60th Annual National Conference 2001
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Report on the 60th Annual National Conference held
28th / 29th April 2001 at the Britannia Hotel, Coventry
The Diamond Jubilee ANC got underway with a welcome to delegates by Conference Chairman, Adrian Barnard. He introduced the Lord Mayor of Coventry, Cllr Sheila Collins, who admitted she had not heard of 18 Plus before today! She spoke of the history of Coventry, its development, and her pride that the Federation had chosen Coventry for its conference and congratulated it on its Diamond Jubilee. The Lord Mayor and Adrian were joined by Midland Area Chairman, Pete Strawbridge and Coventry Group Chairman, Adam Redshaw to cut the 60th Birthday cake.
Vice President Karen Grey gave the Presidential Address and looked forward to an interesting conference. She paid tribute to former Vice President Linda Street, her courage and bravery during her illness and enthusiasm for life and 18 Plus. Nigel Corby, former National Chairman continued the address. He paid tribute to Linda, and said that the challenges of today should not be problems and members should take on the Federation's aims and ideals and
fulfill them - "Service before self". Some changes this weekend won't change the nature of the Federation and there should be no talk of closing it down! His 18 Plus experiences had changed his life and members now held the future in their hands
Tellers elected were Clive Bryant, Dave Orsler, Steve Crothers and Dave Wishart. Voting strength was established at 69. Steve Wildsmith and Gary Swimmer were elected ballot paper tellers. Apologies for absence were taken from Redbridge, Bradford, Barking & Dagenham, Wimbledon, Grimsby & Cleethorpes and Fareham groups, and Steve Sheldon, Carolyn Edwards and Christine Edwards.
The minutes from the 59th ANC 2000 were discussed for acceptance. P.14 needed to read Terry Drake, Lichfield Observer. Chris Brandon (Northwich Delegate) asked how money spent recruiting extra members was going. Adrian said it was a motion from a previous ANC and would have to be one again. Francis Wallington asked what became of the Think Tank. Donna Black (Honorary General Secretary) said there had been a 'Pestle' analysis of its work (Political, Economic, Social, Technical and Ecological). There was a question on e-mail and Internet enquiries. John Smith (National Development Officer) said there were 249 in 2000, 23 via e-mail and four from Direct Members. Of the 51 in 2001 23 were e-mail and five
Direct Members. There were no NEC amendments to the Annual Report 2000.
The Federation Accounts were presented with no corrections. Rob Broadfield (Walsall Delegate) asked if grant aid had been looked at. Tony Burgess (National Finance Officer) said it would be looked into. Walsall proposed the accounts and Didcot seconded, carried Nem Com. The Federation Annual Report was then presented and proposed by Southampton, seconded by Northwich, and carried unanimously. Tony then proposed the Accountant's Report, which Northwich seconded. It was carried unanimously.
Item 12, the Election of National Chairman, was deferred and the Membership Statistics and Charities Report
was opened up for questions. Dave Orsler (Chester Observer) asked about the money raised for Christie's Hospital (were Linda Street was a patient). More than £900 was raised. Adam Redshaw (Coventry Delegate) wondered if a summary of groups that had opened and closed could be included in the membership statistics. Adrian said this would be considered.
Pete Strawbridge (MAC) presented the motion on taking a paper ballot for changing the name, from 1st January 2002. He said some names were inappropriate but thanked all for their efforts. Four names were left after legal consultation - Active Plus, Plus, New Horizons, and the National Federation of 18 Plus Groups. Leo Glover (Basingstoke
Delegate) said the motion should have been discussed at the October 2000 NEC meeting. Adrian said it was discussed at last year's ANC and the NEC had allowed more discussion. Lara Collins (Brentwood
Delegate) suggested the name change be ditched, as what happens at group level counts. Mark Hewson (Solihull Observer) warned that some members didn't like mentioning the name 18 Plus and showed a page from the web site '18plus.com' which was for the more broad minded present! Corrina Haywood (Sutton Coldfield
Delegate) asked if the NEC had looked at the financial implications of changing the name re. stationery and publicity. "No" was the reply. Iain Parkes (Southampton Observer) reminded members that 300,000 people had been members over 60 years. Members should have pride in the Federation, and promote it - now was not the time to kill it! Barry Healey (Havering
Delegate) was in favour of no change but said there should be publicity drive if it did. Tracey Barron (Guildford
Delegate) said the name was suggestive. Colin Johnson (ex-member, Observer) said it had often been discussed, and would it make things any better? Jarrett Smith (Coventry Observer) wasn't for the change but was for the debate. Terry Dixon (Reading Observer) said there was an opportunity to do something about putting the issue of the name change "to bed". James Rockcliffe (Havering
Delegate) as much energy should be put into the Federation as the name change. Dave Orsler was neither for nor against, but the image needed changing as much as the name. In summing up Pete Strawbridge said that old name or new, it was for the delegates to choose. He advised voting for the motion. Karen explained the Single Transferable Vote system that would be used for the ballot. The vote for the ballot was then taken. 40 were for the ballot and 29 against. As the votes for did not have the 75% majority needed the motion was lost.
