Black Country MAG

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since 04.04.2000

Annual General Meeting 2008

If you know of any member that will need a hard copy of these Minutes (e.g. without access to a computer), please ask them to send a stamped addressed envelope (with the words 'BCMAG AGM Minutes' on the top left corner) to the following address : 5 Cramnore Close, Tipton, West Midlands, DY4 0TR.

Park Inn, Woodsetton.

Meeting began at 2100hrs.

Minutes prepared by Wendy Jones

Attending

Eddie Lowe (61966), Nigel Carter (65965), Wendy & John Jones (120577),

Mike Norris (104150), G Whitehouse (61958), Phillip Poyner (81246), John New (122802), G. Cook (116406)

T. Potter (120041), D. Silburn (122133), I.G. Saunders (125241), P.B. Prendergast (125777).

Apologies:

None received

Appointment of Meeting Chair:

Nigel Carter (65965) proposed Eddie Lowe (Regional Rep 61966) as chair for the meeting.

Agreed nem con

Minutes of Last Meeting:

No matters arising. Accepted nem con

Election of Black Country Rep:

Nigel Carter(65965) was proposed to remain in the post by M. Norris (104150), seconded by John Jones (120577). Voted in unanimous.

Election of Officers:

Deputy Rep/Secretary: Mick Norris (104150), proposed by N. Carter (65965), seconded by John Jones (120577). Voted in unanimous.

Treasurer: Simon Greene (92656), proposed by Nigel Carter (65965), seconded by G. Whitehouse (61958). Voted in unanimous.

Political Officer: Vacant, again there were no volunteers for post.

Liaison Officer:Jan & Kirsty have been sharing this post successfully for the last two years and it was proposed that they be asked to continue. Decision postponed until we receive their reply. Proposed by Nigel Carter (65965), seconded by Mick Norris (104150), Voted in unanimous.

Website Manager: Wendy Jones (120577), proposed by Nigel Carter (65965), seconded by Mike Norris (104150). Voted in unanimous.

Officers' Reports:

Reps Report;

It has been another good year maintaining the success of the previous year ,we started with a healthy bank balance and our 5th AGM . We were unable to match our donation of 2006, however still managed to make £130.00. This is an excellent achievement and one which is very much appreciated by The West Midlands Region .

Black Country MAG has been active in all the events hosted by the West Midlands Regional Group and many of MAG's national campaigns. Furthermore, I believe that Black Country regulars have attended all the events organised by the region's individual groups: Bromsgrove, Coventry, Cannock. It did not stop there, though: there was attendance and involvement at MAG events nationally throughout the year.

In brief :

The " Brum Demo " this year was again made a national event and we went "back home", into Birmingham. It was a great success on a very hot day, very well supported by MAG nationally . The demo was incorporated into the Heart of England Rally , another good event enjoyed by all.

Many members have frequently been seen out on their bikes, especially on Sundays - a great way of maintaining the group's numbers and its visibility .

Back From The Dead :

Our own event, the "Back From The Dead Rally," the sixth in the series held at the Park Gate Inn Dodford, was less successful than previous years in terms of numbers. It clashed with other events, as some had changed their dates from previous years. We have still recorded a profit, enabling us to maintain a good donation to MAG West Midlands for the sixth time since the Black Country Group was re-formed ten years ago. We will be donating £ 200.00 to the region, mostly the proceeds from the rally. Despite the low turnout, everyone enjoyed a very good weekend. Many thanks must go to the landlord who has been just keeping the pub "ticking over" . Also, a very big thank you to those who helped to erect the control tent and break it down again afterwards. The 2008 "Back From The Dead VII" event has been not yet been scheduled. We might need to source another venue. We are going to look at some possible sites in the near future.

In answer to John Jones' query, it was confirmed that the rally would still be scheduled for the end of September.

'Haberdashers' was proposed as a possible venue.

Weekly meetings have been well attended. We have maintained a hard core of regulars, with some newcomers at times. We look forward to seeing all of you in the next year, and hopefully some more new faces as well. We have done a lot this year, we are in profit again, and we have enjoyed doing it .

Getting Involved :

Throughout the year there has been good attendance at West Midlands regional meetings. Very well done, please keep it up. We must keep up the pressure though, so please encourage friends and associates to become more involved. It may seem that there is very little in the way of campaigning taking place, or maybe even that little needs to be done right now . There is, however, still a lot going on. MAG is a victim of its own success in this respect. Campaigning is taking place in the background before things hit the headlines, and this has reduced the need for some of the high profile campaigning that we used to see . This is a result of all the good work that is being done by MAG nationally and is unseen by most of us. All of this work and lobbying deserves our ongoing support - in particular, financial support, which is a key resource for continued success in the future.

Regional meetings are scheduled for the first Thursday of every month at the 'Bewell Head Social Club', Bromsgrove from 8pm. It might be wise to check with Eddie Lowe that the meeting has not been postponed for any reason, before setting out.

