An AGM for the record books

This years AGM was, I think, always going to be one that reflected change due to the increasing number of members unhappy with the direction that the Club has been heading for the last few years but I think the actual results of the AGM staggered even those who have been active in complaining. We now have a totally new 'Top Table'.

A total of 239 members attended the meeting and it's long time since I've seen this many there. I don't propose to go into details as to why folk had become so disillusioned but the committee finally shot themselves in the foot by refusing to contemplate arranging camping for the event when it was made clear to them that there was a need/wish by those who had no desire to pay silly money to stay in a Hotel. In the event, a couple of members went to the trouble of arranging camping at a good, nearby site and the committees refusal to acknowledge and advertise it in the Journal 'because it coincided with a National Event' was, I think, the final straw for many - most didn't know whether to laugh or cry at such absurd reasoning and it just added to the rising tide of anger. The results were that over 100 members camped for the AGM....... Thanks are due to those who organised the camping.

I rarely use this site to display my own feelings and try to ensure that I write impartially but just this once I have to say that, in my view, some of these changes have been long over due and that for years, some of the committee have simply overridden members wishes and have simply failed to see the writing on the wall (or simply ignored it on the basis that they were invincible). Even when some longstanding members decided that enough was enough and formed another club because they were so disillusioned the penny failed to drop. Last years event produced considerable 'Against' votes for certain officers despite the fact that there was no second candidate standing and I've only ever seen that once before at a club AGM but still the warning signs were unheeded and this year it became clear that the 'rabble at the back' wanted their Club back... Having said that, all of those who are no longer on the committee deserve our thanks for the immense work they have done for the club over the years.

Only time will tell how the new team perform and how much effort they put in to leading the club where the members wish it to go rather than concentrating on becoming a corporate arm of the factory and I wish them well in their efforts.

Your new officers are listed below along with the vote count where I wrote it down:

Item 12: The new Club Logo: The new required design of this was explained by Peter Dunn. If you think the current one is rubbish just wait till you see this one.....

Item 13: Rule change re members being over 18 years and no requirement to own or have owned a BMW. Accepted.

Item 14: Proposal by the committee to remove the Irish Section. Withdrawn.

Item 15: Proposal by the Irish Section to remain membership. Withdrawn.

Item 16: Proposal to change Irish Section Membership fees to Overseas rates. Accepted.

Item 17: Proposal re directors expenses. Accepted (I think).

Honorary Full Membership: Proposed Tony Moores. Accepted.

Date of next years AGM: April 17th.