After tea and birthday cake the voting strength was re-established at 71. The motion to raise the full membership fee to £40 was introduced by Tim Moores (North Thames & Chiltern AC). He said everyone "loved to hate" suggestions of a price increase but there had been no change since 1992, and similar organisations had much higher fees. These were still increasing membership. A rise would enable a publicity drive to attract members and fund activities to keep them. There were two written questions which Donna said were answered in Tim's speech and then Erik Bean (Stevenage
Delegate) said the fee was too high at £20, whilst Lara Collins insisted the increase was necessary to help improve the Federation. Terry Drake (Lichfield Observer) applauded the NEC for making the proposal but the amount suggested was too high. Recruitment and retention should be pushed as the priority. Martin Berry (Lichfield
Delegate) then spoke in favour of the motion, with Adam Vass (Hounslow Observer) against, Corrina Haywood for and Iain Parkes against. The debate, on raising the full membership fee to £40, saw an amendment to raise the fee to £30 proposed. After Tim Moores (NT&CAC) summed up, delegates voted to accept this by 69%. The overall motion, to raise the fee to £30, was lost as only 69% voted in favour when a 75% majority was needed.
Adrian Barnard was nominated for National Chairman and gave his nomination speech. He hoped to do things smarter, by cutting red tape, with a 'no blame' culture. He wanted to improve communications, add more national events and create databases at less cost to the Federation. "Think positive and act positive, improve your life and that of your fellows. I am not a dreamer but a doer - we all should be."
SUNDAY MORNING
Sore heads and tired eyes assembled at 9.30 Sunday morning. A replacement teller for the 'indisposed' Dave Orsler was required, and Andy Bond was elected. Voting strength was (finally) established at 73. Barkingside proposed a motion to raise the full membership fee to £25 from June 1st (seconded Havering). Conference voted to accept this motion. Mark Kennedy (Barkingside
Delegate) said the extra £5 would not solve all the Federation's problems but would help. Barry Healy (Havering
Delegate) said members want better events, and £5 is the equivalent of two drinks from the bar last night! Erik Bean (Stevenage
Delegate) argued that members did not get much for their money from National. Lara Collins (Brentwood
Delegate) said £5 was not a lot to ask for National events like Brean Sands holiday, and publicity and development. Iain Parkes (Southampton Observer) said National already had lots of money. Ian Miller (Southampton
Delegate) said National money was being frittered away. Andy Bond (Chingford Observer) said that money was requested for publicity. Mark Kennedy summed up to say any group or Area could apply to National for money, and reserve funds should not be used to run what essentially is a business. The vote was then taken and with over 80% in favour, the motion was carried.
Motion 13.3, to return 10% of all membership fees to the groups, was withdrawn by the NEC. This was followed by the motion on the creation of a second tier group, which all members reaching the age of 36 would able to join. Louise Winters (Hillingdon
Delegate) proposed the motion. It had been piloted with success at Hillingdon and would add a new and exciting dimension to 18 Plus. Southampton seconder Ian Miller added it would stop older members worrying about their fate. Tim Moores, on behalf of the NEC, said it was a matter of choice as to whether they have a second tier or not but those that want one should not be denied the opportunity. Alison Berthier (Fareham Observer) said older members could put on their own events if they wished. Karen Grey then said a second tier was technically invitational in terms of 18 Plus events, as they would not constitutionally
be members. Chris Brandon (Northwich Delegate) warned that it could be a 'back door' way of increasing the age range. Following a question by Corrina Haywood (Sutton
Delegate) Gerry Edwards (Vice President) said if a group had a branch of Quest (proposed second tier name) Associates would have to join as a majority of the group had decided to form it. After the move to the vote was passed, Louise Winters summed up to stress that the second tier was an option, not a necessity. The motion was carried with a 79% majority.
The ballot for National Chairman was then taken, with Wayne Fenton elected ballot paper counter to replace another 'indisposed' member, Steve Wildsmith. Adrian was duly and comfortably elected, with 66 votes for, 5 against and 3 abstentions.
