie Curie Cancer care.
 
10.
RNPS Future Plans
The Secretary re-iterated the points made in his report, that the intention was to continue the RNPS in the ‘steady state’, and that an effort would be made to increase serving RN membership.

11.
AOB
Bob Eves asked that thanks be noted for all Paddy Grayell’s work in organising RNPS events, and Mark Snell asked for thanks also to be noted to all those involved in the South Coast Prom.
 
The meeting was closed at 21.20.
 
12.
DONM
Jul 11 dtbc.
 
 
N P B Morton
N P B MORTON
Cdr RN
Sec RNPS