GENERAL INFORMATION

Minutes of Annual General Meeting held on 8^th July 2008 at Westland Sports & Social Club.

 Present:                      26 members attended the meeting.

 Apologies :                Received from 8 members.

 Minutes of previous AGM:                had been distributed and were unanimously agreed.

 Matters Arising:                 None.

Chairman’s Report:  Roy welcomed everybody to the 62^nd AGM and gave special thanks to Tom Newbury (VES Precision Ltd) for his continued sponsorship.

On behalf of the members he thanked the Committee for their dedication and hard work over the 2007/08 season. He also praised the hard work of the volunteers in overcoming the problems of the Closed One-Day event.

Thanks too to Barrington for the very successful Presentation Evening held there.

Roy said that Margaret and Derek were both retiring from the Committee and thanked them for their work.

Those remaining on the Committee will strive to continue the good work, but volunteers are needed to maintain the league’s high standard.

 Secretary’s Report:   Margaret reported that the Somerset TTA were holding their AGM on 22^nd July but desperately needed a General Secretary and a Treasurer. She thanked personally all those who had helped her during the year with the tournaments, the rules, and generally. She was disappointed with the One-Day Tournament with competitors from only six clubs. However, 196 matches were played during the day.

 Treasurer’s Report:  Chris presented the accounts and ran through the various items of income and expenditure. He had experienced considerable problems in taking over from the previous treasurer and with a lost cheque book. Additionally there were problems in accessing the Cheltenham & Gloucester account but these should be sorted out when new signatories are in place. There was a final bank balance of £3,446. The accounts were accepted (prop: Geoff, sec: Derek and carried unanimously). He proposed that fees were kept at the same level as last year which was agreed.

Geoff queried the cost of the scorecards and thought that the actual figure was much less. This will be sorted out in committee and reported in the Newsletter.

 Appointment of Auditor:   Roy had previously overlooked the need for an auditor but Lee Sadler has been approached and is willing to act. This was agreed (prop: Roy. Sec: Shirley)

 Fixture Secretary’s Report:  Tim said that the implementation of the rules as amended last year worked very well. All but one league game and all cup matches were played. He thanked the team captains.

 Commercial Manager’s Report:  Geoff said that advertisements for the handbook were a bit indeterminate but he was confident enough would be forthcoming.

 Resolutions regarding Association Rules:    As copies of the resolutions had already been circulated to members Roy proposed that they be passed as stated. This was seconded by Derek and carried unanimously.

 Election of Officers:                Roy said that the Secretary and the Minutes Secretary were resigning this year and Sonia Bues and Caroline Berkeley had been nominated respectively. The Tournament Organiser , Margaret, was also standing down and Gillian Thorne had been nominated. The following officers were elected unanimously:

Chairman:                            Roy.       

Vice Chairman:                   Shirley Dark.

Treasurer:                             Chris Glover.

Secretary:                             Sonia Bues.

Minutes Secretary:               Caroline Berkeley.

Match Secretary:                  Tim Farr.

Rules Secretary:                   Tony Loveridge.

Trophies Secretary:               Dave Beare.

Commercial Manager:          Geoff Argent.

Tournament Organiser:         Gillian Thorne.

Somerset representative:     Shirley Dark

 There were no volunteers for the posts of American Handicap Organiser or Coaching Co-ordinator and it was decided that, as anyone could attend a committee meeting, Division representatives were no longer required.

 Any Other Business:    Chris said that income was slowly going down. Should we carry on as we are or look for more income.  Perhaps handbook advertising could be pursued. Jim suggested that the balances were not really reducing because some expenses related to 2006/07.

It was suggested we should leave the ETTA. Tim and Margaret both spoke against this and said that the benefits outweighed the disadvantages. It was decided to remain within the ETTA.

Geoff said that he would appreciate any names for additional handbook advertising.

Ken Lake raised the question of allowable rubbers for bats. We are awaiting updated lists of accepted rubbers and the question will be put to the next committee meeting. The question of rubbers is an ITTF decision adopted by the ETTA  and local leagues, strictly speaking, should conform.

Martin asked if we would provide balls again and they will be available on player registration night. The date of this will be published in the newsletter.