Next up came the motion to have full membership fee increases directly linked to the Retail Price Index (inflation). Matt Watkins of Oxford proposed the motion, to say such a move would save valuable future conference time. Basingstoke seconded. Danny Worthington (London & South East AC) spoke for the NEC, saying it was a common sense move. Steve Rolfe (Reading
Delegate) proposed an amendment - that it takes effect immediately and be ongoing without reference to the ANC. Didcot seconded. There was discussion as to when this would start and what it would include, as the £5 increase had been voted on. Adrian clarified exactly when any increases would start. The amendment was voted for and passed. Dave Filer (Coventry Observer) asked about amending a clause to replace the term 'concerning Associates'. Martin Berry (Lichfield
Delegate) said fees would increase gradually. Another amendment was proposed by Fareham, seconded Southampton, to round off the RPI rise to the nearest 50p. This was lost. The vote was then moved to the main proposal. The vote was carried, with 84% in favour.
Colin Greatorex (former National Chairman) opened the time capsule dating back to the Golden Jubilee in 1991, which was buried in Nicholson House. It will be re-sealed and opened again when 18 Plus chalks up 100 years in 2041!
SUNDAY AFTERNOON
After lunch there was a presentation of the Working Party proposals (not a motion) by Bekki Roe (Northern AC) with a discussion and straw poll. These involve replacing the National tier with a National Co-ordinator, appointed by Area Chairmen to facilitate Areas and a National Treasurer to control finances. Ian Crawshaw (Hounslow
Delegate) said it was too much to expect two people to do everything, and many things, such as a central national diary, and two-day ANC were still necessary. Corrina Haywood (Sutton
Delegate) said members should elect the National Co-ordinator. Francis Wallington (Walsall Observer) asked how the new structure would be implemented and understood and warned that legal and financial issues might stop it going ahead. A Northwich Delegate (sorry, name missed!) wanted to know the position of Quest in the light of these proposals. Kevin Davies (Stockport
Delegate) was concerned at the lack of Group and Area Treasurers and said Associates could end up running the organisation. Some members felt they had not had enough time to consider the proposals and a break was taken to read the summary document. Some other points were made - Jarrett Smith (Coventry Observer) suggested more consultation with members and the Working Party considers more options. Clive Bryant, Working Party Member, gave a more detailed summary of the proposals. He said the current structure is expensive and no longer works. The new system would keep people and Areas communicating. The new structure would give more money to Treasurers. He urged delegates to make a decision on the proposals. Anne Dunkley (Former National Chairman) said now was not the time for a restructuring debate - recruitment was far more important. The straw poll did not go ahead but Adrian urged Areas actively debate the proposals at their upcoming conferences.
The Facility for National Debate began with a proposal from Coventry on promotion of life membership. Adam Redshaw (Coventry
Delegate) said £78,000 could be generated in one year if every member took life membership. Mark Hewson (Solihull Observer) said his group members were given reminder letters with the option of life renewal. He would look towards putting this option on the web site. Next Gerry Edwards (NEO) said Southern Area was about to elect a new committee, but that North Thames & Chiltern's committee
were all standing down. He said it was a real problem with possibly dire consequences. Erik Bean (Stevenage
Delegate) wasn't sure how important Areas were - but his group was doing fine. Hounslow Delegate (name missed again!) suggested one of the SAC candidates could stand for NT&CAC. Lara Collins (Brentwood
Delegate) suggested Stevenage were being selfish. John Allum (Hillingdon) said letters had informed NT&C of the situation. Pete Strawbridge (Midland AC) said his Area had similar problems. Bekki Roe said groups should not be selfish and more Groups should support Area committees. Other speakers discussed Group and Area commitments and how they coped with different situations in the Federation. Corrina Haywood said well-run Areas meant smaller Groups benefited. Gerry Edwards was pleased to hear the comments made and said Southern Area was an example of what everyone pulling together can do.
Adrian gave his National Chairman's address to conference. He said there had been a number of discussions on the future of 18 Plus, and he looked forward to meeting the new Area Chairmen and committees. 18 Plus helps in your personal life - he was questioned on it in a recent job interview he feels he has got! The membership fee increase should help the Federation. Committee members should be afraid to move up - he had done and it has never frightened him!
The winners of the trophies awarded this year were President's Trophy (Best Group in Federation): Solihull. Cobb Dual Purpose Two Pint Jug Mug (Best Area in Federation): Midland/Southern (shared). Charities Trophy: Barkingside. Gold Trail Trophy (Most novel way of charity fundrasing): Romford. Charles Padgham Training Trophy: Midland. Linda Street 'Spirit of 18 Plus' Award: Jo Woodhead, Adrian Barnard. National Chairman's Merit Awards: Clive Bryant, Julia
Falkner, John Allum.
The Vice Presidents elected were Karen Grey, Jo Woodhead and Gerry Edwards. Kingscott Dix were appointed Federation accountants.
Karen Grey's closing address followed. She said she was pleased with the level of debate over the weekend, and hoped it would encourage members to go back with enthusiasm to their groups. Adrian closed the conference …and so everyone went home.
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
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