Dundee University Rucksack Club AGM
Minutes of meeting 29th March 2006, 7:30pm
Location: Room T9, Tower Building
Attended by:
President: David Manson Vice-President: Andrew McKenzie
Meets Secretary: Mhairi Martin Treasurer: Katherine Fishwick
Social Secretary: Fiona Bangs
Apologies from:
Gear Secretary: Alexei Matveyev Minutes Secretary: Sheryl Mitchell
Presidents Report
1.1 A pledge was made at last year’s election to keep the clubs membership and financial status buoyant and this has been achieved, with a final membership count of 157 and healthy finances.
1.2 Through the programming efforts of web-administrator John Bowyer, layout designs of Alistair Hardy and assistance from committee the durc website was re-launched for the freshers fayre 16.09.05
1.3 With reformatting work by Alexei Matveyev, cover redesign/foreword by David Manson and contributions from club and committee alike an up-to-date edition of the DURC song book was published for Christmas 2005.
1.4 Over the year the president has promoted and attended MCoS Safety and Good Practice Seminar 19-20th Nov 05 and Catherine Smith Memorial Trust, Winter Skills 3-5th Mar 06. Both events will be repeated this coming year and a strong club attendance is highly recommended.
1.6 It is recommended that the club pursue competitive climbing events in the UK given recent admirable results at the Scottish Indoor Climbing Competition and with recent proposals for a Scottish Universities Indoor Winter Climbing Competition. This could further the profile of the club within the Sports Union and allow the procurement of more funding as a competitive club.
1.7 The club was also recently approached by Glasgow Caledonian University after the MCoS Winter Skills course for interest in a Universities Social weekend. The president strongly suggests Committee 2006-07 pursue the idea and any further links with other Scottish Uni clubs.
1.8 Gear Secretarys achievements (in absentium).
The gear store has been run and maintained very efficiently and enthusiastically by the present Gear Secretary Alexei. Through Alexei’s sponsorship negotiations with Tiso the club has also increased its complement of equipment. With the donation of:
· 5 Rucksacks
· 3 Waterproof Jackets
· 2 pairs of small crampons
· 3 petzl head torches
= £500 retail value
Vice-Presidents Report
2.1 Only recently taken over post, but have managed to organise a very useful avalanche lecture by Blythe Wright from SAIS.
2.2 Been in touch with Balmoral Estate regarding maintenance of the club bothy at Glas Alt Sheil, so progress should be made on that front soon.
Meets Sec Report
3.1 Have tried several new huts this year which have been a success, especially Jock’s Spot.
3.2 Numbers have been lower this year, but everyone who went on trips enjoyed themselves.
3.3 Organised the trip to the Alien Rock climbing competition and to Ratho climbing centre where everyone had a great time.
3.4 Have made hut bookings for very popular huts for next year, enabling the club to stay at Strawberry Cottage whilst numbers are high in the first semester, visit Skye in the first semester and hopefully get slightly better weather and stay at Lagangarbh hut in Glen Coe.
Treasurers Report
4.1 Finances have remained healthy despite low numbers on trips and increased costs of minibus hire from Enterprise, largely due to increased membership numbers. Currently, accounts stand at about £1400, although this will drop after Annual Dinner and remaining minibus hires have been paid for, expect to end the year with £800 to hand over to next years committee
Social Secs Report
5.1 Had lots of good times this year, organised the Autumn Ceileidh (success, despite trouble with band), Christmas Dinner and Burns Supper, both of which were well attended, DMFF, which made a profit, (although reduced since the organisers ran a bar selling soft drinks for the first time this year), and have the Annual Dinner still to come.
Election of Committee 2006-07
The plebiscite vote to determine the new committee members of the Dundee University Rucksack club for the year 2006-2007 was held on 29th March 2006 in T9.
6) Elections: President
Candidates: Mhairi Martin
- Will build on role as meets sec, particular plans are to provide more for climbers in the club, especially since there are a lot of students who climb but are not part of the Rucksack club, for example taking part in more climbing competitions including hopefully BUSA climbing competitions and more regular trips to Ratho/ Ice Factor.
- Will also make sure lectures are arranged early in the year to be of maximum use to new members, especially first aid and navigation in the first semester, and a repeat of the pre-winter experience talk/dvd.
- Will encourage more training for club members – hopefully being able to sub some of the costs of courses which will be of value to club members who can pass on good practices learnt.
Mhairi duly elected as president 2006-2007.
7) Elections: Vice-President
Candidates: Julia Capper
- Will make sure lectures are arranged asap, especially first aid, since there is a 2yr gap since the last one; also navigation and avalanche lectures.
- Will carry on making sure notice board is kept up to date with current meet and map of area/events.
Julia duly elected vice-president 2006-2007.
8) Elections: Meets Sec
Candidates: Andrew McKenzie (after some persuading)
- V. committed to club and committee already, will aim to keep up current good work of meets sec.
Andrew duly elected as meets sec 2006-2007.
9) Elections: Treasurer
Candidates: Jon Bowyer
- Increasingly involved in club over last year, have had the initiative and commitment to redesign the website and produce the very successful 2006 calendar. Have had financial responsibilities in a previous position on another club committee.
Jon duly elected as treasurer 2006-2007.
10) Elections: Social Sec
Candidates: Sarah Brotherstone (after a lot of persuading)
- Have been in club for 3 years and have had previous experience of being on committee. Found a ceileidh band on the night for the annual dinner last year, so should be able to organise one with several months to plan.
- Very good with things involving alcohol and dancing and looking forward to the challenge!
Sarah duly elected as social sec 2006-2007.
11) Elections: Minutes Sec
Candidates: Miriam Brown (absent)
- 2nd year medic, learnt to climb with the club and have been on day meets. Keen to be part of the committee, and very hard working.
Miriam duly elected as minutes sec 2006-2007.
12) Elections: Gear Sec
Candidates: Allan McCulloch
- Been in club for 6yrs now and this is last year, want to put something back into the club and will do the best possible job as gear sec.
Allan duly elected as minutes sec 2006-2007.
A.G.M. completed by 9pm; congratulations to all future committee members. Club retires to Mennies.