There is a lot of work to do but if more people do a little each then the burden will be lessened on those already working hard.We can party and have fun, whilst doing good work .

A final note - I want to encourage all of us to actively " ride out " together or "meet-up" more often , enjoying our bike riding and maybe gaining more members along the way.

Nigel Carter

It was requested by members present, that any ride-outs planned be displayed as a banner on the web Home page.

Accounts;

The accounts for calendar year 2007 were distributed, in the treasurer's absence.

Webmaster Annual Report 2008.

It hardly seems possible that a year has passed since my first report to the AGM.

There were a few months before Christmas when I am afraid I did not go on the forum and also no updating was done on the website, but this is now being done. The Home page has been brought up to date, and a couple of reports added to the rally page. I also gather, from e-mails received and from items on the forum, that the members' bikes page requires updating - this will be the next job.

I would like to thank all those who have sent me photos and reports to include on the rally page. It is more interesting for everyone to read accounts from a number of sources, and also helps to give a more balanced view of the facilities and entertainment at a rally. I have had one or two people say they have decided to book a rally after reading an account on the website of the previous year's event - so it is of value.

Last year, JJ and I had to cancel our plans for the Autumn after his accident, so unless someone sends me words and/or pictures of 'Back from the Dead', 'Toads and Dogends', 'Oddballs', 'Penguins' etc - no accounts can appear in our pages.

A number of our members travel abroad for rallies or biking holidays. Rob has sent a report of the Castellon Rally he attended, and that has been posted. We went over for 2 weeks in July, with Nigel and Pauline, and I will put some words and pictures together on that - especially the camp-sites we stayed at; all of them made us very welcome although only one was a biker site. Gary and Jan also went to France, so I hope to post their experiences as well.

In the last few days I received an e-mail requesting a web-link on our site to a b and b in the south of France, near the Pyrenees. It is owned by a British couple who are bikers and looks very nice - but small, so I have asked if they have level ground suitable for tents as well. I am still awaiting their reply, but I will add the link this week. The Black Country MAG website joins the EEC!

Since the meeting I have had a reply from the owners to say they have level ground suitable for tents, and campers will be very welcome to use all facilities. I have not got round to posting the link (sorry!) but will do so asap.

I notice in my Report for 2007 that I referred to the fact that Steve had renewed the Domain name for another two years before he left. By my calculations, that makes it due for renewal this year; help! What does that mean? What do I do?

Nigel has since e-mailed Steve, as promised at the meeting, and they have sorted this. Thanks, fellas!

Again, I ask - please let me have your comments on the site, and suggestions for improvements.

At the meeting, members suggested that a map of any ride-out destination be posted on the website, to make it easier for riders to join in. I will do my best.

West Midlands Region

Fred Hill Run - Sunday 10th Feb 2008 As usual the run will leave the Park Inn at 11:00 and head to the main meeting place at Bewell Head where tea and coffee will be available. The museum have agreed to MAG members entering the exhibits for a reduced fee of £5 after the meeting.

Easter Egg Run - Saturday 15th March 2008 Please support if you can. Easter Eggs, fruit, stuffed toys or anything like that would be appreciated. The run will be from Bewell Head to Acorns Hospice in Worcester.

MAG AGC - This year's event is being hosted by West Midlands Region, as it was in 2006. It will be held at the 'Spadesbourne Suite', Bromsgrove, on Saturday 26th April 2008. Breakfasts will be available from the cafe inside the Suite, from approx 8.30 am. However a caterer is still needed for the AGC party/overnight camping, at Stoke Prior. Volunteers are still needed to staff/marshal the event - your region needs you!! This is our chance to show, once again, that although small the Midlands region can play its part as well as any other.

Heart of England - 11th- 13th July 2008 Thanks to everyone who helped to make last year's event such a success. Again, this year, any help would be appreciated. The 'curry van' will be the sole food trader. Past-Its are again marshalling. Most bands now booked, but a support band is still needed fo Saturday night. No cars are allowed on the field; disabled parking will be by the toilets. Traders are needed - £40 per pitch.

Brum Demo - Saturday 12th July 2008 Again this was well supported by the group last year and hopefully this year will be equally as successful. The site for the bike park in Birmingham has yet to be decided.

Regional AGM and Meetings: The Regional AGM is on Saturday 23rd February 2008. This year, at the Park Inn, Woodsetton - 13:00 (1pm) start. Anyone who can make it is encouraged to do so.

Group Patch

It has been agreed that the 'factory roofs' logo will be used. Eddie can get them produced for about £1.20 each, to retail at £2.

Any Other Business:

Wendy Jones (120577) asked permission to do some fundraising on behalf of Katz (see 1066MCC for details) at the HOE rally. This was approved.

Dave Silburn (122133) will be organising the '1st Hop and Barley Rally' at the end of August. This will be a NABD fundraiser.

Next AGM:

The provisional date, Monday 26th January 2009

Thanks were given to all those who attended and the meeting was closed by Nigel.