MINUTES OF THE 8TH AGM OF THE ORBA WARBLERS

HELD ON TUESDAY13TH JANUARY 2004

AT OLIVA NOVA

CHAIRED BY THE CAPTAIN MR RICHARD MORRIS

 

Present          

                        Captain                      Richard Morris

                                    Vice Captain             Barrie Middleton                  

                                    Secretary                   Hazel Brown

                                    Treasurer                   Arthur Sullivan

                                    Handicap Secretary  Pat Casson-Smith

                                    Social Secretary        Jenny Berry

 

Members 43

Apologies

                        Trevor Colgate and Mike Faccenda

Minutes

 

1.                  WELCOME.  The Captain welcomed the members to the meeting and thanked them for their support throughout 2003.

2.                  MINUTES.  The minutes of the 7th AGM were taken as read.  Proposed by Colin Higgins, seconded by Charlie McInnes.  Carried.

  SECRETARY’S REPORT

  During 2003 22 matches had been arranged for Oliva Nova and 30 for away venues.  The average number of members playing at Oliva Nova was 38 and at away venues 35.  Unfortunately the figures were only available for 9 months of the year, due to the theft in the summer.

This years fixtures include 20 matches at Oliva Nova and 32 at away venues.  We have included 2 matches at El Bosque this year, and hope to include a new course in May.

Due to the delay in Oliva Nova confirming requested dates we have had to arrange 3 matches on Tuesday’s, as other courses were already fully booked on the Wednesdays.  All these are in January and February.

Last year we enrolled 16 new members.  At present we have 9 guests who have met the qualifying criteria and are awaiting membership We have 5 members in total who do not qualify to renew their membership, and written resignations from 3 members.

Many members have a membership number greater than 100.  All of these have been given a new membership number.  The new number will be entered onto the membership card when the subs are paid, or a new card issued.

One of the greatest problems with weekly organisation is members who have not put their name down turning up to play.  This causes a great deal of reorganisation on the day, and there may be times when it is impossible to fit them in.   Also cancellations must be made as early as possible in order to notify the course, as many of the courses charge for the number of players confirmed 24 hours earlier.

HANDICAP SECRETARY’S REPORT

When the new handicapping system, whereby everyone played off his or her lowest handicap was introduced, it was thought to be the fairest way of achieving a level playing field.  A year on it has proved not to be the case, with many federated members being penalised.  It is therefore proposed to allow members to maintain a Warblers handicap.  Federated members handicaps have been adjusted this year taking into account their performance last year.

When playing in Costa Blanca League matches federated members will still be required to play from their lowest handicap.

Only 32 players were able to take part in the knock out competition last year.  This year any number will be able to enter, the rules will be the same, but with more entries there will be more rounds.  Names will be taken after the meeting.

Every 4 years the R&A bring out a new set of rules. 2004 sees the most radical rewrite since inception.  These are supposed to be written in layman’s terms.  100 copies have been ordered for members.

Local rules to all of the courses we play were issued to all members last year.  It is requested that members carry these rules with them in their golf bags as a reference.  If during a match there is a discrepancy regarding rules, the scorecard should not be signed until the matter is resolved.  This may be in the clubhouse after discussion with the committee.

SOCIAL SECRETARY'S REPORT.

Members were thanked for their support at the social events last year.   All the events arranged were successful and many will be repeated again in 2004.  We did enjoy the treasure hunt, but next time, could the clues be a little less cryptic.  The Xmas Ball was a success, but the food failed to impress.  The Captain suggested that next year we book a different venue.  We should not expect the Spanish to provide an English style meal, but let them cater in the way that they are accustomed, and are good at.

Apart from the Christmas Ball all social events are self funding, and any extra monies were to be spent on golf as we are a golfing society.

A suggested agenda for 2004 was on each table, and input from members would be welcome

TREASURER’S REPORT

Copies of the financial report were available for members.  The treasurer explained the accounts in greater detail.

