10/2/10 Minutes of Recent AGM

MINUTES OF THE NORTH AMERICAN GUILD ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING – LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS

October 2, 2010

The meeting was called to order at 3:31 pm by the President and meeting chair, Lyn Barnett. Approximately 50 members and guests attended. The Little Rock ringers were recognized and thanked by acclamation for hosting the AGM and for their exceptional hospitality. Ringing friends who have died since the last meeting were remembered with a moment of silence – these included Margaret Craig, Lois Batten, Kurt Ward, Jill Johnston. Members’ attention was directed to the Shurcliff desk set which is traditionally present at AGMs . Details of the history of the NAGCR artifact are on the website (www.nagcr.org) as well as in the documents distributed. Greetings were recorded from absent members Jeremy Bates and Lynn Kodrich. The President also recognized visitors Andrew and Alison Nelson from Lancaster, UK; three past Presidents -- Alan Ellis, Bruce Butler and Porter Brownlee; and all Honorary Life Members present at the meeting. Madeleine Cheesman of Toronto was appointed to take the minutes and Porter Brownlee of Little Rock to serve as Parliamentarian for the meeting. Officers’ interim reports were distributed to all attending.

The Chair called for consideration of the minutes of the 2009 AGM (copy provided in the handouts) and invited comments, corrections or amendments. None were forthcoming. Brian Dearnley moved to accept the 2009 minutes: Meredith Morris seconded, and the motion carried. The 2009 Annual Report was likewise presented for review and approval, and there were no comments, corrections or amendments. Brian Dearnley moved that the Report be accepted; Chris Haller seconded, and the motion carried.

The Chair recognized Don Morrison for an update on the electronic reporting process for peals and quarter peals. Tony Parry, the maintainer of Campanophile, has kindly made a special page just for the needs of the North American Guild. The old submission page has been updated to point at this. By using this new page you can enter the report once and have it sent to all of Newsletter Editor/Peal Secretary, Campanophile and (optionally) The Ringing World. Work is underway to also have reports so submitted automatically appear on the Guild's web site. As was the case with the old electronic submission mechanism you cannot submit donations to The Ringing World this way, but it is generally more convenient for towers and handbell areas in North America to collect and submit larger contributions to the RW once or twice a year. Thanks very much to Tony Parry for adding this page for us, and to Laura Dickerson who for years has laboriously copied by hand details from the old submission system into Campanophile, and can now enjoy a well earned rest.

The President introduced the officers of the Guild and referred members to their interim reports in the handouts:

Lyn Barnett – President; Tom Miller – (Membership) Secretary; Rosalie Crouch – Treasurer; Theresa Rice – Peal Secretary; Scott Stricker – Public Relations Officer; Bruce Butler – Education Officer; Sally Cook – Clapper Editor.

The President offered the Guild’s congratulations to Scott Stricker and Beth Echols on their recent marriage.

Rosalie Crouch presented the Treasurer’s report, and indicated that the Guild is currently in a stable financial position. The 2011 budget is still being prepared but will be very similar to the budget for 2010. Rosalie was pleased to advise that the US/IRS tax status of the Guild has been finalized after considerable time and energy expended over the last few years. The Guild is now registered as a 501(c)(7) (social club), and retains the option to apply for recognition as a 501(c)(3) at a later date. Tax reporting requirements are annual, but minimal, so no professional tax return preparation will be required. The Treasurer expressed her commitment to term limits for Officers, and is therefore choosing to step down. The Treasurer also advised that due to the minimal exchange differential in Canadian and US rates of exchange, the Canadian dues and subscriptions will be the same as those for the US as of the first quarter of 2011. The UK subscriptions will remain unchanged for 2011.

The President reported on the progress of the website development team and expressed the Guild’s gratitude for the work of the WebTeam. New features launched concurrently with this meeting include the Member Directory/search options and the Guild Documents -- 2009 Annual Report, Constitution & Bylaws, Life Before NAG, Shurcliff Desk Set provenance. It was noted that members are able to edit personal information to ensure details are accurate and that only the information one wishes to share will be visible to others. These areas are under password protection. Chris Haller suggested that old Annual Reports also be placed on the website for reference purposes.

