2019 AGM Minutes

11th November 2019 at the Auckland Arms

1. WELCOME: The meeting opened at 1900 and the Chairman Pete Coote welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. Those present were: Maggie Spyropolous, Sally Jouhning, Elaine Halsey, Liz Latcham, , Berry Reeves, Helen Deacon, Martin Mason, Pete Coote, Karen Bevan, Di Houghton, Chris Collier, Lyn Browne, Nigel Dade, David Baker, Simon Green, Rowena Knott, Kevin and Lyn Garwood, Graham Cockburn, Sarah Coote ,Wrinkly Phil(!), Phil Webb, Graham Norton, Colin Beattie, Nigel Bathe, Jilly Martin, Karen Foster, Pete Riches, Maria Jerrard, Ted and Jan (HI), Bridgette. Genevieve, Terry, David and Pauline Sandiford
2. APOLOGIES: were received from: Hoppy Hopkins, Jude Child and Bobbie Cozens
3. THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING: These were approved.
4. MATTERS ARISING: There were no matters arising.
5. THE CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT: Pete Coote reported as follows: We’ve performed 87 gigs since last year’s AGM making a total of more than 648 since we started. I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who supports gigs. Their tireless enthusiasm makes a massive positive difference to so many audiences. These supporters include Lyn Browne who also organises the diary for us all. Many thanks are due to Lyn. I would encourage anyone who has not yet gigged to consider it. We’ve recently altered the criteria to be more inclusive and encourage Monday Nighters to join up for standard gigs. New songs will continue to be crafted on Thursdays and then introduced to Monday nights for consumption. This way everyone gets to learn and perform the same version of each song. You may think that you are not good enough. That tends to be what most people feel till they have a go. As with life, the first step is the hardest; then it becomes much easier and increasingly enjoyable too. Seeing audiences enjoying themselves is a major factor for our performers. Our 10^th Birthday party was a great success with many non uke people popping into the Gaiety Bar to listen. It was great that Linda Wilson, one of our original members and a driving force in the early years was able to join the party which was opened by the Lord Mayor. In April we donated £9,000 to QA Hospital which contributed 70% of a robotic arm used in non-cancer operations. We are thrilled to have made such an impact on a single item of value to our community. It is with great sadness to report that Ian Maiden passed away following a long illness. Ian was our treasurer for many years and helped form two other local uke groups, Waterlooville U3A and Soberton Strummers. Representatives from all three groups performed at his funeral service at the Sustainability Centre on the South Downs. I’d like to welcome David Sandiford who has kindly offered to look after our finances this year. December is our busiest month and a good time for Pluckers thinking about having a go. Please let a member of the committee know so we can add your name to the invite.
6. PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF ACCOUNTS: The treasurer circulated copies of the Profit & Loss and the Balance Sheet for the last financial year. They showed an income for the year of £8,255.72 and expenditure of £1,445.91 plus the £9,000 donated to charity. Assets held at the end of the financial year were £7930.77. The AGM approved and adopted the accounts and agreed to present a cheque for £2,000 to each of our three charities.
7. CHOOSING A LOCAL CHARITY TO SUPPORT: This is the second year for our three charities. These were chosen at the last AGM and it was agreed that we keep them for 3 years: Age Concern; Make; PARCS
8. ELECTION OF THE COMMITTEE: In accordance with our constitution all members of the committee resigned. Most had offered to continue in their current roles and so the same officers and members were duly re-elected by the AGM for one year with the addition of Simon Green and the resignation of Hoppy Hopkins.
9. ANNUAL PRIZEGIVING: The Prize for the Plucker who has inspired or contributed the most this year was awarded with pleasure and all round approval to Lyn Browne.
10. CHANGES TO THE CONSTITUTION : There were no changes to the Constitution.
11. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Lyn Garwood read from a prepared script and made comments about the inclusion or otherwise of Monday Nighters on Thursday nights and conduct thereat. Much discussion took place and the Chairman again requested everybody to ensure that they were welcoming to all Pluckers and courteous to all at any Pluckers gathering and gigs. Pete suggested that the Auckland might be a good place for the AGM. Helen Deacon thought that the Auckland might be too public a place. As there was no other business the meeting closed at 1935.
12. CLOSING REMARKS
13. DATE OF NEXT AGM: The date of the next AGM will be in November 2020 on a date to be chosen by the committee.