2024 AGM Meeting Minutes

Draft AGM Minutes

AGM meeting minutes are considered draft until ratified by the following AGM

A

Members present & apologies

D Farrow (Chairperson), Joyce Arnot, Liz Ritchie, Malcolm Smith, Kenny MacIsaac, Steve Rivett, Liz Chenhall, Maggie Farrow, David Johnston, Sue Johnston, Marion Imrie, Joy Rivett-Gill, Ian Price, Kevin Firth, Sheena Spence, Alina Spence, Mary Shaw, Elizabeth Shaw, Mary Hunter, Marion Lauchlan, John Crone, Frances Fyfe.
Apologies for absence: Kevin and Michele Wright, Lorraine Facchini, Scott Arnot.
In attendance: Margaret Orrell.

B

Chairman’s report

Dave F. welcomed everyone to the 50th year of Auchincruive Croquet Club, and thanked Liz R for agreeing to write the minutes. He thanked everyone for attending, and paid tribute to all the volunteers in the club who maintain the hut and the lawns, organise events and competitions, and manage bookings.

The Golden Anniversary Banner was a splendid backdrop to the AGM, and was greatly appreciated by all members. He made special mention of the imminent departure of Kevin and Michele, longstanding members, who will be great missed by everyone. They will always have a warm welcome at the club.

C

Minutes of previous meeting

Deemed to be correct and approved.

D

Captain’s report

Dave F. read Kevin’s report, mentioning the success of the club in winning the Inter club competition, now enhanced by Malcolm’s silver teapot trophy, the club golf croquet doubles league, the singles handicap league, and the SCA golf croquet handicap competition won by Dave F.

Association croquet sessions had been quite well attended, and a pleasant day was spent as guests at Glasgow Croquet Club. Our club will probably host Glasgow again this season.

E

Treasurer’s report

Malcolm reported we had 38 members last season, with a healthy £586 profit. Mallets and the lawnmower benefited from Alex’ maintenance. A major cost is lawn mowing.

The committee recommended the annual subscription remain at £30.00.

This was proposed by Dave F and seconded by Kenny, and was approved by the meeting.

F

Election of Committee

With the vacancy of Captain, Joyce A. proposed Kenny, and was seconded by Mary H. There were no other nominations, and Kenny was duly elected.

The meeting agreed to keep the same five members of the existing committee for another year.

Ian Price was proposed by Malcolm and seconded by Sheena as the sixth member of the Committee. There were no other nominations and Ian was duly elected.

G

Health and Safety

There were no major issues on this topic, but members were reminded to bring any concerns to the committee, and to take action if they noticed anything potentially dangerous on or around the lawns.

H

Lawn Bookings

Kenny and Steve were thanked for their previous and ongoing work managing lawn bookings. Anyone else wanting to help in this area were asked to contact Steve or Kenny.
Two proposals for time slots for bookings were discussed, and after voting, four voted for even hours, nine for odd hours, and ten abstained. The bookings will therefore remain on odd hours for the coming season.
Saturday club sessions will now begin at 14:00.

I

Competitions and trophies

Kenny asked for early entries for club competitions. SCA competitions listed as “Open” are open to members, but places are usually very limited. All details are on the SCA website, or members can contact Kenny for further details.
The Inter club golf croquet competition usually has two teams from Auchincruive. Those interested should contact Kenny. Details of the Basil Townsend Quaich, the Wilkinson’s Sword, and other SCA competitions are available online and from Kenny.
Marion Imrie wanted to know members’ handicaps before playing the singles league. Kenny and Steve will keep a register, and Malcolm is the Club’s official handicap organiser.
Dave F. mentioned that members should be aware that many other clubs now use the Advantage system of handicap play, where players are given hoops, not shots, if they are higher handicapped. Malcolm mentioned this system could be problematic, but Dave F. and Maggie had experience of this new system last season and were quite comfortable with the new system.
Dave F. thanked Kenny for his clear presentation.

J

Constitution

Dave F. explained the background to the Constitution being written, and said it made the committee accountable, and gave the Club a more solid structure.

Joyce spoke of the legal safeguards it gave the club. Steve and Joy asked for clarification on proxy votes, and Mary questioned the absence of hyphens in a few places in the document. Both matters will be looked at by the Committee.

After some general discussion, and the strong recommendation from the committee for acceptance, the members were asked if they wished to adopt the Constitution. The vote was unanimously in favour of adopting the Constitution.

K

Any other business

1) Dave F. mentioned two items of expenditure the committee was considering, one being the purchase of an extra storage space for the lawnmower and associated gardening equipment, and the other being the possible purchase of a gazebo, or possibly two, to replace the old one used at open days. Approximate estimates were £650 for the storage facility and £300 for the gazebos. The committee would investigate further and keep members fully informed.

2) Other items discussed were the possibility of having hut keys returned by members leaving the club, and the possibility of having a toilet for use of members. The committee would consider both these issues. Dave F. mentioned that key owners had no legal requirement to return their own property to the club.

3) Kenny raised the matter of Thursday club times, and asked when the OIR started and finished. It was agreed the session for the Club would begin at 17:00.

4) Dave F. thanked all present for their positive contributions throughout the meeting, which closed at 18:15