A report provided by Jeremy Bates (Trinity, New York) on the status of the plans for new residence colleges with tower at Yale University (New Haven, CT) was presented by the Chair. It is now understood that as a result of information presented by Jeremy and his ad hoc committee of experts, interested individuals, and alums, Yale University has publicly announced that it is studying the possibility of including change-ringing bells in the new colleges (possible completion date of 2015). Jeremy represents the interests of the NAGCR in this initiative; anyone having information, influence, financial support, etc. to offer to the effort should be in touch with him directly (jeremycbates@earthlink.net). Photos of the model of the project along with additional information may be available at www.yaledailynews.com.

Members were advised by the Chair that the nominations period for 2011 term officers remains open until November 1, 2010. All Executive Committee positions and 4 Central Council Representatives will be elected in November. Nominations (and seconds) may be made by email or regular mail to the President. Nominees should submit a brief statement indicating willingness to serve and platform/qualifications for the office sought. Public Relations Officer Scott Stricker, Treasurer Rosalie Crouch, Editor Sally Cook and Central Council Representative Kathryn Tucker have each announced that they will step down from their respective positions at year end. Their service was acknowledged with applause by the Meeting. The Peal Secretary, Education Officer, (Membership) Secretary, and President have each been nominated to stand for the 2011 term. Two incumbent Central Council Representatives have been nominated for another 3-year term: Bruce Butler and Beverly Faber. Tony Furnivall indicated that he plans to stand for one of the Central Council positions.

The Chair announced that the Utah handbells are currently in the custody of Lynn Kodrich (Trinity, New York) as no other request has been made for their use. Cally Perry then advised that Portland and San Francisco are interested in borrowing them.

The Chair referenced the origin and the philosophy underlying the NAGCR Roll of Honor, and announced the Executive Committee’s addition of six names: Dianne S. P. Cermak and John Danaher, George and Harriet Williams, and Candace and Edwin Higginbotham (see more information elsewhere in this issue).

Education Officer Bruce Butler advised the membership that the Book Service was available in Morrison Hall, and thanked Tom Miller for transporting the supply to Little Rock. He reminded the meeting of the process for purchasing any of the materials. He advised that the Ringing World Diaries would be available shortly and that information regarding orders of same will be placed on the website. It is likely that the price will be only slightly higher than last year. As the Ringing World is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2011, a number of additional commemorative items will be available. The Education Officer also advised that the NAGCR change ringing pamphlet has been reviewed and updated and supplies are available to all towers.

Madeleine and Nick Cheesman were recognized to extend the invitation of St. James’ Cathedral ringers for the next AGM, to be held in Toronto in September 2011, and provided postcards and posters for advertising the AGM and encouraging the membership to attend.

The President asked for new business, and recognized Tony Furnivall, who offered a motion to amend the Constitution to add another officer (Vice President) and to establish a term limit of two years, for the purpose of succession planning in the Executive Committee. The position of Vice President is intended as a “President in waiting”, but would nevertheless be elected. Considerable discussion and questions ensued, with concern that two years was too short a term, that multiple positions expiring at the same time could leave the Executive Committee with an experience void. The Executive Committee also then introduced the idea of creating a Communications Office to integrate and oversee Guild communications – website, newsletter, brochures, etc. In this scenario the Newsletter Editor would become an appointed position under the supervision of an elected Communications Officer. Tony then withdrew his motion and proposed that all the ideas presented during the discussion be further considered and developed into a form suitable for a future vote by the membership. He agreed to head up such an initiative and to coordinate with the officers to that end. The amendments proposed to Tony’s original motion were also withdrawn.

Alan Ellis was next recognized for the purpose of jointly proposing, with Pam Verrey of Honolulu, the name of Laith Reynolds to the Roll of Honor. There was no objection and he was added to the Roll of Honor by acclamation.

There being no other business, the President asked for a motion to adjourn. Brian Dearnley so moved; Meredith Morris seconded, and the meeting was adjourned.