Annual General Meeting 2008
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
Saturday 14th June 2008
The meeting commenced at 13.30hrs there being the following present:
D Gershlick, T Brownsell, E Hitchman, D Connell, M Harber, A Doyle, R Nunez, T Middleton, JP Cremin, C Towndrow, B Linale, J Linale, D Cowie, J Casalaspro, C Dewing, A Anyim, P short, J P Shanahan, E Butler, A Sheehan, G Cooper, B Gilbride, S Smith
Apologies for absence had been received from:
R Daly, C Williams, B Edwards, V Graham, C Jenkins, M Watts, L Lennon, N Foley, D Hayes, K Gent, J Fone, A Kahl
1. The minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 2nd June 2007 were taken as read.
2. Treasurer’s Report
In the absence of the Treasurer the Secretary presented the financial report and accounts for the year ended 30th April 2008. It was proposed and seconded that the accounts be adopted and this was agreed unanimously. The Secretary explained the Committee’s review of the Clubhouse refurbishment priorities and the budget implications. After discussion the priorities were agreed unanimously. The first two work days were agreed as 28th June and 5th July. G Cooper generously said that he would donate £500 specifically towards the costs of the work being undertaken by the members.
The meeting also noted the proposals to employ cleaning staff and medical support at matches.
The meeting agreed a vote of thanks to Vernon Graham who was retiring as Treasurer after many years.
3. Director of Rugby’s Report
M Harber reported that this had been a very mixed playing season for the 1st XV ending on a high with a Cup Final win but with some unacceptable performances and attitudes in the Leagues. This was due partly to the resignation of the Coach in the first few weeks of the season but there was a distinct lack of commitment from some players and it had been impossible to field a settled side.
Playing results for all 1st team games were Played 28 Won 13 Lost 14 Drawn 1 with Points For at 423 and Against at 453.
The 2nd XV however had shown great spirit and had deservedly been promoted again in only their second season of Merit Table rugby and had won their Merit Table Cup.
Playing results for 2nd XV games were Played 23 Won 14 Lost 7 Drawn 2 Points For 397 Points and Against 346.
He thanked in particular Evan Hitchman for his work as Membership Secretary.
For next season the players meeting had selected Chris Towndrow as 1st XV Nick Lovett would be Head Coach with support from John Ryan, Paul Carroll and Evan Hitchman, who would support J P Shanahan, the new captain of the 2nd XV. Touch rugby was already being played in Hendon Park and formal training would begin in the first week of July.
4. President’s Report
The President reiterated M Harber’s comments on the playing side and wished the coaches and teams well for the forthcoming season which would again be tough but which they had the capability to make a successful one.
He thanked the Committee, particularly Vernon Graham and those members, who had come forward last year and had so successfully taken on much of the day to day management of the Club.
He also said that the 75th Season celebrations had been a great success and he looked forward to the next milestone in the Club’s history.
5. Chairman’s Statement
The Chairman had asked that the following statement be read in his absence:
“I don’t know what David will or has already said about this year in his report but I have asked Tom that the following be read in my absence.
This really is sods law I am very sorry to miss this AGM as I believe it is the first I have missed since joining the club in the 1960s. It just has to be the first where there is a whole bunch of good news to celebrate.
We have suffered lots of downs over many years but this year has been a very definite up.
In my opinion this is the result of a lot of hard work by many members over the last couple of years. A successful new combination of the young playing membership standing up and helping out the few old farts with both running the day to day and the overall administration of the club.
Please keep it up boy’s it works.
We also need Members to seriously consider the higher offices of the club and to that end I welcome Laurence’s decision to stay on as Dept President.
I also very much welcome Dave Connell (one of the ‘younger playing members’) just mentioned, as the new Treasurer of the club and I am sure he will do a great job and I thank him for his valuable work during the last couple of seasons on bar and house.
But I must extend my very sincere thanks to the unseen hero Vernon Graham who has, despite having no real interest in rugby, has kept our accounts in his usual articulate and organized manner for many more years than we could have expected. He took on the task way back before the cricket section was disbanded and has done a great job for us. He is owed a great dept of thanks from everyone for his behind the scenes dedication to the club.
The success of the club on the field this year has been fantastic with record hauls of silverware and Tommy and Eric playing for the County. My thanks go to all involved Micky, Tommy, Nick, Evan and all.
I congratulate both Chris and JP next season’s new captains they have a lot to live up to and I am sure they will bring further success to the club next season.
My sincere thanks must go to the officers and committee for their work during the year. A personal thank you to Craig Silver for saving my bacon on the Sevens front both for our own competition and the Middlesex Clubs.
Lastly many thanks to David ‘Del Boy’ or ‘Bus Boy’ Gershlick and Tom ‘The Blazer’ Brownsell, for keeping us all on our toes and for the massive amount of work they get through both within Hendon and at County level, don’t discount the county work it does Hendon no harm at all.
If I have forgotten anyone please accept my apologies and thanks.”
6. Subscriptions
It was agreed that there should be no change to annual subscription rates for the forthcoming season. The Playing management had agreed that the weekly subscription would be increased by £1 to £6 and that there would be a one off levy of £10 towards the cost of medical support.
7. Appointments
The following Committee appointments were agreed unanimously:
President D Gershlick
Deputy President Laurence Lennon
Chairman M Watts
Secretary T Brownsell
Treasurer D Connell
Fixture Secretary C Silver
Director of Rugby M Harber
Bar Secretary E Hitchman
House Secretary E Butler
Membership Secretary Evan Hitchman
Ladies Secretary Nominations required
Social & Fund Raising Secretary J Ryan - Fund Raising and Danny Hayes - Social
Chairman, Disciplinary Committee To be filled by one of the Club Officers as necessary
Press & Records Secretary David Gershlick
8. 3 Year Plan, Youth Rugby and Recruitment
The Secretary made a brief presentation on progress against the 3 year plan and it was noted that many of the objectives had been achieved ahead of schedule or were in progress. The main outstanding item is the Clubhouse Lease where negotiations are proceeding very slowly with the Council. We have professional support and as soon as anything meaningful happens the members would be informed.
The question of Youth Rugby was also outstanding and a general discussion on how/who/when we could reinstate it particularly though our links with St James’s was held. J Casalaspro said that he would talk with those interested and set things in motion but other commitments meant that he could not take on the lead role.
The Middlesex Rugby Bus was brought to the Club and after the meeting it would be taken to The Bodhran and The Kings Arms, where members would distribute material and take names and contact details of any who expressed an interest. The bus would be booked again and hopefully parked for a day at Brent Cross. There would be a poster campaign throughout the Summer and the posters and other material would be printed shortly.
There being no other business the meeting closed at 14.30hrs.
Minutes Prepared by: T E Brownsell Hon Secretary
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