Walsall Wood Camera Club
Committee meeting 30th Jan 2017 minutes
Meeting was held at the BCA.
The meeting opened at 19:43.
Present:
Brenda Burden (Hon. President), John Smith (Chairman), Julie Pegg (Treasurer), Derrick Forster (Secretary), Steve Swain (Digital Secretary), Ian Tuckley (Competitions Secretary), Angie Tucker (Programme Secretary), Andy Francis (Committee member), Stephanie Forster (Committee member), Roy Derry (Committee member).
Also when any official sends out an e-mail to an address list of 2 or more members, the safe procedure must be followed i.e. the sender sends the message to himself/herself with a “Blind copy” (Bcc) to the address list.
A proposal will be prepared so that it can be discussed at the AGM (13th June) and a new policy agreed.
A register of members’ emergency contact details will also be created and kept by the club.
6.AOB
The meeting closed at 21:40
Derrick Forster (Club Secretary)
Appendix
External Competitions Secretary’s report from Dave Tucker
This is quite a difficult subject as a lot of members do not see the need as to why they should enter, but I believe that ultimately the reason why we should will benefit both club and member alike. But, this is my 1st year of doing this for Walsall Wood Club, and I truly believe we have the makings to do well and help the members.
The policy I have used – and will continue to do so if the committee agrees – is to try and use as many members’ images in the competitions rather than using the “top” photographers’ images.
This means that while we will never win anything when we go up against the likes of Smethwick, we will be encouraging all our members to join in and let them know the club is as much for them as it is for anyone and that we stand for a members’ club, not a “win at all costs” club.
Getting members to take part in club events, both internally and externally will have a proven knock-on effect of helping members’ own photography improve in the long run.
Also, it encourages more of the group or family appeal of being a member – especially when a member has their name announced as having represented their club – and I firmly believe we should, as a committee, really show our pleasure and appreciation to them for doing so as this will generate a great feeling in the club.
Anyway – my apologies for getting on my soap-box but from experience – I do know that this will help both club and members – but – I will abide by whatever the committee wants to do and direction it wants to take with these sort of things.
So far, the club has entered 2 PAGB run competitions – these are where we compete against other clubs in the UK and the 1st result was very pleasing indeed as we came a very credible 10th in the open and an amazing 15th in the nature (this was really pleasing as we didn’t have many “real” nature images).
And on the plus side I have noticed - the 2nd competition was far better represented by members after I had announced the 1st competition’s results and who had supported us etc and I would like to beg the club’s indulgence to continue to do this both on-line and evening announcements as this appears to have generated interest by the members!
Committee meeting 30th Jan 2017 minutes
Meeting was held at the BCA.
The meeting opened at 19:43.
Present:
Brenda Burden (Hon. President), John Smith (Chairman), Julie Pegg (Treasurer), Derrick Forster (Secretary), Steve Swain (Digital Secretary), Ian Tuckley (Competitions Secretary), Angie Tucker (Programme Secretary), Andy Francis (Committee member), Stephanie Forster (Committee member), Roy Derry (Committee member).
- Accounts 2016 - 17: The Club’s finances were discussed. We do not envisage financial problems in the foreseeable future.
- Programme: Angie reported good progress wth her planning. There was discussion relating to costs, availability, and dates of holidays.
- Display equipment: A high definition projector with 1400 resolution was considered. However we cannot make a decision, until guidance is received from the PAGB regarding resolution standards for competitions. The possibility of having a bigger screen of “cinema” quality was also discussed.
- Data protection: We need a policy regarding the protection of members’ personal details. We keep details of members’ name, postal address, phone number and e-mail address.
Also when any official sends out an e-mail to an address list of 2 or more members, the safe procedure must be followed i.e. the sender sends the message to himself/herself with a “Blind copy” (Bcc) to the address list.
A proposal will be prepared so that it can be discussed at the AGM (13th June) and a new policy agreed.
A register of members’ emergency contact details will also be created and kept by the club.
- Communication: Means of communication were discussed. In terms of the website, Dave Tucker offered to share the running and up-dating of the website with Andy. This offer was gratefully received.
6.AOB
- Presentation evening – this has been booked at Druid’s Heath. The menu choices have been agreed. Measures will be taken to ensure everybody gets the choices that they ordered.
- Digital entries – There was concern about the number of late entries which seriously disrupts the Digital Secretary’s planning. The current rule has an element of flexibility, allowing the Digital Secretary to use discretion for late entries if a member is under difficult personal circumstances. But members are reminded that they must only request this flexibility under exceptional circumstances please.
- External Competitions – Dave Tucker kindly provided a report on this topic (see Appendix below). Dave’s commitment and work on behalf of us all, and his policies expressed in his report were fully endorsed and appreciated by the committee.
The meeting closed at 21:40
Derrick Forster (Club Secretary)
Appendix
External Competitions Secretary’s report from Dave Tucker
This is quite a difficult subject as a lot of members do not see the need as to why they should enter, but I believe that ultimately the reason why we should will benefit both club and member alike. But, this is my 1st year of doing this for Walsall Wood Club, and I truly believe we have the makings to do well and help the members.
The policy I have used – and will continue to do so if the committee agrees – is to try and use as many members’ images in the competitions rather than using the “top” photographers’ images.
This means that while we will never win anything when we go up against the likes of Smethwick, we will be encouraging all our members to join in and let them know the club is as much for them as it is for anyone and that we stand for a members’ club, not a “win at all costs” club.
Getting members to take part in club events, both internally and externally will have a proven knock-on effect of helping members’ own photography improve in the long run.
Also, it encourages more of the group or family appeal of being a member – especially when a member has their name announced as having represented their club – and I firmly believe we should, as a committee, really show our pleasure and appreciation to them for doing so as this will generate a great feeling in the club.
Anyway – my apologies for getting on my soap-box but from experience – I do know that this will help both club and members – but – I will abide by whatever the committee wants to do and direction it wants to take with these sort of things.
So far, the club has entered 2 PAGB run competitions – these are where we compete against other clubs in the UK and the 1st result was very pleasing indeed as we came a very credible 10th in the open and an amazing 15th in the nature (this was really pleasing as we didn’t have many “real” nature images).
And on the plus side I have noticed - the 2nd competition was far better represented by members after I had announced the 1st competition’s results and who had supported us etc and I would like to beg the club’s indulgence to continue to do this both on-line and evening announcements as this appears to have generated interest by the members!