The membership subscriptions, guest fees, football card and Abbey National are all self-explanatory.  The green fees for both income and expenditure comprise the occasions where golf tickets for El Plantio and Alenda were pre purchased and sold on to members on match days.  It also covers subsidies such as the 40cents per game at Oliva Nova, and occasions where Bonalba got it wrong.  The Social Fund has not been displayed as a separate account this year, all income and expenditure being displayed within the accounts.  Social activities reflect the entire year, including the actual cost of the subsidised tickets to the society for members and partners, and other essential costs for the Christmas Ball.   More money was spent on prizes this year and the committee expenses consist of everything concerned with the running of the society.  During the burglary at the secretary’s home in September, 600€ of Warblers money was stolen.  The committee decided to divert some of the Abbey National sponsorship money to partly cover this loss, and to write the rest off.

The treasurer concluded the presentation of his report with thanks to Robert Marsden for auditing the account and to Ian, Tex and Malcolm for their assistance during the year.

On the basis of the accounts it was proposed that the annual fee should remain at 40€.  Members were asked to pay subscriptions as soon as possible, and were reminded that a fine would be imposed for those not paying promptly.

As extra money was now being spent on prizes it was questioned as to whether we could have some alternatives to the usual bottles offered as prizes.  The prizes provided were a committee decision and the new committee should be approached regarding any changes required by the members.

The year-end balance of 2402.03€ was questioned.  Why is it so high?  The treasurer explained that we do need to have a healthy balance as on the first Wednesday of the year he was required to outlay 2200€ to purchase tickets for El Plantio, thus securing discounted golf for the members.

It was proposed by Dermott Dimsey that the accounts be accepted as an accurate record, seconded by Brenda Cook and agreed unanimously by the members.

RE-ELECTION OF HON. AUDITOR

Robert Marsden was reappointed as auditor for 2004.  Proposed by

Dermott Dimsey, seconded by Brenda Cook, passed.  

CAPTAIN’S REPORT

The Captain thanked his committee for their support.  There have been a few rough times but on the whole an enjoyable year. 

During his term first as Vice Captain, then as Captain the society has seen a few changes.  We have a set of rules for the society, a web site which is proving very useful for the UK residents, and quarterly newsletters.  We included new competitions last year and have 2 new ones to include in the coming year.  It has been decided to present all trophies won in the coming year at the Christmas Ball.  Winners will then keep them for the following 12 months.  El Bosque has again been included in this year’s venue along with a new course for us, La Finca which is south of Alicante.  Because of the travelling distance to La Finca, it was proposed that we subsidise the cost of a coach for members out of the funds.

All decisions made by the committee are made democratically.  They may not always popular, but we have to go with the majority.

Before handing over to the incoming Captain, the Captain expressed his thanks to Hazel Brown for all her hard work as secretary over the last 3 years.  She was presented with a gift from all the members in appreciation.

There have been rumblings amongst the members regarding the nominations for officials.  It was always expected that the Vice Captain would become Captain.  As the only position being contested was that of Vice Captain voting slips were handed to everyone.

At this point in the meeting the Chair was handed over to the new Captain, Barrie Middleton.

Barrie thanked Richard for his dedication and hard work over the last 2

years and he was presented with a memento of his year in office, to

rapturous applause from the members.

  The result of the ballot for vice captain was announced, Nick Berry being

 duly elected.

 

SOCIETY OFFICIALS

 

                        Captain                        Barrie Middleton

                        Vice Captain               Nick Berry

                        Secretary                     Norman Howell

                        Treasurer                     Arthur Sullivan

                        Handicap Secretary    Pat Casson-Smith

                        Social Secretary          Jenny Berry

                        Admin. Secretary          Barry Caulfield

                         Honorary Auditor          Robert Marsden

Committee accepted unanimously.

 

 ANY OTHER BUSINESS.

We have a provisional booking for La Finca Golf on the 19th May.  The price will be 60€, but we are considering subsidising the cost of a coach for members.  On a show of hands about 25 members were interested.  It was suggested that a meal could also be included making a complete day out.

Oliva Nova have asked if any of the Warblers would be interested in      Marshalling at the OKI, the last weekend of January.  They will pay 30€ per    day.  If anyone is interested please see Norman.

It was requested that we consider playing more Texas Scrambles.

Charlie McInnes expressed a vote of thanks on behalf of all members to the retiring and incoming committees.

MEETING CLOSED. 

The Chairman closed the meeting.