Minutes of Committee Meeting Held 09.09.03 at Cock O’Budworth, 8.00 p.m.

Present: Les, Andrew, Trevor (substituting for Jean)

Apologies: Jean

Purpose(s) of meeting:

To make plans for the winter and beyond.
To consider how the club has developed during its first year.
To consider how the club may continue to develop.
To consolidate administrative arrangements.

Note: Les and Andrew had met at The Whipping Stocks on Sun 7^th to have some preliminary discussions about sustaining the club during the winter period. The various ideas are outlined below after discussion with Trevor.

Affiliation to BSAOC

Some Cheshire Beezers who are already BSAOC members wish to form a Cheshire Branch of the BSAOC. Les has written to the BSAOC asking that the request be included on the BSAOC AGM agenda for their meeting on 2^nd November. BSAOC have confirmed that the item is on the agenda. BSAOC members amongst us are requested to attend if possible. Transport arrangements will be posted on the website soon.

Consequences of affiliation to the BSAOC

The committee affirmed that the Cheshire Beezers would be unaffected. Any distinction between the Cheshire Beezers and the ‘BSAOC – Cheshire Branch’ be kept to a minimum. Membership of ‘BSAOC – Cheshire Branch’ should be free of charge to eligible persons who are already members of the Cheshire Beezers. It is anticipated that objections to affiliation would be made by the Warrington Branch if the BSAOC – Cheshire Branch were to meet at The Cock O’Budworth. Permission has been obtained from The Whipping Stocks (A50 Holmes Chapel – Knutsford) to meet there on 1^st Thursday every month, commencing 2^nd October. This will be the ‘official’ meeting place of the BSAOC – Cheshire Branch and the venue declared in ‘The Star’. All Cheshire Beezers will, of course, be more than welcome.

Meetings of the Cheshire Beezers to continue at the Cock O’Budworth on Tuesdays as usual. The name of the club to be established as ‘The Cheshire Beezers’ (incorporating the BSAOC – Cheshire Branch). The previous ‘umbrella’ name ‘Cheshire BSA Enthusiasts’ to be dropped. Having three names (Cheshire Beezers, Cheshire BSA Enthusiasts, BSAOC- Cheshire Branch) would be too much!

Date of AGM

The AGM to be held in autumn each year, as close to mid-October as possible, and prior to the BSAOC Members’ Meeting normally held in November. This year the AGM to be held on October 14^th at The Cock O’Budworth, commencing 8.30 p.m. The meeting to be of business nature, conducted as swiftly as possible.

Annual Social Event and Awards.

A Christmas social event to be held in the New Year each year, ideally at The Cock O’Budworth but dependant upon the availability of the function room. The committee to make arrangements accordingly. Awards: (1) ‘Top Beezer’, postal vote of members for the person who has, according to their own criteria, made a significant contribution to the fun and success of the club.(Cannot be won by the same person in successive years). (2) ‘Cheshire Beezer-Bike of the Year’, postal vote of members for their favourite bike of the year which has attended at least one club night or run. (Can only be won by any bike once). (3) ‘Cheshire Beezer – Rider of the Year’ Awarded to the person who has attended the most official Cheshire Beezer Runs. (4) ‘Cheshire Beezer – Hard Luck Award’. The person who, judged by the committee on recommendation of members, has smiled through embarrassment and disaster.

Members are at liberty to bring or donate trophies for any other category they wish.

Membership/subscription Fees

Agreed to recommend the following to members. Membership of the Cheshire Beezers to be £2.50 per family; all members to receive their membership card by post if not at the club to collect it.

Communications

Communication will continue by e-mail, website and leaflets distributed at club meetings and runs. Members who wish to receive occasional updates by post may pay £2 for this service or give the secretary four SAE’s which will be used at appropriate times during the year.

Raffle

Andrew to look into the possibility of running a raffle to raise funds for the club.

Winter Events

As it is not anticipated that many people want to ride their bikes during wet weather the secretary will try to organise quizzes, Sunday lunches etc. to maintain some interest during the winter months. There will be some runs for the hardy riders! The first run of the new season is likely to be the run to ‘The Big Breakfast’ assuming this takes place.